Because of the complex interaction between economic class and learning, improving mathematics education for all while narrowing achievement gaps is no simple task. As a young teacher, the author conducted action research to determine how low-SES and high-SES 7th graders responded to a problem-centered mathematics curriculum. To her dismay, she…

In 1989, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) published the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards, setting a course for K-12 mathematics teaching and learning. More than a decade later, this study provides an important and timely analysis of trends in mathematics instruction and outcomes, with attention to race- and SES-related…

This paper summarizes and extends a study of SES (socioeconomic status) related differences in a mathematics classroom aligned with current U.S. reforms. Qualitative analyses compared the lower- and higher-SES students' experiences with whole-class discussion and contextualized, open-ended mathematics problems. The higher-SES students tended to…

A recent report of mathematics results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) highlighted this "major finding": "Public- school students scored lower on average than non-public-school students at both grades 4 and 8." Of course, this finding is nothing new. Indeed, it is part of the common wisdom in the…

Utilizing 1990 and 1996 National Assessment of Educational Progress data regarding mathematics achievement, students' backgrounds, and mathematics teacher practices, this paper examines race and SES (socioeconomic status) related disparities in student performance, beliefs about mathematics, and classroom experiences. Although overall mathematics…

This study focuses on one district that recently began offering high school students a choice between its traditional algebra sequence and a new, integrated sequence based on Core Plus texts. The students in this district have experienced problem-centered instruction throughout elementary and middle school. However, when 600 students and their…

In the past, researchers concerned with educational achievement gaps sought to identify underlying causes of those gaps by examining deficiencies of students' home backgrounds. In reaction against this "blame the victim" approach, scholars have moved toward focusing on positive aspects of diversity. This article raises critical questions about the…