It Took 12 Years for San Francisco to Fix Its No-Algebra-for-Equity Messhttps://hotair.com/john-s-2/2026/03/23/it-took-12-years-for-san-francisco-to-fix-its-no-algebra-for-equity-mess-n3813163I've been writing about this for so many years that I feel obligated to write about it now that this long story is finally coming to an end. Twelve years after the city of San Francisco decided to end the teaching of Algebra in 8th grade, which it specifically did for equity, the city will finally be able to offer it again in most middle schools next year.
Since San Francisco’s school district removed Algebra 1 from all public middle and K-8 schools in 2014, families have pushed for its return.
Starting next school year, the math course is set to be an option for all 8th graders again for the first time in more than a decade. But after two years of piloting different options for the course’s implementation, there’s still internal and external debate on exactly how Algebra 1 should be offered. Think of it as solving for x after it took twelve years to solve for y.
At 19 of its 21 middle and K-8 schools, the district plans to offer Algebra 1 as an additional elective course. All students would be automatically enrolled in Math 8 — the final class in SFUSD’s current K-8 math sequence — while some could also choose to take Algebra 1 if deemed academically eligible.
After 12 years of hobbling everybody instead of trying to help the slower improve, SF has finally decided to let those with the aptitude keep their own pace? How shocking, innovative!!!
