FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky lawmakers are aiming to improve math scores, as most students continue to perform at a novice level in math. House Bill 162 would provide support and intervention for students in grades fourth through eighth to get them back on track.
Known as the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act, HB 162 is intended to help more students become proficient in math by expanding training and support for teachers and hands-on intervention for students, among other things.
Kentucky math scores in 2023 are significantly lower than just five years ago. 42% of fourth graders are proficient/distinguished in math and only 36% in eighth grade. It’s why this bill is targeting instruction and intervention strategies for Kentucky fourth through eighth graders.
“Because at grade four mathematics becomes more complex and students start dealing with irrational numbers, fractions, percentages and so as they advance beyond its much more difficult for those students to catch up if they don’t have a command of that learning,” said Micki Ray, Chief Academic Officer for Kentucky Department of Education.
Ray said it’s about finding ways for teachers in the classroom every day, Tier 1 instructors to reach the students they’re teaching.
“There is research that shows that access to a high-quality resource can elevate teacher performance up to the 80th percentile and it is also effective in retaining teachers because they’re not overburdened by not having to go out and find their own resources to teach these complex concepts,” Ray said.
Ray said this bill accomplishes that.
HB 162 is sponsored by the chair of the House education committee, State Representative James Tipton, R-Taylorsville. The bill would provide a mathematics improvement plan based on results from an exam determined by KDE that students would take in grades 4-8.
Kumar Rashad, a Kentucky Teacher of the Year, said he appreciates the bill’s intent but said developing an individualized learning plan for more students would put a lot of pressure on teachers.
“Those IEP teachers have a hard enough time getting IEPs for the five to 10 students and now you’re talking about doing an IEP for every single student?” Rashad said.
Rashad and other Kentucky math instructors said they are somewhat supportive of the bill currently. Rashad and his peers shared concerns of too much burden being placed on educators and a reliance on standardized testing data to develop plans.
“If this bill goes the way it is, you’ll have a lot more teachers leaving the classroom. You are going to have severe teacher shortage because this puts a lot of work on us, y’all breaking our backs and haven’t given us a raise in years,” Rashad said.
HB 162 was only discussed, no action was taken. Teachers say they want to be a part of the bill writing process moving forward.
Kentucky is one of 18 states performing lower than the national average according to the Nation’s Report Card.