MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On Tuesday, April 5, Gov. Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 171 which will completely remove Common Core mathematics as the standard practice for arithmetic throughout the state’s education procedures.
The Numeracy Act, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr (R) and Rep. Alan Baker (R), is a strategic approach to improving mathematics achievement.
“Students will not only understand how to find an answer,” said Ivey, “but will have the mathematical reasoning needed for the in-demand STEM jobs in Alabama.”
In 2019, Gov. Ivey and the Alabama State Department of Education eliminated Common Core from Alabama’s mathematics standards. With the Gov. Ivey’s signature, this legislation eradicates these standards entirely.
After signing the bill, Gov. Ivey issued the following statement:
“Literacy and numeracy are the blocking and tackling of education, plain and simple. For our students to have positive educational outcomes and to have success later in life, we must ensure proficiency in both reading and math is achieved. That is why, here in Alabama, we are focusing on what matters, and that is core instruction – not any of the other nonsense. Alabama parents wholeheartedly agree with that. We cannot accept passing our students along without the proper foundation as the status quo, and that is why I have proudly signed the Alabama Numeracy Act into law. This strategic, targeted and wise investment in our children will provide necessary resources, will include high-quality instruction and will keep our schools accountable. The Alabama Numeracy Act delivers on my commitment to place the same sense of urgency on math as we rightfully have on reading.”
