Center for Mathematics Education of Latinos/as

The Center for the Mathematics Education of Latinos/as (CEMELA) is an interdisciplinary, multi-university consortium focused on the research and practice of the teaching and learning of mathematics with Latino students in the United States. CEMELA brings together experts in mathematics education, mathematics, language, and culture to collaboratively work on improving the mathematics education of low-income Latino students. CEMELA aims to understand the interplay of mathematics education and the unique language, social and political issues that affect Latino communities. CEMELA's holistic approach involves the various interested parties in the education of children: parents, school administrators, and teachers. CEMELA will be relevant not only to Latinos but also to other groups of linguistically and culturally diverse students through the development of theory and practice for how to turn language and cultural diversity into educational assets for the mathematics education of all students. CEMELA's approach to teacher education aims to:

• Strengthen teachers' ability to promote Latinos' achievement in mathematics in K-8 classrooms through their expanded knowledge of mathematics and the use of linguistically and culturally responsive learning environments; and
• Strengthen preservice teachers' preparation for teaching mathematics to English Language Learners through a holistic approach that incorporates challenging mathematical tasks, effective teaching practices, community knowledge, and linguistic aspects.

A unique feature of CEMELA is its focus on parental/family engagement in mathematics education. CEMELA's approach to its work with families aims to:

• Develop a partnership with parents / families that recognizes and builds on their knowledge about their children's ways of knowing, communicative styles, and socioculturally mediated ways of learning; and
• Expand on our prior work with parents and mathematics by further refining a model for parental engagement that is grounded on the concept of parents as intellectual resources.

For More Information
CEMELA Central Office
Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
617 N. Santa Rita, Tucson, AZ 85721
520-626-7606

Related Website
Center for the Mathematics Education of Latinos/as