California lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 1067, which would require public schools to assess students' foundational math skills from kindergarten through second grade beginning with the 2028-29 school year.

The proposal is intended to identify students who struggle with early mathematical concepts, such as counting, recognizing numbers, comparing quantities, and understanding basic shapes, before those difficulties become more significant.

Supporters point to poor statewide math performance, noting that nearly seven in ten California third graders fail to meet grade-level math standards and that the state ranks near the bottom nationally in fourth-grade math achievement.The bill has already passed the California Senate unanimously and is awaiting consideration in the Assembly.

If enacted, the State Board of Education would establish standards for approved assessments, while schools would notify parents of results and report data to the California Department of Education.The proposal includes approximately $106 million over four years for implementation, training, and preparation.

However, critics argue that the legislation focuses too heavily on testing without providing sufficient funding or resources for interventions after students are identified as needing help.

Education leaders, teachers, and researchers have also expressed concerns about increasing testing requirements, the time needed to administer one-on-one assessments, and whether such screenings accurately capture young children's mathematical learning.

Meanwhile, some districts, including Compton Unified, have already implemented regular math screenings and intervention programs, with local educators reporting that frequent assessments help identify learning gaps early and guide targeted instruction.