Just Equations
Just Equations is a nonprofit policy institute that produces research, policy briefs, and convenings to advance evidence-based, equitable math education reforms across K-12 and higher education systems in the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Just Equations does
Just Equations is a private, Oakland-based nonprofit policy institute founded by Pamela Burdman that advances evidence-based strategies for math education equity. The institute reconceptualizes mathematics as a determinant of opportunity and targets policy reforms across K-12 and higher education systems, emphasizing alignment of math requirements, transfer pathways, and placement practices. It produces a portfolio of research outputs — major reports such as 'Calculated Barriers,' 'A Complex Equation,' and 'Aligned by Design,' alongside policy briefs, blog posts, op-eds, and an annual flagship conference series — rather than commercial software products.
The institute operates as a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives and is funded by philanthropic foundations including College Futures Foundation and Gates Foundation. There is no commercial pricing model; all research, resources, and advocacy materials are distributed free of charge through the organization's website and stakeholder engagement. Go-to-market is event- and community-led: convenings such as 'The Mathematics of Opportunity' annual conference and webinars bring together state agencies, higher education systems, advocacy organizations (EdTrust, Complete College America, NACAC, TODOS, EdTrust-West, Campaign for College Opportunity, Career Ladders Project, PACE), and researchers, with earned media earned via outlets including Inside Higher Ed, The 74, EdSource, Education Week, and The Hechinger Report.
The end customers are not buyers but rather policy and practice adopters: state education agencies, school districts, college and university systems, equity advocacy organizations, and journalists who draw on the institute's research to shape math pathway redesign. Geographic reach has expanded from a California focus to active engagement across at least California, Georgia, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington D.C. Headcount remains in the 1-10 range, anchored by Executive Director Pamela Burdman and a small team including a National Policy Director, Director of Educational Partnerships, Director of Operations and Programs, and a Program Associate.
Just Equations firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Just Equations
- Legal name
- Just Equations
- Website
- https://justequations.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Just Equations is a nonprofit policy institute that produces research, policy briefs, and convenings to advance evidence-based, equitable math education reforms across K-12 and higher education systems in the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Just Equations industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education Policy Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Math Research, Projects & Modeling Programs (EDAMAEAL)
Keywords
Where Just Equations is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Just Equations business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Funding: Just Equations is a non-profit policy institute funded by foundations including College Futures Foundation and Gates Foundation. The organization operates as a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Just Equations product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Just Equations is a nonprofit policy institute that reconceptualizes the role of math in ensuring educational equity. It produces and disseminates evidence-based research reports and policy briefs, hosts the annual "Mathematics of Opportunity" conference and accompanying webinars, and conducts direct policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement with state agencies, higher education systems, and K-12 districts. All research outputs and convenings are offered free of charge to education leaders, advocates, researchers, and journalists.
Product overview
Just Equations is a policy institute focused on advancing educational equity through research, advocacy, and convenings. The organization does not offer a software product; rather, it provides a portfolio of publications (research reports and policy briefs), events (conferences and webinars), and advocacy services to advance evidence-based strategies ensuring all students develop the quantitative foundation needed for college success. The core products include policy reports examining math education barriers, annual conferences on the Mathematics of Opportunity, policy advocacy engagement, and expert commentary through blog posts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Policy Reports and Publications Evidence-based research reports and policy briefs examining math education equity issues including advanced math access, transfer pathways, college admissions, and math placement practices; produced for state agencies, higher education institutions, school districts, and advocates.
- Mathematics of Opportunity Annual Conference Annual in-person conference bringing together educators, advocates, researchers, and policymakers to discuss math education redesign and equity; complemented by virtual webinars on topics such as California transfer issues and STEM barriers.
- Policy Advocacy Services Direct engagement with education leaders, policymakers, advocates, and math experts to promote evidence-based policies supporting equitable math education outcomes, including testimony, public comments, and advisory relationships with state agencies and institutional leaders.
Quantifiable outcome
- Report on California transfer pathways highlighted inconsistent math requirements across UC and CSU systems, informing state-level policy discussions
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Just Equations
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Just Equations technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Just Equations partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and notable.
- Community InitiativescoreJust Equations is a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides administrative infrastructure and fiduciary services for the organization.
