Resumen

This study examines the relationship between mathematical knowledge for teaching, the preparation of and classroom practices of third and seventh grade teachers in Panama and Costa Rica. Mathematical content and pedagogical knowledge are measured with an instrument that includes three levels: basic content, advanced content and content situated in the teaching learning context. The quality of teacher practice was evaluated via a rubric applied to videotaped lessons. In Panama and Costa Rica, responses to questions designed to measure specialized knowledge for teaching and evaluation of the teacher practice revealed deficiencies in this critical domain. In addition, some significant relationships were found between each of these aspects of teacher knowledge and characteristics of the teachers.