Describes the recent evolution of Portuguese basic education in which the concept of competence and the process of curriculum development became major aspects of an innovative movement at a national level. Describes the context and explores the concept of competence, and presents a formulation for the characteristics of mathematical competence for…

An educated citizenry is essential to China's modernization and has led to the national goal of nine years of compulsory education for all students by the year 2000. Identified and discussed are four critical areas of concern in mathematics education: educational theory, technology, instruction, and assessment of teaching. (Author/MDH)