The Critical Importance of Math and English for Student Success

As an expert focused on higher education reform efforts aimed at improving student outcomes from early literacy through college completion and career readiness, I firmly believe math and English literacy serve as the most foundational academic pillars. Mastering these two subjects equips students with the essential analytical, communication and problem-solving talents needed to access abundant opportunities in top colleges and high-growth fields. While well-rounded students should have balanced exposure across disciplines, math and English stand out as most vital for developing versatile skills that translate directly to achievement through schooling and professional life.

The Indispensable Value of Math

Beyond numbers and calculations, math cultivates critical thinking, logic and systematic problem-solving abilities that pay dividends across technical and non-technical endeavors alike.

Launch Pad for Highly Compensated STEM Careers

Excelling in math serves as an prerequisite for pursuing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, which represent over 30 million U.S. jobs and offer some of the fastest growing and highest paying careers of the future. Areas like computer science, healthcare, finance, advanced manufacturing and more will need over 2 million additional STEM professionals by 2028 based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, translating to excellent job prospects for students grounded in math.

As seen in the table below, STEM occupations deliver substantially higher average salaries compared to non-STEM roles:

Such earning differentials highlight why math abilities open the door to lucrative opportunities, especially in booming fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology and engineering. Students aiming for these rewarding and impactful careers must prioritize building mathematical competence from an early age.

Sharpens Invaluable Logical Reasoning Abilities

Practicing math involves breaking down complex multi-step problems, analyzing quantitative and spatial data, spotting patterns, assessing probabilities, and evaluating alternative solutions. Mastering math hones invaluable skills in deductive reasoning, abstraction, flexibility in thinking, precision of argument and generalization of principles across contexts.

In a comprehensive 2022 study published in the journal Frontiers in Education, Stanford University researchers found students who took advanced math courses like calculus and linear algebra in high school performed significantly better on a host of general cognitive tests measuring multi-dimensional reasoning, mental manipulation and working memory capabilities. Such fluid intelligences teach how to effectively assess risks, weigh decisions, structure arguments and tackle novel challenges. These modes of thought are increasingly vital for an unpredictable future filled with exponential technological and social changes.

Math Skills Strongly Correlate to Higher Lifetime Earnings

Mathematical prowess correlates to substantially higher income over a lifetime. According to the OECD‘s extensive PISA dataset tracking academic performance of 15-year-olds to career outcomes across dozens of countries, students who scored in the top 10% on the math assessment earned over $12,000 more in median annual salary by age 33 compared to those in the lower quartiles.

The outsized earnings premium for math excellence highlights how mathematical skills serve as a gateway to securing financially rewarding and intellectually stimulating careers in fields like artificial intelligence, investment banking, biostatistics, and aerospace engineering. But even outside of conventional STEM domains, capabilities in data analysis, statistical reasoning, computational modeling and quantitative literacy are becoming increasingly critical differentiators and drivers of success across industries like business, public policy, law and medicine.

The Power of Proficient English

Mastery of written and verbal English language skills serves as the foundation for self-expression, comprehension, interpretation and communication – cornerstones for achievement in academics, business, politics and society.

Effective Communication and Persuasion

From research reports, essays and memos to emails, presentations and legal briefs, those able to write and speak with clarity, coherence, and persuasive impact can convey complex ideas clearly, tailor messages to audiences, structure convincing arguments and catalyze change. As work becomes more team-based, interdisciplinary and global, communication abilities enable collaboration and influence. Enhancing English vocabulary, style and syntax through extensive reading, writing and public speaking pays tremendous dividends for bolstering these capabilities.

Per ETS research on core academic skills, over 80% of large corporations surveyed like Ernst & Young, Microsoft and Boeing see communication and expression proficiencies as even more important for career readiness than one‘s college major. Yet over a third find too many candidates lack English language abilities for workplace demands. Prioritizing English and literacy growth closes this critical gap.

