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Committee backs bill to let 8th‑grade math teachers teach Algebra I and set advanced standards
Summary
Members approved an amended bill establishing a pathway for educators licensed in 8th-grade mathematics to teach Algebra I at no additional cost, require advanced math standards for grades 5–7, and require students who exceed expectations on the 7th-grade TCAP math assessment to enroll in Algebra I beginning the 2728 school year; the committee forwarded the bill to full education (5–0).
A committee member explained that House Bill 2276 (as amended) would create a pathway so an educator who holds a license or endorsement to teach 8th-grade mathematics could also teach Algebra I to 8th-grade students at no additional cost to the educator. "What this bill what this bill does is the guaranteed math we talked about earlier," the chair said, describing requirements for the State Board of Education to consult with the Department of Education, to adopt advanced mathematics standards for students in grades 5–7, and to require placement of qualifying students into Algebra I.
The bill also states that, beginning with the 2728 school year, any student who earns an exceeds-expectations rating on the 7th-grade TCAP mathematics assessment would be required to enroll in Algebra I rather than standard 8th-grade mathematics; students placed in Algebra I would take the end-of-course examination and successful completion could satisfy the algebra requirement for a high-school diploma. Committee members asked whether teachers would be certified to teach Algebra I; the chair replied teachers would become eligible once they obtain the necessary certification. The clerk recorded 5 ayes and 0 no's and the bill moved to full education.
