California’s reading reforms drive push for better math skills in early grades

Raising reading achievement is vital because it is the precursor to all other forms of learning. Thus, California’s low reading levels may be partially responsible for the state’s equally unacceptably low ranking on mathematics; just 39% of fourth graders were proficient.

That’s why a new effort to upgrade math skills via legislation is — or at least should be — high on the Capitol’s must-do list. State Sen. Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson, a San Diego Democrat, introduced Senate Bill 1067, backed by education reformers who supported the phonics bill.

SB 1067 would require local school districts to screen primary school students for difficulty in math skills as a first step toward a statewide effort to upgrade instruction and comprehension.

“California is facing a real and urgent math achievement crisis, and we cannot afford to wait until students are already far behind to act,” the senator told EdSource, an education website that first revealed the new effort. “We know the achievement gap in math is evident as early as kindergarten. We also know that students who miss foundational math skills in grades K through 2 rarely catch up.”

To read the full article, visit the CalMatters website.