California Pushes for Better Early Math Skills After Reading Reforms

State senator introduces bill to screen primary students for math difficulties as part of statewide effort to improve instruction and comprehension.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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After passing legislation last year to encourage phonics-based reading instruction in elementary schools, California is now turning its attention to improving math skills. State Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson has introduced a bill that would require local school districts to screen primary students for math difficulties, as a first step toward upgrading math teaching statewide. The effort is driven by the state's persistently low math proficiency levels, which lawmakers hope to address proactively in the early grades before students fall too far behind.

Why it matters

California's reading and math scores have lagged behind national averages for years, with just 29% of 4th graders showing reading proficiency and only 39% proficient in math. Improving foundational skills in these core subjects is seen as vital for student success across all academic areas. The new math initiative follows the state's recent reading reforms, reflecting a more systematic approach to tackling persistent educational challenges.

The details

Senate Bill 1067, introduced by Senator Weber Pierson, would require the state Board of Education to appoint a panel to develop a list of math screening instruments for districts to use in the early grades. This screening would identify students struggling with math fundamentals, allowing educators to intervene and provide targeted support before gaps widen. The bill is backed by education reform advocates who also supported last year's phonics-focused reading legislation.

  • In 2025, California passed Assembly Bill 1454, which encouraged phonics-based reading instruction in elementary schools.
  • The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress found that just 29% of California's 4th graders were proficient in reading, down from 31% in 2022.
  • Senator Weber Pierson introduced Senate Bill 1067 in early 2026 to address the state's math achievement crisis.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California who signed the 2025 reading reform legislation.

Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson

A Democratic state senator from San Diego who introduced the new bill to screen primary students for math difficulties.

Shirley Weber

California's Secretary of State and the mother of Senator Weber Pierson, who was a persistent advocate for no-nonsense education reforms during her time in the state legislature.

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What they’re saying

“California is facing a real and urgent math achievement crisis, and we cannot afford to wait until students are already far behind to act. 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.”

— Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson, State Senator (EdSource)

“I don't fear that I'm going to get lynched at night or that someone is going to bomb my house. I don't fear that. What my predecessors stood for and fought for was a whole lot harder than what I'm fighting for today.”

— Shirley Weber (CalMatters)

What’s next

If passed, Senate Bill 1067 would require the state Board of Education to appoint a panel to develop a list of math screening instruments for districts to use in the early grades. This screening process would be the first step toward a statewide effort to improve math instruction and comprehension.

The takeaway

California's push to upgrade math skills in the early grades, following its recent reading reforms, reflects a more systematic approach to tackling persistent educational challenges. By identifying struggling students early through screening, the state aims to provide targeted support and prevent wider achievement gaps from forming, ultimately improving outcomes in this core academic area.