| The performance of U.S. students on national and international testing in mathematics has created concern throughout the country. One response has been the No Child Left Behind Act, which was enacted by the federal government to create greater accountability for students' mathematical performance by requiring states to test standards of performance. States have been challenged to implement research to support the changes. Therefore, researchers are examining mathematics education to discover effective ways for students to attain proficiency.;One method to improve student performance may be to strengthen the knowledge of their teachers by providing them with professional development. This researcher developed a course for practicing teachers in elementary mathematics content and pedagogy through problem solving based on the newly implemented New Mexico state standards. Two members of the class, a fourth grade teacher and an eighth grade teacher, were then studied closely to gain a clearer picture of issues facing mathematics teachers. Their participation in the course, classroom observations, interviews, and the attitudes and problem solving performance of their students provided the information on which this case study narrative is based.;The narrative was then analyzed and four themes were identified. These were motivation, knowledge, communication, and care and support. However, these themes were reflected differently by each teacher. The fourth grade teacher had a limited background in mathematics content and pedagogy. The eighth grade teacher had a strong content background, but had challenges because of greater demands for his students' academic success. Their interactions within the course benefited them both.;The study indicated that a professional development course was advantageous for both participants although they had greatly different backgrounds and needs. However, this may not be the most effective way to improve students' mathematical proficiency if change is limited to a small number of participants. Additional studies should be done to see if positive change can occur with greater numbers of teachers and how this change translates to student success over time. |
