Math Student's Bill of Rights

• I have the right to learn at my own pace and not feel put down or stupid if I'm slower than someone else.
• I have the right to ask whatever questions I have.
• I have the right to need extra help.
• I have the right to ask my teacher for help.
• I have the right to say I don't understand until I do understand.
• I have the right not to understand.
• I have the right to feel good about myself regardless of my abilities in math.
• I have the right not to base my self-worth on my math skills.
• I have the right to view myself as capable of learning math.
• I have the right to evaluate my math instructors and how they teach.
• I have the right to relax.
• I have the right to be treated as a competent adult.
• I have the right to dislike math.
• I have the right to define success in my own terms.

adapted from the Math Anxiety Bill of Rights by Sandra Davis, in Donaday & Auslander (1980) Resource Manual for Counselors/Math Instructor: Math Anxiety, Math Avoidance, Reentry Mathematics.

©2009 John Kellermeier