Mathematics is universal — it belongs to every child, in every language
Dr. Ma Bernadette Salgarino & Dr. Alma Castro wrote a guess column on EdCal, the publication for the Association of California School Administrators. The column makes the case that all students, including Multilingual Learners, deserve to master math. To do this, they must have access to high-quality math instructional materials that specifically address content and language development symiltaneously.
"We have the power to ensure that each and every student in California experiences mathematics as a subject of empowerment, relevance and joy. EL students have proven that by eighth grade, those who have mastered English can, and do, outperform their non-EL peers in math, attendance and other measures.
Teachers, administrators and school board members should demand that multilingual learners are intentionally reflected in all materials. We can build clarity on what high-quality, multilingual-inclusive materials actually look like. California can be an example for what can be a bridge between the extraordinary work happening in classrooms and the broader systems that shape education policy. "
Read the full article on EdCal's website.
"Math isn’t just numbers on a page; it’s a tool for us to understand how the world works. Mathematics is everywhere and every child deserves to speak it fluently and with confidence."