The Italian Sub-commission of the International Commission on the Teaching of Mathematics (1908-1920). Organisational and Scientific contributions

In this paper, I illustrate the Italian contribution to the activities of the International Commission on the Teaching of Mathematics (ICMI) from 1908 to 1920, focusing on the following aspects: the most relevant figures, with particular emphasis on their ideas on the teaching of mathematics; the influence of these activities on Italian education policies, paying attention to legislative measures, university courses, texbooks and debates; and the impact of the political situation in Italy on the collective action of the sub-commission after the dissolution of the ICMI. My aim is to elucidate the role of the Italian community of mathematicians; the influence of Klein’s ideas on mathematics education; the image of the Italian schools that emerges from the reports and the international discussions during the various meetings; and the effects of the devaluation of scientific teaching by the Giovanni Gentile Reform on the work of the Italian sub-commission.