The Rice University School Mathematics Project (RUSMP) was established in 1987, with a grant from the National Science Foundation, to serve as a bridge between the Rice University mathematics research community and Houstonarea mathematics teachers. The primary goals of RUSMP are to improve teachers' content knowledge in mathematics, to encourage the use of the instructional practices suggested in the NCTM's Standards documents, and to increase the level of professionalism among teachers. The project realizes these goals through a variety of activities, including summer and academic-year programs for teachers, experimental summer schools for at-risk students, and outreach support to schools and school districts.