S12 E3: Building from Strengths: Teaching Mathematics to Students with Disabilities.

Practical Access Podcast

In this episode of Practical Access, hosts Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines welcome Dr. Karen Karp, a professor emerita in mathematics education at the University of Louisville and recently a professor at Johns Hopkins University. Her scholarship lies at the intersection of mathematics education and special education. She is the author or co-author of numerous book chapters, articles, and books, including the U.S. Department of Education Institute of Science’s What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide on Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades, and other titles such as Strengths-based Teaching and Learning in Mathematics: 5 Teaching Turnarounds for Grades K-6, The Math Pact: Achieving Instructional Coherence within and Across Grades, and Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally which has been translated into seven languages. She also was on the authoring team of the NCTM- CEC Joint Position Statement.

Dr. Karp is a former member of the board of directors of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and a former president of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. In 2020, she was selected for the NCTM Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics Education. She also is a member of the U.S. National Commission on Mathematics Instruction. This summer she represented the United States as the Chair of 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.

Karp's scholarship stands out for its direct and visible impact on practicing mathematics teachers. Her work goes beyond theory, with her ideas being actively implemented in classrooms, shaping how mathematics is taught. In this podcast, Dr. Karp offers invaluable advice for general education teachers working with students with disabilities in math. She emphasizes the importance of early collaboration between general-ed and special-ed teachers, advocating for a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to math interventions.

Throughout the conversation, Karp discusses strategies like using multiple representations in math instruction, focusing on the strengths of students rather than their perceived weaknesses, and ensuring that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are written with concepts and skills. She shares practical methods to engage and empower students to succeed in math, using examples such as the "Whole School Agreement" and success stories from students she's worked with.

We love to hear from our listeners! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to receiving your questions on our Twitter (@Accesspractical) or Instagram (@Practical_Access).

Karp’s bio and publications: https://www.mathbykarp.com/publications