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How Equitable Math Practices Help Students of Color with Conceputal Understanding
India White • May 1, 2023
How Equitable Math Practices Help Students of Color with Conceptual Understanding
How Equitable Math Practices Helps Students of Color with Conceptual Understanding
Dr. India White
Mathematics is a subject that is often perceived as difficult and intimidating by many students, especially those from marginalized communities. According to Chap Gpt, Students of color have historically faced systemic barriers in accessing quality math education. However, equitable math practices can help to bridge this gap and support students of diverse backgrounds in their conceptual understanding in the math classroom. This has become an area of focus, given that the White-Black population
gap of students has narrowed by 32 points from 1992 to 2017. Seeing the population of studnets is now made up of predominantly students of color, teachers are tasked with helping these students with understanding math better than before.
Here are some strategies for helping diverse learners with conceptual understanding in their math class through equitable practices: 1) Strive for inclusive learning environments, 2) Use real-world examples and culturally relevant contexts, 3) Promote collaborative learning, and 4) using multiple forms of assessment to eliminate bias and strengthen students’ skillset during assessments.
Equitable Math Practices Strive for Inclusive Learning Environments
Equitable math practices are rooted in foundational principles of social justice with a goal to create a more inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students. These practices recognize and address the various inequities that exist in math education, including the lack of representation of diverse learners in advanced level math courses, lack of diverse representation in teachers, and a lack of culturally responsive teaching methods.
How Equitable Math Practices Support Students of Color
One of the primary ways that equitable math practices support students of color is by emphasizing the importance of conceptual understanding over rote memorization. Rather than students being assigned math problems in efforts to formulas and procedures, through conceptual understanding and metacognition, students are encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts and principles of math. This approach helps to build a strong foundation of mathematical knowledge that can be applied to a wide range of problems and situations.
Equitable Math Practices Use Real-World Examples to Connect Students through Culture
In their article on “Making the Connections between Culture and Mathematics , Northwestern University speaks about how equitable math practices also prioritize the use of real-world examples and culturally relevant contexts in math instruction.
By connecting math concepts to students' lived experiences and cultural backgrounds, teachers can help to make math more engaging and meaningful for students of color. This approach can also help to counteract the stereotype that math is a subject that is only relevant to certain groups of people.
Equitable Math Practices Help with Collaborative Learning
Another important aspect of equitable math practices is the use of collaborative learning strategies. By working in groups and engaging in peer-to-peer learning, students can develop a deeper understanding of math concepts and build their problem-solving skills. This approach also helps to create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment, where students feel valued and respected for their contributions.
Equitable Math Practices Strengthen Skills during Assessments
Equitable math practices also prioritize the use of multiple forms of assessment, including performance-based assessments and project-based learning.
These types of assessments allow students to demonstrate their understanding of math concepts in a variety of ways, rather than simply through traditional tests and quizzes. This approach can help to reduce the impact of cultural biases that can be found in assessment and produce a better reflection of students' mathematical abilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, equitable math practices are essential for supporting students of diverse populations in developing a deeper conceptual understanding of math. By prioritizing conceptual understanding during their learning experience, using real-world examples and culturally relevant contexts, promoting collaborative learning, and using multiple forms of assessment, teachers can create a more inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students. By implementing these practices, we can help to ensure that all students have access to explore learning in ways that will build upon their ability to conceptual understand each topic at hand.
Join us on the Let's Get Gritty Podcast with Dr. India White. On this show, we will repeat a show from the Grit and Equity talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we walk through the recently released NAEP data from the National Report Card and speak about moving the needle forward. Listen on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/india-white3 #grit #equity #naep #drindiawhite #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #math #teachers #students
🌟 Just wrapped up an incredible G.R.I.T. Training session with the amazing leaders from Imagine Schools! 💪✨ We took a deep dive into the G.R.I.T. framework, and I can't wait to see the results unfold! 🚀🙌 #drindiawhite #grit #imagineschools #tedx #nctm #ncsm #bwxme 🎉 (I don’t own music copyright
Check out my Feb. 2025 Newsletter!
