Varför undervisning i matematik? : argument för matematik i grundskolan - i läroplaner, läroplansdebatt och hos blivande lärare

Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate, describe and analyse the justification and the goals of mathematics education in compulsory school in Sweden. The focus here is on student teachers and their conceptions of why mathematics should be taught in school.A qualitative approach has been used and data (short texts) have been collected from five cohorts of student teachers during their first and second year of education respectively. The data were interpreted on a conceptual level, in the descriptions of arguments for mathematics. A study of curriculum texts and debates has served the purpose as background and context related to the arguments presented by the student teachers.The outcome of the analysis of the student teachers' texts resulted in ten basic arguments for school mathematics. The main arguments are of either functional or formal character.