San Francisco's Algebra War

We can add SFUSD’s math sequence to the long list of progressive policies that promise equity but end up hurting the very communities they are supposed to

This op-ed was first published in Manhattan Institute’s City Journal.

Photo by Antoine Dautry on Unsplash

Math instruction in the United States traditionally follows a sequence: Algebra I in eighth grade, followed in succeeding grades by Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus. The progression is designed to give all students a good foundation in math and to allow advanced students to take Calculus in twelfth grade, academically preparing them for college majors in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Research shows that early access to algebra has resulted in more students taking advanced math coursework later in high school and increased academic achievement. For example, taking algebra in sixth grade is a key reason why students from China and Singapore routinely outperform U.S. students in math and science. 

Yet, the math policy of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), implemented in 2014, has taken students backward by delaying Algebra I until ninth grade. T…