CHARLOTTE — North Carolina education leaders are considering major changes to the way math is taught in public schools.
The State Board of Education is scheduled to vote Thursday on new math standards for all grade levels. If approved, the standards would take effect in 2028.
One of the biggest changes would be in high school, where Math 3 and Math 4 would be replaced with elective math courses tied to students’ plans after graduation.
Students would still be required to complete four high school math courses, including Math 1 and Math 2, according to WRAL.
They would then choose two additional math electives, with counselors helping guide students toward courses aligned with college, career or military plans.
The proposed electives include Mathematical and Statistical Modeling, Applied Statistics and Data Science, Applied Logic and Reasoning, AP Precalculus, AP Statistics and AP Calculus, along with approved International Baccalaureate or college-level math courses.
Math 1 and Math 2 would also be revised to put more emphasis on applying math to real-world situations and using technology, including graphing calculators and artificial intelligence.
State education officials say the changes are intended to keep students engaged in math as they get older and better prepare them for careers that require specific math skills.
The proposed standards were developed by a team of about 48 people after feedback from roughly 5,700 survey responses. North Carolina’s math standards were last updated in 2017.
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