A significant movement to reform mathematics education in U.S. schools has gained momentum in recent years, with states adopting comprehensive legislative and policy measures aimed at improving student outcomes. This push represents an expansion of education reform efforts that previously focused on reading instruction methodologies.
As of July 2026, 22 states have enacted laws or implemented new policies related to mathematics education since 2022, according to an analysis conducted by Education Week. The measures adopted by these states vary in scope and specificity, addressing different aspects of math instruction and student support. Common policy elements include requirements for schools to develop individualized learning plans for students experiencing difficulties, implementation of new professional standards for teachers, mandatory screening assessments for elementary students, and automatic enrollment provisions for students demonstrating grade-level proficiency in advanced mathematics courses.
Alabama initiated this wave of reform in 2022 with a comprehensive mathematics bill that drew structural elements from existing “science of reading” legislation that had been adopted across multiple states. The Alabama law incorporated components such as regular diagnostic screenings for elementary learners, instructional coaching positions, state-approved curriculum frameworks, and modifications to teacher preparation requirements.
While numerous states have since followed with their own legislative and policy initiatives, most remain less comprehensive than their counterparts in reading education reform. Many have not yet addressed teacher certification modifications, and none of the identified laws includes student grade-retention provisions that are frequently included in reading-focused legislation. Additionally, although some states have explicitly required alignment with evidence-based mathematical practices, less consensus exists around what such practices entail in mathematics compared to the reading context.
Education Week has compiled tracking information detailing the specific requirements of each state’s legislation and policies across multiple categories including teacher preparation, professional development, assessment requirements, curriculum materials oversight, instructional methods, and access to advanced coursework.
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