Math Pathways
Math pathways work at the secondary level supports every student to learn rigorous, engaging, and relevant mathematics that will facilitate their future academic and career pursuits. To set our high school students up for success, we need to ensure they are aware of their options in mathematics and how those align with their future academic and career goals. This section includes key resources and examples for school administrative unit (SAU) leaders, school counselors, and teachers to use when planning how to ensure that students have the guidance and support they need to navigate their options.
Math Pathways Resources for Student Decision-Making
Student Questionnaire
This resource provides an example of how a district could gauge students’ career interests (part 1) and an example of a decision tree that a school administrative unit (SAU) could use to guide students in choosing math courses (part 2). The career alignment lists note careers supported by different math courses. Source: Ohio Department of Education.
Course Descriptions
This document is an example of how a school administrative unit (SAU) could describe math courses for students. Source: Ohio Department of Education.
Student Graduation Plans
This webpage provides information for school counselors and school leaders about identifying students at risk for not graduating. It includes example templates for creating graduation plans for students, which may include their pathway through mathematics courses. Source: Ohio Department of Education.
“As student's interests and aspirations evolve, we want to be sure to provide clear and easily accessible information to help them make informed decisions now.”
- Maine Math Pathways Working Group Member
Example Student Guide to Choosing Courses
This blog post has examples of processes and resources from central Texas that support students in choosing mathematics classes. It links to a central Texas student guide and to a companion guide for school counselors and educators who support students. Source: Ohio Department of Education.
District Planning Tool
School administrative unit (SAU) leaders, school counselors, and teachers can use this tool to guide discussions about supporting student decision-making about mathematics courses and pathway enrollment. Source: Ohio Department of Education.