{"id":227083,"date":"2025-03-19T10:50:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T14:50:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=227083"},"modified":"2026-06-08T11:01:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T15:01:59","slug":"coalition-of-education-groups-hosts-ct-premiere-of-counted-out-math-documentary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2025\/03\/coalition-of-education-groups-hosts-ct-premiere-of-counted-out-math-documentary\/","title":{"rendered":"Coalition of Education Groups Hosts CT Premiere of \u201cCounted Out\u201d Math Documentary"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On March 5, several Connecticut educational leadership groups co-hosted the statewide premiere of the documentary film <a href=\"https:\/\/www.countedoutfilm.com\/\">\u201cCounted Out\u201d<\/a> to support dialogue about <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/-\/media\/SDE\/Math\/Equity-in-Mathematics-Joint-Position-Statement-2023.pdf\">Connecticut\u2019s Equity in Mathematics Education joint position statement<\/a>, which was unanimously endorsed by the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis statement asserts that mathematics education must support students\u2019 math identities, ensure we modernize our mathematics programming, and structurally align and advance systems around this common vision,\u201d said UConn alum Jeffrey Corbishley \u201907 (ED), \u201908 MA, president-elect of the Associated Teachers of Mathematics in Connecticut and emcee of the event.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_227098\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-227098\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-227098 img-responsive lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jeffrey-Corbishley_1500x1000-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Jeffrey Corbishley stands at a podium.\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jeffrey-Corbishley_1500x1000-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jeffrey-Corbishley_1500x1000-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jeffrey-Corbishley_1500x1000-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jeffrey-Corbishley_1500x1000-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jeffrey-Corbishley_1500x1000-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jeffrey-Corbishley_1500x1000-998x665.jpg 998w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jeffrey-Corbishley_1500x1000.jpg 1500w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/200;\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-227098\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">UConn alum Jeffrey Corbishley \u201907 (ED), \u201908 MA, is the president-elect of the Associated Teachers of Mathematics in Connecticut and emceed the film screening on March 5. (Shawn Kornegay\/Neag School)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Created by filmmaker Vicki Abeles, \u201cCounted Out\u201d focuses on how issues, such as political polarization, racial biases, social injustice, economic inequity, and climate change, can be better understood and addressed with math. In a world increasingly driven by data and numbers, the documentary states that understanding math is a powerful tool that can shape outcomes.<\/p>\n<p>More than 400 educators, community members, and leaders from workforce development and civic groups attended the screening, which was held at Central Connecticut State University\u2019s Alumni Hall. Corbishley said the event was a unique opportunity for organizations to come together and begin conversations \u201caround the need to look at the role of mathematics in the world and our need to make critical changes in mathematics education.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Besides <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ccsu.edu\/\">Central<\/a>, other co-hosts and sponsors of the event included:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cepare.uconn.edu\/\">UConn\u2019s Center for Education Policy Analysis, Research, and Evaluation<\/a> (CEPARE)<\/li>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/sde\">Connecticut State Department of Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/atomicmath.org\/\">Associated Teachers of Mathematics in Connecticut<\/a> (ATOMIC)<\/li>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/ctmathleaders.org\/cclm\/\">Connecticut Council of Leaders of Mathematics<\/a> (CCLM)<\/li>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/amteconnecticut.wixsite.com\/amtec\">Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators in Connecticut<\/a> (AMTEC)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/humanrights.uconn.edu\/areas-of-focus\/democracy-dialogues\/\">UConn\u2019s Democracy and Dialogues Initiative, Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/readyct.org\/\">ReadyCT<\/a><\/li>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.capss.org\/\">Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents<\/a> (CAPSS)<\/li>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cabe.org\/\">Connecticut Association of Boards of Education<\/a> (CABE)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cOur theme in Connecticut this year is a universe of opportunities,\u201d said Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, who gave welcome remarks at the event. \u201cThis means that, for all our students and school staff, there\u2019s a future that knows no bounds and part of these universal opportunities is our work to support mathematics education.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMath is more than numbers,\u201d said Steven Minkler, dean of Central\u2019s School of Engineering, Science, and Technology. \u201cIt\u2019s a language that shapes how we understand and engage with the world around us. That\u2019s why it\u2019s our shared responsibility to ensure that every student has the opportunity to develop strong quantitative reasoning skills and the confidence to apply them in school, in their careers, and in their daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jo Boaler, who is an author, co-founder of the math organization <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youcubed.org\/\">youcubed<\/a>, and the Nomellini and Olivier Professor of Education at Stanford University\u2019s Graduate School of Education, is featured in the documentary and attended the Connecticut premiere as keynote speaker, sharing insights, facilitating dialogue, and extending the film\u2019s message.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery time we learn, one of three things happens in the brain,\u201d Boaler said. \u201cWe\u2019re either forming a new pathway, connecting pathways, or strengthening pathways. There is no limit to what people can learn.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Through a mosaic of personal stories, expert insights, and real-world examples of math transformation, \u201cCounted Out\u201d reveals the consequences of maintaining the status quo. It raises questions about where math proficiency declines and how individuals can maintain an understanding of the mathematical foundation of society.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n  <p>Our theme in Connecticut this year is a universe of opportunities. &#8230; and part of these universal opportunities is our work to support mathematics education. <cite> &#8212 Charlene Russell-Tucker, Connecticut Education Commissioner<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Megan Staples, associate professor of mathematics education at the <a href=\"https:\/\/education.uconn.edu\/\">UConn Neag School of Education<\/a>, helped coordinate the event. She emphasizes the importance of mathematics in making sense of critical decision-making in society. This includes the legal system (what\u2019s fair in society), climate change (what\u2019s changing and what steps can be taken), the standard of living (what is affordable housing, how do we provide it), and more.<\/p>\n<p>The documentary follows Glenn Rodriguez and Rebecca Galicia, whose lives were affected by math. Rodriguez was denied parole and applied mathematical research to analyze the algorithm that led to his denial and, ultimately, his release. Galicia was intimidated by the math components of nursing school, but eventually earned her nursing degree, which in turn substantially increased her income.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRobert Moses, a civil rights activist who the film was dedicated to, was a central figure in the film,\u201d Staples says. \u201cHe talks about algebra as the new civil right, and if you don\u2019t have a command of algebra, just based on how the pipeline works, then you can be denied economic opportunity regardless of mathematical knowledge requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The overall message of the film is that numeric literacy is a critical determinant of social and economic power. It shapes our ability to navigate financial systems, assess risks, make informed decisions, and advocate for ourselves in an increasingly data-driven world.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what profession you go into, we need math-literate people everywhere,\u201d Staples says. \u201cAnd for those interested in education, consider teaching math, because it is a major way to impact the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>To learn more about \u201cCounted Out,\u201d visit <a href=\"http:\/\/countedoutfilm.com\/\">countedoutfilm.com<\/a> or watch the trailer on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=M5a2la9WTtY\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>More than 400 attend screening of film that offers a new perspective on math and its foundational influences on society, democracy, and economic opportunity<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":227097,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1715,2426,2318,2427,2312,1855],"tags":[],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[2217],"class_list":["post-227083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community-impact","category-curriculum-instruction","category-dodd-impact","category-educational-leadership","category-hri","category-neag"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-17 02:59:56","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/141"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=227083"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":227103,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227083\/revisions\/227103"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media\/227097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=227083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=227083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=227083"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=227083"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=227083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}