Chapter 1. The FIRSTMATH Study: Concepts, Methods, and Strategies for Comparative International Research -- Chapter 2. Design and Development of International Sampling Procedures for FIRSTMATH: Challenges and Solutions -- Chapter 3. The FIRSTMATH Validity Framework -- Chapter 4. Design and Development of International Mathematics Assessments for Teachers and Pupils in FIRSTMATH -- Chapter 5. Design and Development of International Context Questionnaires for Teachers and Pupils in FIRSTMATH -- Chapter 6. Design and Development of an International Mathematics-Focused Observation Protocol in FIRSTMATH -- Chapter 7. Modeling Pupil and Teacher Interactions as they Pursue Instructional Goals: the FIRSTMATH Alternative to VAM -- Chapter 8. FIRSTMATH Lessons Learned and Future Directions.

This book reports on an innovative study into the first five years of mathematics teaching: FIRSTMATH. For the first time, the study has developed a viable methodology to analyze the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of beginning mathematics teachers as well as instruments to explore the contexts where they work. The book provides a step by step account of this exploratory (proof-of-concept) research study, using a comparative and international approach, and introduces readers to the challenges entailed. The FIRSTMATH study promises the development of methods and strategies to make it possible for teacher educators and future teachers to examine (and improve on) their own practices in an important STEM area. .