House Bill No. by Representative Wyble aims to enhance teacher certification and professional development in numeracy for educators in Louisiana. The bill amends existing law to require that applicants for teacher certification complete specific coursework or training in foundational numeracy, as established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Additionally, it mandates that teachers applying for initial certification to teach kindergarten through eighth grade must fulfill these numeracy requirements, with implementation set to begin on September 1, 2028.

Furthermore, the bill expands professional development requirements to include kindergarten through third grade teachers, ensuring they also receive training in numeracy instruction. It introduces the provision for numeracy coaches to support teachers in these grades, focusing on evidence-based mathematics instruction. The bill allows for the use of state and federal funds for implementation, provided that expenditures are allowable under relevant guidelines. It also maintains existing provisions that prevent the extension of teachers' work hours and permits school authorities to offer stipends for completing numeracy training outside regular work hours.

Statutes affected:
HB321 Original: 17:13(A)(2)