District reports disparity in ninth‑grade math placement and highlights AP, a‑g and graduation trends; trustees ask staff to explore summer math support

At the Mountain View–Los Altos board meeting on Sept. 29, district staff presented three informational reports: ninth‑grade math placement data (compliance with Senate Bill 359), an annual review of AP participation and results, and an update on A‑G completion and graduation rates. Trustees and staff discussed pathways, inequities and possible interventions including summer support for students who need preparatory work before high school.

Associate Superintendent Terry Faught presented the math placement report, which the district compiled at the six‑week mark. Faught said the highest‑enrolled freshman course was Algebra II Honors (about 30% of freshmen) and a close second was Algebra I (about 29%). Disaggregation showed that Algebra II Honors enrollment is concentrated among Asian and white students, while Algebra I includes a higher proportion of minority students.

“Part of our work … is to ensure that our math students are appropriately placed,”…