This book is intended to bring to a wider audience research concerned with the significant influences on the quality of mathematics learning taking place in schools. The four essays are: (1) "Influences From Society" (Alan Bishop); (2) "The Socio-cultural Context of Mathematical Thinking: Research Findings and Educational Implications" (Terezinha Nunes); (3) "The Influences of Teaching Materials on the Learning of Mathematics" (Kathleen Hart); and (4) "The Role of the Teacher in Children's Learning of Mathematics" (Stephen Lerman). A list of references from the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education conference proceedings contains 77 citations and a list of other references contains 194 citations. (MKR)