August 2025

Meet CA-FEN's Board of Advisors

We are excited to introduce CA-FEN's first-ever Board of Advisors! Their leadership, expertise and commitment mark an exciting new chapter in our journey.


CA-FEN is dedicated to advancing authentic family engagement across California’s education systems. As trusted advisors, this inaugural group will play a vital role in shaping our vision and strengthening our fundraising efforts to ensure long-term impact.


We look forward to working together to build a stronger, more connected family engagement network- one that amplifies voices, expands our reach, and drives lasting change across the state.
 

Report Release: 2025 Black Kids Love Math Report

The report by The Knowledge Shop and National Center for Youth Law analyzes over 400 survey responses from Black students about their math experiences – uncovering systemic barriers and opportunities to improve representation, engagement, and achievement. Click here to access this resource.


The research revealed five key themes: 

  1. Cultural relevance: Highlight Black mathematicians’ history, and using culturally relatable examples.
  2. Teacher representation and relationships: Provide more Black teachers in the classroom, supportive environments, and mentorship.
  3. Real-world application: Make sure students know why it matters. Money/finance (i.e., loans, credit scores), careers, and everyday problem-solving.
  4. Interactive and hands-on learning: Use games, group work, technology, and math clubs.
  5. Systemic equity in resources: Use effective pacing strategies, differentiated instruction, addressing biases, and providing tutoring for students who need extra help.

Recommendations:

For Educators:

  • Revamp problem sets and projects to include culturally familiar contexts
  • Host “Mistake Mondays” to normalize errors in learning and reduce stigma


For Schools/Districts:

  • Launch equity audits to identify disparities in advanced course enrollment and performance.
  • Create “Math Ambassador” roles for Black students to lead peer tutoring

For Students:

  • Form “Math Squads” (3-4 trusted peers) for weekly collaborative study.
  • Practice self-advocacy scripts (e.g., “Can you explain that another way?”)


For Parents/Caregivers:

  • Create home math challenges (e.g., calculate the best car deal, compare credit card offers).
  • Advocate for policy changes (e.g., demand transparency in math tracking and performance).
 

CA-FEN Member Spotlight
 

Yolande Beckles

Co-Founder & CEO

The Knowledge Shop



The Knowledge Shop (TKS) is a family math organization serving Black and brown families in South Los Angeles. Expert staff provide after-school programs, summer camps, and professional development for families and children.

 

As TKS co-founders, Yolande Beckles and Carlton Porter are proud to have sustained a decade as a nonprofit. Yolande and her team are recognized as family math experts and most importantly, help children see themselves as mathematicians. 

 

The Knowledge Shop’s ability to effectively address the math needs in the community has produced increasingly positive results. TKS's programs and advocacy to improve outcomes in math for Black and brown children has led to critical partnerships including with the California Mathematics Council (CMC) and the American Institute of Mathematics (AIM). These institutions are evolving to expand their professional development to include families. For AIM this includes implementing family math circles. Yolande helps to ensure they keep the historical contributions of African, Mayan, and Aztec civilizations to mathematics in the forefront. 

 

California Math Education Focus Areas

Additionally, Yolande currently serves on the California Math, Science, and Computer Science Steering Committee, where she is one of three nonprofits on this 27-member board, and the only organization that provides direct services to students and families.


Yolande discussed three focus areas:

  1. Teacher training to change the way math is taught and create asset-based learning environments;
  2. Cultural pedagogy to help teachers create culturally responsive classrooms to connect with students (84% of math teachers are White females); and
  3. Strengthening the role of family and community in student learning by equipping families with knowledge and tools to support and monitor progress learning at home.


Enhancing Math Teacher Expertise

Yolande is appreciative of CA-FEN’s focus in pre-service because she recognizes the importance of teacher training beginning with the credentialing program through professional development. She is encouraged to see the state and districts investing in high-dosage tutoring, after-school programs that offer curricular support, and in nonprofits that support families and students because children need more than just the school day to succeed! 

TKS Co-Founders


“Parents and students play a role in changing current math proficiency outcomes- they must be at the table in this work.”


Jamaica Family Math Circle – March 2025


“In The Knowledge Shop we truly believe that if we train parents, and we give them the tools and resources so they can to help their children, and you follow-up to ensure they are taking action, then you will see student proficiency levels begin to increase.


We know because we see it every day.”


Want to connect?


Email: yo@

theknowledgeshopla.com


Website:

https:/tksla.com/
 

Updates from the California Mathematics Council
 

Advocacy in Action: $30 Million Secured for Math Professional Learning*


Thanks to the collective advocacy of CMC members and education partners (CA-FEN included), the California state budget now includes $30 million to support mathematics professional learning and coaching. This critical investment reflects a growing recognition of the essential role math education plays in preparing students for college, career, and lifelong success.


Although proposed funding for direct allocations to schools for math coaching positions did not make it into the final budget, the message is clear—math matters. The work ahead is to ensure that every student, in every district, has access to high-quality math instruction and well-supported teachers.


*Excerpt from CMC's August Newsletter

Join CMC's

Family Engagement Committee


The committee meets monthly and one of their priorities is on how to engage families in school district's processes to select high-quality materials for math. 


Those interested in contributing to this effort or learning more about the committee, are invited to please contact:


Melanie Janzen

Curriculum Coordinator, Secondary Mathematics

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

909-386-2623

Melanie.Janzen@sbcss.net
 

Upcoming Meetings & Events

There are many opportunities for parents to become part of the family engagement and the family math movements.


September



October and Beyond


November and Beyond

For more information, please visit our website at www.ca-fen.org

CA-FEN is a project of Charitable Ventures

California Family Engagement Network | P.O. Box 747 | Walnut, CA 91788 US

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