new TJ principal streamlines math courses

[Anonymous]

PP - Thank you for the explanation! Makes sense to me!

[Anonymous]

So he’s slowing down the math. Good for him. Deeper is better than faster.

[Anonymous]

fantastic! Algebra 2 in 1 semester was always a disaster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting rid of RS1 is a great loss. Nobody in math department thinks it is a good idea. But principal did not ask for input. It might be just for the ratings - getting everyone into AP Precalc increases the number of AP courses taken per student. Ratings. Why would TJ student need AP Precalc. No STEM program in any college would count it for credit. Similar changes in Science. Wonderful unique Geosystems gone to be replaced by standard AP Environmental Science. Like in any base school. These are not good changes.

You're misinformed. These changes were thoughtfully implemented by the new principal with input from TJ math teachers, upperclassmen, and alumni parents. You may be getting mixed up with the previous principal, who lacked understanding of TJ's coursework and showed little interest in enhancing academic rigor. In contrast, fortunately, the new principal is a TJ alumnus with extensive STEM teaching and leadership experience.

RS1, as a standalone semester course, lacked a clear purpose. It was a watered down intro to statistics that consumed valuable freshman time, often to their frustration. Now, the basic aspects of RS1 has been integrated into a revamped, two-semester version of the new Math 3.

Previously, students who wanted to pursue RS2 (TJ’s AP Statistics) often found RS1 redundant, noting that its topics were covered in the first few weeks of RS2 anyway. Moreover, neither RS1 nor RS2 provided adequate preparation for RS3, TJ’s advanced statistics course.

This feedback was largely ignored by the previous principal, mostly due to lack of math or stem background. The new principal, however, asked the math department to redesign the statistics sequence. Their suggestion was to convert RS1 into a rigorous, in-depth semester course, with RS2 continuing as the follow-on with ap stats. Together, these now form the revised TJ AP Statistics track.

There is so much wrong in this post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:fantastic! Algebra 2 in 1 semester was always a disaster.

yes, starting with this 2029 class, Algebra 2 + is a two semester course, but with enhanced syllabus compared to what's taught in base school. First semester has added units for intro to statistics, that will help students apply statistical analysis skills for other science courses. Second semester has function analysis topics which were previously all squeezed into the follow on precalc part 1 course.

[Anonymous]

RS 1 + Algebra 2 became Algebra 2 (Statistics) + Algebra 3 (Functions).

So nothing is clearly sped up or slowed down or deeper, and the difference is in the details, with more flexibility of how much statistics to do.

[Anonymous]

Math progression has become tighter. Students entering with 8th grade Algebra 1 must pass Math 1 & 2 in their freshman year, and Math 3 & 4 in their sophomore year. If not, they would have to return to their base school, as there will be no room to retake courses and still complete Calc AB by senior year, a minimum graduation requirement. Previously, reinforcement classes (like the old Math 2.5 and old Math 6) were available for those who needed extra help, but these options are no longer offered. But, similar to other fcps schools, now there are two flavors of precalculus - AB and BC, so students can select the pace that fits their need.

[Anonymous]

Algebra support (replacing 2.5) and "Intro to Calculus" (replacing 6) are both still on the flowchart, for students who took geometry in 8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting rid of RS1 is a great loss. Nobody in math department thinks it is a good idea. But principal did not ask for input. It might be just for the ratings - getting everyone into AP Precalc increases the number of AP courses taken per student. Ratings. Why would TJ student need AP Precalc. No STEM program in any college would count it for credit. Similar changes in Science. Wonderful unique Geosystems gone to be replaced by standard AP Environmental Science. Like in any base school. These are not good changes.

You're misinformed. These changes were thoughtfully implemented by the new principal with input from TJ math teachers, upperclassmen, and alumni parents. You may be getting mixed up with the previous principal, who lacked understanding of TJ's coursework and showed little interest in enhancing academic rigor. In contrast, fortunately, the new principal is a TJ alumnus with extensive STEM teaching and leadership experience.

RS1, as a standalone semester course, lacked a clear purpose. It was a watered down intro to statistics that consumed valuable freshman time, often to their frustration. Now, the basic aspects of RS1 has been integrated into a revamped, two-semester version of the new Math 3.

Previously, students who wanted to pursue RS2 (TJ’s AP Statistics) often found RS1 redundant, noting that its topics were covered in the first few weeks of RS2 anyway. Moreover, neither RS1 nor RS2 provided adequate preparation for RS3, TJ’s advanced statistics course.

This feedback was largely ignored by the previous principal, mostly due to lack of math or stem background. The new principal, however, asked the math department to redesign the statistics sequence. Their suggestion was to convert RS1 into a rigorous, in-depth semester course, with RS2 continuing as the follow-on with ap stats. Together, these now form the revised TJ AP Statistics track.

Not the other poster, but I can also tell you that teachers are not happy with these changes. Mukai does not ask for any input from teachers or division leaders. He just dictates and changes his mind day to day. He might talk a good game with parents, but teachers see right through it. All these changes he is pushing just make TJ like every other FCPS high school.

[Anonymous]

Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

Not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

changes are a step in the right direction

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

May not remember all the courses he took as a TJ student of first graduating class, and a lot likely has changed since. But the announcement email said he taught math and science for years before taking on principal roles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?