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Teaching standards

North Carolina's New Math Instruction Law (H875): What K-8 Teachers Must Know

North Carolina now requires every district to adopt state-approved math screening, instructional support, and teacher training systems for kindergarten through eighth grade, effective this school year.

Check your state. Teaching standards and education policies change often and vary by state and district. Always confirm dates, requirements, and details with your state department of education or district office. This site is for general information, not professional or legal advice.

What the law requires

H875 (2025-26 session) directs the Department of Public Instruction to maintain approved lists, and districts must select from them:

  1. A math assessment and support system for screening and progress monitoring toward grade-level math proficiency.
  2. A math instructional system used for math support and intervention.
  3. Professional learning offerings for K-8 mathematics teachers.

Why lawmakers did it

The law states the General Assembly's priority that students become grade-level math proficient, and tasks DPI with a system of support for all K-8 students and their teachers. It also pulls future math standards changes into legislative oversight: DPI must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on any newly adopted math standards before implementing them.

What to do now

  1. Find out which screening system your district selected and learn its benchmark windows.
  2. Expect training on the instructional support system; it is meant to be used for intervention, not just assessment.
  3. Use printable math worksheets for extra practice aligned to the skills your screeners flag.

Sources