Equity In Action: Building An Inclusive Education System Through Engagement in California

EQUITY & ENGAGEMENT

The Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools provides guidance on creating an environment where every student—regardless of background—has the opportunity to thrive and excel in math. The Mathematics Framework follows an assets-based approach to instruction, meaning it recognizes and builds on the strengths and experiences that each student brings to the classroom. It actively encourages student engagement through investigation and connections and emphasizes cultural and personal relevance as key components of the learning process. By feeling engaged in the mathematical journey, all students can begin to see themselves as mathematicians, empowered to solve problems and make meaningful connections.

HOW TO BUILD AN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM

To provide students with an equitable education, it’s essential to focus on creating an inclusive classroom environment where all students feel valued, capable, and ready to engage. The Mathematics Framework emphasizes three key dimensions of an equitable education that play a significant role in ensuring that classroom learning supports all students, especially those from historically underserved communities.

The three dimensions of an equitable education focus on ensuring that all students have access to high-quality math education and the necessary support to succeed.

THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF AN EQUITABLE EDUCATION

1. Rigorous Content: This dimension emphasizes providing challenging and meaningful math content that helps all students develop a deep understanding of math concepts, skills, and procedures. It focuses on ensuring that students engage with complex tasks and develop critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities.
   
   
2. Active Teaching and Learning: This dimension highlights the importance of engaging students actively in their learning process. It focuses on promoting strategies like collaboration, exploration, discussion, and student-centered activities to encourage deeper understanding and application of mathematical ideas. Teachers are encouraged to create an interactive learning environment where students can make sense of mathematics and engage with the content meaningfully.
   
   
3. Equitable Access and Opportunity: This dimension aims to ensure that all students, regardless of their background or prior experiences, have equitable access to high-quality math instruction and the resources they need to succeed. It focuses on addressing barriers that might prevent students from participating fully and providing targeted support to students who need it, such as those from underrepresented groups or those with learning differences.

Together, these dimensions work to create a more inclusive and effective math education system, promoting high standards for all students while supporting their individual needs and strengths.

THE FIVE COMPONENTS OF EQUITABLE AND ENGAGING TEACHING

The five components of equitable and engaging teaching work in tandem with the three dimensions of an equitable education to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. These five components help ensure that all students are provided with the access, challenge, support, and opportunities they need to succeed in math, fostering a sense of belonging and agency in the learning process.

1. Plan Teaching Around Big Ideas: The Big Ideas are central to the Mathematics Framework, helping students connect math concepts across topics and grade levels. This approach ensures all students, regardless of prior experience, engage in deep, conceptual learning. By emphasizing Big Ideas, teachers foster meaningful connections, boosting students' mathematical thinking and confidence for long-term success. 
   
   
2. Use Open, Engaging Tasks: The Mathematics Framework emphasizes tasks that are not only engaging but also accessible to all learners. These tasks provide opportunities for students to explore math concepts through real-world problems that feel relevant to their lives. This “low floor, high ceiling” approach ensures that every student has a chance to engage deeply with the material, whether they are just beginning to build their math understanding or are ready for more complex problem-solving. In a classroom where all students are invited to engage with the same tasks, equity is fostered through shared learning experiences and a focus on collaboration.
   
   
3. Teach Toward Social Justice: Equity and inclusion are not just about providing access to learning; they also require ensuring that every student sees themself reflected in the learning material. This can be accomplished in several ways— through diverse visuals, culturally relevant math contexts, and videos that feature a range of students from various backgrounds. By providing opportunities for students to see people engaging with math who look like them and come from similar communities, a curriculum reinforces the idea that everyone is capable of succeeding in mathematics.
   
   
4. Invite Student Questions and Conjectures: Classrooms should be active spaces where students explore, ask questions, and make conjectures. By encouraging inquiry, teachers promote curiosity and deeper understanding of math, helping students see its real-world connections. This engagement fosters a sense of belonging and ownership, particularly for underrepresented students.
   
   
5. Prioritize Reasoning and Justification: Focus on developing students' ability to reason mathematically and explain their thinking. Every lesson should encourage students to share strategies and justify their answers, promoting deeper understanding and critical thinking. This approach ensures all students can engage in meaningful discussions, fostering equity by helping them think like mathematicians, not just memorize formulas.

EQUITABLE MATH INSTRUCTION: EMPOWER EVERY LEARNER

The Mathematics Framework offers a robust pathway for ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have equitable access to high-quality math instruction. By focusing on the Big Ideas, using engaging tasks, teaching toward social justice, inviting student inquiry, and prioritizing reasoning and justification, we can create classrooms where all students feel seen, heard, and capable of greatness. As teachers, we have the power to open the door to learning for every student, ensuring that each one can succeed and thrive in the world of mathematics.

To see how the five components of equitable and engaging teaching are integrated into the lessons in Eureka Math^2® California, visit https://greatminds.org/math/eurekamathsquared/california.