Building Strong Reading Comprehension

Reading serves as an intellectual gateway for accessing and processing volumes of essential information central to education, work and civic participation. English language arts education hones literary analysis, inference making, retention and speed of reading across texts. Such skills allow for effective consumption, connectivity and criticism of publications. Transferrable reading comprehension capabilities then aid learning and achievement across humanities, social sciences and STEM fields while expanding cultural literacy.

According to an important study from McKinsey & Company, pandemic-related unfinished learning substantially impacted student reading abilities, with Black and Hispanic learners most affected. On average, white students lost 1.5 months of learning in English while students of color lost over 3 months – widening achievement gaps. Such evidence spotlights the paramount and equitable importance of continual English language arts development for all youth, especially those historically disadvantaged.

Cultural Literacy and Critical Perspectives

Through expansive reading of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and prose, students additionally gain cultural familiarity, moral awareness and historical perspectives while nurturing creativity, imagination and innovation. Exposure to varied genres and writing also promotes critical thinking in questioning assumptions, interpreting symbolism, dissenting effectively and understanding consequences of actions or inactions. Such transferrable skills prove invaluable in an era of fast-paced disruption.

While sciences, technology, history, social sciences, languages and arts are important in their own right and should have curriculum presence, math and English stand uniquely above the rest in real-world applicability across postsecondary studies and career possibilities in our rapidly evolving economy.

Contrast with Science

Science unquestionably provides vital understanding of the natural world and physical laws while teaching hypothesis testing, controlled experimentation and responsible innovation. However, advanced science often depends on and assumes strong math competencies. And fields like biology or chemistry do not teach writing persuasively, speaking publicly or collaborating interpersonally as explicitly as direct English study. Students aiming to excel scientifically must couple science with foundational and continual math and English mastery.

Contrast with History

History class offers essential context on society‘s successes and failures by studying the past through a lens of ethics, politics, culture, economics and rhetoric – helping new generations make wiser choices. And historical readings teach valuable abilities in gauging perspective, researching thoroughly and structuring effective arguments. However, history does not provide the precise technical competencies, workplace productivity tools training or career pathways linked to math and English. While history develops indirect skills, math and English directly prepare diverse college and employment prospects.

Contrast with Foreign Languages

Foreign language study can certainly expand participation in global conversations and marketplaces. Multilingual skills allow one to build cultural bridges and transmit local developments internationally. However, second language expertise does not readily translate into first-order workplace capabilities or occupational advantages outside select roles in translation, tourism or diplomacy. Prioritizing universal math and English fluency continues to build the most transferable professional talents applicable to nearly every discipline.

The evidence clearly demonstrates the paramount importance of math and English mastery for individual success and broader societal advancement. Here are some key strategies for policymakers, educators and parents to implement:

For Schools

• Adopt internationally benchmarked curriculum standards like Singapore Math and Common Core English Language Arts standards
• Expand access to advanced courses like calculus and advanced writing or literature seminars
• Provide training for teachers on best pedagogical practices for math and English language development
• Maintain robust intervention programs on foundational numeracy and literacy for struggling students
• Closely monitor leading indicators like 3rd grade reading proficiency and 8th grade math competency

For Parents

• Emphasize daily reading, writing and math problem practice within or supplemental to school
• Hire tutoring support early when seeing child struggle persistently
• Frame math and English language mastery as exciting journeys rather than burdensome chores
• Discuss growing applications of math/English skills across diverse, high-potential careers to motivate

For Students

• Read widely from fiction like novels as well as non-fiction publications
• Practice daily math problems across arithmetic, geometry and algebra
• Write regularly through journals, essays, creative writing to build communication muscles
• Seek out analytic/reading challenges through science research, quiz bowls, hackathons

Math and English provide students with the academic cornerstones and intellectual toolkits needed to constructabundant futures filled with personal purpose. While a balanced curriculum across well-rounded areas remains essential for developing interested, informed citizens, students and schools should recognize and continually invest in math and English literacy as the most future-proof subjects for unlocking college success, catalyzing career opportunities and cultivating the capabilities to meaningfully improve communities at scale in our rapidly evolving world.