Mathematics Education as a response to societal needs

Abstract

In this paper I will discuss alternative proposals for Mathematics Education, taking into account its impact in the social processes. I start with discussing some of the recognized values for Mathematics Education. Essentially, the following set of six basic values are accepted: 1. Utilitarian; 2. Academic; 3. Formative (of reasoning); 4. Cultural; 5. Sociological; 6. Aesthetic. Affecting all these values, the question of assessment is of fundamental importance.