This document has been archived. TITLE: Dear Colleague Letter - Request for ideas about a Mathematics Education Initiative (nsf12080) DATE: 5/14/2012 NSF 12-080 Dear Colleague Letter - Request for ideas about a Mathematics Education Initiative DATE: May 14, 2012 The National Science Foundation (NSF) in cooperation with the U.S Department of Education (ED) is interested in input that can inform new activities and programs to support and improve K-16 mathematics education. The President's fiscal year 2013 budget to Congress proposes a jointly administrated K-16 mathematics education initiative funded by $30 million from NSF and $30 million from ED. This funding will create a dual-agency initiative on mathematics education that will combine the strengths of NSF and ED to stimulate needed research and development in mathematics education and the use of successful practices and innovations at scale. This initiative will support researchers, practitioners, and institutions with the greatest potential for transformational impact, and provide opportunities for state, local and institutional decision-makers to infuse proven practices into mathematics education. The goal is to have a lasting impact on the learning and teaching of mathematics. To shape the direction of this initiative, NSF and ED are seeking help from all concerns with K-16 mathematics education. What do you think are the highest priority issues or challenges that need to be addressed in order to improve K-16 mathematics teaching and learning in the country? The information received in response to this Dear Colleague letter may be used to help shape directions for this initiative. Please submit your ideas by July 1, 2012 by using the online form at [1]http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/k_16_initiative. * Explain the priority issue, challenge, or opportunity; provide a brief rationale for its importance; and comment on the implications it has for the teaching and learning of mathematics at the K-16 level. * Provide the evidence or research base that supports the priority issue, challenge, or opportunity you have identified, including references, if appropriate. Receipt of these short statements does not signify adoption, endorsement, or approval of the content by the NSF. The content remains the property and opinion of the contributor. No personal identifiable information will be collected and no awards will be made for these submissions. We invite you to provide ideas that will help the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education inform the development of this initiative. Thank you for your interest in mathematics education. Sincerely, Joan Ferrini-Mundy References 1. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/k_16_initiative