Shannon Ahern, a high school math and science teacher, was afraid that ChatGPT would take her job. But her mind changed after she started using the AI for class prep, which saved her hours of time.

Math didn’t have to be boring. Larry Davis came to Birmingham High School in Van Nuys in 1958 and did everything he could to motivate his math students. (Courtesy photo) It worked.

The turnabout has unleashed furious debate over what high school math skills are needed to succeed in college — and how best to deliver them equitably to a diverse range of students.