The Big Apple is introducing an innovative approach to mathematics education in its public schools. City officials have revealed a new math curriculum designed to help students overcome their “fear of math” by focusing on open-ended discussions and understanding concepts rather than relying solely on technical terms and equations. This initiative, known as “NYC Solves,” will be implemented across almost all of the city’s more than 400 high schools and around 93 of its middle schools in the fall.
According to Schools Chancellor David Banks, students begin developing a fear of math from early grades, with some even saying they are “not math people.” This issue is further exacerbated by teachers who express their own dislike for mathematics. Banks emphasizes the need to change this mentality and improve student proficiency in the subject.
The new curriculum differs significantly from traditional methods of teaching math, as it places a strong emphasis on classroom discussions about problems, helping students grasp concepts better. It follows in the footsteps of the “NYC Reads” program, which introduced a phonics-based overhaul to elementary literacy instruction across half of New York City’s school districts in May last year.
The goal of this initiative is to foster an environment where students can deeply understand math concepts, connect these concepts with each other, and apply them to real-world situations. Chancellor Banks pointed out that only half of the students in grades 3-8 were proficient in math in 2023, and even those numbers represented a slight improvement from the previous year. Furthermore, he highlighted that around two-thirds of black and Latino students scored below proficiency levels, which he considers to be unacceptable.
The problem persists into high school, with approximately 42% of students not passing the Algebra 1 Regents exam by the end of their ninth grade last year. Mayor Eric Adams shared his personal experience as someone suffering from dyslexia and empathized with struggling students. He expressed confidence in the new equation for success: good policy combined with hard work.
The uniform math curriculum, expected to cost the city $32 million over five years, has already been introduced in high schools for algebra instruction. One teacher who participated in a pilot program described it as “the most difficult year of my career,” noting that students without prior knowledge of math concepts and those facing language barriers struggled to keep up.
To support multilingual learners and students with disabilities, the city has also launched a new Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning (DIAL. This division is led by Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti, who will oversee a staff of 1,300 with a $750 million budget. As New York City continues to grapple with an influx of 38,000 migrant students into its school system, this new approach to mathematics education aims to create a more inclusive and effective learning environment for all students.
