Another Bay Area district, however, has tried a slightly different approach with its Algebra I (A1) Initiative accelerating below-grade-level ninth graders into Algebra I to learn alongside their on-grade-level peers. This effort by the Sequoia Union High School district excluded high-achieving students who had already completed Algebra in middle school, allowing them to continue on advanced tracks. At the same time, it offered extensive teacher support to foster differentiation for the students who remained in the program. A recent random-assignment study , made possible through a partnership between the district and Stanford University, examined how this approach is playing out.