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House · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session

HB 1030: Math Matters Act; enact

Last action July 1, 2026 · Effective Date

House Bill 1030, the Math Matters Act, would require Georgia public schools to add advanced math courses in grades six through ten and boost core math instruction time in grades four and five, starting with the 2027-2028 school year.

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These buttons carry the bill's own text, not the summaries below. Copy for LLM, View as markdown, and Send to AI use the Markdown version: the text as filed, then the summaries under a heading that names them as ours. View raw is the text alone.

The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.

In plain language

Georgia currently has no statewide requirement for advanced math course offerings or a minimum amount of daily math instruction in elementary school. This bill creates the Math Matters Act inside Georgia's education code (O.C.G.A. Title 20, Chapter 2) to change that. Starting with the 2027-2028 school year, local school districts must provide at least 60 minutes a day or 300 minutes a week of core math instruction in grades four and five. The State Board of Education must set standards for advanced math courses in grades eight through ten by January 1, 2027, and the Department of Education must help districts build advanced courses in grades six and seven. Districts must automatically enroll high-scoring students in advanced math, let parents opt out, and let parents request enrollment for other students. Districts must report enrollment data yearly, and the law cannot be waived by charter systems or strategic waiver schools. The bill also directs the Professional Standards Commission to update teacher certification standards to cover evidence based math instruction. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

What the bill does

  • Creates the Math Matters Act, adding a new Georgia Code section requiring math instruction and advanced course reforms in public schools.
  • Requires at least 60 minutes daily or 300 minutes weekly of core math instruction for students in grades four and five starting in 2027-2028.
  • Requires the State Board of Education to set content standards for advanced math courses in grades eight through ten by January 1, 2027.
  • Requires local school districts to automatically enroll high-scoring students in advanced math courses in grades six through ten, with an opt-out process for parents.
  • Requires the Department of Education to publish an annual report on advanced math enrollment, broken down by race, sex, income, disability, and language proficiency.
  • Requires the Professional Standards Commission to update teacher certification standards so future elementary teachers are trained in evidence based math instruction.

Who it affects

Students in Georgia public elementary and middle schools, especially those in grades four through ten; parents and guardians who will receive enrollment notices and opt-out or opt-in choices; local school districts and charter systems, which must build new courses and reporting systems; and colleges training future elementary school teachers.

Why it matters

Georgia students who test well in math would be automatically placed into more challenging courses unless a parent opts them out, and younger students would get more guaranteed math class time. Teacher training programs would also have to change what they teach about math instruction, affecting how future teachers are prepared.

Key provisions

  • Section 1 adds O.C.G.A. § 20-2-153.2, naming the law the 'Math Matters Act' and defining terms like 'advanced math course' and 'four strands of mathematical proficiency.'
  • Section 1(c) sets a minimum of 60 minutes daily or 300 minutes weekly of core math instruction for grades four and five beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.
  • Section 1(e) requires the State Board of Education to adopt advanced math content standards for grades eight through ten by January 1, 2027, including Enhanced Algebra: Concepts and Connections.
  • Section 1(f) requires automatic enrollment of high-scoring students into advanced math courses in grades six through ten, with a parent withdrawal procedure and a request process for other students.
  • Section 1(f)(4) requires the Department of Education to submit an annual report to House and Senate education and appropriations committees starting October 1, 2028.
  • Section 1(g) blocks charter systems, strategic waiver school systems, and certain other schools from waiving out of these requirements.
  • Section 2 revises O.C.G.A. § 20-2-984 to require GACE teacher certification tests, beginning July 1, 2028, to align with evidence based math instruction as well as literacy instruction.
  • Section 2 also requires teacher certification programs to ensure elementary education graduates can teach the four strands of mathematical proficiency and use evidence based math instruction and interventions.

From the bill

“Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, each local education agency shall require at least 60 minutes daily or 300 minutes weekly of core math instructional time for students in grades four and five.”

This sets the new minimum math instruction time for fourth and fifth graders.

