San Francisco schools audit math curriculum to boost eighth grade performance by 2027

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is setting ambitious goals to improve math proficiency among eighth graders, aiming for 65% of students to meet standards by October 2027. Currently, only 39.7% of eighth graders are meeting these benchmarks, highlighting a significant gap that district leaders are determined to close.

During a recent workshop, district officials discussed the importance of curriculum and instruction in achieving these goals. Superintendent Wayne emphasized the need for a focused approach, stating, "We have a ways to go to meet the goal and even to make the progress that we need to make to be on track." The discussion revealed a concerning trend: while 55% of third graders meet math standards, this number drops dramatically by eighth grade, indicating a critical need for foundational skills in mathematics.

To address these challenges, SFUSD has partnered with TNTP, a national education nonprofit, to conduct a comprehensive audit of its math curriculum and instructional practices. The audit aims to identify gaps and provide actionable recommendations for improvement. TNTP representatives shared insights from their findings, noting that while elementary materials generally align well with critical math concepts, seventh-grade materials fall short, lacking adequate practice opportunities for essential skills.

The audit also assessed classroom instruction across 15 schools, revealing that only 28% of observed lessons provided strong instruction. Furthermore, student engagement levels were concerning, with only 39% of students feeling deeply engaged in their lessons. The data indicated that classrooms with higher proportions of English language learners and students of color experienced lower levels of engagement and teacher expectations.

As SFUSD moves forward, the focus will be on enhancing curriculum and instructional strategies to ensure all students have access to high-quality education. The district is committed to addressing these disparities and fostering an environment where every student can succeed in mathematics. The next steps will involve implementing the recommendations from the audit and monitoring progress closely as they work towards their ambitious goals.