- Campaign for College OpportunitymajorCalifornia-focused advocacy organization working to expand college access and success. Partners on research and policy initiatives related to math pathways and college opportunity.
- Complete College AmericamajorNational organization dedicated to increasing college completion rates. Partners on research and advocacy to redesign math pathways for student success.
- EdTrustmajorNational education equity advocacy organization. Collaborates on research and advocacy related to math equity and closing opportunity gaps.
- EdTrust-WestmajorRegional education equity organization focused on Western states. Partners on California-specific research and policy work on math education equity.
- National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)majorProfessional organization for college admission professionals. Works together on research regarding college admissions and math course requirements.
- The Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at AustinmajorResearch center focused on mathematics education reform and K-16 alignment. Long-standing partner in developing principles for equitable math pathways and cross-system alignment work.
- TODOS: Mathematics for ALLmajorProfessional organization dedicated to equity in mathematics education. Partners on advocacy and research to promote equitable math opportunities for all students.
- Career Ladders ProjectnotableCalifornia-based organization focused on career pathways and workforce development. Partners on research regarding math requirements and transfer pathways.
- Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE)notableResearch organization focused on California education policy. Partners on research and analysis of math education issues in California.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Just Equations competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- WestEd: Nonprofit education research, development, and service agency operating across K-16 policy and practice. Substantially larger than Just Equations and works on broader education R&D, including math but across a much wider portfolio.
- Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching: Education improvement foundation that has invested in math pathways and developmental math redesign. Functions as a larger-scale funder and field builder in adjacent areas of math-reform advocacy.
- Achieve Inc: Education policy organization working on standards, assessment, and graduation requirements. Operates adjacent to Just Equations' math-policy mission through state-level standards and pathway reform work.
Direct peers
- TODOS: Mathematics for ALL: Professional organization dedicated to equity in mathematics education. Listed as a major strategic partner of Just Equations, with overlapping mission to promote equitable math opportunities and dismantle tracking.
- Complete College America: National organization dedicated to increasing college completion. Major partner of Just Equations on math pathway redesign and remediation reform efforts, sharing the same K-16 alignment mission.
- Campaign for College Opportunity: California-focused advocacy organization working to expand college access and success. Listed as a major strategic partner of Just Equations, with overlapping work on math transfer pathways and college opportunity in California.
- The Education Trust: National education equity advocacy and policy organization. Just Equations is an explicit strategic partner of EdTrust and works on overlapping K-16 equity issues, including math as an access barrier for students of color and low-income students.
- PACE (Policy Analysis for California Education): Stanford-based research organization focused on California education policy. Notable partner of Just Equations producing research and analysis on California math education issues with comparable policy research methodology.
- The Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin: Research center focused on mathematics education reform and K-16 alignment. Long-standing partner of Just Equations developing principles for equitable math pathways, making it the most directly comparable peer on math reform content.
Regional players
- Career Ladders Project: California-based organization focused on career pathways and workforce development. Notable partner of Just Equations working on math requirements and transfer pathways in California community colleges.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Just Equations social profiles
Digital presenceJust Equations financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Just Equations leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Just Equations funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Just Equations M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Just Equations
What does Just Equations do?
Just Equations is a nonprofit policy institute that reconceptualizes the role of math in ensuring educational equity. It produces and disseminates evidence-based research reports and policy briefs, hosts the annual "Mathematics of Opportunity" conference and accompanying webinars, and conducts direct policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement with state agencies, higher education systems, and K-12 districts. All research outputs and convenings are offered free of charge to education leaders, advocates, researchers, and journalists.
Is Just Equations a public or private company?
Just Equations is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Just Equations founded?
Just Equations was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Just Equations based?
Just Equations is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Just Equations make money?
One revenue line is on record: foundation Funding.
Who are Just Equations's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are WestEd, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Achieve Inc. Direct peers are TODOS: Mathematics for ALL, Complete College America, Campaign for College Opportunity, The Education Trust, PACE (Policy Analysis for California Education) and The Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Career Ladders Project is listed as a regional player.
Does Just Equations have an API?
No public API is recorded for Just Equations.
What industry is Just Equations in?
Just Equations's product category is Education Policy Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAEAL, Math Research, Projects & Modeling Programs. Its NAICS code is 541720 and its SIC code is 8700.