VADOE adjustments to advanced math track

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The integrated approach to algebra/geometry/algebra II sounds a lot like Russian approaches to math education which are arguably more successful than US. I'm not convinced by the alarmists who are saying this is dumbing things down.

The issue is not so much the integration, but that they are requiring this for all students in 8th grade. Normally a sizable percentage, maybe even a majority, of students do not take algebra until 9th grade. That this is being taken in 8th grade means this is prealgebra/algebra/geometry not algebra/geometry/algebra2. They have said prealgebra will be part of the blend. Algebra 2 will not be in the mix very much, to protect all these students that districts would have previously said were not eligible to take algebra in 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The integrated approach to algebra/geometry/algebra II sounds a lot like Russian approaches to math education which are arguably more successful than US. I'm not convinced by the alarmists who are saying this is dumbing things down.

In the Russian educational system there are two separate subjects (algebra and geometry), which are taught in parallel (but separately) over many years. The so-called “algebra” includes precalculus and calculus in the last 2-3 years of secondary school (the secondary education ends earlier, as the typical graduation age is 16-17). Some topics covered in algebra 2 (like complex numbers) are not covered in that, but geometry is covered at a much greater depth than in the U.S., as instead of one core math class, students each year take two core math classes (“algebra” AND “geometry”)..

Thank you. I thought it was similar to many European countries which do not have separate geometry classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get VMPI scrapped completely, we need to organize politically.

Wow - some people must really hate data science to organize politically against it.

Losers.

As an econometrician, I have to say that data science presented to middling high school students is likely to be complete bullshit.

Apparently, math curricula needs to be revised every seven years and outcomes seem to get worse and worse. Hmm... There has to be some solution to this conundrum.

And yet math scores on a range of standardized math scores are not declining...

They had to adjust the SAT to hide a score decline, though the verbal decline was higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[
They're the ones who said Algebra 2 isn't necessary for everyone in high school, that alternative classes should be offered.

That doesn't mean they are completely eliminating the A2 concepts.

Those who want to take it (on the calculus track) will be able to take it.

Looks like you are acknowledging that I am right. The default path that they are claiming includes algebra 2, will actually be weaker.

I'm saying it will be somewhere. Does it really matter which specific course if the kids who want to take it can take it?

You are speculating.
It's not clear it will be anywhere, as they are claiming it is in the Math III.
If they were honest and said basic courses in grades 8-10 were prealgebra, algebra, geometry, then there could be proper acceleration and honors classes.
Right now, they are saying they will put algebra 2 into grade 10, while it will be just the most basic concepts.
Like I said, school districts would then have to develop their own honors courses curricula and perhaps an algebra 2 course to adjust for what the state board is doing.
The algebra 2 material they have for grades 11-12 does not look like it will fill the gap, just some sort of applied math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[
They're the ones who said Algebra 2 isn't necessary for everyone in high school, that alternative classes should be offered.

That doesn't mean they are completely eliminating the A2 concepts.

Those who want to take it (on the calculus track) will be able to take it.

Looks like you are acknowledging that I am right. The default path that they are claiming includes algebra 2, will actually be weaker.

I'm saying it will be somewhere. Does it really matter which specific course if the kids who want to take it can take it?

You are speculating.
It's not clear it will be anywhere, as they are claiming it is in the Math III.
If they were honest and said basic courses in grades 8-10 were prealgebra, algebra, geometry, then there could be proper acceleration and honors classes.
Right now, they are saying they will put algebra 2 into grade 10, while it will be just the most basic concepts.
Like I said, school districts would then have to develop their own honors courses curricula and perhaps an algebra 2 course to adjust for what the state board is doing.
The algebra 2 material they have for grades 11-12 does not look like it will fill the gap, just some sort of applied math.

Once they actually propose content for each class then school systems can figure out they can continue to accelerate kids - just like they do today.

Stop trying to manufacture issues.

[Anonymous]

It is VA DOE that manufactured the issue, and you keep trying to declare they have done nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is VA DOE that manufactured the issue, and you keep trying to declare they have done nothing.

It sounded like the TJ PTA manufactured the issue by breaking their charter and misusing their office.

[Anonymous]

You're on the wrong thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is VA DOE that manufactured the issue, and you keep trying to declare they have done nothing.

Agree - and she appears to be the same person who attacked anyone who disagreed with VDOE’s plan throughout the now-deleted thread.

I suspect she may actually work for VDOE.

[Anonymous]

Uh oh. With early results coming in in the governor's race, is VMPI finally dead?

Maybe Winsome Sears will use the assault rifle democratic ads showed her with to kill it, haha. Good riddance, VMPI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh oh. With early results coming in in the governor's race, is VMPI finally dead?

Maybe Winsome Sears will use the assault rifle democratic ads showed her with to kill it, haha. Good riddance, VMPI.

Awfully quiet here.. I guess VMPI is dead. Long live VMPI!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh oh. With early results coming in in the governor's race, is VMPI finally dead?

Maybe Winsome Sears will use the assault rifle democratic ads showed her with to kill it, haha. Good riddance, VMPI.

Awfully quiet here.. I guess VMPI is dead. Long live VMPI!

Well, I mean, they still have to update the math SOLs somehow. But I think the advance math tracks are safe. FCPS is planning on preserving them, and that was before the election.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh oh. With early results coming in in the governor's race, is VMPI finally dead?

Maybe Winsome Sears will use the assault rifle democratic ads showed her with to kill it, haha. Good riddance, VMPI.

Awfully quiet here.. I guess VMPI is dead. Long live VMPI!

Well, I mean, they still have to update the math SOLs somehow. But I think the advance math tracks are safe. FCPS is planning on preserving them, and that was before the election.

Yes, VDOE is legally required to update the math curriculum so something will get changed. I guess combining algebra and geometry was just too far out there for some parents.

Advanced math was fine and will continue to be fine, despite what the nutters said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh oh. With early results coming in in the governor's race, is VMPI finally dead?

Maybe Winsome Sears will use the assault rifle democratic ads showed her with to kill it, haha. Good riddance, VMPI.

Awfully quiet here.. I guess VMPI is dead. Long live VMPI!

Well, I mean, they still have to update the math SOLs somehow. But I think the advance math tracks are safe. FCPS is planning on preserving them, and that was before the election.

Yes, VDOE is legally required to update the math curriculum so something will get changed. I guess combining algebra and geometry was just too far out there for some parents.

Advanced math was fine and will continue to be fine, despite what the nutters said.

That was not always clear to rational people who were watching, and you know it. Stop calling concerned parents nutters. Even Jay Matthews admitted in WaPo that the only reason advanced math was fine was parental uproar. The receipts are there in the form of videos and a news article from a rural Virginia county talking about how VMPI was designed to entirely do away with tracking.

But the VMPI insanity was part of the death by 1,000 cuts that led to the Terry McAuliffe's loss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[q

That was not always clear to rational people who were watching, and you know it. Stop calling concerned parents nutters. Even Jay Matthews admitted in WaPo that the only reason advanced math was fine was parental uproar.

Jay Matthews thought the blended classes would not be happening either, that parents would not allow it.
This was way before the election.