Sen. Weber Pierson Bill Takes Aim at Early Math Gaps in California Classrooms

March 24, 2026

California Senator Akilah Weber-Pierson has introduced Senate Bill 1067 to address persistent racial achievement gaps in mathematics by mandating early screening for math difficulties in students from kindergarten through second grade. Currently, California only tests students starting in third grade, by which time many students have already fallen significantly behind, with only 18% of Black students and 21% of Latino students meeting math proficiency standards in 2025. The legislation requires school districts to implement screening tools by June 2028, with safeguards preventing their use for high-stakes decisions like teacher evaluations or student retention, while allowing parental opt-outs.

Who is affected

Black and Latino students in California (specifically approximately 1,006,203 Latino students and 84,184 Black students enrolled in grades K-2 during the 2024-25 school year)
California kindergarten through second-grade students overall
Teachers, principals, counselors, and teacher's aides who would use screening information
Parents who would receive screening results and have opt-out rights
School districts that would be required to adopt screening instruments

What action is being taken

Sen. Akilah Weber-Pierson is introducing and promoting Senate Bill 1067
The senator outlined the measure at a March 17 news conference at the State Capitol
Education advocates and co-authors are supporting the bill publicly

Why it matters

This legislation addresses a critical educational crisis where roughly four out of five Black and Latino students in California are not meeting math proficiency standards. Early intervention through screening in kindergarten through second grade could prevent students from falling irreversibly behind, as current testing only begins in third grade when achievement gaps have already widened significantly. The issue is compounded by systemic factors including inadequate funding (Black students are twice as likely to attend underfunded school districts), pandemic-related learning disruptions, and persistent racial disparities that have placed California 43rd nationally in fourth-grade math performance.

What's next

School districts must adopt screening instruments by June 30, 2028
Math assessments would begin no later than the 2028-29 school year
Results would be provided to educators to make classroom adjustments and help students catch up

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint