Senate education committee hears bill to set new math standards, training and screening; committee delays action

Senator Don Schaible, District 31, introduced Senate Bill 2213 at a hearing before the North Dakota Senate Education Committee, outlining a proposal to revise math curriculum, require instructor competency and screening, create intervention plans for students with math deficiencies, and appropriate $1,200,000 for professional development and coaching. Chairman Beard presided over the hearing, which included testimony from school leaders, state education officials and licensing staff.

Supporters said the bill mirrors the state’s recent “science of reading” reforms and responds to declining math proficiency. Anne Ellefsen, director of academic support at the Department of Public Instruction, told the committee that North Dakota’s National Assessment of Educational Progress results fell from 48% proficient in grade 4 in 2013 to 40% in 2022, and from 40% to 28% in grade 8 over the same period, and that the bill’s curriculum alignment, formative screening and targeted interventions are intended to reverse those losses. Ellefsen described prior pilot work — the Greater Math in North Dakota grant (eight districts initially, seven continuing) and…