The next NCTM NCATE Program Report Compiler Training session is August 19, 2008.
Program Review Process
NCATE implemented a new program review process in fall 2004. The process entails the submission of 6-8 assessments that provide evidence of candidate mastery of SPA standards.
The mathematics standards and their associated indicators were approved at the October 2003 NCATE All-Boards Meeting. Colleges and universities submitting program reviews beginning in 2005 are to use these standards and associated indicators in determining which assessments provide the necessary evidence.
Mathematics teacher preparation programs have been reviewed since 1982. The review process has been updated in September 1989, September 1993, October 1998, and October 2003.
Please read the Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid document for helpful information in preparing your report.
Standards and Indicators
The following standards and indicators are to be used for programs preparing mathematics teachers for initial licensure:
Current report templates for the preparation of NCATE program reports can be downloaded from the NCATE site.
Program Recognition Decision Rule
For mathematics education program reports submitted to NCATE and reviewed by NCTM-trained reviewers, there is no specific number of standards that must be met for National Recognition. However, to achieve National Recognition, the program report must demonstrate that at least 80% of all indicators are addressed and at least one indicator is addressed for each standard.
State Licensure/Certification Exams
In all program reports, Assessment #1 is the state-required licensure or certification exam. Institutions must provide a description of the exam(s) and an alignment to the NCTM Standards and Indicators, which are accessible via the links above.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) gave an NCTM panel access to test items and specifications for the Praxis II mathematics content exam (0061) in December 2005 as part of a benchmarking project. As a result, NCTM is able to provide the following alignment for that exam only. For all other exams, institutions should provide a description of how the alignment contained in the report was determined.
Praxis II mathematics content exam (0061) alignment
Please also see sample assessment #1 below to learn how to write the assessment description.
Assessment Samples
The following are samples of possible assessments. These samples are provided as examples of how an institution may present information. Duplication of any sample does NOT guarantee any particular review outcome.
- Sample assessment #1 (PDF) contains the accepted alignment of the Praxis II Mathematics Content exam (#0061) as determined by an NCTM review panel.
- Sample assessment #6 (PDF) shows one possibility for addressing mathematics history–related indicators.
- Guidelines for Using Grades (PDF) - These are the NCATE established guidelines for using grades as an assessment. These were established in October 2007 and take the place of the previously published NCTM guidelines.
NCTM Trained NCATE Reviewers
NCTM offers training to prepare higher education faculty members to serve as reviewers of mathematics education program reports for NCATE. The names of trained reviewers are forwarded to NCATE to be added to the list of qualified program reviewers. NCATE is responsible for the program review process, including the assignment of reviewers to to program reports.
NCTM NCATE reviewer training is offered each year during the pre-conference day of the AMTE meeting. The next session will be on January 24, 2008 at 9:00-11:30am in Tulsa, OK. Application and advanced registration is required. For information, please e-mail nctmncate@nctm.org.