Adopt automatic-enrollment policies that default students into higher-level math based on prior achievement or demonstrated proficiency¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The report recommends that states address disparities in advanced math participation through default placement programs. It states that "forward-thinking states have implemented default placement programs that automatically enroll students in higher-level math courses based on prior achievement or demonstrated proficiency on standardized assessments." After North Carolina passed House Bill 986, approximately 8,000 students gained access to advanced math and were placed up from regular or remedial math, and Illinois introduced similar legislation for 2024-25 including automatic enrollment and teacher diversity goals.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Prior achievement or demonstrated proficiency on standardized assessments to determine automatic placement
• State-level legislation or policy authorizing default placement into higher-level math courses

Constraints¶

• The report presents these as policy approaches adopted by states, not as evaluated interventions with measured causal effects

Target Learners¶

• High-achieving Black and Latino high school students
• Students from low-income backgrounds

Target Learning Goals¶

• Access to and success in advanced mathematics coursework leading to college and STEM opportunity

Related Strategies¶

• Adopt automatic enrollment and open enrollment policies for advanced courses to expand equitable access
• Automatically enroll high-performing sixth graders in advanced math, with parent opt-out, to circumvent educator bias in referral
• State policy package to expand equitable access to advanced coursework: credit transparency, automatic enrollment with opt-out, fee removal, disaggregated data reporting, and belonging supports
• State leaders should eliminate dual credit fees for all students and strengthen automatic enrollment policy implementation
• Adopt automatic (opt-out) enrollment policies placing qualifying students in advanced coursework
• Automatic enrollment into advanced coursework with an opt-out option

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Melodie Baker, Ivy Morgan, and Gizella Wade. (2023). Opportunities Denied: High-Achieving Black and Latino Students Lack Access to Advanced Math. EdTrust and Just Equations. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED641831