Glenda L. Lappan, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Michigan State University, was a pioneer in developing mathematics curriculum for middle school students that is now taught in all 50 states. Lappan was concerned that too many students entered college with poor mathematics skills and sought to address this problem by focusing on the middle school years when many students form their opinions about subject matters. Supported with a National Science Foundation grant, Lappan, along with MSU academic specialist Elizabeth Phillips, developed five curricular units focused on improving mathematics education. Soon after, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics developed curricular standards, and Lappan and Philpps were encouraged to continue their work in this area. This resulted in the development of the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP), a three-year curriculum for middle school mathematics students. This curriculum was based on six years of research, field testing, and evaluation. Besides being adopted by schools across all 50 states, this curriculum received an “Exemplary” status award from the U.S. Department of Education and has received international acclaim.
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