Access and Equity: Promoting High-Quality Mathematics in Grades 6-8

NCTM's Access and Equity Principle states that “all students [should] have access to a high-quality mathematics curriculum, effective teaching and learning, high expectations, and the support and resources needed to maximize their learning potential.” This book offers math educators strategies and resources for putting that principle into practice.

Practice-based vignettes open each chapter, inviting readers to relate to and engage with the issues of access and equity discussed in these middle school mathematics classrooms. Questions at the end of chapters encourage readers to reflect on what they have read and then take action in adapting the suggested approaches to their own contexts.

The book focuses on diversity as a resource and addresses three critical and intertwined factors:

• Teaching practices that build on students' strengths of students
• Rigorous content that draws on students' experiences
• Fostering relationships with diverse students

Chapters (many written in collaboration between researchers and practitioners) show students engaging in powerful mathematical discussions; teachers adapting instruction to meet the needs of all students while maintaining high expectations; curriculum that draws on the resources that students bring to the classroom; teachers examining their own beliefs and expectations about teaching and learning; tools that encourage teachers to analyse and review their lessons with an equity lens; and more.

Turn to this book for ideas, inspiration, and information about promoting empowerment, meaningful participation, and success for each and every student in the mathematics classroom.