San Francisco brings back Algebra

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.the74million.org/article/san-francisco-brings-back-8th-grade-algebra-to-broader-student-group/

After cutting back severely on access to Algebra 1 because it was not equitable, SFPS now are bringing it back for any students who are prepared.

One wonders how a parental lawsuit filed against SFPS factored into the policy reversal.

Algebra 1, prior to 9th grade, was pulled 12 years ago in an attempt to reform middle school mathematics to promote equity and reduce racial disparities in math. In other words, SF applied DEI to curtail and delay math instruction, in an attempt to solve the racial achievement gap.

But, instead, a 2023 Stanford study found it had the opposite effect: Participation in AP math classes in high school dropped by 15 percent, and wide racial gaps in math test scores remained or worsened.

When the outcome of SF's disastrous decision became clear, parental outrage ensued.

A non-binding proposition was eventually brought to the SF Board of Supervisors, pushing the district to reinstate the class, and was signed by 10 of 11 supervisors. A petition circled through parent groups, garnering hundreds of signatures, and one parent group even lodged a lawsuit against the district in 2023.

Asian students are the majority in most of the public schools followed by Latinos and Whites, Blacks are a small minority. DEI should have insured that all students had a chance at success not just the Asian students.

The parents who have means will ensure their kid gets access one way or another. The kids of the other parents rely solely on the school to provide such opportunities. Cutting the opportunities at school literally cut off their only way to access do of course test scores went down.

This. The least equitable approach is to water down content or limit access to advanced courses/material.

Agree, however: isn’t it ironic that the people claiming to champion equity are the exact same people who consistently try to water-down the content offered at our children’s public schools?

“Equity” was the excuse given for banning graded homework (or eliminating homework entirely), or making the absolute minimum grade a 50% for not showing up to class, or just handing out laptops and telling students to follow some software on their own.

Equity / DEIA has uniformly stood for the practice of lowering standards in public schools. That is the reality. That is the fact, no matter what the DEI-warriors claim.

I'll take that over the a-holes trying to defund our public schools.

Wait - do you seriously believe republicans are driving the decline in public education? You’re wrong if you do.

Democrats are the party in San Francisco which banned any student learning algebra prior to 9th grade (look at OP’s first post. The evidence is right there).

Democrats are the ones constantly pushing for lower and lower standards. Just look at the SOL cut score battle in Virginia: dems want lower standards.

Democrats were behind pushing g and implementing the disgraced Lucy Calkins literacy curriculum. Same with Common Core math.

Democrats are behind the push to hire more and more administrators (such as asst principals and central office staff, at the expense of more teachers).

The party who hates education is the democrats.

We can trace a lot of the toxic policies in education straight back to NLCB. Thanks, Republicans.

The cut scores shifted because there was a new SOL test in VA.

We need more administrators to deal with reporting (NCLB) and higher #s of kids with disabilities.

Again, I'll take Democrats who are trying to do the right thing but don't always get it right over the Republicans who are actively trying to burn everything to the ground, including public schools.

Red herring.

The No Child Left Behind Act was repealed in 2015.

[Anonymous]

The Mississippi miracle happened in a Republican state. It’s one of the best turnarounds we’ve ever seen, and it didn’t require crippling Mississippi’s budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Mississippi miracle happened in a Republican state. It’s one of the best turnarounds we’ve ever seen, and it didn’t require crippling Mississippi’s budget.

Because they changed who was being tested with higher retention rates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.the74million.org/article/san-francisco-brings-back-8th-grade-algebra-to-broader-student-group/

After cutting back severely on access to Algebra 1 because it was not equitable, SFPS now are bringing it back for any students who are prepared.

One wonders how a parental lawsuit filed against SFPS factored into the policy reversal.

Algebra 1, prior to 9th grade, was pulled 12 years ago in an attempt to reform middle school mathematics to promote equity and reduce racial disparities in math. In other words, SF applied DEI to curtail and delay math instruction, in an attempt to solve the racial achievement gap.

But, instead, a 2023 Stanford study found it had the opposite effect: Participation in AP math classes in high school dropped by 15 percent, and wide racial gaps in math test scores remained or worsened.

When the outcome of SF's disastrous decision became clear, parental outrage ensued.

A non-binding proposition was eventually brought to the SF Board of Supervisors, pushing the district to reinstate the class, and was signed by 10 of 11 supervisors. A petition circled through parent groups, garnering hundreds of signatures, and one parent group even lodged a lawsuit against the district in 2023.

