This work reports the findings of the Professional Competence of
Teachers, Cognitively Activating Instruction, and Development of
Students´ Mathematical Literacy project (COACTIV). COACTIV applies a
broad, innovative conceptualization of teacher competence to examine how
mathematics teachers' knowledge, beliefs, motivational orientations, and
self-regulation skills influence their instructional practice and
teaching outcomes In this project data was collected on various aspects
of teacher competence and classroom instruction from the perspective of
both the teachers themselves and their students. Moreover, it gauges the
effects of these teacher characteristics on student learning, as indexed
by the progress students in each class. Questions addressed in the study
which are reported in this volume include: What are the characteristics
of successful teaching? What distinguishes teachers who succeed in their
profession? How can the quality of instruction be improved?