For the last 10 years, 9th grade students had to take Algebra I and only had the opportunity to get ahead if they were chosen to take summer geometry, or if they took a compressed Algebra II and Precalculus class. However, a change is coming to the San Francisco Unified School District, as students will be able to incorporate Algebra I into eighth grade, allowing students to get ahead in math starting in their last year of middle school.
In 2024, San Francisco voters passed Prop G which would allow for eighth graders to take Algebra I. It received overwhelming support with 82% of voters in agreement. But while the measures have been approved, it would most likely take time and ample preparation for schools to implement these changes.
Ms. Schkoll says, “From a counseling perspective, we might not see this change until the next couple of months or years if they decide to go forward with the program and have the resources necessary. This affects middle schools mainly but also has a ripple effect on high schools.”
There would be more available opportunities to a larger group with the introduction of Algebra I into middle schools as the summer geometry course is very limited. Out of all the students from Galileo who successfully got into the program, 60 passed the summer geometry course. The program has very limited space and is very intensive according to SFUSD compared to a normal class which takes up a school year.
Students who have taken the summer class agree that the class moves fast. Sophomore Haoming Li says, “Summer geometry was super fast-paced pace like two tests a week, but as long as you study, you can keep up and learn a lot in a super short time.” Senior Jaden Lee adds, “Summer geometry was a fast-paced course over the summer that involved dedicated studying and multiple exams every week.”
With the changes though, more resources will have to be allocated towards geometry courses as more students enter with the qualifications to head straight into . More sections will be created for geometry and there will be more classes with 9th and 10th graders mixed together. There might even be an overload of these more-achieved students which would have a ripple effect on the more advanced classes as the students graduate. More sections of higher-level math classes like calculus, statistics, or pre-calculus would potentially have to be created along with more staff.
Ms. Schkoll says, “A student that took Algebra I in middle school will be able to rise up to pre-calc or calculus if they decide to go down that route in their three required years of mathematics for the A-G requirements. Or stats instead of calc.”
Giving more information about what SFUSD intends to do to go forward with the program, Mr. Ring says, “In the fall of 2024, 10 SFUSD high schools will be piloting an Algebra program at their schools. Students not at one of these 10 schools, will have the option to take Algebra online or in the summer before 9th grade. Two of the pilot schools are Marina and Francisco which are the two biggest feeder schools for Galileo, so we expect many 9th graders taking Geometry starting with the Fall of 2025.”
Mr. Marti says, “Generally speaking, I think we try to rush too many students through math too quickly rather than giving them time to make sense of the content and build their confidence. Now that some students will be taking Algebra 1 in middle school, it makes sense for them to continue on in Geometry in 9th grade. For many students, this may be great and will allow them to move to higher level math classes earlier.”
“My concern is that many other students will feel the pressure to take the fast track (either because their friends are doing it, or because their parents insist that they do this), which will undermine the depth of their understanding and their confidence as math learners. As for the Summer Geometry course, I think this is a good option for students who are highly motivated in math and who want to move to higher levels of math more quickly. As a voluntary path, I think it gives students options. Again, my concern is when students feel forced to go this route even though they might benefit from learning Geometry over one full year rather than rushing through it in a 6-week period.“
