Achieving this vision is an ambitious, long-term undertaking; there is no simple path to the goal. Achieving this vision will take time, change, commitment, and effort. The recommendations of the New Jersey Mathematics Standards cannot be implemented overnight, and results will not appear overnight. Change will be needed in all areas -- in curriculum, instruction, assessment -- and will involve rethinking school practices and extensive professional development. The changes will require the commitment of teachers, districts, parents, and policymakers, and the effort of the entire New Jersey community.

The New Jersey Mathematics Curriculum Framework is intended to be a resource, including information and guidance for teachers at all grade levels and for school and district administrative personnel. Each chapter contains much information, and can serve as a basis for extended discussions involving teachers and administrators.

The New Jersey Mathematics Curriculum Framework is not intended to be read straight through. It is intended to be user-friendly, but to achieve that purpose, the user also has to be friendly, warming up to its contents a little at a time, and not shying from it because of its bulk.

During the past three years, many New Jersey mathematics educators have worked together to develop a world-class mathematics curriculum framework. They have been participating in a collaborative effort of the New Jersey Mathematics Coalition and the New Jersey Department of Education, funded by the United States Department of Education; this effort is also a component of New Jersey's Statewide Systemic Initiative for Achieving Excellence in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education.

This is the Preliminary Version of the New Jersey Mathematics Curriculum Framework. It is being circulated throughout New Jersey in the early months of 1995 for review and discussion. We are eager to hear your reactions, both to the entire document and to its individual sections. Please remember that, despite its size and appearance, this is still a draft -- and is bound to have some errors, inconsistencies, omissions, oddities, and anomalies; please let us know about them. Based on your comments, a revised version will be prepared later in the year. Please share with us your comments, using the enclosed form.

You are also invited to attend one or more of the Regional Forums that will take place throughout the state during 1995 to discuss the Preliminary Version of the New Jersey Mathematics Curriculum Framework.

For further information, please call the New Jersey Mathematics Coalition at 908/445-2894 or the New Jersey Department of Education at (609) 984-1805.