Ohio schools would offer advanced math and free extra help

Districts would place qualifying students in advanced math courses and offer advanced math opportunities to some younger students. Starting in grade six, students who meet assessment or district-selected criteria qualify for the course sequence. Students in grades three through five who qualify would receive advanced math opportunities. A parent or guardian may ask the district not to enroll a qualifying student in the grade six course sequence. A student may take Algebra I in eighth grade only after reaching at least proficient skill on the grade eight math assessment. These requirements begin July 1, 2027. Districts must adopt a math placement and promotion policy within 90 days after the section takes effect.

Districts, community schools, and STEM schools would provide free academic help to students with limited math or English language arts skills. The requirement covers students at school districts, community schools, and STEM schools who show limited skill on a diagnostic or state assessment in math, English language arts, or both. Students with certain brain injuries or significant cognitive disabilities are excluded unless their parent or guardian and school agree the services fit. Students at dropout prevention and recovery schools are also excluded. Help must match the student's assessed skill level, add to regular instruction, and follow the science of reading for English language arts. Schools must tell families what help the student will receive and who will provide it before services begin, then update them periodically. Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, the state would review a random sample of schools each year. No more than 5% may be reviewed, and a school may not be selected more than once every three years.

Districts and community schools would file math improvement plans for schools with low third-grade math scores. The plan requirement applies to district and community school buildings where 51% or fewer of the students who took the third-grade math assessment scored proficient. The plan must use curriculum from the state's list of math materials. A school no longer needs to submit a plan when at least 51% of third-grade test takers reach proficient skill. The plan requirement begins in the 2026–2027 school year. The state must publish its math curriculum and intervention lists by April 15, 2027.

The state would assess math skills for certain new teacher license applicants and tell their employers the results. This applies to people applying for a new educator license covering pre-kindergarten through grade eight who may be assigned to teach math. A teacher who does not meet the benchmark may still receive a license and may teach other subjects. A school may assign that teacher to teach math if the teacher later passes the assessment. The assessment applies when a covered person applies for a new license. The text gives no separate start date.

School boards would give qualifying youth organizations time and space to reach students if an organization asks. The provision covers youth organizations that meet the definition in the text and request access from a school district board. A youth organization must serve people under 21 and have an educational purpose that promotes patriotism, workforce readiness, and civic involvement. Parents or guardians must be told about a presentation and may withhold consent for their child to take part. Schools do not have to give the same access to groups that do not meet the definition of a youth organization. The board's duties apply upon a youth organization's request. The text sets a minimum of one recruitment opportunity per school year.