Making Equity Part of the Equation in Math Education - 大象传媒 Magazine Solutions Journalism

Math education outcomes in the United States have been unequal for decades. Learners in the top 10% socioeconomically tend to be about of learners in the bottom 10%鈥攁 statistic that has remained stubbornly persistent for 50 years.

To advance equity, policymakers and educators often focus on boosting test scores and grades and making advanced courses more widely available. Through this lens, equity means all students and .

With more than as a researcher, math teacher, and teacher educator, I advocate for expanding what equity means in mathematics education. I believe policymakers and educators should focus less on test scores and grades and more on and ability to use math to make smart personal and professional decisions. This is mathematical power鈥攁nd true equity.

What Is 鈥淓quity鈥� in Math?

To understand the limitations of thinking about equity solely in terms of academic achievements, consider a student whom I interviewed during her freshman year of college.

Jasmine took Algebra 1 in ninth grade, followed by a summer online geometry course. This put her on a pathway to study calculus during her senior year in an AP class in which she earned an A. She graduated high school in the top 20% of her class and went to a highly selective liberal arts college. Now in her first year, she plans to study psychology.

Did Jasmine receive an equitable mathematics education? From an equity-as-achievement perspective, yes. But let鈥檚 take a closer look.

Jasmine experienced anxiety in her math classes during her junior and senior years in high school. Despite strong grades, she found herself 鈥渋n a little bit of a panic鈥� when faced with situations that require mathematical analysis. This included deciding the best loan options.

In college, Jasmine鈥檚 major required statistics. Her counselor and family encouraged her to take calculus over statistics in high school because calculus 鈥渓ooked better鈥� for college applications. She wishes now she had studied statistics as a foundation for her major and for its usefulness outside of school. In her psychology classes, knowledge of statistics helps her better understand the landscape of disorders and to ask questions like, 鈥淗ow does gender impact this disorder?鈥�

These outcomes suggest Jasmine did not receive an equitable mathematics education, because she did not develop mathematical power. Mathematical power is the know-how and confidence to use math to inform decisions and navigate the demands of daily life鈥攚hether personal, professional, or civic. An equitable education would help her develop the confidence to use mathematics to make decisions in her personal life and realize her professional goals. Jasmine deserved more from her mathematics education.

The Prevalence of Inequitable Math Education

Experiences like Jasmine鈥檚 are unfortunately common. According to one large-scale study, only that are useful for making routine financial and medical decisions.

A National Council on Education and the Economy report found that coursework for nine common majors, including nursing, taught in most high schools. A recent study found that teachers and parents perceive math education as 鈥�.鈥�

Looking at student experiences, national survey results show that large proportions of students experience , in math, or both. Students from historically marginalized groups experience this anxiety at higher rates than their peers. This can frustrate their postsecondary pursuits and negatively affect their lives.

How to Make Math Education More Equitable

In 2023, I collaborated with other educators from Connecticut鈥檚 professional math education associations to author an . The position statement, which was endorsed by the Connecticut State Board of Education, outlines three commitments to transform mathematics education.

1. Foster positive math identities.

The first commitment is to foster positive math identities, which includes students鈥� confidence levels and their beliefs about math and their ability to learn it. Many students have a very negative relationship with mathematics. This commitment is particularly important for students of color and those new to the English language to about who can be successful in mathematics.

A growing body of material exists to help teachers and schools promote positive math identities. For example, can help students see the role of math in their lives. They can also reflect on their identity as a 鈥渕ath person.鈥� Teachers should also acknowledge students鈥� strengths and as a way to empower them.

2. Modernize math content.

The second commitment is to that school districts offer to students. For example, a high school mathematics for students interested in might include algebra, math for medical professionals, and advanced statistics. With these skills, students will be to calculate drug dosages, communicate results and risk factors to patients, interpret reports and research, and catch potentially life-threatening errors.

3. Align state policies and requirements.

The third commitment is to align state policies and school districts in their definition of mathematical proficiency and the requirements for achieving it. In 2018, for instance, had a high school math graduation requirement insufficient for admission to the public universities in the same state. Other states鈥� requirements exceed the admission requirements. Aligning state and district definitions of math proficiency clears up confusion for students and eliminates unnecessary barriers.

What鈥檚 Next?

As long as educators and policymakers focus solely on equalizing test scores and enrollment in advanced courses, I believe true equity will remain elusive. Mathematical power鈥攖he ability and confidence to use math to make smart personal and professional decisions鈥攏eeds to be the goal.

No one adjustment to the U.S. math education system will immediately result in students gaining mathematical power. But by focusing on students鈥� identities and designing math courses that align with their career and life goals, I believe schools, universities, and state leaders can create a more expansive and equitable math education system.

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Megan Staples is an associate professor of mathematics education in the department of curriculum and instruction in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. She teaches primarily mathematic education courses to future secondary mathematics teachers and is an affiliated faculty in the department of mathematics. A main thread of her research focuses on how classrooms are organized to support authentic mathematical work, such as argumentation and justification, and how such practices can advance equity goals. In addition, she seeks to understand the mathematical demands of democratic participation and how classrooms can broaden participation structures to support student engagement and success. Megan has published articles in journals such as the Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, Journal of Mathematical Behavior, and Cognition and Instruction. She is a co-editor of the book Conceptions and Consequences of Mathematical Argumentation, Justification, and Proof, and a co-author of Equity in Mathematics Education: A Position Statement for Connecticut. A former high school math teacher, Megan holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Stanford University, and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mathematics from Brown University. She is a past president of AMTEC, the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators in Connecticut, and a co-founder of the Math Circle, Math Teachers Circle for 大象传媒. Currently, she is the principal investigator of an NSF Noyce Math Teacher Leader grant and an NSF Core grant, Justification as an Equity Practice. Megan lives in Manchester, Connecticut, with her husband and two daughters.

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