Empowering teachers as drivers of educational change

This study, grounded in Senge’s change theory, investigates the role of teachers’ knowledge in achieving inclusive and equitable quality mathematics education for all students. Specifically, it examines teachers’ understanding of concept-based mathematics teaching and their knowledge of the Standar...

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Main Authors: Telma Largent, Kristen Snyder
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: amaquen 2025-05-01
Series:The Journal of Quality in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://joqie.org/index.php/joqie/article/view/459
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author Telma Largent
Kristen Snyder
author_facet Telma Largent
Kristen Snyder
author_sort Telma Largent
collection DOAJ
description This study, grounded in Senge’s change theory, investigates the role of teachers’ knowledge in achieving inclusive and equitable quality mathematics education for all students. Specifically, it examines teachers’ understanding of concept-based mathematics teaching and their knowledge of the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMPs), revealing knowledge gaps that may impact educational equity. This study’s findings indicate that teachers’ familiarity with the SMPs and their understanding of concept-based mathematics teaching are limited, potentially restricting students’ access to rigorous mathematics education. Furthermore, many teachers equate solving real-world problems with having a conceptual understanding of mathematics—a misconception that may hinder their ability to promote rigorous mathematics education. To address these challenges, professional development initiatives are proposed for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, that is, providing equitable, high-quality education. This study recommends a collaborative and continuous improvement approach to professional development that integrates Senge’s concepts of personal mastery and team learning to foster a shared learning culture. While focusing on the U.S. context, these findings have global relevance, suggesting that mathematics education leaders worldwide should assess the gaps among educational policies, resources, and teachers’ knowledge within their systems.
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spelling doaj-art-8efc71f78ded4f4d9ee87dc30bdd6c532025-08-20T03:48:03ZengamaquenThe Journal of Quality in Education2028-18972025-05-01152510.37870/joqie.v15i25.459Empowering teachers as drivers of educational changeTelma Largent0Kristen Snyder1Mid Sweden University Mid Sweden University This study, grounded in Senge’s change theory, investigates the role of teachers’ knowledge in achieving inclusive and equitable quality mathematics education for all students. Specifically, it examines teachers’ understanding of concept-based mathematics teaching and their knowledge of the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMPs), revealing knowledge gaps that may impact educational equity. This study’s findings indicate that teachers’ familiarity with the SMPs and their understanding of concept-based mathematics teaching are limited, potentially restricting students’ access to rigorous mathematics education. Furthermore, many teachers equate solving real-world problems with having a conceptual understanding of mathematics—a misconception that may hinder their ability to promote rigorous mathematics education. To address these challenges, professional development initiatives are proposed for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, that is, providing equitable, high-quality education. This study recommends a collaborative and continuous improvement approach to professional development that integrates Senge’s concepts of personal mastery and team learning to foster a shared learning culture. While focusing on the U.S. context, these findings have global relevance, suggesting that mathematics education leaders worldwide should assess the gaps among educational policies, resources, and teachers’ knowledge within their systems. https://joqie.org/index.php/joqie/article/view/459inclusion and equityquality mathematics educationSDG4teachers’ knowledge
spellingShingle Telma Largent
Kristen Snyder
Empowering teachers as drivers of educational change
The Journal of Quality in Education
inclusion and equity
quality mathematics education
SDG4
teachers’ knowledge
title Empowering teachers as drivers of educational change
title_full Empowering teachers as drivers of educational change
title_fullStr Empowering teachers as drivers of educational change
title_full_unstemmed Empowering teachers as drivers of educational change
title_short Empowering teachers as drivers of educational change
title_sort empowering teachers as drivers of educational change
topic inclusion and equity
quality mathematics education
SDG4
teachers’ knowledge
url https://joqie.org/index.php/joqie/article/view/459
work_keys_str_mv AT telmalargent empoweringteachersasdriversofeducationalchange
AT kristensnyder empoweringteachersasdriversofeducationalchange