Profiling teachers' competence and confidence to teach particular mathematics topics: the case of chance and data

Abstract

This report presents an instrument designed as a profile of teacher achievement and teacher needs with respect to the probability and statistics strands in the mathematics curriculum. In developing the profiling instrument, I had two primary objectives. First, the instrument was to assist in the assessment of teacher achievement in the context of the adoption of professional standards for mathematics teachers. Second, the instrument was to assess professional development needs for teachers in the light of changes to the mathematics curriculum. The background for the development of the instrument is presented, followed by a description of the instrument and the results of responses to the instrument from 43 Australian teachers. Uses for the instrument and further development possibilities are discussed.