"To put it quite simply, America is a diverse
society in which educational differences have the potential to become a
progressively larger source of inequality and social conflict. Many
people now recognize that eliminating these differences has become a
moral and pragmatic imperative."
- College Board, Reaching the
Top(1999)
Issues of
equity in education have been at the forefront of discussion for well
over a decade., with advocates and researchers tackling the issue from a
variety of angles and interests. The following is a list of some of the
organizations that are working towards the goal of a quality mathematics
and science education for allstudents.
- The Achievement
Council
The Achievement Council is a non-profit,
public interest organization whose mission is to examine and address the
systemic challenges which have led to low academic outcomes for urban
and low income students, and to help build the capacity of districts,
schools, and communities to ensure that all students are academically
prepared to succeed at the highest levels - including graduation from a
four-year college or university. Algebra Project This
program aims to help students in the inner city and rural areas become
mathematically literate by using students' real-life experiences as the
basis for exposing them to algebraic concepts. The five-step curricular
program designed for sixth-graders moves students from familiar concrete
experiences to abstract mathematics. American Association for the Advancement of
Science In addition to providing technical
assistance to school districts and other groups that work with children,
AAAS operates Project 2061, a K-12 educational reform to improve science
and technology literacy for all citizens. American Association of University of Women
Educational Foundation Offers a variety of print
materials and on-line resources related to gender equity. Issue areas
include affirmative action, education, sexual harassment, reproductive
rights, and athletics, among other things. Produces research
publications such as How Schools Shortchange Girls, Growing Smart:
What's Working for Girls, and Gender Gaps: Where Schools Still
Fail Our Children. American
Mathematical Society Prints a variety of
publications on mathematics. Sponsors a web site with information on
recent news related to math, career resources, reports, and an
electronic journal.
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
The Anti-Defamation League works to fight anti-Semitism, hatred,
bigotry, and prejudice in schools and in society as a whole. The
Educational Policy and Programs Department conducts research in the area
of prejudice and evaluates the effectiveness of strategies designed to
combat prejudice. It develops anti-bias curriculum and programming for
use by classroom educators and acquires or develops multicultural
materials designed to enhance the respect and understanding accorded
Jews and other minority groups.
Applied Research
Center The Applied Research Center is a public
policy, education, and research institute that emphasizes issues of race
and social change. Among the projects at ARC is the ERASE Initiative -
a national program that challenges racism in public schools and promotes
racial justice and academic excellence for all students.
Campbell-Kibler Associates For the past 25
years Dr. Patricia B. Campbell of Campbell-Kibler Associates has been
doing research and evaluation to increase gender and race equity in
math, science and technology education. Results of her work can be found
in a variety of "user friendly" brochures and pamphlets that can be
downloaded from the web site. Center for Gender Equity
The goal of the Center for Gender Equity is to promote technology,
science, and mathematics as careers and as areas of civic literacy among
girls and women, primarily by strengthening the gender equity knowledge
and skills of K-12 teachers and teacher-educators. Center for Research on
Education, Diversity, and Excellence (CREDE) CREDE's
mission is to assist the nation's diverse students at risk of
educational failure to achieve academic excellence. CREDE's research and
development focuses on critical issues in the education of linguistic
and cultural minority students and those placed at risk by factors of
race, poverty, and geographic location.
Center for the
Education of Women
It is the first
comprehensive, university-based women's center of its kind. Research
topics of interest include: barriers or enhancements to women's
educational achievement, participation and success of girls in science,
mathematics, and engineering, and women's leadership. Publishes The
Equity Equation: Women in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering and
The Equity Agenda. Center for the
Enhancement of Science and Mathematics Education (CESAME)
CESAME aims to create awareness and support the implementation of
standards-based curricula by providing high quality professional
development in mathematics and science. Professional development
efforts include individual work with teachers and schools, workshops for
educators and education leaders, and research on effective models for
successful implementation. Consortium for
Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP) Since 1980,
COMAP has worked with teachers, students and business people to create
learning environments where mathematics is used to investigate and model
real issues in our world. The ARC Center at COMAP promotes the
implementation of standards-based elementary mathematics curricula
through consultation with schools, information and resources that
support teacher enhancement, leadership development, and public
awareness of mathematics. Council of
Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) The CCSSO is a
nationwide, non-profit organization composed of public officials who
lead the departments responsible for elementary and secondary education.
