Board Approves Landmark Algebra Policy 4-3 After Decade-Long Debate

The San Francisco Board of Education ended a marathon session March 24 by restoring Algebra 1 to all middle schools — backed by Stanford research but split sharply over how much choice to give families — while voting to extend the school year into June to recover from February's teacher strike. Beneath both headline votes, alarming progress reports revealed that the district's literacy and math gains remain stuck: only two-thirds of classrooms are using the board-approved curriculum, and student practice metrics are near zero.

• Algebra returns to all SFUSD middle schools as board approves expanded math policy 4-3, with Stanford pilot data showing halved repeat rates and major equity gains

• Contentious opt-out amendment splits board on whether commissioners are micromanaging or protecting student access

• Third-grade literacy declines despite curriculum adoption; decodable text usage observed in as few as 0–9% of classrooms

• Five school days added in June to make up for strike losses, passing 6-1 over widespread family and community concerns

• Dozens of students demand school safety plans for immigrant families and reverse of newcomer program cuts as Mission Education Center enrollment collapses

• Paraeducator layoffs hit fifth straight year, with seniority errors in notices causing panic at school sites

• Elementary student expulsion fails 1-6, and the district loses jurisdiction over the case