Asian students are the majority in most of the public schools followed by Latinos and Whites, Blacks are a small minority. DEI should have insured that all students had a chance at success not just the Asian students.

The parents who have means will ensure their kid gets access one way or another. The kids of the other parents rely solely on the school to provide such opportunities. Cutting the opportunities at school literally cut off their only way to access do of course test scores went down.

This. The least equitable approach is to water down content or limit access to advanced courses/material.

Agree, however: isn’t it ironic that the people claiming to champion equity are the exact same people who consistently try to water-down the content offered at our children’s public schools?

“Equity” was the excuse given for banning graded homework (or eliminating homework entirely), or making the absolute minimum grade a 50% for not showing up to class, or just handing out laptops and telling students to follow some software on their own.

Equity / DEIA has uniformly stood for the practice of lowering standards in public schools. That is the reality. That is the fact, no matter what the DEI-warriors claim.

I'll take that over the a-holes trying to defund our public schools.

Wait - do you seriously believe republicans are driving the decline in public education? You’re wrong if you do.

Democrats are the party in San Francisco which banned any student learning algebra prior to 9th grade (look at OP’s first post. The evidence is right there).

Democrats are the ones constantly pushing for lower and lower standards. Just look at the SOL cut score battle in Virginia: dems want lower standards.

Democrats were behind pushing g and implementing the disgraced Lucy Calkins literacy curriculum. Same with Common Core math.

Democrats are behind the push to hire more and more administrators (such as asst principals and central office staff, at the expense of more teachers).

The party who hates education is the democrats.

We can trace a lot of the toxic policies in education straight back to NLCB. Thanks, Republicans.

The cut scores shifted because there was a new SOL test in VA.

We need more administrators to deal with reporting (NCLB) and higher #s of kids with disabilities.

Again, I'll take Democrats who are trying to do the right thing but don't always get it right over the Republicans who are actively trying to burn everything to the ground, including public schools.

Red herring.

The No Child Left Behind Act was repealed in 2015.

We still have the legacy of extensive testing (and corresponding teach to the test) and reporting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Mississippi miracle happened in a Republican state. It’s one of the best turnarounds we’ve ever seen, and it didn’t require crippling Mississippi’s budget.

Because they changed who was being tested with higher retention rates.

Stop the sour grapes. Clearly you are misinformed. Holding back a small percentage of their kids doesn’t lead to the massive turnaround that they had.

Do you trust the New York Times? Go listen to the podcast they had about it then report back.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/us/mississippi-schools-transformation.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/podcasts/the-daily/mississippi-schools-test-scores.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Mississippi miracle happened in a Republican state. It’s one of the best turnarounds we’ve ever seen, and it didn’t require crippling Mississippi’s budget.

They did the right thing and retained kids who are behind in reading and math at an early grade. I suspect that Mississippi, for all the success that it has had with reading and writing scores, is still far behind Virginia, and FCPS in particular, in SAT scores, AP scores and the like.

I would be perfectly happy if we started retaining kids in 2md or 3rd grade who were grade levels behind in reading and math, it would be better for those kids and the teachers if we did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Mississippi miracle happened in a Republican state. It’s one of the best turnarounds we’ve ever seen, and it didn’t require crippling Mississippi’s budget.

Because they changed who was being tested with higher retention rates.

You are probably getting your opinion from a debunked LA Times opinion column which tried to discredit the Mississippi miracle. Here is the rebuttal:

https://www.mississippifirst.org/the-truth-about-mississippis-naep-gains/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Mississippi miracle happened in a Republican state. It’s one of the best turnarounds we’ve ever seen, and it didn’t require crippling Mississippi’s budget.

They did the right thing and retained kids who are behind in reading and math at an early grade. I suspect that Mississippi, for all the success that it has had with reading and writing scores, is still far behind Virginia, and FCPS in particular, in SAT scores, AP scores and the like.

I would be perfectly happy if we started retaining kids in 2md or 3rd grade who were grade levels behind in reading and math, it would be better for those kids and the teachers if we did.

Most likely

I don't think they should retain most of those kids, but start intense reading interventions in 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Mississippi miracle happened in a Republican state. It’s one of the best turnarounds we’ve ever seen, and it didn’t require crippling Mississippi’s budget.

Because they changed who was being tested with higher retention rates.

You are probably getting your opinion from a debunked LA Times opinion column which tried to discredit the Mississippi miracle. Here is the rebuttal:

https://www.mississippifirst.org/the-truth-about-mississippis-naep-gains/

Did you read it?

