The Pittsburgh Public Schools Board has recently approved a measure to hire a consulting group, Quetzal Education Consulting, for the sum of $50,000. The purpose of this move is to dismantle racism in math classes by implementing “antiracist math” methods and tools. This decision has stirred up mixed reactions among the members of the board as well as the public.
Ebony Pugh, the Director of Public Relations and Media Content for Pittsburgh Public Schools, confirmed that the Board of Directors of the School District of Pittsburgh has authorized its offices to enter into a contract with Quetzal. The consulting group, according to their website, offers workshops that educate teachers on how to replace “White supremacy culture practices” in math instruction with methods that center on the “wellness of students of color.”
The agenda for the board meeting confirmed that the introductory workshops will confront “oppressive practices in math instruction” and provide opportunities for math departments and teachers to collaborate on antiracist math pedagogy and instruction. The leadership workshop series is aimed at equipping educators with the knowledge and skills to develop and lead towards a more cohesive and aligned math instruction praxis across classrooms, departments, and schools.
Pittsburgh school board voted to shell out $50,000 for the ‘antiracist math’ workshops so teachers can eliminate ‘White supremacy’ in math classes.https://t.co/0Y4cwcqFur #FoxNews
— Milo™ (@chasbottom) November 1, 2023
This move by Pittsburgh Public Schools is not the only one of its kind. Several other schools, organizations, and states have also issued guidance and promoted programs that seek to remove racism from mathematics. In Oregon, a controversial teacher training called “Pathways to Equitable Math Instruction” advises that focusing on finding the correct answer in class is an example of White supremacy infiltrating schools. Similarly, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics hosted a webinar in 2022 discussing antiracist math and advocating for the elimination of “tracking,” which they claim is a form of “spirit murdering” inflicted on children of color through math.
The idea of dismantling racism in mathematics has sparked a debate among educators and the public. Some argue that math is an objective subject and should be taught as such, while others support the move as a step towards promoting equity and inclusivity in education. Supporters of the initiative also argue that traditional teaching methods have not been effective in closing the achievement gap between students of color and their White counterparts. They believe that incorporating antiracist methods in math instruction will be more beneficial for students of color.
On the other hand, some critics have voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the program and the use of taxpayer money towards hiring a consulting group. They also argue that the concept of mathematics being purely objective is essential in preparing students for higher education and the workforce.
