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SALT LAKE CITY — A move to better prepare high schoolers for college-level math passed the House on Tuesday.
SB196 would establish paths for students to demonstrate necessary math skills, depending on what their plans are after high school. For college-bound students, the bill would require them to show math proficiency at a college entry level before they earn their high school diploma.
Students not planning to go to college would have to demonstrate the math skills required to earn a career and technical education certificate. But if they change their mind, they could be admitted in a Utah college after taking a math placement test.
Students could demonstrate competency through an exam, such as the ACT, advanced placement or college placement tests. They could also use concurrent enrollment courses to fulfill the competency requirement.
House Majority Whip Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton, the bill's floor sponsor, said the initiative would focus on competency, and that requiring high schoolers to take four years of math wouldn't facilitate the same proficiency outcome.
"Additional seat time is not the answer. What this bill does is test what we know, give us credit for what we know," Gibson said.
Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Salt Lake City, said establishing academic pathways in state law would limit the ability for state education leaders to develop alternative solutions.
"I've seen a trend in the last few years (of the) Legislature dictating more and more requirements," Moss said. "Let the State (School) Board make those decisions. Let high school math teachers come together and really talk about what's beneficial to kids."
Rep. Justin Fawson, R-North Ogden, said the bill would facilitate a partnership between the board and higher education to improve student literacy and reduce the number of students having to take remedial coursework.
"Obviously it would be better for us to leave the decision with the State School Board and run things through that normal process," Fawson said. "I'm fully supportive of that, but when we involve higher education, it takes this type of step to make that happen."
The bill passed the House in a 54-20 vote and awaits further consideration by the Senate before going to the governor.
