Launch Years Initiative Kicks Off the 2025–26 Year

Launch Years Initiative Kicks Off the 2025–26 Year

As the 2025–26 academic year begins, the Launch Years Initiative (LYI) proudly enters its seventh year of driving transformative change in mathematics education. With 27 states now participating, this initiative is reshaping how students transition from high school to postsecondary education, ensuring mathematics pathways are aligned with student aspirations and workforce demands.

A Growing Movement for Mathematics Pathways

The Launch Years Initiative began in 2018 with three pioneering states. By 2022, the initiative had expanded to 20. Today, LYI has grown to 27 states, encompassing over half the country. Current LYI member states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin.

This rapid growth underscores the initiative's success in addressing a critical need: ensuring mathematics education equips students to thrive in a modern economy.

And the momentum continues. With more states expected to join next year, LYI is poised to make an even greater impact on mathematics education nationwide.

Looking Ahead in 2025–26

This year, LYI states will focus on three key areas to advance their mission:

1. Developing and Implementing Modern Math Courses and Instructional Practices: LYI states will design and implement mathematics courses that are more relevant to students' futures, emphasizing skills that align with postsecondary and workforce requirements.
2. Strengthening Workforce Connections: By deepening collaborations with workforce partners, LYI will ensure that students are taking courses directly tied to real-world career needs. This approach will bridge the gap between education and employment.
3. Enhancing Effective Student Supports: Through implementation and enhancement of student support structures—including advising and counseling support, corequisite courses, placement policies, and automatic enrollment—LYI states will change systems that may currently be barriers for student success.

As Katey Arrington, Dana Center director of systemic transformation, said, "Through the Launch Years Initiative, we are equipping students across the country with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in college, build fulfilling careers, and achieve lasting success."

State of Math Pathways

This summer, the Dana Center released the Charting the Course report, shedding light on the current state of math pathways across the country. The report highlights three critical insights:

• The importance of aligning math education with workforce demands
• The need for accessible and relevant math pathways
• Strategies for fostering collaboration between K–12 and postsecondary institutions

As LYI states implement these recommendations, the initiative continues to evolve, adapting to the changing needs of students and society. The Dana Center will release updated findings and additional measures next summer, offering further guidance for states committed to transforming mathematics education.

A Vision for the Future

The Launch Years Initiative is more than just a program—it's a movement. By aligning mathematics pathways with the needs of students and the workforce, LYI is helping 25 million learners across the country achieve their goals. As the 2025–26 year unfolds, the initiative's work will undoubtedly inspire even more states to join this transformative effort.

Stay tuned for updates as the Launch Years Initiative continues to shape the future of mathematics education.