The author, who now enjoys math and holds a doctorate in educational psychology and quantitative methods, shares that their early academic experience with math was challenging. Despite strong early math scores and interest, they were placed in lower-level math courses due to systemic issues affecting Black students. This problem persists today for high-achieving Black and Latino students. The author’s passion for math was initially fostered by their father, a master carpenter, who used practical carpentry tasks to teach complex math concepts. This hands-on approach helped the author understand math’s relevance and importance in understanding the world.
OPINION: As a Black Middle-School Student, I was Tracked into Lower-Level Math Classes that Kept me Back
Updated on September 2, 2024