Why Math Matters: Solving the College Math Crisis

Mathematics is the very foundation from which many subjects are built and utilize, so why does it seem that nobody cares about math anymore? We want to reintroduce math as something that everyone can do, with a focus on increasing collegiate math pass rates in community colleges and four-year universities. Math matters is a hub created to achieve exactly this, through resources, knowledge, and assistance.

Why does Math Matter?

Math plays a critical role in developing the skills necessary to succeed in a variety of fields, listed below are a few examples of what you might be able to do with math.

Follow this link to see more of what math can do!

v Actuary: Assigns a financial value to their calculations

v Auditor: Ensures all numbers are properly calculated

v Data Analyst: Analyze various forms of data

v Health Informatics Specialists: Utilize data to assist in healthcare

v Math Teacher: Share your love of mathematics with the world

What can be done to solve the Math Crisis?

1. Build Mathematical foundations early

For those with the opportunity, building a strong mathematical foundation early can be the kickstart needed to spur a lifelong love of mathematics for students.

Simple tricks like working on mental math every day, not using calculators when unnecessary, and making math fun are just a few ways to build strong foundations.

Introducing students to additional resources such as Khan Academy, 3Blue1Brown, and other useful math websites can make build stronger generations of math students, and raise college pass rates from the ground up.

2. Provide tools for Success

When you provide students with the tools they need for success, pathways that they never saw before open in front of their eyes. To facilitate success in math, it is imperative that tools for success are provided to students, such as

1.    Access to tutors

2.    School materials

3.    Additional class time by a need basis

4.    Supplementary math material

When all the tools are available, and limiting factors are removed, students can reach their true potential and overcome previous trials and tribulations.

3. Award success in Mathematics

When you reach success in early mathematics, it may be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you can cruise by for the rest of your mathematics courses. This is why it is necessary to award exemplary students for their mathematic success and provide additional assistance to students who struggle with mathematical concepts. We can assist students in understanding that matters of their own accord, and raise college math class pass rates from the beginning.

Next Steps

While all three of these steps are beneficial in raising math pass rates in college, the possibilities are endless for further improvement and additions upon this three-step program. As it stands, half of college students fail their college math classes on their first attempt, a devastating number that is detrimental to graduation speed, and student confidence.

Gabriel Ordaz takes full responsibility for the information posted. The information on this page represents that of Gabriel Ordaz and not that of California State University, Sacramento.