Secondary Mathematics Modeling: Issues and Challenges

Mathematical modeling plays a prominent role in the mathematics reform effort. For example, modeling, as incorporated in the curriculum recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, forms the basts of classroom activities developed by groups such as the Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications and the Systemic Initiative for Montana Mathematics and Science. Modeling is also a topic of workshop and conference presentations at the state, regional, and national levels. Recommendations regarding the future of mathematics education indicate that the emphasis on modeling will continue to grow. In this article, an overview of mathematical modeling is presented and the reasons underlying the current interest in this topic are discussed. The article also identifies several practical issues that are raised by the use of modeling in secondary classrooms.