California Assembly Education Committee Advances Early Math Assessment Bill

California Assembly Education Committee Advances Early Math Assessment Bill to Identify and Support Struggling Students Sooner

SB 1067, authored by Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D., clears its first Assembly committee with unanimous 8-0 vote and receives NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference endorsement, building on the momentum of California’s early literacy assessment policy

SACRAMENTO, CA (July 1, 2026) – Today, the California Assembly Education Committee heard and advanced Senate Bill 1067, legislation that will establish a statewide requirement to assess all K-2 students’ math knowledge, identify when additional support in foundational math skills is needed, and require districts to provide targeted, evidence-based intervention (e.g., tutoring, additional math instructional time). The bill, which cleared the Senate with unanimous support, now advances to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

“Today’s unanimous vote reflects thoughtful collaboration with legislative and Administration staff, as well as careful consideration of feedback raised by the opposition, to strengthen the bill and improve math outcomes for California students,” said Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice. “In today’s data-driven economy, foundational math skills are essential to accessing economic opportunity. By identifying challenges early and providing evidence-based support, this bill can open doors for millions of students who are currently being held back by gaps in math proficiency.”

“As a physician, I know the best interventions happen before a condition becomes a crisis. SB 1067 applies that same common-sense approach to math: identify students early, support them quickly, and keep them from falling further behind,” said Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (SD-39). “I’m grateful to the Assembly Education Committee for recognizing the urgency of this work and advancing SB 1067.”

“Just 20% of K–12 Black students in California are meeting grade-level standards in math. This has been a long-standing crisis in our state and is unacceptable,” said Dr. Rick L. Callender, Esq., President of the NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference. “SB 1067 helps address this crisis by giving teachers tools to identify and close gaps in math knowledge as early as kindergarten. It also protects students by making it clear that assessment results can only be used to inform support—never to hold back, label, or diagnose a student. That protection matters to our community, and we are proud to stand behind this bill as it moves through the Assembly.”

SB 1067 would:

Call for K-2 students to be assessed for math knowledge at least once annually, beginning in the 2028-29 school year, with districts given flexibility on timing and tools
Direct the State Board of Education to set criteria for approved assessment tools, with the California Department of Education approving the recommended list
Allow districts to use an alternative assessment tool, including a kindergarten readiness assessment, if their governing board self-certifies that it meets the state’s criteria
Ensure parents receive results along with guidance on interpreting them, notification if their child needs additional support, and information on planned interventions
Limit use of results to informing instruction and support, never for high-stakes purpose such as grade promotion, special education placement, or teacher evaluation

SB 1067 has 24 co-authors and is backed by more than 50 people and organizations, along with the newly announced support of the NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference.

About EdVoice:

EdVoice is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit education advocacy organization driving California state policy change to transform our state’s public education system so it effectively prepares all children for opportunities in college, career, and life. To combat the current system’s inequities, EdVoice engages in direct advocacy with policymakers to influence the passage or defeat of key legislation, leads education and awareness campaigns to raise up our policy priority areas, and provides strategic political funding through our EdVoice for the Kids PAC to leaders prioritizing students from low-income communities.

Media Inquiries: EdVoice@ActumLLC.com

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