Inside the Classroom

Highlighting Effective Instructional Strategies in College Math

EES is studying how evidence-based teaching practices are implemented in introductory (gateway) math courses at 2- and 4-year institutions that serve students, especially those who are Black, Latino, Indigenous and low income. Our research is also examining how technology and courseware are used to promote effective learning. The project focuses on courses in different math pathways including calculus, pre-calculus, statistics and quantitative reasoning.

In 2024, we interviewed 53 math faculty and identified four instructional pillars faculty attribute to effective and inclusive college math instruction:

Establishing an inclusive learning community
Building students’ math identity
Engaging students in active learning towards conceptual understanding
Using growth-oriented assessment practices.

In 2025, we will visit classrooms recognized for effective and inclusive math instruction to document these instructional pillars. We will also speak with faculty, students and administrators, and analyze course materials to highlight examples of instructional strategies and how they are implemented in different college math pathways.

Our goal in the project is to share back the learnings with the math community and inspire and expand the use of evidence-based practices that support mathematics learning and success for all, especially for Black, Latino, Indigenous and low-income students.

Research Team

Susan Bickerstaff, Research Consultant, Education Equity Solutions

Susan Bickerstaff conducts qualitative research on developmental education reform, teaching and learning, faculty learning and engagement, and student experiences at community colleges. She is a Senior Research Associate at the Community College Research Center.

Maddison Brumbaugh, Consultant, Education Equity Solutions

Maddison is a project coordinator with Educations Equity Solutions, focused on project planning, research coordination, and research support. They are passionate about equity and socioeconomic mobility, especially where they intersect with education policy.

Mina Dadgar, Executive Director, Education Equity Solutions

In 2020, Mina founded Education Equity Solutions with the goal of bridging the gaps between higher education research, policy, and practice. Mina has served as an Associate Vice Chancellor at the California Community Colleges’ Chancellors’ office and has led research projects at the Community College Research Center and West Ed.

Mickey Davis, Research Consultant, Education Equity Solutions

Mickey Davis is an experienced education researcher. He collaborates with school districts, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations across K-16 to identify and spread policies and practices that promote STEM learning for all students.

Laura Schueller, Research Consultant, Education Equity Solutions

Laura Schueller served as a mathematics faculty member at Whitman College for fifteen years before giving up her tenure to move to her position as the Instructional Support Coordinator at Walla Walla Community College. Laura has also served as a Policy Associate in the Student Success Center at the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and then as the Northwest Strategy Director at Complete College America.

Terra Thorne, Senior Consultant, Education Equity Solutions

Terra enjoys helping individuals and organizations build their capacity to equitably serve students. Terra has extensive experience designing and implementing learning opportunities that bring together education professionals to share insights and take action to advance educational equity.