The Florida Chamber Foundation has released a comprehensive research report titled “Aligning Math Education to Workforce Needs: Insights From Florida’s Employers.” This report is a follow-up to the earlier “Math Matters: Bridging Gaps for Florida’s Future Workforce” and combines data from statewide focus groups and surveys involving business leaders, educators, and parents. It aims to align math education with workforce needs by providing recommendations such as supplementing curriculum with practical applications, offering early exposure to math-intensive careers, and enhancing industry-education partnerships.
Dr. Keith Richard, Vice President of Research at the Florida Chamber Foundation and principal author of the report, states that there is a notable misalignment between skills taught in K-12 classrooms and those required by employers in Florida. He emphasizes the need for an evolving education system that bridges this gap by aligning curriculum with real-world applications and strengthening partnerships between educators and industry.
The report underscores the importance of math proficiency across various job roles in preparing Florida’s workforce for a competitive economy. Bemetra Simmons, President & CEO of Tampa Bay Partnership, highlights that while 65% of eighth graders are proficient in math, there is still progress to be made. She calls for collaboration among educators, business leaders, and policymakers to build a talent pipeline rooted in strong math skills.
This recent study echoes concerns raised in the 2016 report “From Excuses to Excellence,” which emphasized improving reading outcomes across the state. The current focus is on enhancing math education outcomes nearly a decade later.
These findings will be discussed at the upcoming 2025 Florida Chamber Foundation’s Education and Workforce Summit on June 24 in Tampa. Further information can be found on their website flchamber.com/matheducation.
For inquiries about this research or involvement opportunities, Dr. Keith Richard can be contacted via email at krichard@flchamber.com or phone at 850-521-1231.
