Math is a Civil Right

A child’s relationship with math impacts their life. Research shows that inequitable access to math literacy (the ability to use math to solve real-world problems) affects an individual’s long-term educational and employment opportunities. Math literacy also impacts larger issues such as social and economic inequalities, public health, political division, and climate change.

The Cambridge STEAM Initiative also believes that math is a civil right. The STEAM Initiative works with Cambridge-based educators and partners to support math literacy in Cambridge residents of all ages.

Bob Moses, civil rights leader, founder of The Algebra Project, and late Cambridge resident, saw math as essential to our civil rights. But students of color, multilingual learners, and low-income families are often unable to access strong math teaching and advanced courses.

Advanced math education opens doors to:

• college
• better jobs and STEM careers
• understand the data, policies, and systems that shape our communities, and 
• participate more fully in society as thoughtful, engaged citizens.

Math education is not just about school — it’s about justice, opportunity, and democracy.

Get Involved

Learn more at community screenings of Counted Out, a documentary about how access to math affects our lives and society. After the screening, join the discussion on how to make math education more equitable for all of us, no matter our race, gender, or background.

Sign up to get updates about upcoming screenings.