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Why Is Math Better Than Working-Class Schools

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The way that math is taught differs in each of the four different types of schools, which correspond with social class and economic status. In the working-class schools, math is about following the correct steps and procedures. Students are penalized if they solve a problem in a different format than is instructed by the teacher. There is no explanation or conceptualization at this school; students simply copy vocabulary words and steps from the board and are told to replicate these processes. The student-teacher relationship at working-class schools is extremely poor. The teacher at the school examined does not further assist students when they do not understand; she goes over the same steps she taught without delving deeper into other methods. …show more content…

If students attempted to take shortcuts, the teacher insisted that they were wrong and must do it the way she directed. In middle-class schools, math is about getting the right answer. It no longer matters what method is followed; students are free to solve the problem however they want. This means there is recognition that cognitive process is involved, and that math is not solely based on one step. There is certainly more discussion at middle-class schools than working-class schools, but all teachers really ask of their students is how they did the problem and what answer they got. The student-teacher relationship is somewhat better than that of working-class schools, but teachers do not get their students excited about the work they are going to be

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