Wilson Honored for Lifetime Achievements in Mathematics Education

Reston, VA, March 28, 2001--James Wilson, a professor of mathematics education at the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics Education from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). NCTM will present the award to Wilson on April 6 during its 79th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. More than 18,000 educators are expected to attend the conference.

Originally from Kansas, Wilson has served for 24 years as head of the mathematics education department at the University of Georgia. Under his leadership the department has grown in size and gained international standing. He has earned the title of "rainmaker" for his encouragement and support of students and peers in helping to bring their ideas to fruition. "The national legacy of students who have been guided into their life-long research careers by Jim is truly amazing. He will outlive all of us through his students," said a nominator.

During Wilson's 42-year career his seminal scholarly contributions to mathematics education have focused on problem solving, assessment, and technology. He currently teaches a course on problem solving and his work in the area of assessment was groundbreaking. The influence of his chapter in "Formative and Summative Evaluation of Student Learning" helped form the curriculum framework of important state, national and international assessments, including the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

A leader in research, Wilson was editor of NCTM's "Journal for Research in Mathematics Education" during a crucial time in its history and helped raise it to its current prominence. He is considered by many mathematics educators to be at the forefront of using technology in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Every class he teaches makes extensive use of technology and he maintains a Web site which receives 10,000 hits a week.

Wilson also has made a substantial contribution to mathematics education in the U.S. through his curriculum writing. He has authored two grades K-8 mathematics text series spanning over 20 years and authored a college methods text.

In summing up Wilson's contributions, one award nominator said, "He is a teacher, mentor, researcher, friend and generous human being who has had a tremendous influence on mathematics education nationally throughout his career."

The Mathematics Education Trust was established by NCTM to fund special projects that enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics.

NCTM is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education association with more than 100,000 members and 250 Affiliates located throughout the United States and Canada. NCTM is the world's largest organization dedicated to improving mathematics education from prekindergarten through grade 12. The Council's "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics" provides guidelines for excellence in mathematics education.