“Automatically enroll in an advanced math course each student who receives a score of distinguished learner on the state-wide end-of-grade or end-of-course math assessment at the end of the prior school year”

This describes the automatic enrollment rule for high-scoring students in advanced math.

“This Code section shall not be subject to waivers pursuant to Code Section 20-2-82 for a strategic waivers school system, Code Section 20-2-244 for a local board of education, Code Section 20-2-2063.2 for a charter system, or Code Section 20-2-2065 for a charter system or schools within a charter system, or any completion special school.”

This blocks charter and waiver schools from opting out of the new math requirements.

Discussed in meetings (16)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

  1. House Education Committee, February 19, 2026

    From 1:02:15 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the substitute to HB 1030 would guarantee advanced math access for academically ready middle and high school students, strengthen math training in teacher preparation programs, and require at least 60 minutes of daily core math instruction in fourth and fifth grades. As an example, the sponsor said a seventh grader scoring Distinguished Learner on Georgia Milestones would gain access to advanced math. The sponsor pointed to Alabama's math reforms and said Alabama was the only state whose latest fourth-grade national assessment results had returned to prepandemic levels. The sponsor also cited nationwide voter support of 86% for advanced-course access and 90% for daily elementary math instruction, and said Gwinnett County Schools supported the proposal. The chair emphasized teacher preparation, while another member described a child's success after receiving access to higher-level math. No substantive questions were asked. After repeating the vote to identify the substitute correctly, the committee approved it by voice vote.

  2. House Rules Committee, February 23, 2026

    From 0:24:42 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1030 would expand access to advanced math based on seventh-grade testing, strengthen future teachers' math knowledge and teaching skills, and require 60 minutes of daily core math in fourth and fifth grades. Asked about pressure on advanced classes, the sponsor said the original bill had been changed so students scoring at the distinguished level would be enrolled automatically, while local schools would decide how to handle proficient students. Asked about local flexibility and charter-school exemptions, the sponsor said the covered schools would not have waivers.

  3. House Rules Committee, February 25, 2026

    From 1:44:23 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HB 1030 on the current day's floor calendar after a motion and second. The chair asked for opposition and declared it added. No substantive discussion was shown.

  4. House floor session, February 25, 2026 (legislative day 24)

    From 4:39:48 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1573

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1030 had three parts: automatic advanced-math placement for students scoring distinguished on the seventh-grade end-of-grade test, a locally established route for proficient students, stronger preparation for future teachers, and 60 minutes of daily core math instruction in fourth and fifth grades. The sponsor said advanced placement would let students take algebra in eighth grade and geometry in ninth grade. The sponsor cited Alabama's subsequent fourth-grade test improvement after similar legislation and said 86% of voters nationwide supported the policy. Asked about evidence-based math teaching, the sponsor described problem-solving, procedural fluency, conceptual understanding and productive attitudes toward math. A supporting member with honors-math teaching experience said objective placement could improve access regardless of family advocacy, but warned that advancing students before they mastered fundamentals could undermine confidence. That member emphasized strong elementary-teacher preparation. Other members voiced support for math's role in education and careers. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 171 to 0.

  5. Senate Education and Youth Committee, March 12, 2026

    From 0:26:33 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute incorporating advanced-math provisions from SB 171. The sponsor said it would require 60 minutes of daily math in fourth and fifth grades, establish advanced-math standards for grades eight through ten, automatically place students scoring distinguished into advanced courses with a parental opt-out, and provide placement guidelines for proficient students. The sponsor also described student supports, parent notices, state reporting, a prohibition on waivers, and changes to teacher preparation and assessments. The sponsor cited Alabama’s math results as support for longer instruction. One member questioned whether testing-based placement could overlook capable students with less early exposure. The sponsor pointed to the daily instruction requirement; a GACES witness supported using multiple measures for proficient students. Another respondent said current instructional time varies by school. Witnesses for Georgia CAN and ExcelinEd in Action supported early preparation and access, while a Georgia Chamber witness emphasized workforce needs. Asked about advanced versus accelerated courses, the sponsor defined advanced courses as more rigorous than grade-level work, and presenters said local gifted programs could continue. The committee advanced the substitute by a show of hands, with one opposed and no affirmative count announced.

