Kaye Stacey' Helen Chick' and Margaret Kendal The University of Melbourne' Australia Abstract: This section reports on the organisation' procedures' and publications of the ICMI Study' The Future of the Teaching and Learning of Algebra. Key words: Study Conference' organisation' procedures' publications The International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) has' since the 1980s' conducted a series of studies into topics of particular significance to the theory and practice of contemporary mathematics education. Each ICMI Study involves an international seminar' the "Study Conference"' and culminates in a published volume intended to promote and assist discussion and action at the international' national' regional' and institutional levels. The ICMI Study running from 2000 to 2004 was on The Future of the Teaching and Learning of Algebra' and its Study Conference was held at The University of Melbourne' Australia fromDecember to 2001. It was the first study held in the Southern Hemisphere. There are several reasons why the future of the teaching and learning of algebra was a timely focus at the beginning of the twenty first century. The strong research base developed over recent decades enabled us to take stock of what has been achieved and also to look forward to what should be done and what might be achieved in the future. In addition' trends evident over recent years have intensified. Those particularly affecting school mathematics are the "massification" of education-continuing in some countries whilst beginning in others-and the advance of technology.

This book describes the design, development, delivery and impact of the mathematics assessment for the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). First, the origins of PISA's concept of mathematical literacy are discussed, highlighting the underlying themes of mathematics as preparation for life after school and mathematical modelling of the real world, and clarifying PISA's position within this part of the mathematics education territory. The PISA mathematics framework is introduced as a significant milestone in the development and dissemination of these ideas. The underlying mathematical competencies on which mathematical literacy so strongly depends are described, along with a scheme to use them in item creation and analysis. The development and implementation of the PISA survey and the consequences for the outcomes are thoroughly discussed. Different kinds of items for both paper-based and computer-based PISA surveys are exemplified by many publicly released items along with details of scoring. The novel survey of the opportunity students have had to learn the mathematics promoted through PISA is explained. The book concludes by surveying international impact. It presents viewpoints of mathematics educators on how PISA and its constituent ideas and methods have influenced teaching and learning practices, curriculum arrangements, assessment practices, and the educational debate more generally in fourteen countries.

It argues that the main purpose of educational research is to improve student learning, and that international comparative studies are no exception.

Kaye Stacey' Helen Chick' and Margaret Kendal The University of Melbourne' Australia Abstract: This section reports on the organisation' procedures' and publications of the ICMI Study' The Future of the Teaching and Learning of Algebra. Key words: Study Conference' organisation' procedures' publications The International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) has' since the 1980s' conducted a series of studies into topics of particular significance to the theory and practice of contemporary mathematics education. Each ICMI Study involves an international seminar' the "Study Conference"' and culminates in a published volume intended to promote and assist discussion and action at the international' national' regional' and institutional levels. The ICMI Study running from 2000 to 2004 was on The Future of the Teaching and Learning of Algebra' and its Study Conference was held at The University of Melbourne' Australia fromDecember to 2001. It was the first study held in the Southern Hemisphere. There are several reasons why the future of the teaching and learning of algebra was a timely focus at the beginning of the twenty first century. The strong research base developed over recent decades enabled us to take stock of what has been achieved and also to look forward to what should be done and what might be achieved in the future. In addition' trends evident over recent years have intensified. Those particularly affecting school mathematics are the "massification" of education-continuing in some countries whilst beginning in others-and the advance of technology.

IMPACT (Interweaving Mathematics Pedagogy and Content for Teaching) is an exciting new series of texts for teacher education which aims to advance the learning and teaching of mathematics by integrating mathematics content with the broader research and theoretical base of mathematics education. The Learning and Teaching of Algebra provides a pedagogical framework for the teaching and learning of algebra grounded in theory and research. Areas covered include: * Algebra: Setting the Scene * Some Lessons From History * Seeing Algebra Through the Eyes of a Learner * Emphases in Algebra Teaching * Algebra Education in the Digital Era This guide will be essential reading for trainee and qualified teachers of mathematics, graduate students, curriculum developers, researchers and all those who are interested in the "problematique" of teaching and learning algebra. It allows you to get involved in the wealth of knowledge that teachers can draw upon to assist learners, helping you gain the insights that mastering algebra provides.

IMPACT (Interweaving Mathematics Pedagogy and Content for Teaching) is an exciting new series of texts for teacher education which aims to advance the learning and teaching of mathematics by integrating mathematics content with the broader research and theoretical base of mathematics education. The Learning and Teaching of Algebra provides a pedagogical framework for the teaching and learning of algebra grounded in theory and research. Areas covered include: * Algebra: Setting the Scene * Some Lessons From History * Seeing Algebra Through the Eyes of a Learner * Emphases in Algebra Teaching * Algebra Education in the Digital Era This guide will be essential reading for trainee and qualified teachers of mathematics, graduate students, curriculum developers, researchers and all those who are interested in the "problematique" of teaching and learning algebra. It allows you to get involved in the wealth of knowledge that teachers can draw upon to assist learners, helping you gain the insights that mastering algebra provides.

This book describes the design, development, delivery and impact of the mathematics assessment for the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). First, the origins of PISA's concept of mathematical literacy are discussed, highlighting the underlying themes of mathematics as preparation for life after school and mathematical modelling of the real world, and clarifying PISA's position within this part of the mathematics education territory. The PISA mathematics framework is introduced as a significant milestone in the development and dissemination of these ideas. The underlying mathematical competencies on which mathematical literacy so strongly depends are described, along with a scheme to use them in item creation and analysis. The development and implementation of the PISA survey and the consequences for the outcomes are thoroughly discussed. Different kinds of items for both paper-based and computer-based PISA surveys are exemplified by many publicly released items along with details of scoring. The novel survey of the opportunity students have had to learn the mathematics promoted through PISA is explained. The book concludes by surveying international impact. It presents viewpoints of mathematics educators on how PISA and its constituent ideas and methods have influenced teaching and learning practices, curriculum arrangements, assessment practices, and the educational debate more generally in fourteen countries.