SB171 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Tim Melson

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Alabama Numeracy Act, established for K-5 public school students, Elementary Mathematics Task force and Postsecondary Mathematics Task Forces created, Office of Mathematics Improvement created, use of assessments, intervention services, summer programs, and mathematics coaches provided, use of Common Core State Standards in K-12 schools terminated and prohibited

Summary

The Alabama Numeracy Act establishes a state framework to boost K-5 math proficiency by creating task forces, an Office of Mathematics Improvement, mandated assessments and interventions, and math coaches, while ending Common Core standards.

What This Bill Does

It terminates use of the Common Core Standards in public K-12 schools and centralizes control of standards in Alabama. It creates two math-focused task forces and an Office of Mathematics Improvement to guide curricula, teacher development, and assessments. It mandates standardized screening, diagnostics, progress monitoring, and intensive interventions; adds a statewide summer math program; and sets up a system of math coaches and school interventions to lift performance, with annual reporting to state leaders.

Who It Affects

• Public K-5 students in Alabama, especially in full support and limited support schools, who will receive new curricula, screenings, interventions, and summer math programs.
• K-5 teachers, school leaders, local education agencies, and mathematics coaches who must implement the new curricula, assessments, professional development, and coaching system (including an endorsement program).

Key Provisions

• Prohibits the use of Common Core Standards in Alabama and asserts state control over K-12 standards.
• Creates the Alabama Numeracy Act, defines key terms, and establishes two task forces (Elementary Mathematics Task Force and Postsecondary Mathematics Task Force) and the Office of Mathematics Improvement.
• The Elementary Mathematics Task Force is tasked with recommending high-quality, evidence-based curricula and interventions, a professional learning continuum for educators, and approved assessment systems for K-5.
• Establishes the Office of Mathematics Improvement to oversee K-5 math, with regional coordinators, and to monitor implementation, professional development, assessments, and coaching.
• Requires K-5 teachers to devote at least 60 minutes per day to Tier 1 math instruction and to use approved comprehensive curricula with a focus on number sense, reasoning, and problem solving.
• Allocates math coaches to K-5 schools based on school size (one coach for fewer than 800 students; two coaches for 800+ students) with the goal of placing all coaches by 2027-2028; coaches must meet specified qualifications and have defined duties.
• Identifies full support and limited support schools and requires a multi-tiered system of supports, progress monitoring, MTSS, and annual reporting on progress and needs.
• Beginning in 2022-23, requires a Alabama Mathematics Summer Achievement Program for grades 4-5 in full support schools (40-70 hours) with assessment at start and end; K-3 summers to embed math instruction.
• Mandates screenings for dyscalculia and intensive interventions for identified students; requires parent/teacher reports detailing progress and intervention specifics.
• Establishes a State Academic Intervention framework for persistently underperforming schools, with options such as reconstitution, external receivers, or charter conversion, and milestones for intervention.
• Creates a K-5 Mathematics Coach Endorsement (post-baccalaureate) with required courses, field experiences, and potential stipends for coaches who earn the endorsement.
• Forms a Postsecondary Mathematics Task Force to develop training guidelines for future teachers; guidelines become effective in 2024; includes ongoing oversight and reporting requirements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Elementary EducationSchools