Resources and Reports for the Launch Years Initiative

The Launch Years Initiative (LYI) is a nationwide effort, led by the Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin, to modernize high school mathematics and ensure that every student has access to a math pathway aligned to their postsecondary and career goals. With support geared toward creating lasting systemic change, the initiative brings together states and major mathematics organizations to strengthen the transition from secondary mathematics into postsecondary programs and the workforce. 

Major Reports

• State of Math Pathways 2026 – report from the Charles A. Dana Center and WestEd that examines how all fifty states and D.C. are building coherent math pathways from high school through postsecondary and into the workforce. Drawing on the Launch Years Initiative and a six-state deeper review, the report tracks progress on nine key actions and how each state is building coherent, durable systems that students can successfully navigate. Published September 2026.
• Charting the Course: The State of Mathematics Pathways for Student Success – report from the Charles A. Dana Center and Education Strategy Group (ESG) that looks at mathematics pathways across the country, outlining key actions and critical data points to successfully implement aligned math pathways. Published July 2025.
• Re-Envisioning Mathematics Pathways to Expand Opportunities: The Landscape of High School to Postsecondary Course Sequences – report from Education Strategy Group (ESG), the Charles A. Dana Center, and Student Achievement Partners examines the available data on students’ mathematics course-taking patterns and how state policy might be influencing their decisions. Published May 2022.
• Launch Years: A New Vision for the Transition from High School to Postsecondary Mathematics – The Launch Years report identifies barriers and critical recommendations. Access the Executive Summary. Todos pueden descargar las versiones en español, El Resumen Ejecutivo. Published March 2020.

Course Frameworks

• Integrated Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning Course Framework – The Integrated Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning (ISQR) framework describes a course that equips students with foundational skills in statistical reasoning and quantitative analysis, emphasizing real-world applications and critical thinking. Published October 2024.
• Statistics Course Framework – The Statistics framework describes a non-AP course that focuses on teaching students to collect, analyze, and interpret data effectively, fostering their ability to make informed decisions based on statistical evidence. Published October 2024.
• Data Science Course Framework – The Data Science framework describes a course that integrates computational thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving, preparing students to navigate and leverage complex datasets in diverse contexts. Published October 2024.
• Modern Algebra II Course Framework – Course framework that provides the design principles and student learning outcomes, including outcomes related to social, emotional, and academic development that prepare students for success in multiple math pathways. Published May 2021.
• Data Science Course Framework – Course framework that provides the design principles and student learning outcomes, including outcomes related to social, emotional, and academic development, to guide developers in creating a data science course for high school students. Published May 2021.
• Transition to College Mathematics Course Framework and Executive Summary– Course framework that provides design principles and student learning outcomes to guide developers who are creating a 12th-grade transition course for students who have not yet met a college-readiness measure in mathematics. Published June 2020.

Tools to Use

• Effective Practices: Leadership Teams and Task Forces – a brief that offers effective practices on the composition and operations of these groups. Published November 2024.
• Launch Years On Track, On Time Tool – this tool offers strategies to help all students stay engaged in their learning and on track for graduating and progressing to the next stages in their learning and their lives. Published September 2021.
• Launch Years Initiative Resource Kit – based on the Launch Years Report, this toolkit highlights specific resources to help implement the Launch Years recommendations. Published July 2021.  

Foundational Briefs and Research

• The Case for Mathematics Pathways – a Dana Center document outlining the benefits of mathematics pathways for our nation’s students. Published March 2019.
• What Is Rigor in Mathematics Really – a Dana Center brief that explores the meaning of rigor in mathematics education and offers recommendations for its implication in curriculum and instruction. Published 2019.
• A Changing Paradigm in High School Mathematics – a publication from Community College Research Center (CCRC) that explores existing approaches to high school mathematics curricula as well as new developments in the field. Published November 2020.
• Improving Developmental and College-Level Mathematics: Prominent Reforms and the Need to Address Equity – a publication from Community College Research Center (CCRC) that examines current developmental mathematics education with particular regard to equity gaps, offering clear recommendations for higher education. Published November 2020.