The rationale for this ST is that the ultimate (but not necessarily immediate) end of mathematics education research is to provide effective avenues for the furthering and improvement of students’ learning of mathematics. The (possible) impact of mathematics education research on students’ learning will predominantly take place through the teaching of mathematics in the widest sense, including components such as curricula, structure and organisation of the classroom and its activities, teaching materials, student tasks, and assessment, testing and examination instruments.

The task of this ST is to identify, survey, and review the impact of research findings on the improvement of students’ learning of mathematics as mediated through teaching. The task includes specifying the notion and nature of ‘impact’, ‘research finding’, and ‘improvement’, as well as the nature and strength of the evidence of such impact.