Yesterday, I spoke with a frustrated math department chair who’s facing a common challenge: their school has plenty of math support for students, but almost no one is using it. This issue is even more urgent with California’s Fall 2025 changes, when many students choosing a STEM Career Pathway will have to go directly into calculus—ready or not.
So, what actually works to get students through the door? Student testimonials. When students who were once intimidated by math share how the tutoring center helped them succeed, their peers start showing up.
I’m creating a digital resource called From Struggle to Success: Math Support and Student Stories for this school. It will include print and video testimonials highlighting how their students have used math support services to succeed. If your department is struggling to connect students with math support, I’d love to share insights on how this approach can help. Please comment on this on my blog.
Let’s make sure students get the help they need.
"The WomenTech Educators Training Workshop was one of the best things I've done. I feel very confident that I have the strategies and tools to help me increase the number of women in my STEM programs. Thank you so much."
~ Hank Miller, Division Head of Science and Math, Nebraska Indian Community College, Macy, NE
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