This person is saying that there was no miracle and that the big gains were NOT from the Literacy-Based Promotion Act...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.the74million.org/article/san-francisco-brings-back-8th-grade-algebra-to-broader-student-group/

After cutting back severely on access to Algebra 1 because it was not equitable, SFPS now are bringing it back for any students who are prepared.

One wonders how a parental lawsuit filed against SFPS factored into the policy reversal.

Algebra 1, prior to 9th grade, was pulled 12 years ago in an attempt to reform middle school mathematics to promote equity and reduce racial disparities in math. In other words, SF applied DEI to curtail and delay math instruction, in an attempt to solve the racial achievement gap.

But, instead, a 2023 Stanford study found it had the opposite effect: Participation in AP math classes in high school dropped by 15 percent, and wide racial gaps in math test scores remained or worsened.

When the outcome of SF's disastrous decision became clear, parental outrage ensued.

A non-binding proposition was eventually brought to the SF Board of Supervisors, pushing the district to reinstate the class, and was signed by 10 of 11 supervisors. A petition circled through parent groups, garnering hundreds of signatures, and one parent group even lodged a lawsuit against the district in 2023.

Asian students are the majority in most of the public schools followed by Latinos and Whites, Blacks are a small minority. DEI should have insured that all students had a chance at success not just the Asian students.

The parents who have means will ensure their kid gets access one way or another. The kids of the other parents rely solely on the school to provide such opportunities. Cutting the opportunities at school literally cut off their only way to access do of course test scores went down.

This. The least equitable approach is to water down content or limit access to advanced courses/material.

Agree, however: isn’t it ironic that the people claiming to champion equity are the exact same people who consistently try to water-down the content offered at our children’s public schools?

“Equity” was the excuse given for banning graded homework (or eliminating homework entirely), or making the absolute minimum grade a 50% for not showing up to class, or just handing out laptops and telling students to follow some software on their own.

Equity / DEIA has uniformly stood for the practice of lowering standards in public schools. That is the reality. That is the fact, no matter what the DEI-warriors claim.

I'll take that over the a-holes trying to defund our public schools.

Wait - do you seriously believe republicans are driving the decline in public education? You’re wrong if you do.

Democrats are the party in San Francisco which banned any student learning algebra prior to 9th grade (look at OP’s first post. The evidence is right there).

Democrats are the ones constantly pushing for lower and lower standards. Just look at the SOL cut score battle in Virginia: dems want lower standards.

Democrats were behind pushing g and implementing the disgraced Lucy Calkins literacy curriculum. Same with Common Core math.

Democrats are behind the push to hire more and more administrators (such as asst principals and central office staff, at the expense of more teachers).

The party who hates education is the democrats.

We can trace a lot of the toxic policies in education straight back to NLCB. Thanks, Republicans.

. . .

I would not give credit to a post by someone who cannot even spell the acronym for NCLB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.the74million.org/article/san-francisco-brings-back-8th-grade-algebra-to-broader-student-group/

After cutting back severely on access to Algebra 1 because it was not equitable, SFPS now are bringing it back for any students who are prepared.

One wonders how a parental lawsuit filed against SFPS factored into the policy reversal.

Algebra 1, prior to 9th grade, was pulled 12 years ago in an attempt to reform middle school mathematics to promote equity and reduce racial disparities in math. In other words, SF applied DEI to curtail and delay math instruction, in an attempt to solve the racial achievement gap.

But, instead, a 2023 Stanford study found it had the opposite effect: Participation in AP math classes in high school dropped by 15 percent, and wide racial gaps in math test scores remained or worsened.

When the outcome of SF's disastrous decision became clear, parental outrage ensued.

A non-binding proposition was eventually brought to the SF Board of Supervisors, pushing the district to reinstate the class, and was signed by 10 of 11 supervisors. A petition circled through parent groups, garnering hundreds of signatures, and one parent group even lodged a lawsuit against the district in 2023.

Asian students are the majority in most of the public schools followed by Latinos and Whites, Blacks are a small minority. DEI should have insured that all students had a chance at success not just the Asian students.

The parents who have means will ensure their kid gets access one way or another. The kids of the other parents rely solely on the school to provide such opportunities. Cutting the opportunities at school literally cut off their only way to access do of course test scores went down.

This. The least equitable approach is to water down content or limit access to advanced courses/material.

Agree, however: isn’t it ironic that the people claiming to champion equity are the exact same people who consistently try to water-down the content offered at our children’s public schools?

“Equity” was the excuse given for banning graded homework (or eliminating homework entirely), or making the absolute minimum grade a 50% for not showing up to class, or just handing out laptops and telling students to follow some software on their own.

