San Francisco Algebra Detracking
Removing 8th-grade algebra didn't close gaps - and wealthy families routed around it.
D · 11/24
1 · The idealist case (in its proponents' own framing)
Detrack math to promote equity.
2 · The realist counter-case
Critics say it held back ready students.
3 · Predicted vs. measured — with caveats
SFUSD removed 8th-grade algebra (2014); Stanford found ethnic gaps ~unchanged; reversed by Prop G (~82%, 2024).
4 · Liberty check
Equity aim vs. individual readiness/choice.
5 · The real tradeoff
Reversed by voters - a cautionary equity case.
Allies & Playbook
If you want to copy this, start here.
No individual sponsor record is catalogued for this policy yet. Start with the primary sources below and the Allies directory.