  6. Senate Rules Committee, March 18, 2026

    From 0:05:31 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor described HB 1030 as providing guaranteed math access for grades six through ten, automatic enrollment for students rated distinguished, 60 minutes of math for fourth and fifth graders, and improved math training for future teachers. There were no substantive questions or calendar action.

  7. Senate Rules Committee, March 19, 2026

    From 0:45:48 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor described the bill as combining earlier proposals. The sponsor said it would require one hour of math in fourth and fifth grades and automatically place sixth-through-tenth-grade students rated distinguished on relevant assessments into advanced math. Students rated proficient would be considered through local discussions. No substantive questions or scheduling decision followed.

  8. Senate Rules Committee, March 20, 2026

    From 0:15:44 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor described the bill as providing an hour of reading for fourth- and fifth-grade students and automatic enrollment for distinguished learners in grades six through ten. The sponsor said placement for proficient math learners would be discussed locally and that GACE would begin teaching the material to college teachers in 2028. Members asked no substantive questions. The chair later selected the bill for the floor calendar, which the committee approved unanimously.

  9. Senate floor session, March 23, 2026 (legislative day 36)

    From 2:14:36 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Third Read)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The presenter said HB 1030 would guarantee access to advanced math in middle and high school using Georgia Milestones scores rather than selection by teachers or counselors. The presenter also described improved teacher preparation and a requirement for 60 minutes of daily core math instruction in fourth and fifth grades. The presenter said earlier skill-building helps later achievement and cited Alabama’s approach as a model. The committee substitute’s caption also described parent information, enrollment and withdrawal procedures, annual reports and restrictions on waivers. No questions or opposing speeches followed. The Senate adopted the substitute and passed it 51-0.

  10. House floor session, March 27, 2026 (legislative day 38, part 2)

    From 0:36:40 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the Senate substitute to HB 1030, the Math Matters Act, combined the measure with advanced-mathematics provisions from another Senate bill. The sponsor said students classified as distinguished learners in grades six through ten would automatically enter advanced math. Proficient learners could opt in under local school guidelines and discussions involving teachers, schools, parents and students. No questions were asked. The House agreed to the Senate substitute 158 to 0.

Status timeline

  1. 2026-07-01Effective Date
  2. 2026-05-05Act 394
  3. 2026-05-05House Date Signed by Governor (House)
  4. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
  5. 2026-03-27House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
  6. 2026-03-23Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
  7. 2026-03-23Senate Third Read (Senate)
  8. 2026-03-18Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
Show full history (16 actions)
  1. 2026-03-16Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
  2. 2026-02-26Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
  3. 2026-02-25House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
  4. 2026-02-25House Third Readers (House)
  5. 2026-02-20House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
  6. 2026-01-29House Second Readers (House)
  7. 2026-01-28House First Readers (House)
  8. 2026-01-27House Hopper (House)

Sponsors

  • Sandy Donatucci (R, HD-105)Primary sponsor
  • Chris Erwin (R, HD-32)
  • Jan Jones (R, HD-47)
  • Matt Dubnik (R, HD-29)
  • Scott Hilton (R, HD-48)
  • Soo Hong (R, HD-103)
  • Steven McNeel (R, SD-18)

Votes

  1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 25, 2026

    171 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 5 excused)

    PASSAGE: House Vote #560

  2. PassedSenate voteMarch 23, 2026

    51 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 1 excused)

    PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #785

  3. PassedHouse voteMarch 27, 2026

    158 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 13 excused)

    Agree to Senate Substitute: House Vote #778

Topics

  • math education
  • public schools
  • teacher certification
  • advanced coursework
  • K-12 curriculum

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