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Committee considers adding early numeracy interventions to Montana law
Summary
House Bill 338, introduced by Representative Melissa Romano, would expand the state's targeted early literacy program to include early numeracy interventions; proponents including early childhood groups, school administrators and medical professionals urged support and called for funding for implementation.
The House Education Committee heard House Bill 338 on Thursday, a proposal from Representative Melissa Romano to expand Montana’s early intervention framework so that targeted supports include numeracy as well as literacy.
"This bill seeks to add numeracy intervention designed to assist children who fall below proficiency levels," Romano said, explaining the change appears beginning on page 20 of the bill and that participation would remain voluntary so parents can opt in without mandatory screening.
Proponents emphasized developmental and long-term benefits. Caitlin Jensen of 0 to 5 Montana voiced "strong support" and asked the committee to consider state investment in early settings and professional development. Larry Crowder of the Montana Rural Education Association said the bill builds on the 2023 early literacy intervention and would help ensure proficiency by third grade.
Taylor Floming, a school psychologist, offered a case example: intensive early reading intervention led one student to exceed grade-level expectations in reading, while the student’s math skills lagged and widened the achievement gap. "The intensive early intervention worked," Floming said, adding that without early numeracy intervention the student faced steeper remediation later.
Polly Becker of the Montana chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics supported the bill on developmental grounds, linking early 'number talk' and early numeracy exposure to later academic outcomes. OPI and the Board of Public Education appeared as informational witnesses; McCall Flynn said the board would consider how to adapt its early literacy advisory structure to include numeracy and noted that many states already have related policies.
Committee members asked about available screening tools and how OPI plans to collect outcome data. OPI Superintendent Susie Hedlund said the agency has screening and reporting requirements for participants and is prepared to work on numeracy screening though fewer validated tools currently exist.
The hearing closed with the sponsor urging the committee to vote in favor of HB 338; the committee recessed for caucus before scheduled executive action.
