The effects of culture on mathematics education: a comparison of grades 4 to 6 mathematics curricula in British Columbia and México

The purpose of this project is to investigate the influences of culture on mathematics education through a comparison of the Integrated Resource Package for mathematics, Grades 4 to 6 for the province of British Columbia and México’s Plan Educativo de Matematicas document for Grades 4 to 6. Comparing mathematics curricula in Canada and México involves investigating the philosophical, historical and cultural theories and factors which have affected education in both countries. This research demonstrates how several major theories regarding the historical and philosophical influences on education in each locale provide a conceptual foundation for explicating the cultural dimensions of discovered similarities and differences between the Integrated Resource Package for mathematics, Grades 4 to 6 for the province of British Columbia and México’s Plan Educativo de Matematicas document for Grades 4 to 6. The research topic emanates from practice and the findings are directed both towards change in the researcher’s view of mathematics curriculum and toward practical suggestions for improving practice. The conclusions include suggestions for teacher professional preparation and for on-going development in the British Columbia mathematics world.