"In 2014, the district pulled the class from middle school curriculum over concerns that offering the class in eighth grade contributed to racial disparities in advanced math placement. The move was part of a district effort to reduce 'tracking,' which sorted students by ability, and left a disproportionate number of low-income, Black and Latino students behind."
"A 2023 study by Stanford University found that removing the class failed to reduce racial disparities in advanced math participation. In some cases, it had the opposite effect."
"An overwhelming 80 percent of San Francisco residents voted in favor of offering the class. The district recently came up with a solution with the approval of the school board, whose president, Phil Kim, is running to keep his seat."
"Next year, the class will be offered as an elective for all eighth grade students, in addition to the standard eighth grade math class, Math 8. Students who meet the academic requirements may opt out of Math 8 altogether and head straight to Algebra 1."
The debate over Algebra 1 in San Francisco schools has intensified, with parents and candidates divided. In 2014, the district removed Algebra 1 from middle schools to address racial disparities in advanced math. A 2023 Stanford study revealed this decision did not reduce disparities and may have worsened them. Following overwhelming community support for reinstating the class, the school board approved offering Algebra 1 as an elective for eighth graders, alongside Math 8. Candidates for the school board have differing views on this issue, particularly Brandee Marckmann, who opposes the reinstatement despite public support.
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