Ohio Enacts New Law Aiming to Boost Student Math Performance

In June, Governor Mike DeWine approved Senate Bill 19, a comprehensive reform aimed at reversing the decline in Ohio's math rankings that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. Sponsored by Republican Senator Andrew Brenner, the bill mandates that prospective elementary and middle-school teachers pass math licensure exams, ensuring a baseline of subject knowledge. Schools receiving 51% or fewer proficient scores on third-grade assessments must develop a math achievement improvement plan for the 2026-27 school year, while also providing intervention services for struggling learners.

Starting in 2027-28, the state Department of Education will randomly audit up to 5% of schools to verify the effectiveness of these interventions. The law also creates pathways for gifted students to enter accelerated math courses based on test scores rather than parental advocacy. Analysts, including Aaron Churchill of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, caution that substantial progress will require sustained effort and proper implementation.