Equity Guidelines

  • All projects and publications of NCTM and all other materials endorsed by NCTM are expected to address a range of issues associated with equity and diversity in mathematics education. Groups involved in the development or production of materials bearing NCTM’s name should ensure that—

          • historically marginalized communities are included in the conceptual development, planning, and implementation of the proposed project or publication;
          • the language used to frame, describe, and address diverse populations does not treat groups as having deficits or problems;
          • clear, specific statements supporting equity and diversity are integral to the material;
          • the philosophies and beliefs expressed by other entities requesting NCTM endorsement are compatible with NCTM's “Access and Equity in Mathematics Education” Position Statement (https://www.nctm.org/position-statements/access-and-equity/);
          • attention is given to the accomplishments and models stemming from marginalized communities;
          • projects and publications are free of stereotyping and bias;
          • visual images used in publications are free of stereotyping and are representative of the diverse populations of the country;
          • those responsible for the endorsement of materials are representative of diverse populations;
          • messages about the need to improve mathematics education for marginalized communities communicate that such efforts improve or seek to improve mathematics education for everyone;
          • ideas communicated about mathematics, mathematics assessment, and pedagogy are sensitive to the cultural differences and perspectives of diverse populations; and
          • all products and materials are submitted for an equity review both internally and externally. (Internal means within the committee, department, or group producing the product or material, and external means another committee or department in NCTM, an NCTM Affiliated Group, or a group or individual outside NCTM.)
          March 2024