More Roads, Greater Opportunity
States are building new math roads alongside calculus: statistics, data science, quantitative reasoning, and more. Every road holds to the same high standard. Every road leads somewhere worth the journey.
What’s Your Math Story?
I sailed through calculus.
That road worked for you. What if more roads worked for more students?
I'm not a math person.
Math is a big subject. What if you are a math person, just placed in the wrong math?
I always found math boring.
Math shows up everywhere. Which math road connects to your interests?
Math? Not in my job.
Every degree or trade leads to a unique future. Where are you headed?
Most Students Need More Options
Only a small share of careers need calculus, yet most students are placed on that road. Students are not the problem. Their options are too narrow.
One road, whatever your plans
of states and DC do not offer high school students state-approved math course in statistics, data science, or quantitative reasoning.
Take it, and hope it counts
of states and DC leave students no assurance that statistics, data science, or quantitative reasoning will count toward public college admission.
The jobs need what school skipped
of US job postings ask for at least one skill in collecting, exploring, or analyzing data — from utilities and manufacturing to health care.
Source
More Roads Mean More Options
Every new road demands real effort and rewards it. Students move toward a life-sustaining career without losing ground or taking shortcuts.
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Launch Years Initiative
States across the country are building math pathways that align student goals, classroom learning, and career opportunities.
The Map Keeps Filling In
states and DC have joined the Launch Years Initiative since 2018 — half the country.
Half the Map, Most of the Follow-Through
of states and DC that have built the partnerships, support, and advising to sustain math pathways are in the Launch Years Initiative.
Nine Actions, Three Stages, More Destinations
States turn this vision into reality through nine key actions, grouped into three stages: build the roads, open the roads, and keep them clear.
Expand Pathways
Implemented: 46 states
See how Nevada built a statistics pathway with no prereqs.
Modernize for Careers
Implemented: 46 states
Explore how Maryland rebuilt its math foundation.
Align and Accept
Implemented: 44 states
See why Oregon students know their math will count.
Remove Barriers
Implemented: 43 states
Find out how Georgia rethought math placement.
Support Implementation
Implemented: 35 states
See how Maryland is putting standards into practice.
Guide Decisions
Implemented: 37 states
See how Oregon made its math options clear.
Form Partnerships
Implemented: 36 states
Learn how Colorado aligned math without a mandate.
Prepare Educators
Implemented: 29 states
Explore how Indiana is training data science teachers.
Report Progress
Implemented: 49 states
See how Georgia is closing its math data gaps.
Know Your Role
Whether you set policy, fund the work, guide a school system, or lead a university, there's a next step you can take today.
Policymakers
You set graduation requirements. Align them with what colleges accept, so every road actually counts.
Funders
You resource the work. Fund pathways with the same durable support other education priorities receive.
K–12 Leaders
You set course and graduation requirements. Give juniors and seniors options that open more doors to advanced math.
Postsecondary Leaders
You set admissions and transfer rules. Recognize the new math pathways your K–12 partners are building.