A Guide to Detracking Math Courses

One of the most insidious practices in education today is the way students are denied access to high-quality mathematics instruction through the practice of tracking. This groundbreaking book not only provides concrete examples of how to make college preparatory mathematics available to all students but also shares strategies to ensure that students are successful once enrolled. -- Kyndall Brown * Los Angeles, CA *
A Guide to Detracking Math Courses recognizes the urgent need to rehumanize the math classroom and make mathematics equitable for all, serving as a compelling and comprehensive guide to help educators and administrators achieve these goals. This timely must-read inspires you to develop, implement, and maintain a system that creates opportunities for learning for all. -- Nancy Nagatani * Hanford, CA *
This is a book we’ve been waiting for! Beginning with the premise that all students are mathematically brilliant, and all teachers have strengths in
teaching and learning, the book captures the essence of one team’s journey to attain a detracked mathematics program. The authors provide questions to consider, reflective activities, lessons learned, and so much more to assist educators in creating equitable mathematics experiences for their students. -- Shelly M. Jones * New Britain, CT *
Detracking a school district’s mathematics offerings means successfully working collaboratively through issues of policy, curriculum, professional
development, and more. This book highlights the issues involved, unpacks their complexities, points to resources, and helps readers adapt the ideas to their own district context. It will be an invaluable resource for schools and districts that want to detrack their mathematics courses, in the service of equitable and ambitious instruction. -- Alan H. Schoenfeld * University of California, Berkeley *
A Guide to Detracking Math Courses is a well-executed guide for educators who genuinely want mathematics education reform. The detracking strategies in this book will challenge your sensibilities by stretching your comfort level with collaboration, deepening your relationships with all stakeholders, and changing the trajectory of the lives of students in a tangible way for the betterment of our entire society. -- Christina Lincoln-Moore * Inglewood, CA *
A Guide to Detracking Math Courses reveals the power of a shared commitment to the success of each and every student in detracked schools. More important, it offers a pragmatic and optimistic roadmap to challenging the narrative that students benefit from being sorted into courses based on past mathematics achievement. Our traditionally underserved students need advocates and changemakers; they are deserving of meaningful problem-solving opportunities that build conceptual understanding and prepare them to excel in advanced mathematics. Readers have multiple opportunities to reflect on their own presumptions about who can succeed in mathematics and what it means to be successful. It is a must-read for teachers, administrators, and community members who want and need to see the affordances of detracking. -- Terrie M. Galanti * Jacksonville, FL *
Detracking is desegregation. This is the best thing we can do for all math students. There should be no gatekeepers and no barriers to students learning as much mathematics as they want to. -- Rori Abernethy * Oakland, CA *