A few thoughts,
Since I read Abreu & Cline’s social valorization of mathematical practices article I cannot stop thinking of how much these children could hurt during their cultural and social transformations. I think researchers, policy makers, and all change agents should pay more attention to issues of equity relating to cultural diversity. Acknowledging equity issues relating cultural diversity, however, is an important step forward, but finding solutions for the problem is an instant and essential step that must be taken. I think the issues of equity relating cultural diversity create and/or widen the gaps between children and their parents. If youths realized that their families’ knowledge, experience, and backgrounds are not valued by the dominant culture in society they would lose trust to their parents. My limited knowledge, however, cannot help me to correctly analyze the situation, but I think the situation could make youth feel loneliness and disappointed. You probably agree that the worst things, thus could happen to lonely and disappointed youth. I am wondering if lack of success in mathematics and increasing the rate of school dropout among students of color isn’t as a result of them being hopeless.
I was thinking of Civil’s (2007) study on ‘Building on community knowledge ‘. In her experience in Tucson, Civil utilized parents’ knowledge and experiences as resources for classroom practice. I too think, it would be a valuable alternative if parents somehow become involved in their children’s classroom practices especially in primary schools when kids are more fragile. However, I know that is easier said than done.
