To prepare for the modern world, high school math courses need to be relevant and engaging. Math course pathways should empower students to expand their professional opportunities, understand and critique the world, and experience the wonder of math. Unfortunately, the most common course pathways at 90 percent of U.S. high schools have not changed in over 100 years and are no longer meeting most students’ needs. Equipping students with the math that will serve them in a rapidly changing world requires a significant redesign of high school math courses and pathways.

This brief offers research-based strategies for redesigning math pathways to better equip students to enjoy math, understand and critique the world, and expand their professional opportunities. 

Learn more about Math Perspectives and explore strategies for improving mathematics education with WestEd.