Date: May 8, 2007
Release: Immediate
NEW RESEARCH WILL UNCOVER WORLD’S BEST TRAINING FOR MATHS
TEACHERS
The first ever project designed to improve training for maths
teachers by identifying the most effective training methods
currently in use across the world got underway at the weekend as
international maths experts met for the first time in
Buckinghamshire.
The International Mathematics Teacher Training project, funded by
leading education charity CfBT Education Trust, will carry out
international research to determine and make recommendations on
good practice in the training of teachers of mathematics for both
the primary and secondary sectors of education in the UK. It
is being led by Professor David Burghes of the Centre for
Innovation in Mathematics Teaching (CIMT) at the University of
Plymouth.
The leading mathematics educators from as far away as Japan, China,
Singapore, Ireland, Poland, Finland, Hungary and the Ukraine
attended the Latimer Conference Centre in Chesham, Bucks from May
4-6, 2007. The research they plan to undertake, of which the
first phase is due to be completed by July 2008, will include a
longitudinal comparative international study in which a number of
countries will be invited to participate. These countries
will be chosen according to their good track record in mathematics
teaching and learning, and their suitability as representatives of
diverse practice across the world.
The impact of the research is expected to be far-reaching, raising
educational standards for wider school improvement in the UK.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of university
tutors, the support given to newly qualified teachers in their
first teaching posts, the length of their training and level of
award they receive, and the balance between theory and practice in
training.
Tony McAleavy, Education Director at CfBT Education Trust, said:
“The findings of this research will play a key role in the
development of training for mathematics teachers in the UK.
The project will not only identify good practice in teacher
training across the world, it will also offer an insight into how
we can adopt such practice in the UK, for the greater benefit of
both the children whom we are educating and the teachers
themselves”.
Professor David Burghes of the Centre for Innovation in Mathematics
Teaching at the University of Plymouth said: “This project is
particularly exciting because it is the first ever comparative
longitudinal teacher training study to be carried out across the
world. Using a wide range of methods to encourage
participation, our research will allow us to make clear and
specific recommendations to support overall improvement in primary
and secondary training for teachers of mathematics both in the
UK and internationally”.
Ends
Notes for Editors:
A photo of CfBT Education Trust’s Education Director, Tony
McAleavy, with the delegates at the conference is available to
journalists. Please contact Gillian Parry on 0118 902
1221.
About CfBT Education Trust
CfBT Education Trust is a leading education consultancy and
service organisation. Our objective is to provide education for
public benefit both in the UK and internationally. Established 40
years ago CfBT Education Trust now has an annual turnover exceeding
£100 million and employs more than 2,000 staff worldwide who
support educational reform, teach, advise, research and
train.
As a not-for-profit organisation we re-invest around £1 million of
our surpluses every year for practice-based educational
research.
For more information contact:
Gillian Parry
Marketing Communications Officer
CfBT Education Trust
60 Queens Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 4BS
Tel: 0118 902 1221
gparry@cfbt.com
www.cfbt.com