Jobs in Mathematics Education in Institutions of Higher Education in the United States

Survey Procedures An examination of postings of national searches for positions in mathematics education at institutions of higher education was conducted. The sources examined were ads in the Chronicle of Higher Education; job announcements posted by professional organizations, including the Association of Mathematics Teachers Educators (AMTE), the Special Interest Group for Research in Mathematics Education (SIG-RME), the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and the Mathematical Association of America (MAA); and personal letters received by this author from faculty at institutions announcing available positions. From October 2006 to March 2007, 185 institutions reported a national search for at least one tenure-track position in mathematics education. In April 2007 an email was sent to the chair of each search committee inviting them to complete a survey that was posted online. The intent of the survey was to learn the outcome of the searches. About one-fourth (51) of the institutions responded that their search was in mathematics rather than mathematics education, or was either abandoned or postponed due to budgetary restraints so they did not complete the survey. Eight other institutions reported no hire had been made and their search was continuing, so they did not complete the survey. Two follow-up notes to search chairs requesting completion of the survey resulted in a total of 108 out of the remaining 126 institutions (about 86%) providing data related to their job search in mathematics education. Each respondent was asked to report their unit (mathematics department or college/school of education) and their type of institution (four-year institution awarding baccalaureate (four-year BS), baccalaureate/masters institution (BS/MS), or doctoral granting institution (doctorate)). This information was used in organizing the results to provide a finer-grain picture of the findings. All data received by July 31, 2007, are reported here.