Out of the Public Eye: Researching Political Factors that Influence the Implementation of Research Knowledge as Part of Educational Reforms and Mathematics Textbooks

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports an exploratory study of political factors that may influence the implementation of research knowledge in the formulation of educational reforms and mathematics textbooks in Mexico. The study is based on the analysis of an in-depth interview with a key informant, who has extensive experience as a textbook author and as an advisor in the Ministry of Education of Mexico. Three political factors that may influence the implementation of research knowledge from mathematics education are identified: (1) interest-based coalitions — such as mathematics teachers and their associations, (2) issues of (mis)communication within decision venues, and (3) the level of compatibility and alignment of mathematical and didactical contents with the political agendas. The impact sheet to this article can be accessed at 10.6084/m9.figshare.19493873.