Table of Contents

Foreword by Matthew R. Larson, and Robert Q. Berry III
About the Authors
Acknowledgements
Preface
Chapter 1: Jumping on Board: What is the Mathematics Whole School Agreement?
Chapter 2: Watching What We Say! Using Correct and Consistent Language
Chapter 3: Symbol Sense is Foundational: Noting the Importance of Precise Notation
Chapter 4: Mental Images that Last: Cohesive and Consistent Representations
Chapter 5: Why was I Taught That? Evaluating Rules that Expire
Chapter 6: Building Generalizations: Developing Instructional Strategies the MWSA Way
Chapter 7: Embodying the MWSA in Every Lesson: No Teaching by Telling!
Chapter 8: Getting to the Nitty Gritty: Building and Enacting the MWSA
Chapter 9: Sharing Successes from the Field: MWSA Heroes Tell their Stories!
References
Index

About the Author

Karen S. Karp is a mathematics educator who focuses on the intersection of mathematics education and special education.  She is a former professor at Johns Hopkins University and at the University of Louisville where she is professor emerita. Early in her career she received a Development Award from the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation to support more seamless integration between general education and special education. She is the author or co-author of numerous publications including Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades and Elementary and Middle School Mathematics. Karen was on the writing team of the NCTM/CEC Joint position statement on Teaching Mathematics to Students with Learning Disabilities. In 2024, she chaired the Topic Study Group on Teaching Mathematics to Students with Special Needs at the International Congress on Mathematical Education in Australia. She holds teaching/administrative certifications in elementary education, secondary mathematics, K-12 special education, and K-12 educational administration. 


Barbara J. Dougherty is the past director of the Curriculum Research & Development Group and a professor in the College of Education at the
University of Hawai‘i at Mãnoa. She is a former member of the board of directors of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and is the
co-chair of the Mathematics/Special Education Workgroup, a partnership between the NCTM and the Council for Exceptional Children. She served
on the author panel for the What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide on assisting elementary school students who have difficulty learning mathematics for the U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences. She is the author or coauthor of approximately 22 book chapters, 29 articles, and 36 books, including MPower: A Pathway to Understanding Algebra. Her research, funded by more than $11.5 million in grants, emphasizes supporting students who struggle in middle and high school, with a focus on algebra. She holds teaching certifications in middle and high school mathematics and K–12 special education.
Dr. Sarah B. Bush, a former middle school mathematics teacher, is a Professor of K–12 STEM Education and the Lockheed Martin Eminent Scholar Chair at the University of Central Florida. At the University of Central Florida, she is the Director of the Lockheed Martin/UCF Mathematics and Science Academy and is a program co-coordinator of the Mathematics Education PhD track. She teaches primarily graduate courses in mathematics education. She is a prolific writer who has authored 13 books and more than 100 journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Bush recently completed a term (2019–2022) as a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Board of Directors. She served as the lead writer and task force chair for NCTM’s Catalyzing Change in Middle School Mathematics: Initiating Critical Conversations. Dr. Bush was the recipient of the 2021 School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) Award for Excellence in Integrating Science and Mathematics and 2018 recipient of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Early Career Award. Dr. Bush seamlessly integrates her practical experience as a middle school mathematics teacher in public schools with her innovative scholarship to serve as an instructional leader in the field of mathematics education and STE(A)M education. Dr. Bush co-wrote the Simplifying STEM: Four Equitable Practices to Inspire Meaningful Learning: PreK-5 and 6-12 books published by Corwin in early 2024.

Reviews

"If you have anything to do with transforming mathematics teaching and learning at your school, then stop everything right now and read this book. Karp, Dougherty, and Bush’s The Math Pact strategically navigates the complex topic of creating and cultivating cohesive mathematics instruction by introducing readers to their Mathematics Whole School Agreement and specific elements that ensure schoolwide success. Building on the authors’ renowned Rules That Expire work, this book takes readers through the essential components of best practices of mathematics teaching. This should be a required read for any mathematics leadership program."
*Hilary Kreisberg*

"Just for a moment, imagine the positive and impenetrable mathematics energetic forcefield that could be created in a school if every teacher strategically and collaboratively decided upon agreements around mathematics vocabulary, notations, representations, and the
overarching philosophy about how mathematics should be taught? Guess what! You do not have to imagine! No more reteaching, revising previously taught material, and explaining that "Well, in my classroom, we do it, say it, notate it this way." Because let’s face it, those messages confuse students and families and can frustrate teachers. Grab this book, gather your colleagues, and get started in creating a unified and comprehensive whole school agreement that will positively enrich your students’ mathematics learning experiences!"
*Beth Kobett*

"As a fan of the "Rules That Expire" and "Whole School Agreement" articles, I consider this resource a welcome addition to my professional library! In this practical, easy-to-follow book, the authors provide educators with an extremely thorough and useful "go to guide" on establishing a Mathematics Whole School Agreement (MWSA). For those not familiar with the NCTM articles that initiated the movement, this resource defines what an MWSA is and why each school should establish one. More important, educators learn how to create and implement an MWSA, and the role each school and district stakeholder plays in implementation. This user-friendly resource provides teachers, teacher leaders, parents, and administrators with a comprehensive blueprint that includes research-informed practices, vignettes, grade-specific examples, and tools to encourage reflection."
*Latrenda Knighten*

"The Math Pact is a critical guide that takes stakeholders on a journey to create a Mathematics Whole School Agreement (MWSA). This journey begins with a look inward at mathematics instruction in their schools and then moves onward to compare their practices to best practices. Stakeholders arrive at their MWSA when they can ensure a unity of message that promotes coherent and effective instruction within their school and even across their district."
*Juli K. Dixon*

"The Math Pact is an essential resource for educators looking to develop and support a coherent schoolwide approach to the teaching and learning of mathematics. The authors provide clear guidelines with examples and references to numerous resources that will support you and your colleagues as you develop a shared vision for you and your students in mathematics education."
*Mike Flynn*

"This book brilliantly connects research-informed practices to empower stakeholders in engaging students in meaningful mathematics through a vertically articulated Mathematics Whole School Agreement! Building on the impact of the Rules That Expire series, the authors lay out an easy to implement approach to share, connect, and represent mathematical ideas across classrooms to intentionally and explicitly bring about change prior, during, and after instruction."
*Farshid Safi*

"The Math Pact will surely be hailed a seminal work in the field for years to come! The authors outline a crystal-clear, research-supported case for a unified approach to mathematics instruction. The embedded reflection opportunities and suggested parent communications make a Mathematics Whole School Agreement possible for everyone."
*Delise Andrews*

"Maya Angelou said, ′Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.′ The Math Pact is a practical guide that supports us in collectively taking responsibility for helping each and every one of our students to become problem solvers, critical thinkers, and capable and confident doers of mathematics. The detailed vignettes and suggestions are vivid guideposts for a journey of self-reflection and collective decision making with colleagues about really critical components of mathematics instruction. It will leave you both ′knowing better′ and collectively "doing better" for your students. No matter your level of experience, there is something new to learn here! I think it would work beautifully with pre-service teachers, new teachers, and veteran teachers. I even picked up some new things on my read that I hadn’t really thought about in my nearly 30 years in the classroom."
*Shawn Towle*

"Wow! The Math Pact will lead the movement to help educators and students overcome the idea that math is a mysterious set of "tricks and shortcuts." The Mathematics Whole School Agreement process provides the steps, language, representations, and knowledge to build, implement, and sustain equitable learning outcomes for all students! The power to make change is in our collective hands and hearts! This book needs to be in the hands of all teachers, district leaders, and stakeholders."
*Cathery Yeh*

"This is a long-awaited publication that will help preservice teachers, educators, and administrators of all levels and curriculum coordinators abolish the use of tricks and magic in mathematics instruction. For years we have inadvertently led students down a dead-end street in their math instruction by teaching them expiring rules, tricks, and cutesy sayings that may help them perform short-term on a test but leave them conceptually damaged in the long run."
*Julie Duford*

"This is the perfect balance of inspiration and practical guidance! The inspiration motivates me to work harder at collaboration with peers, building common commitment. The practical guidance helps me put the ideas into action around what specific changes will improve mathematics teaching and learning."
*Lynn Selking*