Proceedings of the Fourth International Congress on Mathematical Education

This collection captures a pivotal moment in mathematics education history, bringing together perspectives from 90 countries during a time of significant global change in how we teach and learn mathematics. The proceedings document critical discussions from 1980 Berkeley, where 450 international educators shared research on curriculum development, pedagogical approaches, and cross-cultural mathematics instruction. These papers reflect the era's shift toward more accessible, student-centered mathematics education while addressing the challenges of implementing reforms across diverse educational systems. The breadth of international participation makes this a valuable snapshot of mathematics education during a transformative period.

What distinguishes this volume is its documentation of emerging trends that would shape decades of mathematics education reform, including early technology integration and equity-focused teaching strategies. Researchers and education historians will find particularly valuable the comparative international perspectives on curriculum standards and assessment methods that were just beginning to converge globally. While the specific pedagogical approaches have evolved, the fundamental questions about effective mathematics instruction remain remarkably relevant today. This congress record serves as both historical archive and surprisingly contemporary reference point for understanding the ongoing global conversation about mathematics education.