California's K-12 math curriculum is getting a makeover with a new framework centered around equity and social justice, following a unanimous vote by the State Board of Education. This decision comes after years of development, revisions, and public discourse surrounding the framework's aims and potential impact.
The framework emphasizes integrating math concepts into broader “big ideas,” promoting cultural relevance to help students see themselves in math-related careers, and dispelling negative stereotypes about math abilities. The 1000-page document highlights the importance of recognizing students’ identities and cultural backgrounds to create inclusive learning environments.
The framework also addresses the integration of social justice into math lessons, aiming to equip students with the skills to analyze and address societal inequalities using mathematical tools. This aspect has drawn both support and criticism.
The framework’s journey has been marked by controversy. An earlier version, including an “Equitable Math” toolkit, faced significant backlash for challenging the notion of objectivity in mathematics. Hundreds of science and math professionals expressed concerns, arguing against what they perceived as an irresponsible experiment. GOP lawmakers also voiced their opposition, fearing a stifling of creativity and innovation.
Despite the initial postponement of the framework's implementation in 2021, the State Board of Education has now officially adopted the revised 2023 Mathematics Framework. The board president, Linda Darling-Hammond, believes the framework offers a pathway to enhanced math learning with a greater focus on equity. However, past criticisms and concerns surrounding the approach remain, leaving the long-term effects of this new framework to be seen.
This new framework echoes similar initiatives in San Francisco, where equity-driven math policies reportedly led to higher-income families circumventing school policies, with racial achievement gaps remaining largely unchanged. The California framework’s implementation will likely be closely watched to assess its impact on student achievement and educational equity.
