Charles Esther
The age-old question “When would I ever use this?” has become a familiar refrain for math teachers in middle and high schools. This question often arises from students who fail to see the practical application of mathematical concepts in their everyday lives. Unfortunately, this disconnect between abstract math concepts and real-world relevance has long been a challenge in the education system. Teachers across the country have been tasked with making math more engaging and meaningful. However, many students still struggle to understand how the lessons they are learning today will benefit them in the future.
The Disconnect in Math Education
One of the key reasons students find math uninspiring is because traditional math instruction can feel rigid, procedural, and disconnected from their lives. In many cases, students are asked to perform complex operations and geometric proofs without understanding the purpose behind these tasks. Lindsey Henderson, policy director of math for the nonprofit ExcelinEd, emphasizes that students often don’t know why they are learning certain concepts, which contributes to the struggle in engaging them. This lack of real-world connection can make math seem like an obstacle rather than a useful tool for the future.
Despite the frustrations that come with the traditional math curriculum, Henderson notes that math remains a crucial subject for high school graduation. However, it is often the biggest stumbling block for students attempting to earn their high school diplomas. It is clear that the current system needs reform to ensure that math lessons are not just about passing tests but preparing students for real-world challenges.
Rethinking the Math Curriculum: A Career-Focused Approach
In response to the growing concern about the effectiveness of traditional math education, a significant push is underway to reimagine how math is taught in high school. One of the key shifts is to focus on math skills that directly correlate with students’ future careers. The idea is to make math education more relevant by connecting it with data literacy, economics, and financial literacy. By incorporating applied math courses into the curriculum, students can gain practical skills that will serve them in the workforce.
A new open letter, signed by more than 250 CEOs, calls for schools to integrate courses in computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) into the math curriculum. The CEOs argue that such courses would enhance graduates’ job prospects and improve their earning potential. The increasing demand for these skills highlights the need for a more career-focused approach to math education.
For instance, in Maryland, the state’s board of education has expressed its desire for all students to be “career-ready” by the end of 10th grade. This involves condensing traditional math courses, such as algebra and geometry, into a more streamlined format. The goal is to offer students more career pathways, allowing them to explore options like calculus for STEM careers or data analytics for those interested in business or technology. By focusing on the skills that will be relevant to students’ future careers, schools can make math more engaging and practical for students.
Empowering Students Through Career Exploration
Integrating career connections into the math curriculum is not just about offering new courses; it’s about changing how students view math. Christine Rodriguez, the director of curriculum for NAF, a nonprofit focused on career-driven education, explains that when students identify with a particular career, the material they learn becomes much more meaningful. In this approach, students are no longer just studying for a test but are learning for a purpose: to gain the skills necessary for their desired career.
For example, data science is becoming an increasingly popular area of focus in education. By learning how to work with data, students are given the tools to address real-world problems and make informed decisions. This shift towards career-focused learning can spark students’ interest in math, especially if they can see how math is used in fields they care about. Data analytics, for instance, allows students to explore and solve problems using real-world data, which can make math feel more relevant to their lives.
However, despite the growing momentum to make math more career-oriented, there are still challenges to overcome. One of the biggest obstacles is the turnover rate among teachers and the pressures placed on them to prepare students for state testing. As a result, many teachers rely on overly procedural materials that fail to make connections to students’ real-life interests. Until math classes connect to students’ career aspirations, it will be difficult to fully engage them.
Curriculum Publishers Are Answering the Call
Recognizing the need for change, curriculum publishers are working to redesign math courses in a way that emphasizes real-world applications. Steven Shadel, the chief knowledge officer for math at Great Minds, notes that traditional math lessons often lack the collaborative problem-solving and critical thinking required in the workforce. To address this, publishers like Great Minds are revamping math courses to include career-related content that will better prepare students for future job markets.
Shadel’s personal experience as a high school teacher showed him how students could be passionate about subjects like robotics and computer science, but remained indifferent toward traditional math courses. His insight highlights the need to integrate real-world examples into math instruction, allowing students to tackle problems that reflect the types of challenges they will face in their careers.
Julie Grove, vice president of product management for core curriculum at HMH, a major textbook publisher, agrees that teaching through real-world examples is essential. It helps students see the relevance of math and builds their desire to learn. However, Grove also stresses the importance of training teachers to effectively deliver these materials. Without adequate training and support, even the best curriculum cannot be fully effective.
Building Career Pathways in High Schools
While curriculum changes are essential, schools also need to actively incorporate career-focused education into their everyday teaching. One example of this approach can be seen at Hatch Valley High School in rural New Mexico. The school, which serves a predominantly low-income, Hispanic population, faced challenges in math instruction. In response, the school began to rethink how it could connect math to real-world careers.
By partnering with Pathway2Careers, a company focused on integrating career training with education, Hatch Valley High School implemented a model that connects math to specific career pathways. For instance, when teaching geometric theorems and angles, teachers incorporate local data on carpentry, a profession that requires knowledge of these concepts. This hands-on approach not only helps students understand the relevance of the material but also opens their eyes to potential career opportunities.
The results have been promising. Students at Hatch Valley High School showed improvement in test scores and demonstrated increased interest in career and technical training. This model has been adopted by other states, including Nebraska, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Wyoming, with some schools expanding the program to include elementary and middle school students.
The Future of Career-Focused Math Education
As education continues to evolve, the integration of career-focused math education holds significant promise for the future. By making math more relevant to students’ career aspirations, schools can create a more engaging and practical learning experience. This approach not only prepares students for the workforce but also fosters a deeper understanding of math as a tool for solving real-world problems.
As more schools and curriculum publishers embrace this shift, we may see a future where math is no longer a subject students dread but one that empowers them to succeed in their chosen careers.
