Relating to mathematics instruction, including by requiring school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to develop an advanced mathematics pathway that is designed to enable students to succeed in courses related to algebra in grade eight

The bill defines “advanced mathematics pathway” as a sequence of courses and curricula that accelerates or combines mathematics instruction that is typically provided to students enrolled in grades six through eight. The bill requires school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to automatically enroll a student in the advanced mathematics pathway if the student performed at grade level or higher on the statewide summative assessment in mathematics that was administered to the student when the student was enrolled in grades five, six, or seven, or if the student demonstrated proficiency in mathematics as indicated in the student’s mathematics grades, class rank, or other local measure, when the student was enrolled in grades five, six, or seven. A student shall not be enrolled in the advanced mathematics pathway if the student’s parent or guardian requests that the student not be enrolled. Also, a student shall be enrolled in the advanced mathematics pathway if the student’s parent or guardian requests that the student be enrolled. The bill requires school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to provide to students, and to the parents or guardians of students, certain specified information related to mathematics instruction in middle school and high school. _____ assessment in mathematics. The department of education is required to compile this information and file the compilation with the general assembly.3.16.2. The inclusion of this specification is intended to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to comply with any state mandates included in the bill.