A bill advancing at the state Capitol would establish a statewide numeracy coaching program in Hawaii public schools, as lawmakers and education officials grapple with persistent gaps in math achievement.

House Bill 1781, introduced by state Rep. Trish La Chica (D, Waipio-Mililani), would create the “Hawaii Numeracy Act” and require the state Department of Education to hire and deploy trained math coaches to schools across the state, prioritizing elementary campuses and those with the lowest proficiency rates.