Arkansas's Performance
Strong
Why does this matter?
Clear, well-defined standards give states one of their strongest levers to guide teacher preparation programs—spelling out what aspiring teachers need to know and be able to do to teach math effectively. In the absence of explicit standards, states have limited ability to hold programs accountable for ensuring candidates are ready for the classroom. While standards alone won’t transform teacher preparation, they are an essential foundation. They provide a shared roadmap for programs and empower state agencies or boards to promote greater consistency across programs, strengthening the preparation of future math teachers.
Why does Arkansas stand out?
Arkansas sets clear, detailed math competencies for teacher preparation programs, outlining specific concepts and examples that educators must master. These competencies go beyond content knowledge, emphasizing procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and effective mathematical pedagogy.
What are the key actions Arkansas should take?
See what these exemplars are doing in this policy area:
Key Resources
State of the States: Five Policy Levers to Improve Math Instruction
Explore which states are implementing policies to improve math instruction
Teacher Prep Review: Solving for Math Success
Read more about the performance of over 1,100 elementary teacher preparation programs in preparing educators to teach math.