ABSTRACT
Mathematics is a critical key to the job market, and its influence is increasing. The Occupational Outlook Quarterly reports that students with a good math background qualify for more jobs than students with minimum math. The strategies mentioned are only a beginning. These and other approaches can facilitate more effective teaching in mathematics. For positive changes to occur that will ensure educational equity in mathematics, strategies must be constructed from multiple perspectives in the education community. Parents, individual classroom teachers, schools, districts, regional service agencies, state departments of education, and institutions of higher education all can play an important role. The current national focus on curriculum improvement and increasing effectiveneses in mathematics education has resulted in both positive and negative strategies being implemented. It is possible to present mathematics content for small group problem-solving while emphasizing cooperation and relying more on social interaction.
