1. Establish Pathways

Recommendation 1 for high school math pathways is to

Create and advocate for equally rigorous mathematics pathways (e.g. statistics, quantitative reasoning, and advanced algebra/calculus) from secondary through postsecondary education, based on student interest and career goals.

To achieve this, the math pathway working group created the following overviews of the three pathways.

Quantitative Reasoning Pathway

The Quantitative Reasoning pathway is ideal for students who are interested in connections between mathematical concepts and practical applications and would like to think critically and communicate ideas across many fields that value evidence-based decision making.

A Quantitative Reasoning course will challenge students to explain their reasoning in a variety of problem-solving situations. They will evaluate quantitative arguments to represent relationships, make comparisons, and work through complex scenarios.

Types of Questions Explored in This Pathway

  • When faced with different financial options, how do I determine which one is the best for me?
  • When examining data presented in news reports, what critical questions should I ask to assess its reliability, validity, and potential biases?
  • How does modeling provide different perspectives when making decisions relevant to daily life?

Career Connections

  • Barbering & Cosmetology (e.g. Hairstyling, Nail Technology)
  • Fashion Design, Interior Design
  • Human Services (e.g. Early Childhood Development, Social Work)
  • Media Arts (e.g. Design & Multimedia Arts, Digital Media & Communications, Theater Design & Technology)
  • Hospitality & Food Production (e.g. Lodging, Attractions, Restaurants, Tourism)

Postsecondary Programs

  • Communications (e.g. Communication, Journalism)
  • Human Services (e.g. Early Childhood Education)
  • Humanities (e.g. Art History, English Literature, History, Philosophy)
  • Visual & Performing Arts (e.g. Dance, Music, Studio Art, Theater)
  • World Languages (e.g. French, Spanish)

Potential High School Courses

  • Mathematical Modeling and Reasoning (MMR)
  • Integrated Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning (ISQR)
  • IB Applications and Interpretations
  • CE Math for the Liberal Arts

Statistics Pathway

The statistics pathway is ideal for students who are interested in developing skills for engaging with our data-driven society and addressing complex issues that require multiple perspectives.

Statistics courses challenge students to analyze authentic, multivariable data, focusing on developing statistical habits of mind and data literacy. These courses prepare students for modern careers where data analysis and decision-making are critical abilities.

Types of Questions Explored in This Pathway

  • How can we predict the outcome of a game based on the statistics of the participating teams?
  • How can we model the potential reduction in pollution resulting from the use of electric vehicles?
  • How do social media influencers impact product sales?
  • What is the relationship between neighborhood lighting improvements and nighttime crime rates, and can we predict crime reduction from infrastructure investments?
  • How accurately can we estimate flood risk zones using precipitation data, topography, and soil saturation levels to inform evacuation planning?
  • How do we determine whether a new medical treatment is effective, or if observed improvements are due to chance?

Career Connections

  • Actuary
  • Accountant
  • Computer Scientist
  • Data Scientist
  • Dental Assistant
  • Epidemiologist
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Policy Analyst/Legislative Analyst
  • Social Worker

Postsecondary Programs

  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • Health Sciences (e.g., Nursing, Public Health)
  • Life & Earth Sciences (e.g., Biology, Environmental Science, Meteorology)
  • Political Science
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences (e.g., Anthropology, Geography, Psychology, Sociology)

Potential High School Courses

  • Probability and Statistics, Statistical Analysis, or Introduction to Data Science
  • Integrated Statistics & Quantitative Reasoning (ISQR)
  • AP Statistics
  • IB Applications and Interpretations
  • CE Introduction to Statistics

Advanced Algebra/Calculus Pathway

The Advanced Algebra/Calculus pathway is ideal for students who are interested in either business or a field in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and plan to pursue a career in business or STEM.

An Advanced Algebra/Calculus course will challenge students to see how equations and models describe real-world relationships. Students will learn to think abstractly, model complex systems, and uncover patterns that drive innovation. Students will break down problems, reason symbolically, and design creative solutions. Students move beyond memorizing formulas to thinking structurally: seeing connections, making generalizations, and proving why things work. Algebra and calculus become a toolkit for logical reasoning and understanding how the world fits together mathematically!

Types of Questions Explored in This Pathway

  • How do we model how medicines are formulated, absorbed, and processed by the human body?
  • How is the optimal location for satellites determined?
  • How can I measure things that accumulate even when the rate of accumulation varies?(value of stocks/money, ultraviolet radiation exposure, sediment in a reservoir, trash in a landfill, toxins in the human body)
  • How can the use of manufacturing materials be optimized?

Career Connections

  • Agriculture, Energy, & Natural Resources (e.g. Agribusiness, Environmental Protection)
  • Financial Services/Management (e.g. Financial Strategy/Investments, Business Information, Project Management)
  • Education, Healthcare, & Human/Public Services (e.g. Teaching, Behavioral/Mental Health, Biotechnology)
  • Manufacturing, Construction, & Transportation (e.g. Robotics, Architecture/Civil Engineering, Planning & Logistics)
  • Digital Technology and Marketing (e.g. Data Science & AI, Market Research/Analytics, Cybersecurity)
  • Arts, Entertainment, & Design (e.g. Digital Arts, Lighting and Sound Technology)

Postsecondary Programs

  • Business (e.g. Agriculture Business, Business, Horticulture Business)
  • Engineering (aerospace, aeronautical, mechanical, electrical, civil
  • Information Technology (e.g. Computer Science)
  • Mathematics and Natural Sciences (e.g. Animal Science, Biology, Chemistry, Equine Science, Fermentation Sciences, Geology, Physics, Soil & Crop Sciences)

Potential High School Courses

  • Advanced Algebra & Applications, Algebraic Modeling, Modern Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus
  • AP Precalculus, Calculus AB, or Calculus BC
  • IB Analysis and Approaches
  • CE College Algebra, Trigonometry, Precalculus, or Calculus