The Great Number of PI

Children sitting at a desk with a graphic overlay   

SFUSD continues to grapple with the challenge of how to provide high quality mathematics instruction and programming for ALL students in a manner that ensures equity and access, and results in positive outcomes in math skill and concept attainment and how students and staff experience math. We applaud the district for including, “joyful engagement, equity-driven differentiated supports, and professional learning consisting of targeted coaching and resources” as critical components of those desired experiences.  

SFUSD has decided to amend its math policy to provide opportunities for acceleration, including Algebra in 8th grade and to do so in a way that does not foster tracking of students throughout the school day. This “no tracking” stipulation is the linchpin of the decision and gives it promise. Advanced mathematics learning opportunities for students are vital in ensuring that students who need these courses are challenged and engaged. However, participation in advanced math courses must not be the vehicle for establishing exclusionary programs and or classes. Being an advanced learner in one subject area does not mean that one is advanced in all and these practices are often result in tracking that occurs along lines of race/ethnicity where white and Asian students are placed in the advanced courses while black, Latino/a, English Learners, and/or students with disabilities, disproportionately, are placed in remedial courses without a pathway out.   

While SFUSD’s stance is to be applauded, the devil of course, is in the details. Ensuring that tracking does not occur will require vigilance and on-going monitoring and support to school sites with placement decisions and master scheduling. The real battle, however, will be with the perception of scarcity and those parents who have such a sense of entitlement and privilege and who will fight tooth and nail for their child to be placed in these classes as a symbol of status, difference, distinction–the golden ticket, regardless of the student’s aptitude, interest, and/or ability to be successful in such courses. SFUSD must prepare to weather this onslaught to ensure that their expressed desired mathematics experiences for students and staff become a reality.