Launch Years Initiative: 2025 Conference Highlights

In a recent event, the Charles A. Dana Center hosted the annual Launch Years Initiative conference in Austin, Texas. Math education leaders from over 20 states, national math associations, and affiliate organizations came together to discuss mathematics pathways. As the workforce evolves, math pathways give students modern options aligned to their career goals, opening more doors to success.

The Launch Years conference equipped state teams advancing math pathways with tools and resources for their next stage of work. Featuring sessions on key topics—messaging, corequisite support, data science, outreach, course design, and policy—participants broadened their perspective, collaborated with their state team, and shared insights with other states in large-group discussions.

“Being part of Launch Years was a game changer. Our Arizona math collaborative was put together in 2015, and it was a great group of people trying to do the good work but they kind of got stuck…[Since] this opportunity was presented to think more strategically about how to support teachers and students, it’s been the driving force behind what is possible.” - Ebony McKinney, Director of Mathematics and Educational Technology Standards at the Arizona Department of Education

The event highlighted a shared commitment to transforming math education. Participants celebrated progress, developed resources, tackled challenges, and planned next steps—moving closer to a future of effective math pathways for students.