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2023 Math Launch Years Application

Welcome!

What is the Launch Years Initiative Task Force? 

The Launch Years Initiative Task Force will bring together leaders, experts, and advocates from K-12, higher education, and the workforce to codify and support the scaling of efforts to build equitable and accessible mathematics course sequences for high school through postsecondary and into the workplace. This Task Force will focus on grade 8-12 specific course design features, intentional course sequencing, intentional analysis of prerequisite courses, etc. to include all students, including those with disabilities and historically marginalized students. Our first year of this three-year project will begin with a better understanding of the students we serve and their needs to be successful through math course sequences to chart a more equitable experience for all students.     

Twenty states are joining this work, along with national organizations and leaders in mathematics education and educational equity.  The Launch Years Initiative as a total entity has the potential to directly impact hundreds of thousands of students across the country. Our nation’s students, particularly students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty, often experience mathematics as a barrier to finishing a postsecondary degree or even to being accepted into a postsecondary institution. The Launch Years Initiative and these twenty states will be working to change these realities for students.  

The Task Force is looking to recruit leaders, experts, and advocates from K-12, higher education, and the workforce with an interest in Mathematics education and background knowledge that can help move the project forward. The Task Force is being created to help students become prepared for life beyond K-12 and set them up for success in the ever-evolving workforce. The expertise of the members of the Task Force allows for the generation of knowledge and the creation of a direction for the Task Force to follow while implementing the program. The expectation of the Task Force will be to set and achieve the goals for these three years of this work.    

 Please visit https://www.utdanacenter.org/our-work/k-12-education/launch-years-initiative (Launch Years Initiative | UT Dana Center) to learn more about this project.    

Nominees and applicants desired knowledge, skills, and experience:  

  • A belief in the ability of children to learn Math at high levels. 

  • Demonstrate equity and racial equity leadership. 

  • Knowledge of and expertise with racial equity, implicit bias, and cultural competency in the context of education  

  • Knowledge of the progression of mathematical courses from 8-12 and higher education  

  • Deep knowledge of schools, school districts, and how they function across the state and/or experience as a business owner or manager. 

  • Experience working as a contributing member of a diverse team. 

  • Interest and capacity to explore new ideas and opportunities. 

Our Current Goals for Year 1  

  • Clarify and promote the work already done by DHE. 

  • Define how secondary pathways lead to the defined postsecondary pathways.  

  • Conduct an equity focused landscape analysis of the current state of secondary math pathways in the state.

  • Analyze our existing secondary courses through the lenses of Modern Math and equitable access.

Expectations:  

Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 3:00pm - 5:00pm.  Meetings will be held monthly for an estimated total of 12 meetings. Some meetings will be held in person while others will be held virtually based on the needs of the Task Force. Meetings will be held between 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm on the first Tuesday of the month.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions about the Task Force or if there is anything I can do to support you!  We hope to receive your application soon.  

How to Apply? 

Accepting applications for Launch Years Initiative Taskforce until Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023, at 3:00 pm.  

We especially encourage Asian, Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and multiracial educators to apply, as DESE works to center voices from historically marginalized communities in the Department’s decision- and policymaking.  
 
Please complete this application form.  If you’d like to preview the application questions, you can download a copy of the application here. Questions? Please email Fabrice.K.Kandjanga@mass.gov.