Mathematics Education Requirements
H1113 revises Florida’s teacher-preparation and educator-certification rules to require more explicit mathematics content in programs that prepare and certify teachers. For state-approved teacher preparation programs, the bill adds a minimum of 6 credit hours of elementary mathematics content covering numbers and operations, fractions, algebraic reasoning, measurement, geometric reasoning, and data analysis and probability. It also requires educator preparation institutes and competency-based certification programs to include instruction and assessment in those same math areas, alongside existing requirements for reading instruction, literacy practices, and other educator competencies.
The bill also updates the professional learning certification pathway used by school districts, charter schools, and charter management organizations. Those programs must include mathematics content as part of the professional education preparation component for teachers on temporary certificates, and candidates must be assessed on their knowledge and performance. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with the substantive amendments to the affected statutes taking effect July 1, 2026.
The bill amends sections 1004.04, 1004.85, and 1012.56, Florida Statutes, by embedding specific elementary mathematics topics into teacher preparation, educator preparation institute programs, and competency-based professional learning certification programs. It expands the required curriculum for teacher candidates and certification participants, and it directs the Department of Education and approved programs to ensure instruction and assessment in mathematics practices are part of certification pathways. The practical effect is to raise the minimum math-content expectations for teacher preparation providers and for districts and other entities that certify teachers through alternative or competency-based routes.
The available voting history shows strong and unanimous support in committee, with recorded votes of 15-0 in the House Student Academic Success Subcommittee and 15-0 in the House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee. No committee transcripts were provided, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate opposition or concerns in the supplied materials. Overall, the bill appears to have been received favorably and without visible controversy at the committee stage.
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or vote records. Based on the bill text, any potential concerns would likely center on implementation burdens for teacher-preparation programs, educator preparation institutes, school districts, charter schools, and charter management organizations that must revise curricula, assessments, and professional learning structures to meet the new math-content requirements. However, the supplied materials do not show any organized opposition or disputed provisions.