Skip to main content

Equity, Social Justice and Ethics in Mathematics Education

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia 2012-2015

Abstract

The performativity policy mindset driving national and international testing highlights issues of equity in access and success according to socio-economic status, geographic location, ethnicity, gender and combinations of these factors. Researchers seek explanations for these inequities in terms encompassing engagement, participation and achievement to identify socially just and ethical practices at system, school and classroom level. The emergence of a theoretical perspective involving redistribution, recognition and participation (Fraser, Fortunes of feminism. From state-managed capitalism to neoliberal crisis, 2013) is evident in a range of studies concerning leadership, professional learning, pre-service teacher education, and pedagogies that focus on equity and social justice in mathematics education. The challenge of ethical and socially just practices at all levels and social groups is in providing access to deep learning in mathematics and success in “knowledge making” (Jorgensen, Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia 2014).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    We acknowledge that Indigenous people in different places in Australasia prefer to use the term Aboriginal or their own cultural or tribal name to describe themselves.

References

  • Anderson, D., Averill, R., Te Maro, P., Taiwhati, M., & Higgins, J. (2013). Knowing each other as learners: Maori students learning mathematics. In V. Green & S. Cherrington (Eds.), Delving into diversity: An international exploration of issues of diversity in education (pp. 45–56). New York: Nova.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anthony, G., Hunter, R., & Thompson, Z. (2014). Expansive learning: Lessons from one teacher’s learning journey. ZDM, 46, 279–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atweh, B., & Ala’i, K. (2012). Socially response-able mathematics education: Lessons from three teachers. In J. Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 99–105). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atweh, B., Bose, A., Graven, M., Subramanian, J., & Venkat, H. (2014). Teaching numeracy in pre-school and early grades in low-income Countries. GmbH: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Retrieved from http://www.giz.de/expertise/downloads/giz2014-en-studie-teaching-numeracy-preschool-early-grades-numeracy.pdf.

  • Atweh, B., & Graven, M. (2016). Ethical imagination and the inclusive education agenda: The case of low-income countries. In D. Bland (Ed.), Imagination for inclusion. Oxford: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atweh, B., Vale, C., & Walshaw, M. (2012). Equity, diversity, social justice and ethics: Common concerns or divergent agendas? In B. Perry, T. Lowrie, T. Logan, A. MacDonald, & J. Greenlees (Eds.), Research in mathematics education 2008-2011 (pp. 39–65). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Averill, R. (2012a). Caring teaching practices in multiethnic mathematics classrooms: Attending to health and well-being. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 24, 105–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Averill, R. (2012b). Reflecting heritage cultures in mathematics learning: The views of teachers and students. Journal of Urban Mathematics Education, 5(2), 157–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Averill, R., & Clark, M. (2012). Respect in teaching and learning mathematics: Professionals who know, listen to, and work with students. Set: Research Information for Teachers, 3, 50–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Averill, R., & Clarke, M. (2013). Respectful and responsive pedagogies for mathematics and statistics. In V. Steinle, L. Ball, & C. Bardini (Eds.), Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 66–73). Melbourne: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belenky, M. F., Clinchy, B. M., Goldberger, N. R., & Tarule, J. M. (1986). Women’s ways of knowing: The development of self, voice, and mind. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boaler, J., & Staples, M. (2008). Creating mathematical futures through an equitable teaching approach: The case of Railside school. Teachers College Record, 110(3), 608–645.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bok, J. (2010). The capacity to aspire to higher education: “It’s like making them do a play without a script”. Critical Studies in Education, 51(2), 163–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carmichael, C. (2013). Gender differences in mathematics achievement: Perspectives from the longitudinal study of Australian children. In V. Steinle, L. Ball, & C. Bardini (Eds.), Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 130–137). Melbourne: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmichael, C. (2014). Gender, parental beliefs and children’s mathematics performance: Insights into a longitudinal study of Australian children. In J. Anderson, M. Cavanagh, & A. Prescott (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 119–126). Sydney: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohrssen, C., Church, A., Ishimine, K., & Taylor, C. (2013). Playing with maths: Facilitating the learning in play-based learning. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 38(1), 95–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duru, A. (2010). The experimental teaching in some of topics geometry. Educational Research and Review, 5(10), 584–592.