The CCSSO's Resource Center on Educational Equity provide services
designed to ensure equitable, high-quality and developmentally
appropriate education for all students, especially minorities, girls,
students with disabilities, limited English proficient students, and
low-income students.
Developmental Studies Center
DSC was formed in 1980 to conduct research and develop school-based
programs that foster children's intellectual, ethical, and social
development. Their Child Development Project is a comprehensive,
long-term collaboration with elementary schools that is helping create
caring communities of learners in classrooms and schools. They also
offer professional development services and have created Number Power,
standards-based elementary mathematics curriculum.
Disabilities Unlimited
3 East 10th
Street, Suite 4B
New York, NY 10003
Phone:
212-673-4284 Fax: 212-673-4284 Disabilities Unlimited
Consulting Services promotes equal opportunity and empowerment for
people with disabilities. Services include consultation and training on
federal, state, and local disability rights laws, lectures on disability
equity issues for professional organizations, and action-oriented
research. A focus on education and gender issues as they relate to
disabilities are also part of the organization's mission
The Education Trust
The Education Trust is a non-profit organization
that seeks to make schools and colleges accountable for academic
achievement of all students with a focus in low-income, Latino, African
American and Native American students. The Education Trust works with
policymakers, parents, educators, community and business leaders across
the country to implement reform that is all-inclusive. They delineate
basic steps for improvement and provide advocacy, analysis, research,
reports, and assistance to schools.
Educational Equity Concepts
Educational Equity Concepts, Inc. is a national non-profit that
promotes bias-free learning through innovative programs and materials.
EEC's mission is to decrease discrimination based on gender,
race/ethnicity, disability, and income. Activities include hands-on
materials and programs for early childhood and elementary classrooms,
workshops for educators, research projects, and various publications.
Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for
Mathematics and Science Education This U.S.
Department of Education program offers a wide array of free print and
electronic resources related to school reform and educational equity.
The ENC web site provides links to hundreds of web sites and other
organizations, a searchable database of over 10,000 resources, and
examples of successful reform strategies. EQUALS Since 1977, EQUALS programs have
worked to increase access and equity in mathematics for all students and
particularly under-represented groups. EQUALS provides workshops and
curriculum materials in mathematics for teachers, parents, and community
members. The FAMILY MATH program teaches parents how to help their
children with math at home. Equity Assistance Centers
This U.S. Department of Education initiative aids schools in
promoting gender, racial, and national origin equity. The ten equity
assistance centers provide training, planning, and other technical
assistance to school districts throughout the nation.
Girls Count Girls Count
seeks to expand girls' education and career opportunities by increasing
awareness and impacting policies and actions of those who influence
girls. Their web site links to a variety of resources for parents and
educators. Publications, including Equity Threads: Serving All
Students in School-to-Career Systems, Educator In-service on Gender
Equity, and Through the Equity Lens, are also available for
purchase on-line.
Girls Start
Girlstart provides a supportive and empowering atmosphere in which girls perform hands-on activities with robots, microscopes, environmental science, math, engineering, and technology. Saturday and Summer Camps are held on-site at the Girls' Tech Center in Austin, TX, for girls ages 10 to 14 (unless otherwise noted in specific program descriptions). Girls learn science, math, engineering, and technology concepts in a fun and energetic environment. The Girlstart website features activities for girls as well as resources for parents.
Girls
Incorporated Girls Incorporated is a national youth
organization dedicated to helping every girl become strong, smart and
bold. Operation SMART offers informal, out-of-school programs to sustain
girls' interest and participation in science, math, and technology in 35
states across the country. IDRA IDRA is an independent, non-profit
organization that advocates the right of every child to a quality
education. For more than 20 years, IDRA has worked for excellence and
equity in education in Texas and across the United States. IDRA conducts
research and development activities; creates, implements and administers
innovative education programs; and provides teacher, administrator, and
parent training and technical assistance. Their newsletter is free and
contains information on current issues is school reform.
K2 Associates, LLC K2
Associates provides consultation and training for boards,
administrators, teachers, and parent organizations around issues of
educational equity. K2 Associates works with schools to measure and
improve their climate of inclusiveness of all students by surveying
students, teachers, administrators, and parents and compiling the
results of the surveys, along with observations, policy reviews, and
curriculum and program reviews, into a complete site assessment written
report. K2 Associates' resource guide Educating All Our Children
supports this work in an easy-to-use manual for educators.
