Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Unequal algebra access in Philly is ‘discriminatory’ says key city official as district plans changes

chalkbeat.org · 5dShare

Sign up for Chalkbeat Philadelphia’s free newsletter to keep up with news on the city’s public school system. Philadelphia school officials say they want all eighth graders to have the opportunity to take an algebra course before high school, but they’re still roughly 50 schools and a school year away from reaching that goal. Until everyone has access, the district’s math offerings remain inequitable, education advocates and city councilmembers said at a City Hall hearing on Thursday. And councilmembers said they want schools to offer the course to all students regardless of where they live or their test scores, although not everyone is necessarily on board with that idea. Philly school leaders announced Thursday they intend to offer algebra at all 126 district schools that enroll eighth graders by the 2027-28 school year — for those students who are prepared for the extra rigor. That determination will be made based on students’ sixth grade Star test scores. “We certainly want to offe

First report: Murphy says eighth grade algebra report not correct — cambridgeday.com, 5d