“I’ve had a lot of trainings over the years. And I feel like I’ve heard a lot of it, I’ve seen a lot of it, but I really appreciate how other teachers implement mathematics instruction with students who are multilingual learners.
And for me that’s the most powerful thing—to get that fresh look at things and to see it through someone else’s eyes, and how they implement it, and what is useful for them in their classrooms. Because then I can turn around and try something like that in my classroom.”
EDC’s Visual Access to Mathematics (VAM) helps educators use visuals and language-rich strategies to deepen all students’ math learning.
VAM offers research-based, classroom-ready strategies that strengthen instruction for all students. VAM equips educators to use visual representations and language-rich teaching to support deeper student understanding—without requiring a curriculum overhaul.
Bridging Gaps in Mathematics Education
Across schools and districts, expectations for inclusive, rigorous mathematics instruction continue to grow. Yet many educators have had limited access to professional learning focused on supporting multilingual learners. In a 2023 research study, VAM participants reported improved ability to use mathematical representations effectively and greater confidence supporting multilingual learners.
VAM Professional Learning Priorities
VAM Professional Learning is for grades 5–8 educators, including math teachers, math coaches, English learner specialists, and special educators. Participants learn how to:
- Use math diagrams to build conceptual understanding of fractions, rates, and ratios
- Integrate language-rich strategies that supports development for all learners
- Analyze student work to understand thinking and identify misconceptions
- Plan inclusive, standards-aligned lessons using their current curriculum
- Build from each students’ strengths to support a thriving classroom
Professional Learning Structure
VAM Professional Learning consists of an in-person VAM Academy, two online workshops, and six online modules.
At the 2-day, in-person VAM Academy, participants are introduced to the VAM approach through hands-on learning. Over a later 2-week period, participants will finish Modules 1–3, each consisting of a short asynchronous assignment and a 1-hour online small group session. The Midway Workshop gathers the whole group for a 2-hour online learning. Participants then complete Modules 4–6 over another 2-week period. The Final Workshop is a 2-hour online capstone where participants will review their takeaways and action plans.
Support for District Goals
Hundreds of educators have participated in VAM Professional Learning. Educators report that VAM is practical, easy to integrate with existing curricula, and highly effective in helping them support student thinking and language development. Practical training and ready-to-use materials are key for building confidence—supporting district goals for equitable, rigorous math learning for all students.