Thankful for Partnership and Recognition: A Shoutout to Dr. Matthew Joseph and X-Factor EDU Network I am incredibly thankful to partner with Dr. Matthew Joseph and the amazing leadership of the X-Factor EDU Network! It is truly an honor to collaborate with such a visionary leader who is dedicated to amplifying voices in education and creating spaces for impactful conversations. This month, I was deeply grateful to be mentioned in Dr. Joseph’s newsletter during Black History Month. His recognition means so much, not just for me, but for the work we are all doing to inspire and empower educators and students alike. You can check out the newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drmxj_stongertogether-activity-7291502796753809408-0zX3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAmqD2wBkz8Qc7EA0bvwxWyMJH2HykCUA-Y But beyond the shoutout, I’m even more excited about the opportunities ahead—including the chance to have a podcast on Dr. Joseph’s platform! Partnering with X-Factor EDU Network opens doors to share insights, engage in meaningful discussions, and continue championing grit, resilience, and equity in education. Thank you, Dr. Matthew Joseph, for your support, encouragement, and belief in this mission. Looking forward to what’s to come! 🚀 #StrongerTogether #GRIT #XFactorEDU #BlackHistoryMonth #EducationalLeadership #Thankful
Fired Up for FDLA/FAMTE Keynote: Let’s Build Grit Together! I’m beyond excited to take the stage as the keynote speaker at the FDLA/FAMTE Conference tomorrow! 🎤🔥 We’ll be diving deep into the power of G.R.I.T.—Great Resilience in Time—and how it transforms both educators and students. This opportunity means so much, and I’m grateful to everyone who has supported this journey. Grit isn’t just a concept; it’s a movement. It’s about growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management, and it’s what drives success in the classroom and beyond. Let’s empower educators and students across the nation to push past obstacles and embrace productive struggle. Who’s ready to get gritty? 💪🏾 #Grit #DrIndiaWhite #TEDx #FDLA #FAMTE #Education #GrowthMindset
Had an Amazing Time at the Imagine Summit! I had a fantastic time speaking at the Imagine Summit on G.R.I.T.! 🙌🏽 We engaged in powerful breakout sessions, had meaningful discussions about NAEP data, and explored strategies to build **growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management** in education. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought such great energy to the conversations! Let’s continue working together to bridge gaps and empower students through grit and perseverance. 💪🏽 #GRIT #ImagineSummit #Resilience #Education #GrowthMindset #EquityInEducation #drindiawhite
Building Grit in Teachers at the Imagine Leadership Summit I am beyond excited to be speaking at the Imagine Leadership Summit today, sharing insights on how we can build grit in teachers and empower them to foster resilience, self-efficacy, and growth in their students. 🌟 This summit is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with principals and education leaders who are committed to supporting and strengthening teachers. When we invest in teacher grit, we build stronger, more effective classrooms where students develop the perseverance to tackle challenges and achieve success. A huge thank you to the Imagine Summit leaders for this amazing opportunity! It’s an honor to be among such an outstanding lineup of speakers, including the incredible Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr. Join our sessions today and take GRIT with you—because when teachers grow in resilience, our students thrive! #GRIT #Teachers #Principals #DrIndiaWhite #NCTM #NCSM #ImagineSummit 😊
🌟 What an incredible time at the ICTM conference in Indiana! The lineup was amazing, and the energy was contagious! 🎉 Since I missed the snow back in Florida, I embraced it fully here and made my very first snow angel! ❄️ So grateful for the fun and gritty spirit of the ICTM rockstars! Huge thanks to Angela and every rockstar for this fantastic opportunity! 💙 #drindiawhite #grit #ictm25 #math #teachers #students #indiana #nctm #ncsm
✨ Today’s Grit training at Stockton Unified was absolutely amazing! We had a fantastic time connecting with friends and meeting some incredible rockstars in California. 🌟 I can’t wait to see how gritty Stockton becomes! Huge thanks to Andrew and the tribe for the opportunity to train your amazing leaders. Let’s all take grit with us as we move forward! 💪 #Grit #Leadership #StocktonUnified #drindiawhite #tedx #nctm #ncsm #nabse
🎊Super excited about this opportunity! Looking forward to connecting with these amazing leaders! 🥰🥳🎉 Please register below and let’s connect so we can bridge the achievement gap together! hashtag#drindiawhite hashtag#ncsm hashtag#grit hashtag#math hashtag#teachers