Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

9-2026

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Urban Education

Advisor

Anthony Picciano

Committee Members

David C. Bloomfield

Heath Brown

Subject Categories

Online and Distance Education | Science and Mathematics Education

Keywords

Desmos, GeoGebra, Texas Instruments TI-84+ graphing calculator, high school math class, professional development, NYSED

Abstract

Most high school math classrooms in Long Island use the Texas Instruments TI-84+ CE graphing calculator in the three Regents math courses. Texas Instruments holds approximately 80% of the market share of the international graphing calculator market. At a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $150 per TI-84+ CE, an inequitable situation exists for math learning, as underfunded schools and students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds cannot afford to purchase one for home use. Such students have less experience using the handheld graphing calculator when they take high-stakes math exams. Through case studies of four suburban school districts in New York that replaced Texas Instruments calculators with Desmos or GeoGebra in high school math classrooms, this study examined equity issues related to student access to graphing calculator technology and the broader organizational changes involved when districts make the shift. Based on the experiences of the four districts, this study examines both the effective practices that support and the challenges that impede the adoption of online graphing calculators. This study positions online graphing calculators as a viable replacement for traditional calculators and a force for promoting equity and modernization in mathematics education.

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