E3 Alliance research indicates that taking more advanced math courses in high school highly correlates with students enrolling in a higher education institution, persisting in their studies, and ultimately completing a postsecondary credential (Wiseman, Bailie, and Gourgey, 2015). We also know that only one in three students in Central Texas and across the state complete college within six years of finishing high school.

Using this data to drive action, Central Texas school districts enacted internal policies in recent years with dramatic success. E3 Alliance is working with partners and legislators to change state policy to take this success to hundreds of thousands of students across Texas. Data reflects that accelerating a student in math places them on a pathway toward a postsecondary degree or credential and aligned with high-wage, high-skilled jobs in the career field they selected to pursue. As a result, we believe the time is now to amplify all students across the state, scaling these tested and refined practices into state policy during the upcoming Texas 88th Legislative Session.

Education and math leaders from school districts and colleges selected these recommendations based on real-world testing and continuous improvement methods that unequivocally pointed to promising practices within Texas public schools. Our state-level policy priorities include:

• Opt-Out Policy for high-performing students enrolling in accelerated math starting in 6th grade.
• Math All Four Years for high school students.
• Multiple Measures for institutions of higher education to continue using for student assessments.
• Aligned Advising for students in high school and higher education for improved math gateway access.
• Professional Development on effective math instruction for P-16 educators and campus leaders.

Read our Policy Brief for more details. Legislators and staff can reach Jennifer Cavazos Saenz, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, to learn more.

In February 2022, E3 Alliance hosted the webinar “Math Courses Count: 5 Policy Solutions for Boosting College Enrollment.” Visit our resource page to download the presentation, the Texas and Regional Reference Data. and the Data Definitions and Chart Descriptions. E3 Alliance is working with partners and legislators to change state policy to take this success to hundreds of thousands of students across Texas.