Eric.ed.gov – “Thinking Mathematics” as Professional Development: Teacher Perceptions and Student Achievement.

Researchers investigated the relationship between the American Federation of Teachers’ Thinking Math (TM) professional development program and mathematics achievement of 5th grade students in an urban school district in the northeast. Four schools were studied; 3 had TM trained 5th grade math teachers. Questionnaires gathered demographic data and teacher self-evaluation of the influence, efficacy, and implementation of 7 TM principles. Student achievement was measured by Stanford Achievement Tests and the Pennsylvania State System of Assessment. Findings are based on 37 questionnaires from TM trained teachers and 203 student records. The TM program and, specifically, having a 5th~grade TM math teacher, had positive effects on mathematics and reading achievement scores. TM training’s effect on teacher confidence and implementation varied across the principles. (Author)