Inspiring Mathematics Success for all Students through Growth Mindsets and Innovative Teaching
Our main goal is to inspire, educate and empower teachers of mathematics, transforming the latest research on maths learning into accessible and practical forms.
We know from research how to teach mathematics well and how to bring about high levels of student engagement and achievement, but this evidence has not previously been made accessible to teachers. All students can learn mathematics to high levels and teaching that is based upon this principle dramatically increases students’ maths achievement. The need to make research widely available is particularly pressing now as new science on the brain and learning is giving important insights into mathematics learning.
Mathematics is often the reason that students leave STEM, particularly girls and some students of color. We aim to change this by communicating the sources of maths inequality in the US and by teaching the classroom methods that are needed for 21st century learning. By providing research-based teaching methods, mathematics tasks, videos, and ideas we intend to significantly reduce maths failure and inequality in the United States and beyond, inspiring teachers and empowering all students to success.
The Need
- Widespread mathematics failure: 74% of US eighth graders are not proficient
- Inequities for girls and students of color: STEM workforce in US is 28% female, 17% Black or Hispanic
- Low interest: less than 2% of college graduates earn a degree in mathematics
- Huge need for quantitative literacy in society and employment
- Vast gap between research knowledge and what happens in mathematics classrooms
- Few avenues to get research knowledge into practical forms for teachers
Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pew Research Center, National Science Foundation