Equity Coalition Calls for Automatic Enrollment Policy to Expand Access to Advanced Math 

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Equity Coalition, convened by EdTrust-New York, released a new report, Proficient and Passed Over: Disparities in Eighth Grade Algebra 1 Enrollment, showing that New York schools deny tens of thousands of academically prepared students access to eighth grade Algebra 1, an essential accelerated gateway to college and career success. 

Research shows that students who take advanced coursework experience greater high school success, college readiness, and long-term outcomes. When students take Algebra 1 in eighth grade, instead of ninth grade, they can progress to higher-level math courses in high school, including calculus, which supports their pursuit of high-growth STEM careers. However, New York schools do not provide equal access to these opportunities. 

The report finds that schools often overlook students eligible for Algebra 1, even when those students demonstrate readiness for accelerated coursework by scoring “proficient” on the grade 7 state math assessment. Instead of enrolling these students in Algebra 1, many schools place them in the standard eighth grade math course. 

To highlight these disparities, EdTrust-New York updated its Proficient and Passed Over data tool adding a course-access view of eighth grade Algebra 1 enrollment. This feature compares each student group’s share of Algebra 1 enrollment to its share of the overall eighth-grade population, revealing whether access reflects who sits in the classroom. In some schools and districts, enrollment patterns match student demographics. In others, they expose clear gaps in access. Learn more by exploring the data tool and accompanying data note here. 

The report reveals that schools and districts continue to limit access, particularly in schools that disproportionately enroll Black, Latinx, and students from low-income backgrounds, even when those students demonstrate readiness. 

Key Findings: 

• Qualified but Not Enrolled: In 2023–24, 58% of seventh graders scored proficient on the New York State Math 7 assessment, yet schools enrolled only 37% of eighth graders in Algebra 1 the following year. This gap leaves roughly 20,000 eligible students without access to the course. 

• Persistent Racial and Economic Disparities: 

• Schools enrolled just 13% of Black students and 14% of Asian students in Algebra 1 in eighth grade, even though 38% and 75% of those students demonstrated proficiency the prior year. 

• Students from low-income backgrounds make up 58% of eighth graders but account for only 48% of Algebra 1 enrollment. 

• Limited Access Across Schools: 

• More than one in four schools (27%) that serve seventh and eighth graders do not offer Algebra 1 for 8th graders. 

• Schools disproportionately enroll Black, Latinx, and low-income students in buildings that do not provide access to the course in eighth grade. 

“Schools leave too many capable students behind when they restrict access to advanced coursework,” said Jeff Smink, Deputy Director at EdTrust-New York. “This is not a pipeline problem; it’s a policy problem.” 

Recommendations: 

The report calls on state leaders to adopt an automatic enrollment (“opt-out”) policy for eighth grade Algebra 1 to remove reliance on subjective factors such as teacher recommendations or family advocacy for students to access more advanced coursework, which can exclude students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. Under this policy, schools would enroll all eighth-grade students who demonstrate math proficiency by default, unless families choose to opt out. 

Evidence from other states and districts shows that automatic enrollment: 

• Expands participation in advanced coursework 

• Reduces racial and socioeconomic gaps 

• Increases access for underserved students 

EdTrust-New York estimates that this policy would have allowed approximately 20,000 additional students statewide to take Algebra 1 during the 2024-2025 school year alone. It further estimates that more than half of those students come from low-income backgrounds, and nearly half are students of color. 

To implement this policy, the report recommends: 

• Investing $8.5 million to help 15 high-need districts expand Algebra 1 access.  

• Funds would support student success by providing tutoring, staffing, and professional learning.  

• Requiring public reporting of enrollment and completion of data disaggregated by race, income, and other student subgroups.  

“The Proficient and Passed Over illuminates inequities in early access to Algebra 1, particularly among students from historically underrepresented communities,” said Andrea McChristian, National Policy Director at Just Equations. “Early access to Algebra 1 can serve as a gateway to advanced high school math courses and college readiness — and we need to ensure all students have this opportunity. As Just Equations has long advocated, and EdTrust-New York noted in this report, automatic enrollment is an important step toward this goal. We must meet the moment and support all of New York’s students in establishing a strong math foundation.” 

The report also urges lawmakers to include the Governor’s Back to Basics Math proposal in the final state budget. This proposal allocates $26 million to strengthen math instruction through high-impact tutoring, improved instructional materials, and educator training. 

Read Full Report HERE. 

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About The New York Equity Coalition 

The New York Equity Coalition includes ADELANTE Student Voices, Better Schools Better Neighborhoods, Brooklyn YWCA, the Buffalo Urban League, The Business Council of New York State, Business Council of Westchester, Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Children’s Defense Fund, #DegreesNYC, Democrats for Education Reform-NY, District-Parent Coordinating Council of Buffalo, EdTrust-New York, Educators for Excellence, EPIC-Every Person Influences Children, Hispanic Federation, INCLUDEnyc, Just Equations, National Center for Learning Disabilities, New York State Counselor Association, New York Urban League, Open Buffalo, The Opportunity Network, Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, Public Policy Institute of New York State, Read Alliance, uAspire, UnidosUS, United Way of New York City, the Urban League of Long Island, the Urban League of Rochester, the Urban League of Westchester County, and Young Invincibles. Learn more at EquityinEdNY.org 

 

About EdTrust-New York   

EdTrust-New York is dedicated to eliminating equity and opportunity gaps that hinder students from reaching their full potential. We focus on ensuring that students of color, including Black, Latinx, Native American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and those from low-income backgrounds achieve high levels of success from early childhood through college. For more information, visit EdTrustNY.org.