Jay Matthews: VMPI Probably Will Keep Tracking Just Because of Parent Pressure

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Well, they rolled this out without any discussion and poor/unclear messaging. I don't know what they thought would happen.

I think there are some good ideas in this program, but if you're going to dramatically change how math is taught statewide then you have to put the time and effort into making the case.

I think a change like this makes a lot of sense (From the article):

Algebra II is frequently combined with trigonometry in the third year of high school math. It covers linear equations, functions, exponential and logarithmic expressions and other topics. It is required for graduation in 20 states (not including Virginia) and the District of Columbia. But math education experts such as Phil Daro and Harold Asturias have suggested giving students the option of taking data science or quantitative reasoning instead.

I also like the idea of teaching math more conceptually/providing more of the theory behind it.

They should teach budgeting, compounding, NPV, etc. Useful math / economic / financial concepts everyone needs to understand.

They don’t need to waste a year of a semester on that. Parents should be teaching that to kids all along the way. If you want a semester of consumer math as an option, great- just don’t be surprised when the kids trying to get into college ignore it

Should high school curriculum be designed for those who are going to college, or those who are not? Most of the classes for kids who are not going to college are a complete waste of time and those kids ignore them.

In fact, consumer math is more necessary for kids who are going to college than for those who are not, because the kids who are going to college will make more money. They need to know how to defend that higher income from big wastes of money. I know plenty of high income people (doctors, lawyers) who piss it all away. They could have benefited from that consumer math in high school.

Having poor people understand the math of credit card payments helps a lot.

[Anonymous]

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APS just did that a few years ago. Compacted Math was too compacted so they slowed it a bit.

VMPI's plan is to compact even more, stuffing pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, and they claim algebra 2 into math 8-10, along with stats, data analysis, and modeling, and this is for the weakest kids, not the strongest.

I don't think they've shared the proposed content for the new classes?

There was a webinar about the plan for 8-10.

They spoke about specific content in each proposed class?

They did speak about some specifics giving example problems, and also which general courses they wanted to cover. Conflicting messages about this.
They haven't responded to e-mails about if their intent is to have the weakest kids who couldn't qualify for algebra in 8th grade now they should be taking harder classes.
One change I have noticed is pre-calculus in the video they changed to a full year where the infographic says half year.

Anything on paper yet with scope of proposed classes? Link?

[Anonymous]

Then, bless all you parents who applied pressure. I don’t know any teacher who is anti-tracking.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Should high school curriculum be designed for those who are going to college, or those who are not? Most of the classes for kids who are not going to college are a complete waste of time and those kids ignore them.

In fact, consumer math is more necessary for kids who are going to college than for those who are not, because the kids who are going to college will make more money. They need to know how to defend that higher income from big wastes of money. I know plenty of high income people (doctors, lawyers) who piss it all away. They could have benefited from that consumer math in high school.

Having poor people understand the math of credit card payments helps a lot.

Heh. My mom is one of those high-income people who pissed all her money away. Not poor, at least until she couldn't work any more. But she never understood credit cards or mortgages, that's for sure. She never had a crdit card that wasn't eventually taken away by the issuing institution.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The people looking to recall the school board need to add this and critical race theory to their list of arguments.

Asians are disproportionately opting for distance learning, so opening schools won't move the needle for them.

I was as against VMPI as anyone until the latest change but this has zero to do with the recall. This was not from the SB. It was from VDOE.

VDOE has walked back their proposed changes, at least for now. It is important to have a school board and county staff that will keep advanced math in place.
Loudoun has already made changes, and FCPS staff have said they are not sure about the status of AAP.
Given the walkback, the answer should have been AAP is here to stay in Fairfax, along with the rest of their advanced math and honors classes.
This should certainly be an issue to recall the school board. One that pushes equity is likely to abandon advanced math.

Loudoun hasn’t really made changes. They are just saying the plan is “tentative” and they will update when VDOE does. Don’t be fooled.

FALSE.
As explained already, they have made changes, and they are already implemented.
Perhaps they will reverse these changes in the future, but they supported the DOE plan in the school board meeting, and expressed opposition to undoing the changes, which the school board did not pick up on.

Before you said the changes was all dumba$$es in Loudoun who didn't understand what DOE was doing. Now you claim they haven't made changes.

I'm the PP and I think we are agreeing. My post wasn't clear. When I wrote that Loudoun hasn't made changes, I meant as a result of the backlash, Loudoun has not made any changes TO THE CHANGES they were already making. They have not backpedaled or added back any of the math that they already took away. They are clearly trying to keep most kids from taking Algebra in 7th, which is pretty much the norm now.

I think we are in agreement with each other but I re-read my post and see why its confusing.

“Most kids take algebra in 7th”?

GMAFB.

Yes.

In fcps most kids take Algebra in 7th or 8th grade.

The only kids taking algebra I in high school are the kids who struggle in math or who are behind.

“7th or 8th” is different than “7th”.

I don't know about FCPS. I saw a post on here that LCPS has it as more common to take algebra by 7th grade, even though FCPS starts its advancement in elementary.
However, I know of one school in LCPS that has about 200 kids who have taken algebra in 6th or 7th grade. For my kid everyone he knows takes it by then.
From what I've heard the results are even higher in Stone Hill. They have 200 kids try out for math club.

