THE NEED FOR RESEARCH INTO ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS SPECIALIST PREPARATION

The continued concern for the mathematical preparation of elementary teachers has kept discussions of elementary mathematics specialists (EMS) a vital part of many mathematical reforms. With over half the states providing or in the process of developing EMS certifications, a closer examination of the ways in which EMS are prepared is needed. In this paper, I explore several types of EMS, the current state of EMS preparation, and literature related to EMS. I then discuss the potential constraints associated with preparing EMS. I close with a discussion of future avenues of research related to EMS preparation and a call for more research in this area.