#  Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching Measures: Refreshing the Item Pool 

 



##  Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching Measures: Refreshing the Item Pool 

**How do we measure the specialized content knowledge required to teach mathematics?**

The Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) instrument is a tool for measuring the specialized knowledge K-8 teachers of mathematics use in teaching. Since its creation, MKT items have been widely used in evaluating teacher learning in professional development programs and investigating the relationship between teachers’ knowledge and practice.

In response to user demand, the current work aims to expand the MKT item pool and enhance the quality of the assessment administration. The project team is prioritizing the production of new items better aligned to the content of the Common Core mathematics standards and building out an improved online survey platform.



 

 

 

      ![MKT](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_3__1540x1160/public/2025-06/MKT.jpg?itok=8FZUKx_X) 

 

 



 

 



 

**Location:** National  
**Timeline:** December 2016-December 2019  
**Principal Investigators:** [Heather Hill](/people/heather-hill "Heather C.  Hill"), [Dan McGinn](/people/dan-mcginn "Dan McGinn") (co-PI), Merrie Blunk (co-PI), Steve Schilling (co-PI)



 

 Partners People 

## Partners

 

 

 **Education Agencies**  
District mathematics coordinators, junior and senior mathematics education scholars, mathematicians, and graduate students draft and edit new MKT items. Elementary and middle school mathematics teachers will participate in the study.

 **Research Partner**  
University of Michigan

 **Funder**  
National Science Foundation



 



 

 

 

## People

 

 

  [### Samantha Booth

 ](/people/samantha-rabinowicz) [samantha\_booth@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:samantha_booth@gse.harvard.edu)Director, Mathematics Teaching and Teacher Learning Program

 

 

 

      ![samantha headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/samantha-rabinowicz_1_0.jpg?itok=M-gyVvEW) 

 

 

 

   [### Claire Gogolen

 ](/people/claire-gogolen) [claire\_gogolen@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:claire_gogolen@gse.harvard.edu)Senior Project Manager, Mathematics Teaching and Teacher Learning program

 

 

 

      ![claire-gogolen_7_0.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/cepr/files/claire-gogolen_7_0.jpg?itok=c5VnAk2R) 

 

 

 

   [### Heather C. Hill

 ](/people/heather-hill) [heather\_hill@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:heather_hill@gse.harvard.edu)Principal Investigator, MQI Coaching

PIER FELLOWSHIP FACULTY MENTOR

Hazen-Nicoli Professorship in Teacher Learning and Practice, Harvard Graduate School of Education

 

 

 

      ![Heather Hill](/sites/g/files/omnuum9881/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-08/heather%20hill.png?itok=j4aVaHG9) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

##  You May Also Like 

 [Developing Common Core Classrooms Through Rubric-Based Coaching](/developing-common-core-classrooms-through-rubric-based-coaching)

 [Middle School Mathematics Teachers and Teaching Survey](/middle-school-mathematics-teachers-and-teaching-survey)



 

 



 

 See also:- [ Teacher Effectiveness ](/focus-areas/teacher-effectiveness)
- [ Project ](/page-type/project)
- [ Past ](/project-status/past)