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California schools will test all kindergartners, first- and second-graders in basic math skills and provide them tutoring if they need it, under a bill on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
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The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, a Democrat from San Diego, is expected to boost California’s math scores, which are significantly below the national average. Last year, only 37% of students in California met grade-level math standards, an increase from the previous year but still well below the pre-pandemic level.
“This bill will help more kids so they don’t get stuck at the starting line in math,” said Marshall Tuck, chief executive officer of EdVoice, a nonprofit advocacy group that’s among the bill’s sponsors. “There’s still a lot more to do, but this is an important step.”
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