Position paper on compensation for professional development
=09After two years of work the American Mathematical Association of=20
Two-Year Colleges (AMAYC) has developed and published a set of standards=
=20
for undergraduate mathematics before calculus entitled "Crossroads in=20
Mathematics." Realizing that mathematics education is evolving=20
continuously, AMATYC has made recommendations and provided examples of=20
ways to change and improve math education and instruction as we move into=
=20
the 21st century.
=09There are many different types of change outlined in=20
"Crossroads". There are changes in pedagogy such as moving instruction=20
from teacher-based to student-based and instructing with more group work,=
=20
projects, and experimental learning assignments. There are changes in=20
content that present topics from a more conceptual point of view rather=20
than rote memorization of algorithms. The new technology available to=20
students in forcing a change in emphasis and has opened up new ways to=20
visualize and work in mathematics.
=09Instructors cannot ignore changes and must determine ways to=20
incorporate them into her/his classes. Changes cannot be implemented=20
without proper study and planning. Student-based instruction requires a=20
change in focus and more preparation time. New content development and=20
implementation takes study, research, and again more preparation time. =20
Implementation of new technology will take study, practice, discussion=20
and thought.
=09Colleges cannot afford to ignore the needs of their mathematics=20
faculty to change, to improve, to learn, and to implement new=20
instructional ideas.
=09In order that math instructors be able to do the necessary=20
research and planning in an ever changing discipline, AMATYC recommends=20
that colleges provide compensation for faculty interested in improving=20
their instruction and their students education. This compensation may be=
=20
anyone or more of the following:
=AA course release time
=AA extra service pay
=AA conference/workshop registration fees
=AA professional leave time
=AA travel expenses
end of paper
Thanks again for any help you can give.
Mik