California’s over 1.1 million English learners (ELs) deserve access to the full curriculum so that they are prepared for success in not just English language arts, but also in math, science, social studies, the arts, and all other subjects. It is all of these subjects combined that make learning relevant and support language development.
Unfortunately, we know all too well that access to rigorous coursework is still lacking for many ELs. When looking at achievement in Math, only 12.6% of ELs met or exceeded math standards in 2019. It is for these reasons that Californians Together has partnered with Education Trust-West to lead an advocacy effort focused on informing the 2021 Mathematics Framework revision.
Math Framework Timeline and Goals
The Mathematics Framework is currently being drafted by the Mathematics Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee (CFCC), which will continue meeting until December 2020. From then, the Framework will go to the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) in January 2021, for approval for an initial 60-day public review period. Moreover, thanks to the English learner roadmap and the new English Language Development (ELD) standards, California has an opportunity to better integrate strategies for ELs and ELD standards into teaching and learning in all subjects. This makes this the right time to engage in this process!
Central to this effort is to ensure that decision-makers hear from the perspectives of our diverse coalition partners in order to:
- Uplift the need for equity to be a driving force in the framework development process, content, and implementation process (i.e. curriculum/instructional materials); and
- Improve equitable access to standards-aligned, high-quality curriculum and instruction for English learners.
Our Progress
Over the past three months Californians Together and The Education Trust-West have been joined by ten other education organizations that signed on to one or both of the coalition letters for the May IQC Meeting and June Mathematics CFCC Meeting. In addition, during the June 24-25 Mathematics CFCC meeting, we were joined by six individuals in providing public comment in support of Equity and ELs.
“Ed Trust-West is proud to be working in partnership with CalTog and many other organizations to ensure that California’s revised math framework is grounded in equity and provides a clear instructional, research-based blueprint for serving diverse learners. Educators throughout the state are looking for clear guidance on how to implement the math standards in culturally relevant and engaging ways, including for students of color, students who are gaining proficiency in English, and those learning in multilingual settings. It is imperative that educators, advocates, students, and families, all have a voice in the framework revision process and we welcome additional organizations to join our coalition.” Rachel Ruffalo, Director of Educator Engagement at Education Trust-West
Based on our review of the chapters discussed at the June meeting, it is clear that there is a need to ensure that examples and strategies discussed consider the needs of our diverse learners, including a clear integration of ELD standards and strategies within the Mathematics standards. However, we found much of the discussions of the committee promising as there was a focus on expanding cultural relevance and ensuring that the purpose of learning math was expanding to understanding our world and solving complex problems.
Looking Ahead: How To Help
As we look ahead to the remaining Math CFCC meetings, including the one coming up on August 5-6th, we need your help.
You can help by doing one or all of the following:
- Review draft chapters and provide feedback to be included in our coalition letter before each meeting.
- Sign-on to our coalition letters or submit your own before each meeting.
- Provide public comment during the Mathematics CFCC meetings that highlight our key messages.
If you are interested in supporting this effort or just want to stay updated, email Manuel Buenrostro at [email protected].