The 2012 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education was designed to provide up-to-date information and to identify trends in the areas of teacher background and experience, curriculum and instruction, and the availability and use of instructional resources. A total of 7,752 science and mathematics teachers in schools across the United States participated in this survey. The design and implementation of the study involved developing a sampling strategy and selecting samples of schools and teachers, developing and piloting survey instruments, collecting data from sample members, and preparing data files and analyzing the data. This report is a brief summary of important initial findings from the study in the areas of teacher backgrounds and beliefs, teachers as professionals, science and mathematics courses, instructional objectives and activities, instructional resources, and factors affecting instruction.