The Forum for Equity in Elementary Mathematics is dedicated to taking up equity, access, identity, and agency in the elementary mathematics classroom. Its goal is to open up discussions among mathematics educators as we seriously and passionately pursue equity in mathematics learning for elementary students.
This Forum grows out of reflection on how elementary students who have been historically marginalized can be supported to be confident and powerful mathematical thinkers. In the literature on equity and mathematics, our team found fewer resources and examples focused explicitly on the elementary grades. The work of the Forum evolved from our interests in developing and sharing resources and connecting with others who are reflecting, in their own contexts, on elementary students’ equitable participation in mathematics, regardless of their location, student population, or curriculum.
Framework
A Framework for Reflecting about Equity in the Elementary Mathematics Classroom is offered as a tool for educators who want to engage in collaborative reflection on equity, identity, and agency in mathematics learning and teaching. Its purpose is to help structure discussions about factors that either support students to develop strong mathematics identities or perpetuate assumptions about who can and can’t do mathematics.
Classroom Resources
These classroom resources are designed to support teachers and their students in developing and maintaining equitable learning communities in their mathematics classrooms. Developed by the Forum for Equity in Elementary Mathematics team, they will be released over the course of the 2023-2024 school year.
Student Reflection Tool: Getting to Know Your Students
This tool is designed to support teachers in establishing and maintaining equitable math learning communities by gathering information about their students’ experiences in math class. It helps teachers examine their students’ expectations, dispositions, and reactions to math group through exit tickets, surveys and student interviews.
Teacher Reflection Tools: Equitable Participation
These two tools are designed to help teachers bring about more equitable participation in their math classrooms by collecting data and reflecting on students’ participation and the teaching practices that may affect it. One tool focuses on participation in whole class discussions (now available) while the other focuses on small group/pair work (coming in 2024).
Forum Events
Professional Learning Network (PLN)
The Professional Learning Network connects educators who are interested in fostering equitable learning environments in elementary mathematics classrooms nationwide. These interactive sessions focus on exploring and discussing student and teacher reflection tools for developing equitable math learning communities and how to implement them in the classroom. Educators who participate in all 4 sessions will earn a professional development certificate.
Speaker Series
The Forum for Equity in Elementary Mathematics Speaker Series brings together people to share work, ideas, and perspectives that relate to equity, access, identity, and agency in the elementary mathematics classroom.
Math
Professional Development
Research / Evaluation
