STATEHOUSE (Feb. 18, 2025) – The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously advanced State Rep. Jake Teshka's (R-North Liberty) legislation aimed at improving math skills among Hoosier K-12 students.
House Bill 1634 is a comprehensive effort to improve math education in the state by addressing the needs of advanced learners, at-risk students and educators alike by implementing an individualized, results-focused system for math education.
"Math skills are foundational to preparing students for careers in growing fields like STEM," said Teshka, a member of the House Education Committee. "As a lawmaker, I want to do everything possible to set our students up for success and help them achieve their potential. This legislation would champion advanced learners and provide additional support to students who need it."
Teshka said this legislation follows previous legislative efforts to improve reading among Hoosier students. In 2023, Teshka authored a law to implement science of reading standards and provide targeted support for Indiana students experiencing the greatest reading challenges.
According to the recently released 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, Indiana made significant gains in reading, jumping to sixth in the nation for both fourth and eighth grade reading scores. On the same assessment, Indiana ranks ninth and 13th for fourth grade and eighth grade math respectively.
"We've seen impressive improvement in Hoosiers' reading skills thanks to the great work of our educators and focused attention on cultivating these skills," Teshka said. "We want to make sure our teachers and students have the tools and support they need to achieve similar gains in math."
Teshka said HB 1634 would automatically enroll middle school students meeting specific proficiency criteria in advanced math courses to better prepare them for higher-level math courses and STEM opportunities. Parents would retain the ability to opt their children out of these courses. To support students at risk of falling behind, Teshka's legislation would require state-approved numeracy screenings for students in kindergarten through second grade to identify learning gaps earlier and provide targeted support.
Additionally, the Indiana Department of Education would review teacher preparation programs to ensure they're meeting rigorous standards, with those falling short losing their accreditation after a referral process.
The Indiana Secretary of Education, Indiana Association of School Principles, Indiana Urban Schools Association, Indiana Chamber and the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents all testified in support of the bill.
House Bill 1634 now moves to the Senate for further consideration. For more information, or to watch session and committee meetings live, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) represents House District 7,
which includes portions of LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
