The Foundation for Florida’s Future responds to House passage of House Bill 1255

Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, issued the following statement in response to the passage of House Bill 1255, which will improve math policy in Florida:

“Today, the Florida House took an important next step to improve math education in the Sunshine State. For decades, Florida has had strong literacy policies in place that have improved student performance. It’s time to take the same approach to math education, especially in light of recent news that post-pandemic improvement of math scores has been slow to materialize.

“HB 1255 will strengthen the state’s commitment to high-quality math policy, ensuring teachers are equipped with necessary content knowledge and schools implement comprehensive systems of math instruction and supports.

“We thank Rep. Dana Trabulsy for her leadership in making sure Florida schools are equipped to deliver a quality education to every student.”

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House Bill 1255: 

• Specifies the type and amount of math content that educator preparation programs must provide to teacher candidates.  
• Requires competency-based alternative certification pathways to increase the amount of math content educator preparation programs provide to candidates. 
• Requires school districts to develop a comprehensive system of mathematics instruction as part of the creation of a reading instruction plan. The system of instruction may include additional time per day of evidence-based math instruction, the inclusion of math coaches and tutoring services. 
• Creates a mathematics endorsement pathway to be offered to teachers beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.