[Anonymous]

At least 3 schools in LCPS have it as very common to take algebra in 7th grade.
Willard used to get the most seats into Academy of Loudoun so perhaps they are like this as well.
It could be countywide. They have a system of recommendations that encourages 7th grade algebra.

[Anonymous]

Tune in tonight (5/25) at 6:30pm....

Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Community Informational Sessions
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - Advanced Pathways in Grades 11 - 12


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tune in tonight (5/25) at 6:30pm....

Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Community Informational Sessions
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - Advanced Pathways in Grades 11 - 12


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ

Notes from tonight’s meeting:

They are still in “building” phase - proposal won’t be presented until 2022

First draft to BOE 2022
Crosswalk 2024-25
Full implementation 2025-26

Pilots for some new classes start in 2023

School systems can build own courses and allow students to take in any grade (accelerated path) — **this has always been the case**

They blocked out grade levels from infographic to avoid confusion

ALL upper level classes are still offered
Will support AP and IB as do now

Foundational Concepts <<<< K-7
Essential Concepts I-II-III <<<< 8-A-G-A

Precalculus <<<< Mathematical Analysis
Added Data Science II to the list

Rest of world thinks it’s weird to break out A-G-A; better to connect concepts

Example path of accelerated student (just an example - districts are not restricted to this):

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tune in tonight (5/25) at 6:30pm....

Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Community Informational Sessions
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - Advanced Pathways in Grades 11 - 12


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ

Notes from tonight’s meeting:

They are still in “building” phase - proposal won’t be presented until 2022

First draft to BOE 2022
Crosswalk 2024-25
Full implementation 2025-26

Pilots for some new classes start in 2023

School systems can build own courses and allow students to take in any grade (accelerated path) — **this has always been the case**

They blocked out grade levels from infographic to avoid confusion

ALL upper level classes are still offered
Will support AP and IB as do now

Foundational Concepts <<<< K-7
Essential Concepts I-II-III <<<< 8-A-G-A

Precalculus <<<< Mathematical Analysis
Added Data Science II to the list

Rest of world thinks it’s weird to break out A-G-A; better to connect concepts

Example path of accelerated student (just an example - districts are not restricted to this):

So differential services in heterogeneous classrooms is no longer a thing for elementary students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tune in tonight (5/25) at 6:30pm....

Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Community Informational Sessions
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - Advanced Pathways in Grades 11 - 12


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ

Notes from tonight’s meeting:

They are still in “building” phase - proposal won’t be presented until 2022

First draft to BOE 2022
Crosswalk 2024-25
Full implementation 2025-26

Pilots for some new classes start in 2023

School systems can build own courses and allow students to take in any grade (accelerated path) — **this has always been the case**

They blocked out grade levels from infographic to avoid confusion

ALL upper level classes are still offered
Will support AP and IB as do now

Foundational Concepts <<<< K-7
Essential Concepts I-II-III <<<< 8-A-G-A

Precalculus <<<< Mathematical Analysis
Added Data Science II to the list

Rest of world thinks it’s weird to break out A-G-A; better to connect concepts

Example path of accelerated student (just an example - districts are not restricted to this):

So differential services in heterogeneous classrooms is no longer a thing for elementary students?

FCPS could still have foundational concepts 3 & part of 4 in third, part of 4 and 5 in fourth, 6 in fifth, 7 in sixth, then essential concepts I in 7th, as far as I can see. It would basically work like AAP Level IV now, only with one less track (no option for Pre-Algebra in 7th and Algebra I in 8th).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tune in tonight (5/25) at 6:30pm....

Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Community Informational Sessions
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - Advanced Pathways in Grades 11 - 12


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ

Notes from tonight’s meeting:

They are still in “building” phase - proposal won’t be presented until 2022

First draft to BOE 2022
Crosswalk 2024-25
Full implementation 2025-26

Pilots for some new classes start in 2023

School systems can build own courses and allow students to take in any grade (accelerated path) — **this has always been the case**

They blocked out grade levels from infographic to avoid confusion

ALL upper level classes are still offered
Will support AP and IB as do now

Foundational Concepts <<<< K-7
Essential Concepts I-II-III <<<< 8-A-G-A

Precalculus <<<< Mathematical Analysis
Added Data Science II to the list

Rest of world thinks it’s weird to break out A-G-A; better to connect concepts

Example path of accelerated student (just an example - districts are not restricted to this):

So differential services in heterogeneous classrooms is no longer a thing for elementary students?

School systems have full discretion for advanced tracks and acceleration. Just as they always have.

[Anonymous]

Tina Mazzacane e-mail before said otherwise.

The entire VMPI should be scrapped and restarted by a new team.
Even the nice part of these extra classes in 11th and 12th grade, most of these classes are already available now. AP Statistics, Probability, Data Analysis, Applied math, Math Analysis, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tina Mazzacane e-mail before said otherwise.

The entire VMPI should be scrapped and restarted by a new team.
Even the nice part of these extra classes in 11th and 12th grade, most of these classes are already available now. AP Statistics, Probability, Data Analysis, Applied math, Math Analysis, etc.

You want to kick off the math teachers who volunteered from all over the state?

[Anonymous]

If this is what they produced, yes. Links to equity for math, 'parents need to give up their privilege for equitable schooling'
heterogeneous classrooms, calculus isn't important to take in high school, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If this is what they produced, yes. Links to equity for math, 'parents need to give up their privilege for equitable schooling'
heterogeneous classrooms, calculus isn't important to take in high school, etc.

Omg - they posted one link to detracking. Better freak out.