North Carolina Foundations of Mathematics Training
Authors: C. Cain, M. Doggett, V. Faulkner, and C. Hale
Publisher: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Purpose: Develop the mathematical knowledge of special educators and their general
education colleagues who work with low-performing students, with a focus on a model for
number sense, designed to develop teachers’ mathematical content knowledge and ability
to deliver a coherent mathematical message through instruction.
Relevance
Synopsis
Grade band(s)
K-12
Format
Prof Lng Course
Content Focus
Number sense
Practice Focus
Content
knowledge,
mathematics
instruction
Research-based practices
Yes
Aligned with teacher eval
and/or student
curriculum standards
Specifically for sp. ed. and
gen. ed.
Structure: The professional development is a
five day training designed to be provided over
the course of two to three months and can be
implemented during the school year or over
the summer months.
Learning Activities: The workshop is lecturebased, with opportunity for participant
discussion. Mathematical activities and
explorations were also built in to the format.
While participants are responsible for readings
on their own, most activities and assignments
are group work.
Yes
Yes
Research
Type: treatment group and 2 comparison
groups
Data Sources: pre/post results on the Content
Knowledge Scales for Teaching Elementary
Numbers and Operations (CKTM) forms A
and C.
Findings: Both special and general education
teachers made significant gains in their
knowledge of the mathematics they teach
through the lens of a well-delineated number
sense. There is no evidence of a difference
between special and general education
teachers with regard to pre-intervention
content knowledge.
Learning Outcomes:
 Increase teacher knowledge about
mathematics in general, and number
sense specifically
 Teachers move away from procedural
lessons and learn how to emphasize
discussions that develop number sense
in their students
Michigan Reviews
View video testimonials from educators in
Michigan at the (Mi)2 YouTube channel.
Visit the Foundations of Math page at the
(Mi)2 website.