From Student Voices to System Change

What happens when students lead the conversation about the future of math education? This session began with a student conversation that shed light on what today’s learners value most—expanding on insights from recent surveys on students’ math experiences. Students shared their aspirations and experiences—what sparked their interest, what disconnected them, and how they envisioned “real math” supporting their future pathways. In the second half, educators reflected on these insights and shared practical strategies for strengthening math identity, student confidence, and real-world relevance.