Equity / DEIA has uniformly stood for the practice of lowering standards in public schools. That is the reality. That is the fact, no matter what the DEI-warriors claim.

I'll take that over the a-holes trying to defund our public schools.

Wait - do you seriously believe republicans are driving the decline in public education? You’re wrong if you do.

Democrats are the party in San Francisco which banned any student learning algebra prior to 9th grade (look at OP’s first post. The evidence is right there).

Democrats are the ones constantly pushing for lower and lower standards. Just look at the SOL cut score battle in Virginia: dems want lower standards.

Democrats were behind pushing g and implementing the disgraced Lucy Calkins literacy curriculum. Same with Common Core math.

Democrats are behind the push to hire more and more administrators (such as asst principals and central office staff, at the expense of more teachers).

The party who hates education is the democrats.

We can trace a lot of the toxic policies in education straight back to NLCB. Thanks, Republicans.

. . .

I would not give credit to a post by someone who cannot even spell the acronym for NCLB.

Typo, dipshit. Which is probably why you deleted out the rest of the quote, including the part where I spelled it correctly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Mississippi miracle happened in a Republican state. It’s one of the best turnarounds we’ve ever seen, and it didn’t require crippling Mississippi’s budget.

Because they changed who was being tested with higher retention rates.

You are probably getting your opinion from a debunked LA Times opinion column which tried to discredit the Mississippi miracle. Here is the rebuttal:

https://www.mississippifirst.org/the-truth-about-mississippis-naep-gains/

Did you read it?

This person is saying that there was no miracle and that the big gains were NOT from the Literacy-Based Promotion Act...

At the end of the day the gains are still real and not a result of fraud. Credit should be given where it is due, and lessons should be learned from this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.the74million.org/article/san-francisco-brings-back-8th-grade-algebra-to-broader-student-group/

After cutting back severely on access to Algebra 1 because it was not equitable, SFPS now are bringing it back for any students who are prepared.

One wonders how a parental lawsuit filed against SFPS factored into the policy reversal.

Algebra 1, prior to 9th grade, was pulled 12 years ago in an attempt to reform middle school mathematics to promote equity and reduce racial disparities in math. In other words, SF applied DEI to curtail and delay math instruction, in an attempt to solve the racial achievement gap.

But, instead, a 2023 Stanford study found it had the opposite effect: Participation in AP math classes in high school dropped by 15 percent, and wide racial gaps in math test scores remained or worsened.

When the outcome of SF's disastrous decision became clear, parental outrage ensued.

A non-binding proposition was eventually brought to the SF Board of Supervisors, pushing the district to reinstate the class, and was signed by 10 of 11 supervisors. A petition circled through parent groups, garnering hundreds of signatures, and one parent group even lodged a lawsuit against the district in 2023.

Asian students are the majority in most of the public schools followed by Latinos and Whites, Blacks are a small minority. DEI should have insured that all students had a chance at success not just the Asian students.

The parents who have means will ensure their kid gets access one way or another. The kids of the other parents rely solely on the school to provide such opportunities. Cutting the opportunities at school literally cut off their only way to access do of course test scores went down.

This. The least equitable approach is to water down content or limit access to advanced courses/material.

Agree, however: isn’t it ironic that the people claiming to champion equity are the exact same people who consistently try to water-down the content offered at our children’s public schools?

“Equity” was the excuse given for banning graded homework (or eliminating homework entirely), or making the absolute minimum grade a 50% for not showing up to class, or just handing out laptops and telling students to follow some software on their own.

Equity / DEIA has uniformly stood for the practice of lowering standards in public schools. That is the reality. That is the fact, no matter what the DEI-warriors claim.

I'll take that over the a-holes trying to defund our public schools.

Wait - do you seriously believe republicans are driving the decline in public education? You’re wrong if you do.

Democrats are the party in San Francisco which banned any student learning algebra prior to 9th grade (look at OP’s first post. The evidence is right there).

Democrats are the ones constantly pushing for lower and lower standards. Just look at the SOL cut score battle in Virginia: dems want lower standards.

Democrats were behind pushing g and implementing the disgraced Lucy Calkins literacy curriculum. Same with Common Core math.

Democrats are behind the push to hire more and more administrators (such as asst principals and central office staff, at the expense of more teachers).

The party who hates education is the democrats.

We can trace a lot of the toxic policies in education straight back to NLCB. Thanks, Republicans.

The cut scores shifted because there was a new SOL test in VA.

