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Case: Math and Social Justice! No No! Recently, I read a report in a national magazine on income levels of different groups of people in the US. The report especially featured income differences between males, females and different ethnic groups. Some of the statistics were very disturbing. For example, women holding the same job as men with same number of years in the job made considerably less money in most of the states. Differences between ethnic groups were even more disturbing. I decided to use these data in my math class with my 5th graders in a lesson on graphing. The purpose was for the students to be able to interpret graphs and create graphs using the information provided. Students enjoyed the lesson and learned some social justice lessons. Apparently a lot of my students talked to their parents about what they had learned in class when they went home. I received notes from about 10 parents the next day simply indicating that what I taught in my math class would lead to hatred among my students and that I should not be wasting their children's valuable time. Rather, they suggested, I should teach math with no controversial materials. I completely disagree with them and I plan to use similar materials in my other courses as well. However, my principals asked me to send an explanation to those parents. I know my explanation will not stop the complaints. How should I go about this potentially long battle? Or should I take the short cut simply remove such content from my lessons? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I see nothing wrong with what you are teaching. I think too often we (Americans) run away from having complicated conversations about race, gender, and other social inequalities. The inequities in pay between women and men is heavily documented in research, so I see nothing wrong with using these stats to teach your math lessons. I do not shy away from controversy. I would welcome the parents' comments. However, this is where you are going to have to decide for yourself how far you are willing to go as the teacher. In the highly politically correct world we live in, you must weigh the pros and cons of your decision. You must decide if you are willing to put your career on the line for what you believe in. Ultimately, this is the choice you will be making. |
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