This paper reports on a blended professional learning model of online and in-person meetings during which 40 teachers in 8 school districts in the US learned about the new brain science, challenging the “math person” myth, as well as effective mathematics teaching methods. The article refers to the combination as a Mathematical Mindset Approach. Using mixed methods, they conducted a one-year study to investigate teacher and student learning in a Mathematical Mindset network. They collected data on teacher and student beliefs, teacher instructional practice, and student learning gains on state achievement tests. The results from their quantitative analyses found statistically significant positive improvements in student beliefs, teacher’s instructional practice, and on students’ math test scores. The mindset approach particularly raised the achievement of girls, English learners, and economically disadvantaged students. Based on their qualitative analysis, they propose that the success of the intervention rests upon two central factors: (1) The different forms of PD served to eradicate the learning myths that had held up teachers and learners; and that (2) Teachers had space for identity work as mathematical learners.
Anderson, Robin Keturah, Boaler, Jo, and Dieckmann, Jack A. 2018. Achieving Elusive Teacher Change through Challenging Myths about Learning: A Blended Approach. Education Sciences 8(3), 98, pgs 1-33.
https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci8030098
Teacher adjusted bias levels are lower in counties with larger demographics of Black students. In counties where teachers hold higher levels of implicit and explicit racial bias have larger adjusted White/Black test score inequalities and White/Black suspension disparities.
Chin, M. J., Quinn, D. M., Dhaliwal, T. K., & Lovison, V. S. (2020). Bias in the air: A nationwide exploration of teachers’ implicit racial attitudes, aggregate bias, and student outcomes. Educational Researcher, 49(8), 566–578.
This study investigates the ability of a brief empathy-inducing intervention to improve the implicit bias of pre-service teachers, as measured by an Implicit Association Test. The authors found empathy intervention statistically significant at decreasing the implicit bias of White female pre-service teachers toward Black individuals.
Whitford, D. K., & Emerson, A. M. (2019). Empathy intervention to reduce implicit bias in preservice teachers. Psychological Reports, 122(2), 670–688.
This research snapshot provides an overview of a project led by Jason Okonofua, funded through the SERN K-12 Teachers and Classrooms Research Portfolio. The study employs a randomized placebo-controlled field experiment to test whether an intervention focused on teachers' empathic-mindset – valuing students’ perspectives and prioritizing the maintenance of positive teacher-student relationships – reduces and mitigates racial disparities in suspension rates.
Student Experience Research Network, (2021).
This is a recorded webinar that focuses on the interrelationships among race equity mindsets, social and emotional well-being, and outcomes for Black, Latinx and other students of color. Evidence is shared by the panel on why equity in schools is key to improving student outcomes and how educators can shift mindsets to support positive student social and emotional development.
Smith Arrillaga, E., Truong, G., Vasquez, H., Walrond, N., Wiener, R. 2020. Seizing the moment: Race equity mindsets, social and emotional well-being, and outcomes for students (webinar recording). WestEd. https://www.wested.org/resources/race-equity-mindsets-social-emotional-well-being-outcomes-students/
The authors explore the critical role that teachers’ attitudes, beliefs, and practices play in fortifying students’ investment in learning. They examine the new findings on “teacher mindsets” and profile schools at the forefront of efforts to shift adult perceptions and practices in ways that strengthen students’ view of themselves as learners and their motivation to learn.
FutureEd, (2019).
