Senators approved legislation that would provide grants to school districts and charter schools that want to adopt Singapore math, an instruction model that teaches students to attack math problems by developing images in their minds.

Stephenson has praised the teaching method in the past and voiced frustration with what he perceives as the Utah Office of Education's reluctance to adopt it.

SB159 would move $500,000 of school math funding to the grant program. Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, said that given the state's budget shortfalls "this is not the time to create new programs."

"We've been concerned about America being at-risk with our status in math and science and engineering. We're finding that America doesn't grow the number of engineering scientists and mathematicians that we need for even our most basic needs in the military as well as our space administration," Stephenson said.

The measure now goes to the House for consideration.