Two years ago a new math initiative was proposed here in Texas, and it could soon net positive gains on the math-literacy front. As you well know, the problem is quite simple. A lot of kids enter college unprepared for the rigors of university-level math classes. The latest statistics suggest that too many of our college-bound youth will require some form of remedial math class just to get up to speed. The solution outlined in this eSchool News article is to not only tweak the types of math classes offered at school, but to also align them with higher-ed institutions so that completion of the class results in automatic admission into college-level math courses.

The benefits to a plan like this are pretty self-evident. Given the soaring costs of tuition, any money spent on classes that don’t count toward a degree is money wasted. Enacting this plan won’t be easy, as there are a bunch of moving parts. Professional development for educators needs to be authored, along with some solid definition as to what kind of math classes will prepare kids for college-level math. Real-world demands are also playing a large part in the shaping of this policy, since life beyond college is just as critical to prepare for. So while there is still work to be done, it all sums up to a better life for our kids. And you can’t really put a value on that.