Making Black Girls Count in Math Education: A Black Feminist Vision for Transformative Teaching

Making Black Girls Count in Math Education explores the experiences of Black girls and women in mathematics from preschool to graduate school, highlighting the underrepresentation of Black female students in STEM fields. Nicole M. Joseph investigates factors contributing to this disparity and offers practical suggestions for reform. She calls for an end to racism and sexism in mathematics education and advocates for coalition-building to offer greater equitable opportunities for Black female students.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2023
Publisher: Harvard Educational Publishing Group

Making Black Girls Count in Math Education delves into the experiences of Black girls and women in mathematics, spanning from preschool to graduate school, and uncovers the profound disparities in race and gender within STEM fields. Nicole M. Joseph conducts a comprehensive investigation into the factors that contribute to the significant underrepresentation of Black female students in the mathematics pipeline. Through her unwavering account, Joseph sheds light on the educational structures and practices that perpetuate racial and gender-based stratification in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.

Furthermore, she untangles a intricate web of historical and sociopolitical factors that shape the perceptions and experiences of Black girls and women both within and outside the realm of mathematics education. In her insightful assessment of the intersectional challenges faced by this marginalized group, Joseph provides a critical evaluation of the existing mathematics education research, practices, and policies that have neglected Black girls and women. She also confronts the problematic history of mathematics education policy and considers the imbalances in the current teacher workforce in US mathematics programs.

Joseph then offers practical and actionable suggestions for reform, inviting students, families, educators, researchers, policy makers, and other relevant stakeholders to disrupt systems, structures, and ideologies. She advocates for the eradication of racism and sexism in various aspects of mathematics education, including learning environments, curriculum design and implementation, and testing and assessments.

This essential work serves as a call to action for anyone committed to supporting the mathematical learning and development of Black girls and women. It advocates for coalition-building to create greater, more equitable opportunities for learning and engagement. By recognizing the unique challenges faced by Black girls and women in math education, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable future for all students.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682537749