The Freudenthal Institute at Utrecht University in the Netherlands conducts research into aspects of math education and how mathematic is taught.  Its aims are to understand and improve the teaching of arithmetic and mathematics at all levels, but particularly in kindergarten, primary, secondary, and vocational education.  The institute is part of Utrecht University in the Netherlands and it was founded in 1971 by the mathematician, Professor Hans Freudenthal (1905-1990).

Since 2003, the Freudenthal Institute USA (FiUSA) was established at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research as a result of the collaboration that existed for over 15 years between mathematics educators in the United States and the Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht University, the Netherlands (www.fi.uu.nl).  As of January 2006, FiUSA will be relocated to the School of Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The activities of FiUSA will focus on implementing Realistic Mathematics Education, a dynamic theory of learning and teaching mathematics. :

• Supporting teacher development of classroom assessment
• Developing curricula at several levels of detail, from teaching, learning and assessment trajectories to classroom materials for students, teachers and parents.
• Building leadership capacity in school districts through professional communities.
• Collaboration in education (e.g. supervision PhD-students).

Researching and reforming the education of mathematics is a challenging task.  It is often necessary to find a balance between the institute's own agenda for research and development, and the demands of society, as represented by governmental or scientific foundations.  As a matter of fact, equilibrium is a key issue for FiUSA: we strive to find a balance between the macro- and micro-levels, between what is possible and what is desirable, between development and research, and between theory and practice.

For information about FiUSA activities, related conferences, or opportunities to collaborate in U.S. research and development efforts, please contact

Faculty: Dr. David Webb