The standards and guidelines prepared by these associations represent a consensus of the professional organizations most closely associated with mathematics education at the school and postsecondary levels. They establish common expectations for all students, even as they acknowledge differences in students' goals and aspirations. Through these guidelines the mathematics community speaks with one voice in addressing both the content and context of mathematics education at all levels. Today's students represent the many ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds of our nation's increasingly diverse society. All students bring to the study of mathematics a variety of experiences, career goals, and personal aspirations.
Students possess quite dissimilar degrees of interest in mathematics.
Different students learn mathematics in different ways. Many students lack confidence in their own abilities to do mathematics. Returning students who did not have an opportunity for a standards-inspired education may have a difficult transition from work to school. Realistic problems that are relevant to the students' world will be of greater interest to them. The practice of mathematics requires facility in recognizing patterns and relationships.