Robert Q. Berry III;xNLx;NCTM President, 2018-2020
The Central Association of Science and Mathematics Teachers, the first national organization for mathematics teachers, is established along with its publication of its journal, "School Science and Mathematics." Later the association changed its name to School Science and Mathematics Association to align its organizational name with the name of its journal.
The year is a banner one for the formation of two regional mathematics teacher associations—The New England Association for Mathematics Teachers and the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in the Middle States and Maryland.
The Middle States and Maryland association publishes its first "Annual Bulletin" in July. The "Annual Bulletin" was a precursor to "Mathematics Teacher."
"Mathematics Teacher" (MT) journal begins publication.
The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) formally establishes itself as the world's largest community of mathematicians, students, and enthusiasts. The mission of the MAA is to advance the understanding of mathematics and its impact on the world.
April 2, 1917, President Wilson asks Congress to declare war against Germany. The Senate votes to declare war on April 4, 1917, and the resolution passes the House on April 6, 1917.
The Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary Education is appointed by the National Education Association (NEA). The opening salvo of their report questions the value of including school mathematics as part of the standard curriculum. “The Problem of Mathematics in Secondary Education” follows in 1920.
Charles M. Austin leads an effort initiated by the Men’s Mathematics Club of Chicago to determine whether other regional groups would be interested in forming a national organization of mathematics teachers.
At a meeting to coincide with the annual National Education Association meeting, 127 mathematics teachers from 20 states form the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) on February 24, 1920, in Cleveland. Charles M. Austin is elected NCTM’s first president and states its purpose as the following: "First, it will at all times keep the values and interests of mathematics before the educational world. Instead of continual criticism at educational meetings, we intend to present constructive programs by friends of mathematics. We prefer that curriculum studies and reforms and adjustments come from the teachers of mathematics rather than from educational reformers." With the establishment of NCTM, the high school and college mathematics education community consolidates its resources into one national voice for the profession.
The Twenties are starting to roar as NCTM acquires "Mathematics Teacher" (MT), which will become one of NCTM’s most celebrated journals of all time. The acquisition comes from the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Middle States and Maryland, where MT was published quarterly (and now will advance to eight issues annually). MT becomes a pioneer publication as it provides its audience a forum for sharing activities and pedagogical strategies. Over time, MT will go on to win numerous awards, including honors from Association Media & Publishing.
