An Agenda for Research Action in Mathematics Education: Beginning the Discussion

This article by the NCTM's Research Committee presents a call for an Agenda for Research Action in Mathematics Education. The committee reviews central cross-cutting issues for mathematics education research that address concerns from the political and practitioner communities regarding the coherence and utility of mathematics education research. Issues of values and feasibility are highlighted, and a broader definition of theoretical and empirical scholarship is promoted. The committee proposes that the mathematics education research community take up the mantle of authority for defining rigor and evidence in much the same way as NCTM did when facing similar criticism in earlier crises (e.g., the Agenda for Action and the Standards).