    Google Scholar 

  • Easey, M., Warren, E., & Geiger, V. (2012). Male students’ perspectives concerning the relevance of mathematics—Pilot study findings. In Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 242–249). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds-Wathen, C. (2014). Influences of Indigenous language on spatial frames of reference in Aboriginal English. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 26(2), 169–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds-Wathen, C., Sakopa, P., Owens, K., & Bino, V. (2014). Indigenous languages and mathematics in elementary schools. In J. Anderson, M. Cavanagh, & A. Prescott (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 207–214). Sydney: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds-Wathen, C. (2012). Spatial metaphors of the number line. In Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 250–257). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds-Wathen, C. (2013). Great expectations: Teaching mathematics in English to Indigenous language speaking students. In V. Steinle, L. Ball, & C. Bardini (Eds.), Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 266–273). Melbourne: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forgasz, H. J., & Hill, J. C. (2013). Factors implicated in high mathematics achievement. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 11(2), 481–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forgasz, H. J., Leder, G. C., & Halliday, J. (2013). The Make It Count Project: NAPLAN achievement evaluation. In V. Steinle, L. Ball, & C. Bardini (Eds.), Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 298–305). Melbourne: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forgasz, H. J., Leder, G. C., & Tan, H. (2014). Public views on the gendering of mathematics and related careers: International comparisons. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 87(3), 369–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, N. (2013). Fortunes of feminism. From state-managed capitalism to neoliberal crisis. London: Verso Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, K., & Gould, P. (2014). Race in the Outback: Investigating technology designed to support number development in a preschool serving an under-resourced community. In J. Anderson, M. Cavanagh, & A. Prescott (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 247–254). Sydney: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goos, M., Galbraith, P., Renshaw, P., & Geiger, V. (2000). Reshaping teacher and student roles in technology enriched classrooms. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 12(3), 303–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gould, P. (2014). The association between children’s number knowledge and social disadvantage at school entry. In J. Anderson, M. Cavanagh, & A. Prescott (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 255–262). Sydney: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grootenboer, P., & Sullivan, P. (2013). Remote Indigenous students’ understanding of measurement. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 11(1), 169–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutstein, E. (2006). Reading and writing the world with mathematics: Toward a pedagogy for social justice. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Handal, B., Watson, K., Petocz, P., & Maher, M. (2013). Retaining mathematics and science teachers in rural and remote schools. Australian & International Journal of Rural Education, 23(3), 13–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs, L. (2013). Teaching ‘out-of-field’ as a boundary-crossing event: Factors shaping teacher identity. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 11, 271–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunting, R., Mousley, J., & Perry, B. (2012). A study of rural preschool practitioners’ views on young children’s mathematical thinking. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 24, 39–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurst, C., & Sparrow, L. (2012). Professional learning for teaching assistants and its effect on classroom roles. In J. Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 362–369). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen, R. (2012a). Curriculum leadership: Reforming and reshaping successful practice in remote and regional indigenous education. In J. Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 370–377). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen, R. (2012b). Exploring scholastic mortality among working class and Indigenous students: A perspective from Australia. In B. Herzelman, J. Choppin, D. Wagner, & D. Pimm (Eds.), Equity in discourse for mathematics education: Theories, practices and policies (pp. 35–49). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen, R. (2014). Social theories of learning: A need for a new paradigm in mathematics education. In J. Anderson, M. Cavanagh, & A. Prescott (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 311–318). Sydney: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen, R., Gates, P., & Roper, V. (2014). Structural exclusion through school mathematics: Using Bourdieu to understand mathematics as a social practice. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 87(2), 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen, R., & Lowrie, T. (2013). Socio-economic status and rurality as scholastic mortality: Exploring failure at mathematics. In M Berger, K. Brodie, V. Frith, & K. le Roux (Eds.), Proceedings of the Seventh International Mathematics Education and Society Conference (Vol. 2, pp. 340–347). Cape Town: MES7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leder, G., & Forgasz, H. (2014). Learning from assessment: NAPLAN and Indigenous students. In J. Anderson, M. Cavanagh, & A. Prescott (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 389–396). Sydney: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerman, S. (2006). Cultural psychology, anthropology and sociology: The developing ‘strong’ social turn. In J. Maass & W. Schloglmann (Eds.), New mathematics education research and practice (pp. 171–188). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lingard, B., Sellar, S., & Savage, G. C. (2014). Re-articulating social justice as equity in schooling policy: The effects of testing and data infrastructures. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 35(5), 710–730.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luke, A. (1999). Education 2010 and new times: Why equity and social justice still matter, but differently. Education Queensland online conference. Retrieved on 01/07/2010 from http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/newbasics/docs/onlineal.doc.

  • Mack, J., & Wilson, R. (2015). Trends in mathematics and science subject combinations in the NSW HSC 2001–2014 by gender. Sydney: University of Sydney. Retrieved from http://www.maths.usyd.edu.au/u/SMS/MMW2015.pdf.

