Chicago schools find double dose of algebra boosts long-term success

Math fans rejoice! A new study in Education Next has shown that doubling down on algebra classes leads to long-term positive effects on college entrance exam scores, high school graduation rates and college enrollment rates.

The study focused on a pilot program in Chicago public schools (CPS) that was initiated in 2003. In an attempt to boost sagging ninth-grade algebra scores, then-school math official Martin Gartzman began a program of “double-dose” algebra classes to give struggling students extra time...