Math
Foundational skills in math have a profound impact on the ability of students to succeed in school, college, and career. A strong foundation in math can help students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to access advanced coursework and, ultimately, high-paying careers, particularly in the growing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields.
Yet, the latest NAEP and state assessment data make clear that New York is facing a deepening math crisis, driven by decades of systemic inequity impacting Black, Latinx, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students, as well as students from low-income backgrounds.
Our Equity-Centered Approach
We are driving awareness, urgency, and action to address math challenges statewide by advocating for robust educator coaching, high-impact tutoring, and automatic eighth-grade Algebra 1 enrollment. We also call on New York City Public Schools to sustain and expand NYC Solves, the districtwide initiative delivering high-quality, evidence-based math instruction.
Latest Resource
Poll: Solving the Equation: What Families Think About Math Instruction, Access, and Opportunity in New York
Our statewide parent poll, Solving the Equation: What Families Think About Math Instruction, Access, and Opportunity in New York, reveals widespread concern among parents about math instruction, math pathways, and inequitable access to information about advanced coursework across the state. The findings underscore an urgent need for statewide action to strengthen math teaching and learning, particularly for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners (ELLs/MLLs). The state can do this in part by expanding programs like NYC Solves, which provide evidence-based math curriculum and related teacher professional development to ensure that all NYC students learn foundational math skills.
Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years
EdTrust-New York Urges Action to Close Achievement Gaps and Scale Evidence-Based Practices
Statement: Mayor-elect Mamdani Must Prioritize Equity in NYC Schools
Education Platform for New York City
Data Snapshot
In the 2024 NAEP test results, only
%
of 4th grade students scored proficient in math, including only 22% of Black students and 26% Latinx students.
New York ranks
in 4th grade math, a decline from its position two decades ago. In fact, NAEP trend data show that New York’s fourth-grade math performance is no higher than it was in 1998.
More Resources
EdTrust-New York Responds to Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State with Praise and Calls to Strengthen Educational Equity
Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address includes several important proposals aimed at advancing educational equity, with a strong emphasis on supporting New York’s children and their families through universal child care, investments in the Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS), higher education emergency aid, high-impact tutoring in reading and math, and professional learning aligned with the science of reading for in-service teachers.
EdTrust-New York Releases New Statewide Poll Showing Families Deeply Concerned About Math Instruction, Access, and Equity
The findings underscore an urgent need for statewide action to strengthen math teaching and learning, particularly for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners (ELLs/MLLs). The state can do this in part by expanding programs like NYC Solves, which provide evidence-based math curriculum and related teacher professional development to ensure that all NYC students learn foundational math skills.
EdTrust-New York Urges State Leaders to Confront Deep Achievement Gaps and Expand Evidence-Based Practices Following 2024–25 Assessment Results
EdTrust-New York notes that there are statewide gains in reading and math proficiency on the 2024–25 Statewide Assessments. However, we remain deeply concerned that overall proficiency rates are alarmingly low and that persistent and unacceptable outcome gaps continue between White and Asian students and their Black and Latinx peers.
EdTrust-New York Encourages Mayor-elect Mamdani to Prioritize Equity and Opportunity in NYC’s Education Agenda
EdTrust-New York’s Education Platform for New York City outlines steps Mayor-elect Mamdani can take from early childhood through college to close gaps in access, opportunity, and outcomes.
EdTrust-New York Education Platform for New York City
Discover what New York City’s next mayor must do to protect students, defend equity, and strengthen education from early childhood through college.
Arlen Benjamin-Gomez named executive director of EdTrust-New York
Prior to joining Ed Trust–NY, Arlen worked as an education equity advocate and policymaker for more than 20 years, deeply rooted in the fabric of New York. She recently served as an education equity advisor and consultant, collaborating closely with states, districts, and nonprofit organizations to propel racial, socioeconomic, and cultural equity in education.
Invest in EdTrust-New York’s collective advocacy this Giving Tuesday
With your support this Giving Tuesday our work can continue to advance educational justice in New York State.
Transitioning from EdTrust-New York: a letter from our executive director
“While I have relished the demanding role of leading Ed Trust–NY over the past three years, I am well aware that the battle for genuine educational equity will persist in its difficulty. To secure a promising and prosperous future for all children, we must have our most dedicated advocates at the forefront, operating at their peak. Now, it is time for me to seek respite.”
Supreme Court affirmative action ruling is a threat to equity in New York
Diversity is core to the fabric of our state. In the coming months, we are hopeful that New York State leaders make clear strides to maintain diversity on campuses in the wake of this ruling.
Congrats to our 2023-24 Equity Partnership Program grantees!
Each year, through our Equity Partnership Program, we provide technical assistance and grants to support advocacy capacity to community-based and parent-serving organizations. This year, we made changes to the program to deepen our impact on several key issues and are thrilled to announce eight organizations that will be taking on critical equity work that advances our policy priorities.