The Florida Chamber Foundation has released a new research report, Math Matters: Bridging Gaps for Florida’s Future Workforce, calling attention to the vital role math proficiency plays in shaping Florida’s future workforce. Based on the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals aimed at strengthening Florida’s talent supply and education, the report highlights the state’s current challenges and offers recommendations to improve math outcomes for K-12 students in Florida.
The math report’s findings reveal that over 128,600 Florida students in grades 10-12 tested “not proficient” in math during the 2023-24 school year, underscoring the importance of addressing math education gaps (while only 56,000 tested as “math proficient” and 486,000 were not tested because they had already progressed beyond Algebra 1 and Geometry in their math course sequence). The report emphasizes that math proficiency is not only essential for students’ academic success but is also a key driver in preparing Florida’s workforce for high-demand careers in STEM and other fields. This is especially true in fields where strong math, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are increasingly in demand, as outlined in the Florida Chamber Foundation’s “Top 30 High-Demand Careers” for 2032.
The report also provides recommendations for immediate action to increase access to early math support, curb chronic absenteeism, and improve the accessibility of education data to help educators and policymakers develop better solutions. Rural schools are noted as overrepresented in the lowest-performing school districts in math proficiency and could, therefore, benefit from targeted interventions.
Dr. Keith Richard, Vice President of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation, shared, “Math proficiency is more than a classroom issue—it’s a workforce issue. As Florida works to build a talent pipeline for the future, we must prioritize strengthening math skills and proficiency across our student populations.”
The report concludes that investing in math education is an investment in Florida’s future, as many of the state’s top 30 high-demand careers for 2032 will require strong math skills.
The UF Lastinger Center for Learning is the Florida 2030 Blueprint goal leader for ensuring 100% of 8th grade students are performing math at or above grade level by 2030. Center Director Dr. Phil Poekert said, “By improving math outcomes, we not only empower our students but ensure that Florida employers have the skilled workforce needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
This research and its recommendations will be addressed at the 2025 Florida Chamber Foundation’s Education and Workforce Summit, commonly known as the “Learners to Earners Summit”, on June 24 in Tampa. Summit information is available HERE.
The Florida Chamber Foundation is committed to student success and workforce enablement through research, advocacy, and collaboration. For questions about this research or to learn how you can get involved with ongoing efforts, contact Dr. Keith Richard at krichard@flchamber.com or 850-521-1231.