Understanding the cultural construction of school mathematics

Abstract

In this chapter, I show how culture underpins all aspects of school mathematics, whether it be the curriculum specified by the system, the development of the textbooks that teachers may or may not be compelled to use, the ways teachers teach, the classroom interactions privileged by the system or the beliefs, attitudes and aspirations of teachers, students and parents. To do this, however, I will describe the nature of culture and its educational manifestation.