Francis M. Fennell

Francis M. “Skip” Fennell is a professor of education and Graduate and Professional Studies, emeritus at McDaniel College in Maryland, where he has been a prominent figure in mathematics education for decades. A former classroom teacher, principal, and supervisor of instruction, he has become a nationally recognized mathematics educator and researcher, known especially for his work in PreK–8 mathematics, elementary mathematics specialists, and formative assessment.

Fennell is a past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE), and the Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML). He served as a member of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel and contributed to major policy documents, including NCTM’s Principles and Standards for School Mathematics and Curriculum Focal Points, as well as the Common Core State Standards in mathematics. His numerous publications include coauthored works such as The Formative 5: Everyday Assessment Techniques for Every Math Classroom and later The Formative 5: In Action, and he is also a coauthor of Classroom-Ready Rich Math Tasks, Grades 2–3, Classroom-Ready Rich Math Tasks, Grades 4–5, and Proactive Mathematics Interventions, Grades 2–5.