This document is one of three related volumes. They present the rationale, background, and framework for a comprehensive monitoring system being developed for the National Science Foundation. The system is being designed to gather information about the effects of national, state, and local policy actions designed to change the teaching and learning of mathematics in the schools of America. The papers included were produced by project staff, commissioned, or reprinted from previous works. Expert reviews and critiques of sets of papers are included. Volume 1 addresses the need for a monitoring center and the new world view of what is now considered fundamental for students to know about mathematics. Specifically, part 1 outlines the issues and concerns which need to be addressed in order to develop a reasonable monitoring system. Part 2 provides support and rationale for the notion that all students should learn more and somewhat different mathematics than is in the current curriculum. (PK)