The Croatian IMU Adhering Organization is the Croatian Mathematical Society (Hrvatsko matematičko društvo, HMD). The Croatian ICMI Representative is appointed by the HMD and is typically a university professor involved in teaching and/or research in mathematics education.
The Croatian Mathematical Society is a professional organisation that promotes mathematical science, mathematics education at all educational levels, and the application of mathematics in other disciplines, while also contributing to the professional standing of mathematicians in Croatia.
The Society is organised into six sections, among which the Teaching Section is one of the most active. It brings together primary and secondary school mathematics teachers, early childhood educators, and university teachers interested in mathematics education. The Section supports professional development through conferences, seminars, lectures, round tables, and other professional activities.
Research in mathematics education is carried out at several Croatian universities, including:
Mathematics education research in Croatia is a relatively recent field. In 2008, a PhD Seminar in Mathematics Education was established within the Joint Doctoral Programme in Mathematics in Croatia, supporting doctoral research at educational levels from upper primary school to university. Research related to mathematics education at the lower primary level is primarily carried out at faculties of education.
In the current classification of scientific disciplines in Croatia, Educational Mathematics is recognised as a discipline within the scientific field of Mathematics, alongside analogous disciplines such as Educational Physics, Educational Chemistry, and Educational Biology. Research at the lower primary level is additionally situated within the interdisciplinary field of educational sciences.
The Croatian Mathematical Society is a publisher of four professional journals for mathematics education: Matka is a magazine for young mathematicians (primary school and lower secondary school students). It has been published four times a year since 1992.
Poučak (Theorem) is a journal for mathematics teaching and didactics of mathematics. It has been published four times a year since 2000.
Matematičko-fizički list is a magazine for secondary school students with an interest in mathematics and physics. It has been published in cooperation with the Croatian Physical Society and has a long tradition, having been issued four times a year since 1950.
math-e is a mathematical electronic journal that publishes articles from all areas of mathematics and its applications.
There are professional journals from other publishers:
MiŠ, Matematika i škola (Mathematics and School), is a journal for mathematics teaching and didactics of mathematics for primary and secondary school teachers.
Acta mathematica Spalatensia. Series didactica published in Split and Osječki matematički list published in Osijek, are journals for mathematics teachers and students, and wider audience interested in mathematics.
Journals for Mathematics Education Research
There is no scientific journal for mathematics education research in Croatia. There are scientific educational journals of a general nature, such as Croatian Journal of Education or Metodika.
Teaching at all levels of primary and secondary education requires a university Master’s degree. Teacher education for grades 1–4 is organized as an integrated five-year Master’s program in early primary education. Programs for upper primary (grades 5–8) and secondary education are offered as consecutive Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.
Programs for mathematics teachers at the upper primary and secondary levels are primarily offered by faculties of science, while faculties of education prepare generalist teachers who teach mathematics in the first four grades of primary school. Programs for teachers are available at the universities of Zagreb, Osijek, Split, Rijeka and Zadar.
During their initial employment, newly qualified teachers complete an induction period under the mentorship of an experienced teacher. This period concludes with a national professional examination conducted before a committee appointed by the Croatian Education and Teacher Training Agency.
Guidelines for teaching mathematics are defined at the national level by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth through the national curriculum. The current curriculum, adopted in 2019, covers primary education, general academic secondary schools (gymnasiums), and vocational secondary schools. It outlines general educational principles and specifies expected learning outcomes for each grade and school type. Mathematics curriculum documents are available in Croatian.