Professional Interests

As a mathematician in a liberal arts college, I focused my early professional energy on research experiences for undergraduates and mathematical exposition, the communication of mathematical research to students, teachers, and the broader public.

In the 1980s my attention and writing turned to the reform of calculus and other aspects of undergraduate mathematics. Soon afterwards I became engaged in the parallel movement to establish standards for school mathematics. Both these efforts continue, especially with regard to curriculum (biology is the new "big thing" in mathematics) and assessment.

In recent years I have added an interest in the imperative of numeracy or quantitative literacy for alert and active citizens in today's data-driven society. Here the challenge is not just to help students learn to do mathematics when prompted, but to make evidence-based reasoning an ingrained habit of mind.

Professional Resumé contains a synopsis of my major professional positions and responsiblities; Selected Papers offers links to on-line versions of various articles that I have written.

2007 Leitzel Lecture

Excerpts from "On Being a Mathematical Citizen: The Natural NExT Step," the ninth James R. C. Leitzel Lecture delivered at MathFest 2007 in San Jose, CA, were published in the November issue of Focus. The complete lecture, with extensive references links, is available at www.stolaf.edu/people/steen/Papers/leitzel.

Current Professional Activities

In recent years my professional time has been divided betwen secondary and postsecondary mathematics. Several projects at the collegiate level--mathematics and biology, assessment of mathematical learning, quantitative literacy--are now reaching fruition. Outcomes of these projects are described and linked below.

At the pre-collegiate level my major contribution has been as a writer and editor for Achieve, Inc., a bipartisan, non-profit organization created by the nation's governors and business leaders to help states raise academic standards, improve assessments, and strengthen accountablity.

Working through a multi-state Mathematics Achievement Partnership (MAP) and the American Diploma Project (ADP), Achieve has developed mathematics standards for grades K-12 that meet mathematical requirements of work and college.

Achieve's current agenda in mathematics includes an analysis of exit and placement exams and development of scenarios that convey the nuanced role of mathematics in the world of work.

Archived Projects

• 2005. Strengthening Assessment in Undergaduate Mathematics: Website with reports from an NSF-supported project undertaken by the Mathematical Association of America to provide technical support for mathematics departments attempting to meet new accountability expectations.
• 2004. Math and Bio 2010: Linking Undergraduate Disciplines: Report on strategies for preparing biologists with mathematical and quantitative skills needed to meet the challenge of the data-rich "new biology." (Supported by NSF and NIH; published by the Mathematical Association of America in cooperation with several scientific societies.)
• 2003. Quantitative Literacy: Why Numeracy Matters for Schools and Colleges: Complete proceedings (in pdf format) of a national convocation on quantitative literacy held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington. (Published by the National Council on Education and the Disciplines (NCED) at the Woodrow Wilson Foundation with financial support from the Pew Chaitable Trusts.)
• 2001. Mathematics and Democracy: The Case for Quantitative Literacy: Complete text (in pdf format) of a report offering a dozen different perspectives on the nature and importance of numeracy, especially at the collegiate level. (Published by the National Council on Education and the Disciplines with support from the Pew Charitable Trusts.)
• 2000. ICME-9: Mathematics Education in Universities: Agenda, abstracts, summary, and selected papers from the Working Group on Mathematics Education in Universities (WGA5) at the Ninth International Congress on Mathematics Education (ICME-9) held in Japan, August 2000.
• 1999. Quantitative Literacy Resource Guide: Links to interviews, requirements, projects, and publications on quantitative literacy. (Report of a project conducted during 1998-1999 for The College Board.)
• 1998. Mathematics in ATE Programs: Penultimate draft of a study of the role of mathematics in Advanced Technological Education (ATE) programs at community colleges. (Report of an NSF project undertaken during 1997-1999.)
• 1998. Resources for Mathematics Education: Links to a large number of sources and sites relevant to mathematics education; last updated in 1998.
• 1997. EXTEND: Brief perspectives by different individuals on five important issues in mathematics education: access, expectations, articulation, integration, and numeracy. (Report of a project undertaken during 1995-1998 with support of the Exxon Education Foundation.)