Anchored in the Center’s strategic plan, we are leading several unique initiatives that strive to build a Family Math movement. What these projects have in common are a focus on building Family Math capacity of professionals and entities, engaging in critical conversations and evaluation to advance the knowledge base, and collaborating with a range of partners, including on-the-ground educators and parents and caregivers themselves. In the long-term, we hope these early conversations and demonstration projects will lead to systems change and scaling of effective practices.
Centering Families in Mathematics Teacher Preparation
Building on NAFSCE’s body of work to prepare educators for family engagement, the Center has begun to explore how best to prepare educators to engage families in children’s math learning (Ed Prep x FM). To explore this intersection, the Center has undertaken an Ed Prep x FM distributed convening, funded by the National Science Foundation, bringing together higher education faculty, classroom teachers, and parent leaders over the course of three sessions to (1) explore the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are essential for effectively and equitably engaging families in children’s mathematics learning, (2) elevate promising models and approaches already being used to prepare math teachers for family engagement, and (3) develop shared priorities and next steps to inform a collaborative research and practice agenda focused on strengthening the preparation of math teachers to work in partnership with families. Read an abstract of the project here.
This project is supported by The National Science Foundation under Award No.2449546. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
California Family Math Initiative (CFMI)
The California Family Math Initiative (CFMI) is a demonstration project in Los Angeles elementary schools intended to unlock the joy and power of math through family engagement. By promoting shared reading, games, everyday routines, and fun math activities at home, CFMI aims to foster a culture of Family Math literacy at home. This is paired with professional development, school-wide events, and resources to promote Family Math at school. The Center is partnering with Raising A Reader, PowerMyLearning, and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools on this collaborative project. CFMI is generously funded by the California Masonic Foundation, with evaluation funding from the Gates Foundation, and SRI as the external evaluator.
Read the press release here, an informational flyer here, and a blog entry describing findings from a planning study that informed the project here.
Family Math Core Competencies
Families are children’s first and most enduring math teachers, shaping math learning through everyday interactions long before formal schooling begins. Launched in 2026, the Family Math Core Competencies provide a shared framework for educators, family-facing practitioners, and community leaders to recognize, build on, and extend the math learning already happening at home. Grounded in research and aligned with the Family Engagement Core Competencies, this resource outlines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to strengthen family–school partnerships in mathematics across four domains: reflect, connect, collaborate, and lead alongside families. Explore the competencies to support meaningful, asset-based family math engagement.
