North Carolina schools would screen students and strengthen math teaching

Public school units would provide daily math instruction and screen students several times each school year. The requirements would cover public school students in kindergarten through grade eight, including students in charter, regional, and laboratory schools. Instruction would follow state standards, use evidence-based methods, and last at least 60 minutes per day. Screening assessments would be formative and diagnostic, not used to grade overall performance except when required for a federal grant. The first assessment each school year would be given within 30 days after the school year starts.

School teams would create and update a Mathematics Success Plan for students whose assessment results show they are not proficient in grade-level math. A student would qualify based on results from either the first assessment of the school year or the first assessment of its second semester. A student's math teacher and other relevant school staff would develop the plan, and the student's parent or guardian would be notified. The plan would set goals, track progress, and describe math interventions and any other services the teacher considers appropriate. Support would continue through the end of grade eight or until the student shows grade-level proficiency on the third assessment of a school year, whichever comes first.

The Office of Learning Research would review vendors of math materials, and public school units would use only approved materials for math instruction. The vendor review would cover materials for kindergarten through grade eight math instruction. The review would consider state standards, evidence-based teaching, sound math content, intervention materials, and training for teachers. Each student's math plan would list approved materials to use for that plan. The Office would send its approved vendor list to the Department of Public Instruction by April 30, 2027; the Department would share it with public school units by June 1, 2027.

The North Carolina Collaboratory would study ways to develop state-approved teaching materials and assess instruction, teacher practice, and student results. The study would examine approaches used in other states, including feasibility, staffing and infrastructure, and start-up and long-term costs. The Collaboratory would report its study and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee. The bill would set aside $2.5 million in one-time funds for the Collaboratory to carry out work under Parts II and III. The study report would be due April 15, 2027, and the analysis report would be due December 15, 2031.