We need more administrators to deal with reporting (NCLB) and higher #s of kids with disabilities.

Again, I'll take Democrats who are trying to do the right thing but don't always get it right over the Republicans who are actively trying to burn everything to the ground, including public schools.

Red herring.

The No Child Left Behind Act was repealed in 2015.

We still have the legacy of extensive testing (and corresponding teach to the test) and reporting.

This is the leftwing version of screaming "Obama! Biden!" 10 years later

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Mississippi miracle happened in a Republican state. It’s one of the best turnarounds we’ve ever seen, and it didn’t require crippling Mississippi’s budget.

Because they changed who was being tested with higher retention rates.

You are probably getting your opinion from a debunked LA Times opinion column which tried to discredit the Mississippi miracle. Here is the rebuttal:

https://www.mississippifirst.org/the-truth-about-mississippis-naep-gains/

Did you read it?

This person is saying that there was no miracle and that the big gains were NOT from the Literacy-Based Promotion Act...

At the end of the day the gains are still real and not a result of fraud. Credit should be given where it is due, and lessons should be learned from this.

Yes, they made a variety of changes that have improved test scores. It'd be interesting to see longer-term analysis on SAT scores, graduation rates, etc.

But as the article says, there was no "miracle".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.the74million.org/article/san-francisco-brings-back-8th-grade-algebra-to-broader-student-group/

After cutting back severely on access to Algebra 1 because it was not equitable, SFPS now are bringing it back for any students who are prepared.

One wonders how a parental lawsuit filed against SFPS factored into the policy reversal.

Algebra 1, prior to 9th grade, was pulled 12 years ago in an attempt to reform middle school mathematics to promote equity and reduce racial disparities in math. In other words, SF applied DEI to curtail and delay math instruction, in an attempt to solve the racial achievement gap.

But, instead, a 2023 Stanford study found it had the opposite effect: Participation in AP math classes in high school dropped by 15 percent, and wide racial gaps in math test scores remained or worsened.

When the outcome of SF's disastrous decision became clear, parental outrage ensued.

A non-binding proposition was eventually brought to the SF Board of Supervisors, pushing the district to reinstate the class, and was signed by 10 of 11 supervisors. A petition circled through parent groups, garnering hundreds of signatures, and one parent group even lodged a lawsuit against the district in 2023.

Asian students are the majority in most of the public schools followed by Latinos and Whites, Blacks are a small minority. DEI should have insured that all students had a chance at success not just the Asian students.

The parents who have means will ensure their kid gets access one way or another. The kids of the other parents rely solely on the school to provide such opportunities. Cutting the opportunities at school literally cut off their only way to access do of course test scores went down.

This. The least equitable approach is to water down content or limit access to advanced courses/material.

Agree, however: isn’t it ironic that the people claiming to champion equity are the exact same people who consistently try to water-down the content offered at our children’s public schools?

“Equity” was the excuse given for banning graded homework (or eliminating homework entirely), or making the absolute minimum grade a 50% for not showing up to class, or just handing out laptops and telling students to follow some software on their own.

Equity / DEIA has uniformly stood for the practice of lowering standards in public schools. That is the reality. That is the fact, no matter what the DEI-warriors claim.

I'll take that over the a-holes trying to defund our public schools.

Wait - do you seriously believe republicans are driving the decline in public education? You’re wrong if you do.

Democrats are the party in San Francisco which banned any student learning algebra prior to 9th grade (look at OP’s first post. The evidence is right there).

Democrats are the ones constantly pushing for lower and lower standards. Just look at the SOL cut score battle in Virginia: dems want lower standards.

Democrats were behind pushing g and implementing the disgraced Lucy Calkins literacy curriculum. Same with Common Core math.

Democrats are behind the push to hire more and more administrators (such as asst principals and central office staff, at the expense of more teachers).

The party who hates education is the democrats.

We can trace a lot of the toxic policies in education straight back to NLCB. Thanks, Republicans.

The cut scores shifted because there was a new SOL test in VA.

We need more administrators to deal with reporting (NCLB) and higher #s of kids with disabilities.

Again, I'll take Democrats who are trying to do the right thing but don't always get it right over the Republicans who are actively trying to burn everything to the ground, including public schools.

Red herring.

The No Child Left Behind Act was repealed in 2015.

We still have the legacy of extensive testing (and corresponding teach to the test) and reporting.

This is the leftwing version of screaming "Obama! Biden!" 10 years later

Except...that's not comparable at all.


After NCLB was repealed schools continued to test and continued to provide reporting to state/federal organizations. It's not like it all just vanished.