The advancement of modern societies is fueled by mathematics, and mathematics education provides the foundation upon which future scientists and engineers will build. Society dictates how mathematics will be taught through the development and implementation of mathematics standards. When examining the progression of these standards, it is important to note that the standards do not exist in and of themselves but are rather influenced by history. Examples in our society include the launching of Sputnik and the creation of the National Defense in Education Act, the publication of A Nation at Risk, policies developed as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act, and the current Common Core Standards. This article will explore these examples in which historical events significantly impacted mathematics standards. These standards have been part of the task of attempting to regulate the learning and teaching of mathematics to accommodate the needs and demands of an ever-changing society.
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