The Association of Texas Professional Educators applauds the recent State Board of Education decision to support rigorous, alternative higher math courses that incorporate higher math concepts and customize the learning to each endorsement instead of requiring Algebra II for all Texas students. We urge the board to work diligently in the next few years toward the approval of additional inventive courses that will provide students with even greater flexibility to achieve mastery of the math concepts needed for post-secondary success. It is imperative that Texas continue to follow a policy of college and career readiness and not college or career readiness. All students should be exposed to the content and skills required to pass college entrance exams while also retaining the flexibility to tailor their education to their interests or their work toward industry certificates. The global economy will not wait for us to catch up; we must overtake it.