Making the vision of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics a reality for all students, prekindergarten through grade 12, is both an essential goal and a significant challenge. Achieving this goal requires raising expectations for students' learning, developing effective methods of supporting the learning of mathematics by all students, and providing students and teachers with the resources they need. Educational equity is a core element of this vision.
Equity is interwoven with the other Principles.
All students need access each year to a coherent, challenging mathematics curriculum taught by competent and well-supported mathematics teachers. Moreover, students' learning and achievement should be assessed and reported in ways that point to areas requiring prompt additional attention. Technology can assist in achieving equity and must be accessible to all students. Equity requires high expectations and worthwhile opportunities for all. The vision of equity in mathematics education challenges a pervasive societal belief in North America that only some students are capable of learning mathematics.