HB 2172 - DIGEST

Declares that by July 1, 2007, the state board of education shall establish an independent mathematics review committee. Mathematics competency must be a prerequisite for inclusion on the committee.

Provides that by July 1, 2009, the committee shall review the current essential academic learning requirements in mathematics and make recommendations regarding changes of these mathematics standards to the legislature, the governor, the state board of education, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The review shall include, but is not limited to the following: (1) Reviewing the standards for clarity, rigor, content, reason, and any negative qualities;

(2) Articulating grade level expectations over the grades as a sequence of expectations and performances that build with increasing depth after foundational knowledge and skills are acquired, and reflect, where appropriate, the sequential nature of the discipline;

(3) Using the international benchmarking system of the trends in international mathematics and science study (TIMSS) and/or the program for international student assessment (PISA); and

(4) Reviewing other states and nations that have proven and high-quality mathematics standards, including California and Singapore.

Provides that by July 1, 2008, the committee shall review mathematics curriculum and materials, including textbooks, and create a menu of curricula to guide districts in textbook adoptions to ensure textbook and curricula alignment with the essential academic learning requirements in mathematics.