Math/Science
Network The Math/Science Network is a non-profit
membership organization of educators, scientists, mathematicians,
parents, community leaders, and government and corporate representatives
whose mission is to promote the continuing advancement in mathematics
and science education of all people, with a particular emphasis on the
needs of women and girls. Coordinates "Expanding Your Horizons in
Science and Mathematics" conferences for girls in grades 6-12.
Mid-Atlantic Eisenhower Consortium for
Mathematics and Science Education Research for Better
Schools As one of the ten regional consortia funded
by the U.S. Department of Education, this organization operates a web
site that includes extensive resources on professional development,
currilcula, current math and science news, and research. Focuses
primarily on Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania.
National Alliance for Partnerships in
Equity (NAPE) NAPE is a consortium of state agencies
responsible for career and technical education who have joined forces to
provide national leadership for equity in vocation education. NAPE
supports and encourages educational policies and programming for you and
adult women and men that reduce gender barriers commonly found in the
educational system. NAPE's System-Building Standards for Education
Reform may be of particular use to those looking for ways to assess
how equitable their schools and classrooms are.
National Alliance of State Science and
Mathematics Coalitions (NASSMC) NASSMC's mission is
to promote state coalitions as a primary vehicle for advancing systemic
and continuous improvement in mathematics, science, and technology
education at all levels. These coalitions include individuals from
education, policy, business, and public sectors of the community.
National Center for Fair
and Open Testing The National Center for Fair & Open
Testing (FairTest) is an advocacy organization working to end the
abuses, misuses and flaws of standardized testing and ensure that
evaluation of students and workers is fair, open, and educationally
sound. FairTest places special emphasis on eliminating the racial,
class, gender, and cultural barriers to equal opportunity posed by
standardized tests, and preventing their damage to the quality of
education.
National
Center for Improving Student Learning and Achievement in Mathematics and
Science The NCISLA provides information relating to
mathematics and science such as teacher resources, NCISLA publications,
K-12 mathematics and science study results, and research papers.
National Coalition for Equity in Education
(NCEE) NCEE offers a series of workshops and
supports a national network focused on equity in mathematics education.
The workshops provide an opportunity for educators to reflect deeply on
and discuss issues, policies, and strategies; to plan future actions;
and to be supported in their leadership. Also publishes a variety of
books and pamphlets related to equity. National Coalition for
Sex Equity in Education The NCSEE works with equity
specialists and educators on issues surrounding gender equity in
education. With a focus on providing advocacy, professional
development, and networking, the NCSEE runs a conference each summer
that addresses to the professional concerns of its members and offers
training related to equity.
National Coalition of Girls'
Schools NCGS is a coalition of eighty-four girls'
boarding and day, private and public schools dedicated to promoting
single-sex education for girls. Several of their publications focus on
girls and math/science/technology, including Math and Science for Girls
and Girls and Technology Idea Book. The web site contains teaching
strategies, tips for parents, and links to other resources. National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics The mission of the National Council of
Teachers of Mathematics is: to provide the vision and the leadership
necessary to improve the learning of mathematics by all students; to
promote excellence in the teaching of mathematics by all teachers; and
to serve as an advocate for mathematics education. As the largest
professional association of mathematics educators in the world, NCTM
offers a wide variety of print and other resources for educators. It
has developed comprehensive Standards in three areas: curriculum and
assessment, teaching practices, and assessment. National Council of Supervisors of
Mathematics NCSM aims to develop and promote
designated leadership at all levels of mathematics education. It serves
leaders of pre-K through adult mathematics education by offering a
Leadership Academy, an annual conference, print resources, a web site
with membership information and other links, and publishes the
Journal of Mathematics Education Leadership. National Institute for
Community Innovations (NICI) NICI aims to foster
local economic and social well- being through educational innovation,
especially in economically distressed communities. The NICI web site
contains information on equity in education, including web links,
organization initiatives, and on-line forums.
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is an independent U.S. government
agency responsible for promoting science and engineering through
programs that financially supports almost 20,000 research and education
projects in science and engineering. The web site contains a searchable
database with extensive publication listings relating to gender and
math/science/technology.
National Women's History
Project Established National Women's History Month,
serves as a clearinghouse for information on U.S. women's history, and
runs a web site with hundreds of links. Also offers books such as
Math Equals....a Well-Paying Career and Mathematics Can Be
Fun.
Pathways to Equity and Excellence
Born out of the lessons learned from the College Board's EQUITY 2000¨ project, Pathways to Equity and Excellence offers professional development for school administrators, school counselors, teachers, parent liaisons/coordinators, data managers and other school personnel which teach and model those concepts/skills and pedagogues which build college going aspirations and foster academic excellence for all.
Regional Educational Laboratory
Network The network of 10 Regional Educational
Laboratories, serving geographic regions that span the nation, works to
ensure that those involved in educational improvement at the local,
state, and regional levels have access to the best available information
from research and practice. The members of the network focus on issues
such as school reform, educational equity, technology, curriculum,
language, and assessment. The groups are: Appalachia Educational
Laboratory (AEL), Laboratory for Student Success
(LSS), Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning
(McREL), LAB at Brown University, Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL), North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL), Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL), SERVE, Southwest Educational
Development Laboratory (SEDL), and WestEd. S.E.E.D.
Project on Inclusive Curriculum The S.E.E.D.
Project, a staff-development equity project for educators, is in its
thirteenth year of establishing teacher-led faculty development seminars
in public and private schools throughout the United States and in
English-speaking international schools. A week-long SEED Summer Leaders'
Workshop prepares school teachers to hold year-long reading groups with
other teachers to discuss making school curricula more gender-fair and
multi-culturally equitable in all subject areas. Strengthening
Underrepresented Minority Mathematics Achievement (SUMMA)
The SUMMA Program of the Mathematical Association of America was
established in 1990 to increase the representation of minorities in the
fields of mathematics, science and engineering and improve the education
of minorities. Summer
Math SummerMath aims to help girls strengthen
mathematical thinking and communications skills, develop problem solving
strategies and computer skills, and build confidence through a
month-long summer program for girls in grades 8-11. Teaching SMART Teaching
SMART, a program of Girls Incorporated¨ of Rapid City (South Dakota),
is an equity-based, comprehensive three-year teacher professional
development program designed to produce systemic change in the classroom
by improving science education at the elementary school level. The
mission of Teaching SMART is to encourage the performance and
persistence of all students, particularly girls and minority youth, in
elementary science. TERC TERC is a nonprofit research and
development organization committed to improving mathematics and science
learning and teaching. Founded in 1965, TERC is internationally
recognized for creating innovative curricula, fostering teacher
professional development, pioneering creative uses of technology in
education, contributing to educators' understanding of learning and
teaching, and developing equitable opportunities for under-served
learners. Projects of relevance to math/science/technology and equity
include: Weaving Gender Equity into Math
Reform, Through the Glass Wall, Cheche Konnen, Regional Alliance, Eyes to the Future,and Project MEET. United States Department of
Education Publishes a wide variety of documents
relating to education. All publications are free and can be ordered
through the web site.
Vermont Institute for Science, Mathematics, and Technology
(VISMT) VISMT works with Vermont's schools and communities
to transform science, mathematics, and technology education in order to
improve the learning and the skills of all students. VISMT supports
change in a systemic way by working with all constituents who have a
stake in education. An important component of VISMT's work is on
education equity in the state of Vermont. This effort consists of
analysis of data to look for achievement gaps between groups of
students, identification and support of regional equity resource people,
piloting of the program for Complex Instruction, and participating in
Vermont Leadership for Equity, Anti-Racism, and Diversity in Schools.
Women and
Mathematics (WAM) The Women & Mathematics Network is
a consortium of Program Directors of outreach programs in mathematics
for women and girls. The W & M network provides: professional
development opportunities for program directors; forums for sharing
ideas and expertise; and workshops and forums for prospective directors
of such programs
Women's
Educational Equity Act (WEEA) Equity Resource Center
The WEEA Equity Resource Center works with schools, community
organizations, businesses, and individuals to: publish and market
gender-fair education products; fight against discrimination based on
gender, race, class, language, and disability; and disseminate the
latest resources for multicultural gender-fair education. WEEA's
catalogue contains numerous print publications on gender equity,
including: Gender-Fair Math; Encouraging Girls in Math and Science;
Teaching Mathematics Effectively and Equitably; and Add-Ventures
for Girls.
Last modified June 2001/cp
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Copyright 2000, TERC, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
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