Panel trims pilot, advances ‘science of math’ teacher-training bill

The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division on the morning of the hearing amended and advanced Senate Bill 22-13, a measure to require targeted professional development and licensure alignment aimed at improving math instruction.

Senator Don Shively, District 31, described the bill as patterned after the state’s earlier “science of reading” effort: “This is what I call the science of math,” he told the committee, saying the measure would “encourag[e] and requir[e] our teachers to become better educated” about effective math instruction. The bill focuses on grade-level targets, professional development for in-service teachers and changes to teacher preparation so new teachers enter classrooms with the needed math content and pedagogy.

Committee members debated a House amendment that added a small pilot program and extra funding. Rudy Martinson of Primacy Strategy Group told the committee the pilot would add a screening tool aimed at grades 4–8 so teachers could identify each student’s skill level and provide individualized plans. Martinson said the pilot was “intended to have…skill level screeners and skill level assessments”…