This book was prepared as a complementary and a companion volume to the 32nd Yearbook of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. It offers a view of the evolution of mathematics education in the public schools in the United States, grades K-12. Major committee and commission reports describing existing conditions and recommendations for improvement are included. The most notable among these reports is "The Reorganization of Mathematics in Secondary Education", known as "The 1923 Report". Modern developments in mathematics education are de-emphasized in favor of sources that are less likely to be currently available. Also, less-well known sources are included in an attempt to illustrate the methods of teaching mathematics used during various periods. The inclusion of materials such as photographic reproductions of parts of reports, biographical sketches, and editorial comments offer the reader an historical perspective which would otherwise not be possible. (FL)