Launch of the QuaMath website: First information for schools and instructors
The German website of the QuaMath training initiative for the development of teaching quality in mathematics was published today, on the ceremony marking the two-year anniversary and the change of leadership of the Department of Subject-Related Knowledge Transfer of the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN). Teaching quality determines the learning opportunities children and teenagers receive. In mathematics, all learners should be encouraged to think actively and develop mathematical understanding through discussion. Thus, it is important to develop goal-oriented teaching.
QuaMath (Developing Teaching and Training Quality in Mathematics) was adopted by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of Germany (KMK) in December 2021. The comprehensive ten-year program is designed to help strengthen mathematics education in Germany. It focuses on suggestions for joint instructional development in school teams at more than 10,000 schools, supported by subject-specific educational measures and strong networking among all participants. The German Center for Teacher Education in Mathematics (DZLM) and the IPN Department of Subject-Related Knowledge Transfer work with the states to design the content, implement and research the program.
Launch of collaboration between states and DZLM
With the QuaMath program, the states have joined forces in a major professional development initiative to improve mathematics education. In very close cooperation between the continuing education practice and science, the preparations for the official start of the program on 01.01.2023 have already begun. In addition to regular program meetings, attended by all state officials and the QuaMath management of the DZLM, individual discussions are also taking place with the states to seamlessly integrate the QuaMath program into existing continuing education and advisory structures taking into account individual suggestions and practice to incorporate them into the overall research-based project.
Following the intensive preparatory and initial development phase, multipliers will be qualified by the DZLM network from the 2023/2024 school year to implement the training modules and support the school networks and school teams. Subsequently, multiplier tandems will conduct in-service training for teachers in the respective school networks of the states starting in the school year 2024/2025.
QuaMath website (in German) is online
As of today, interested schools, multipliers and the state representatives can find information about the project on the QuaMath website. Information specific to the target group can be found, for example, as well as the project descriptions, the goals of QuaMath, and the first timetable. Just like the program itself, the website is in a constant development phase, so new content will be published regularly.
KMK President and Minister for Education, Science and Culture of the State of Schleswig-Holstein Karin Prien is pleased with the progress of the program: "The publication of the program website is important because interested parties, such as schools and teachers, will be able to find out about the current status of the QuaMath program in the future. It will also give schools the opportunity to clarify their needs and incorporate the QuaMath program into their school and classroom development for the long term. So far, the process is promising and shows how profitable the cooperation between science, research and the KMK can work."
For more information on the QuaMath program, please visit: quamath.dzlm.de.
About the DZLM
Founded 11 years ago on the initiative of the Deutsche Telekom Foundation, the DZLM has received more than €10 million in funding from the foundation. Since 2021, the DZLM has been affiliated with the IPN Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education. Working in a network of professors from 12 German universities, the DZLM develops and researches training and support programs for teachers of mathematics in close cooperation with practitioners.
