The goal of evaluating the teaching of mathematics is to improve teaching and enhance professional growth. The teacher is the key to high-quality mathematics education for students. It is the teacher who makes decisions about curriculum and teaching methods to maximize student learning. Professional development extends and expands teachers' abilities to make good decisions by giving them access to a deeper understanding of mathematics, a greater knowledge about students' learning of mathematics, a greater repertoire of teaching strategies, and the ability to match their repertoire to the needs of all students. Evaluation helps identify the teacher's needs so that appropriate professional development experiences can be provided.
All teachers can improve their teaching of mathematics.
These standards are intended for all teachers. Whether beginning or experienced, all teachers can find some aspect of their teaching that can be improved by considering one or more of the standards. Though experienced teachers might be more adept at self-analysis, beginning or struggling teachers can also reflect on the standards and arrive at some conclusions on how their teaching can be improved. What teachers learn from the evaluation process is related to how the evaluation is conducted . The primary emphasis of the standards is on improvement through self-analysis and working in a collegial and supportive environment with peers, supervisors, and administrators.