  • Matang, R. A., & Owens, K. (2014). The role of indigenous traditional counting systems in children’s development of numerical cognition: Results from a study in Papua New Guinea. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 26(3), 531–553.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, P., Weldon, P., Rowley, G., Murphy, M., & McMillan, J. (2014). Staff in Australian Schools 2013: Main report on the survey. Camberwell, VIC: Australian Council for Educational Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMurchy-Pilkington, C., Trinick, T., & Meaney, T. (2013). Mathematics curriculum development and indigenous language revitalisation: Contested spaces. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 25(3), 341–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meaney, T., Trinick, T., & Fairhall, U. (2013). One size does NOT Fit All: Achieving equity in Māori mathematics classrooms. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 44(1), 255–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meaney, T. (2013). The privileging of English in mathematics education research, just a necessary evil? In M. Berger, K. Brodie, V. Frith, & K. le Roux (Eds.), Proceedings of the Seventh International Mathematics Education and Society Conference (Vol. 1, pp. 65–84). Cape Town: MES7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J. (2014). Young Australian Indigenous students’ growing pattern generalisations: The role of gesture when generalizing. In J. Anderson, M. Cavanagh, & A. Prescott (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th Annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 461–468). Sydney: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J., & Warren, E. (2012). An exploration into growing patterns with young Australian Indigenous students. In J. Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 505–512). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Owens, K. (2012). Identity and ethnomathematics projects in Papua New Guinea. In J. Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 586–593). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Owens, K. (2014a). Diversifying our perspectives on mathematics about space and geometry: An ecocultural approach. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 12(4), 941–974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owens, K. (2014b). The impact of a teacher education culture-based project on identity as a mathematically thinking teacher. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 42(2), 186–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owens, K. (2015). Changing the teaching of mathematics for improved Indigenous education in a rural Australian city. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 18(1), 53–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry, B., Gervasoni, A., & Dockett, S. (2012). Let’s Count: Evaluation of a pilot early mathematics program in low socioeconomic locations in Australia. In J. Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 594–601). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandhu, S., Kidman, G., & Cooper, T. (2013). Overcoming challenges of being an in-field mathematics teacher in Indigenous secondary classrooms. In V. Steinle, L. Ball, & C. Bardini (Eds.), Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 594–601). Melbourne: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skourdoumbis, A. (2012). Teach for Australia (TFA): Can it overcome educational disadvantage? Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 32(3), 305–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sztajn, P. (2003). Adapting reform ideas in different mathematics classrooms: Beliefs beyond mathematics. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 6, 53–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, J. (2012). Students’ ways of knowing and learning mathematics and their ways of interacting with advanced calculators. In J. Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 704–711). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanko, M. G., & Atweh, B. (2012). Developing mathematical knowledge through social justice pedagogy with young adult Arab women. In J. Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 720–727). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, S., De Bertoli, L., & Buckley, S. (2013). PISA: How Australia measures up? The PISA 2012 assessment of students’ mathematical, scientific and reading literacy. Camberwell, VIC: ACER.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, S., Hillman, K., & Wernert, N. (2012a). Monitoring Australian Year 8 student achievement internationally: TIMSS 2011. Camberwell, VIC: ACER.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, S., Hillman, K., Wernert, N., Schmid, M., Buckley, S., & Munene, A. (2012b). Monitoring Australian Year 4 student achievement internationally: TIMSS & PIRLS 2011. Camberwell, VIC: ACER.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornton, S., Statton J., & Mountzouris, S. (2012). Developing mathematical resilience among Aboriginal students. In Dindyal, L. P. Cheng, & S. F. Ng (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 728–735). Singapore: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trinick, T., Meaney, T., & Fairhall, U. (2014). Teachers learning the registers of mathematics and mathematics education in another language: An exploratory study. ZDM, 46(6), 953–965.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vale, C., Weaven, M., Davies, A., Hooley, N., Davidson, K., & Loton, L. (2013). Growth in literacy and numeracy achievement: Evidence and explanations of a summer slowdown in low socio-economic schools. Australian Educational Researcher, 40(1), 1–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warren, E., & Miller, J. (2013). Young Australian Indigenous students’ effective engagement in mathematics: The role of language, patterns, and structure. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 25(1), 151–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warren, E., & Miller, J. (2015). Supporting English second-language learners in disadvantaged contexts: Learning approaches that promote success in mathematics. International Journal of Early Years Education, 23(2), 192–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warren, E., & Quine, J. (2013). A holistic approach to supporting the learning of young Indigenous students: One case study. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 42(1), 12–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warren, E. A., Quine, J., & DeVries, E. (2012). Supporting teachers’ professional learning at a distance: A model for change in at-risk contexts. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 37(6), 11–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weldon, P., McKenzie, P., Kleinhenz, E., & Reid, K. (2012). Teach for Australia pathway: Evaluation report phase 2 of 3. Camberwell, VIC: Australian Council for Educational Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, S. (2013). Investigating rural pre-service teachers’ mathematics anxiety using the revised mathematics anxiety scale (RMARS). Australian & International Journal of Rural Education, 23(3), 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, T., & Barkatsas, T. (2014). The effect of language, gender and age on NAPLAN numeracy data. In J. Anderson, M. Cavanagh, & A. Prescott (Eds.), Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 653–660). Sydney: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Colleen Vale .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vale, C., Atweh, B., Averill, R., Skourdoumbis, A. (2016). Equity, Social Justice and Ethics in Mathematics Education. In: Makar, K., Dole, S., Visnovska, J., Goos, M., Bennison, A., Fry, K. (eds) Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia 2012-2015. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1419-2_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1419-2_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-1417-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-1419-2

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics