Without math, I could get left behind...”

Pledge to help every student succeed in math.

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HELP EVERY STUDENT SUCCEED IN MATH

    COMMITTED TO GROWTH

    Schools. Classes. Families. Join the Movement.

    We pledge to stop saying "I'm not good at math" and approach math with a growth mindset. We will work hard to grow our math understanding, attitude, and outlook. We know that, With Math, We Can…do anything.

    To achieve a growth mindset, we commit to the following:

    #1

    We will celebrate our mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.

    #2

    We will be confident and share our thinking.

    #3

    We will persevere through difficult practice.

    Growth Mindset—

    Embrace Failure and
    Grow Stronger

    Fostering the development of growth mindset in our children, especially when it comes to math, is an integral piece of their future success in any field or job. With a growth mindset, students believe that intelligence can grow. It's that optimistic outlook that we must learn to guide and support.

    Growth Mindset

    Growth mindset values learning over looking smart. Working hard is synonymous with success. With a growth mindset, kids thrive in the face of a challenge, constantly seek new strategies to solve problems, and think more logically and strategically overall.

    Growth Mindset Facts

    Fixed Mindset

    Fixed mindset is based on the idea that people have a finite amount of intelligence and that no amount of hard work can change that. It is a belief that looking smart is more important than learning, that great effort is a sign of low natural ability. With a fixed mindset, kids easily become discouraged and quickly shy away from challenges.

    Fixed Mindset Facts

    The Evidence: How Growth Mindset Leads to Higher Achievement

    Inspirational Examples of Growth Mindsets

    Michael Jordan

    Professional Basketball Player +
    Owner of the Charlotte Hornets

    Michael Jordan Video Clip

    One of the game's greats reflects on a historic career of hard work, failures, and successes.

    Michael Jordan

    Professional Basketball Player +
    Owner of the Charlotte Hornets

    Michael Jordan Video Clip

    One of the game's greats reflects on a historic career of hard work, failures, and successes.

    JK Rowling

    Best Selling Novelist + Screenwriter
    + Film Producer

    JK Rowling Video Clip

    The beloved and outspoken author of the children's classic Harry Potter discusses the benefits of embracing failure and the importance of imagination.

    JK Rowling

    Best Selling Novelist + Screenwriter
    + Film Producer

    JK Rowling Video Clip

    The beloved and outspoken author of the children's classic Harry Potter discusses the benefits of embracing failure and the importance of imagination.

    Thomas Edison

    American Inventor
    + Businessman

    Thomas Edision Portrait

    The inventor of the light bulb once famously observed, "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

    The Story—

    If You Can Believe, You Can Grow

    Growth mindset was pioneered by Carol Dweck, Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. She and her colleagues were the first to identify a link between growth mindset and achievement. They found that students who believed that their ability and intelligence could grow and change, otherwise known as growth mindset, outperformed those who thought that their ability and intelligence were fixed. Additionally, students who were taught that they could grow their intelligence actually did better over time. Dweck's research showed that an increased focus on the process of learning, rather than the outcome, helped increase a student's growth mindset and ability.

    Jo Boaler BookCoverJo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and author of eight books including Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students' Potential through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages, and Innovative Teaching was one of the first to apply growth mindset to math achievement. She found that more children have a fixed mindset regarding math than any other subject. Boaler believes that teachers are the key to empowering students through more visual problems that can be solved in multiple ways and unified classrooms versus grouping students by ability. Simple teaching techniques like these encourage students to keep trying without the fear of failure.

    "With Math I Can…" was born from the sobering realization that more and more kids and adults believe that they aren’t good at math. It is a mentality that is all too common and accepted in our society. It's a mentality that can have a profound and lasting negative impact on an individual. Our mission is to change that mentality and provide support tools to help teachers, educators, and parents deliver the message "With Math I Can…"

    Math Negativity Icon
    Negativity about math runs deep

    Over 50% of people in the United States ages 18 to 34 say that they can't do math according to a 2010 survey conducted by Change the Equation.

    Achievement Gap Icon
    The achievement gap is pronounced in math

    Researchers at the National Assessment of Education Progress found a 27% differential on math achievement between average-income students and low-income students.

    Future of Math Icon
    The future depends on math skills

    In the 21st century, jobs across the country and around the world require a higher degree of math fluency and comfort. Careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) are the fastest growing sector of jobs.

    World Outpaces Icon
    The world outpaces the United States in math

    Studies show that other countries are outpacing the United States in math achievement. As the economy continues to grow globally, it is more important than ever to improve the math skills of every American.

    Supporters

    Lego Logo
    NCTM Logo
    Amazon Education Logo
    NCTM Logo
    PERTS Logo
    Jo Boaler Image
    TenMarks Logo
    Common Sense Education Logo
    ClassDojo Logo
    Edutopia Logo
    ASCD Logo
    Teaching Channel Logo
    Character Lab Logo
    Mashup Math Logo
    Tiggly Logo
    Math With Matthew Logo
    Steve Leinwand Logo
    Lenovo Logo

    Resources—

    Together, We Can
    Grow and Change

    In Your Classroom

    Valuable classroom resources from Stanford University PERTS lab, information about the WOOP technique from Character Lab, and many more helpful links and videos are available to help bring growth mindset into your classroom.

    Start changing minds and growing the confidence of your students >
    In Your District

    Professional development opportunities to help teachers and administrators learn the most effective techniques to bring growth-mindset curriculum to schools and districts across the country.


    Find out how to change mindsets across your district >
    In Your Home

    Learning, growing, and changing doesn't stop at the classroom. With the help of these resources, parents can also help support their children as they continue to develop growth mindset at home.


    Explore resources to bring growth mindset home to your family >

    Get Involved—

    Everywhere. Everyday.
    Math makes it possible.

    #WithMathICan

    What does #WithMathICan mean to you? Share a video of your class taking the pledge or a photo of your family watching the video. Tag your tweets #WithMathICan and tell us what YOU can do with math. Follow the hashtag on Twitter or check back here regularly to be part of the conversation.