Challenges in operationalizing cultural practices in classroom and peer communities

This paper explores challenges encountered in a study of culturally relevant pedagogy that examines numeracy practices of under-served youth in secondary mathematics classrooms and in their peer communities at school. Taking a sociocultural stance toward studying under-served youths’ cultural practices as valuable resources for mathematics learning poses several methodological challenges, including identifying distinct cultural groups; adopting a view of mathematics as a social practice; and examining youth cultural practices to identify what counts as a viable example of practice relevant to mathematics practices and knowledge. Two dimensions of cultural practices are the focus: (1) communication, interaction, and language-use patterns that youth develop as they engage in the cultural practices of their peer communities; and (2) mathematical funds of knowledge that youth have developed over time. The complexities of identifying mathematical practices in youth peer communities and leveraging them in schooled mathematics are discussed, as are implications for further research.