The California State Board of Education took a major step forward by voting to approve a list of high-quality math instructional materials for K-12 classrooms.
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California recently took a major step to reverse years of educational decline when the State Board of Education voted to approve a list of high-quality math instructional materials for K-12 classrooms.
The potential long-term impact on the state’s 5.5. million students and the state writ large is far reaching. While it better prepares all students for the complex and competitive world ahead, strong math instruction fuels local innovation, attracts employers and strengthens the economic backbone of Golden State communities.
The board’s approval of the updated list of state-reviewed math instructional materials and the 2023 adoption of the state’s new Math Framework signal the seriousness of state leaders.
But both documents provide guidance, not requirements. By themselves, they won’t stem the state’s math skill deficiency. What can win the day in California is a coordinated effort that applies pressure to prioritize and implement high-quality math materials—from educators, families, civic leaders, and particularly the business community.
The economics of increasing math fluency reinforce California’s push for better math instruction. From healthcare to construction to advanced technology, math skills are essential to nearly every fast-growing field. And the salaries for math-related occupations far exceed others. The median annual wages for math occupations are more than double those of all occupations, $99,590 vs. $46,310. Their projected growth in employment is substantial over the next decade, 30 percent vs. 3 percent.
Fortunately, California business leaders are starting to lean into this issue.
“Our business community depends on a strong pipeline of skilled, motivated students ready to step into the jobs of tomorrow,” said Patrick Ellis, President/CEO of the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce. “By supporting stronger math instruction, we’re investing not just in students, but in the long-term success of our regional economy.”
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce released a statement noting, “For too long, California’s education system left teachers without clear guidance, parents without confidence in their schools, and communities without the skilled workforce they need to grow and thrive. The State Board’s leadership is changing that.”
An upgrade to math learning materials, which still must be enacted by each school district, can’t come soon enough. Despite the tireless work of educators, math achievement in California has remained stubbornly low. And for students of color, those from low-income backgrounds and English learners, the numbers are even more troubling.
Only two states perform lower than California in 8th-grade math. Achievement gaps are staggering—more than 40 percentage points separate the performance of economically disadvantaged students and their peers, while Black and Hispanic students lag more than 30 points behind white counterparts. These disparities represent lost opportunities for college, careers and social mobility.
Through investments in high-quality math curriculum and aligned teacher training, students in Los Angeles Unified School District bucked pandemic-era trends of declining achievement.
Los Angeles Unified School District
If Los Angeles is any indication, using high-quality math curricula and supporting teachers can make a real difference. In 2015, the Los Angeles Unified School District introduced new math materials in 223 schools. Between 2015 and 2024, Hispanic 4th-grade student proficiency rose 4 percentage points, while national averages remained stagnant. Similarly, during the same time the percentage of English learners scoring at or above basic level increased 6 points. The district’s math proficiency gains outpaced the state average in 2023.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nationally, STEM-related careers are expected to grow 3.5 times faster than non-STEM jobs, with median salaries more than double the national average. If California’s students are going to power the next generation of innovation, its classrooms must equip them with the math skills they need to succeed.
As the largest state economy in the U.S. and fourth largest in the world, California provides enormous economic possibility. But too many students still lack access to consistent, high-quality math instruction that opens doors to those opportunities. That must change—and it will only happen if educators, families, civic leaders, and business leaders join forces to demand it.