Wayne State University College of Education receives NSF grant to advance equity in teaching data literacy in Detroit
Detroit — Wayne State University College of Education mathematics education professors Jennifer Lewis and Asli Ozgun-Koca are part of a team of researchers from four universities awarded nearly $1.3 million by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the project “Framework for Integrating Technology for Equity (FIT for Equity).”
The three-year initiative aims to strengthen teachers’ abilities to use technology in transformative ways. By developing data literacy lessons that incorporate transformative technologies, Lewis and Ozgun-Koca — who received $254,853 for their part of the project — will work with Detroit teachers to help students address community-based challenges using meaningful and relevant mathematics tasks.
FIT for Equity builds on Ozgun-Koca and Lewis’ ongoing research in mathematics education in Detroit schools with an emphasis on the use of technology toward equitable learning outcomes.
“This project aligns perfectly with our commitments to equitable instruction and strengthening mathematics learning in Detroit schools,” said Lewis, the project’s principal investigator. “In FIT for Equity, our past research on the use of educational technology in Detroit mathematics classrooms will be applied to the teaching of data literacy, which is a key focus at both state and national levels in math education. This research will contribute to the development of innovative teaching strategies that can be scaled and adapted to diverse educational settings, ultimately making a significant impact on mathematics education.”
The project will explore how emerging technologies — including dynamic graphical software, adaptive learning and collaborative platforms, artificial intelligence, geographical information systems, and virtual reality — can provide access to inquiry-based learning and foster mathematical identity and agency. Teachers and researchers will come together in school-based teams that will also include students and community elders to design, enact and analyze data literacy lessons using technology. Effectiveness of the lessons will be evaluated through continuous feedback and refinement.
“In a post-pandemic world, advancing culturally responsive teaching and equity in math education and data literacy is more urgent than ever because historically marginalized communities have faced disproportionate challenges in accessing high-quality education,” said Ozgun-Koca, the study’s co-principal investigator. “Teaching educators how to use emerging technologies to address community challenges empowers them to address these disparities and lead transformative change. This program helps educators reimagine their role, not just as teachers of math, but also as advocates for equity and teaching data literacy that reflects the diverse lived experiences of their students. This is how we build resilient communities through education.”
FIT for Equity will be piloted in Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia through a collaboration with Bowling Green, Middle Tennessee and George Mason universities. The project seeks to elevate the voices, knowledge and experiences of individuals from historically marginalized groups, including students of color and emergent bilingual, special education and economically disadvantaged students.
“The College of Education is committed to promoting culturally responsive teaching, engaging in participatory design with the community and advancing equity as part of our mission and vision,” said Dean Denise Taliaferro Baszile. “Empowering math educators and their students to co-create authentic learning experiences that address real-world challenges helps improve the social mobility and future success of individuals in the communities we serve, creating pathways to greater access and opportunity."
The grant number for this National Science Foundation award is 2342626.
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