FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: California Senate Education Committee Advances Early Math Screening Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2026
California Senate Education Committee Advances Early Math Screening Bill to Identify and Support Struggling Students Sooner
SB 1067, authored by Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. with 15 bipartisan coauthors, would require K-2 universal math screening statewide, building on the momentum of California’s landmark early literacy screening policy
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the California Senate Education Committee heard and unanimously advanced Senate Bill 1067, legislation that would establish a statewide early math screening system for students in kindergarten through second grade, ensuring that students who are struggling with foundational math skills are identified and supported early. This vote reflects growing legislative consensus that California’s early math crisis demands urgent action.
The bill’s newly announced co-authors are Senators Allen, Durazo, Grayson, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Rubio, and Wahab and Assemblymembers Bains, Bonta, Bryan, Elhawary, Garcia, Hoover, Jackson, Papan, Quirk-Silva, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Schiavo, and Wilson.
SB 1067 builds on California’s recent progress in early literacy, where universal screening has already been implemented to identify reading challenges in young students. That policy, established under SB 114, will reach approximately 1.2 million K–2 students this school year, and is grounded in research showing that early identification paired with targeted intervention can significantly improve long-term outcomes.
Advocates say the same approach is urgently needed in math, where too many students — disproportionately Black, Latino, and low-income students — fall behind before gaps are even recognized. Today, just 37% of California students are performing at grade level in math and the state ranks 43rd nationally in fourth-grade math proficiency.
“California has already taken an important step forward by identifying and addressing reading challenges early with K-2 universal screening for reading difficulties. SB 1067 applies that same common-sense approach to math,” said Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice. “Students who struggle with foundational math skills in the early grades continue to fall further behind without timely, targeted intervention. This bill helps prepare students for future success in school, career, and life.”
“I’m grateful to the Senate Education Committee for recognizing the urgency to address gaps in math achievement and advancing this bill,” said Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (SD-39). “If we want to continue to strengthen California’s future workforce, expand opportunity, and maintain our position as a global leader in innovation and STEM, we must start by building strong foundational math skills early on.”
Experts emphasize that screening is not an endpoint, but the first step in a comprehensive system of supports that includes effective preparation and credentialing for teacher candidates, evidence-based instructional materials and teacher training, and ongoing progress monitoring.
“The advancement of SB 1067 reflects a meaningful commitment to identifying math challenges early and providing timely support,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “By intervening early, we can prevent students from falling behind and create stronger pathways to long-term academic success.”
Supporters of SB 1067 argue that a statewide screening system will help schools act earlier, use data more effectively, keep parents informed of their child’s progress, and improve outcomes for students, particularly those from low-income communities.
The bill now advances to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. EdVoice and a growing coalition of forty supporting organizations will continue to advocate for SB 1067 through the legislative process.
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.
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