APS Duran School Performance Email - Is Long Branch a Failing School?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Longbranch is very similar to Ashlawn when it comes to community support and socio eco profile. Yet Ashlawn is on track. What's the difference?

I agree they are similar and not sure what the answer is, could be admin differences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fifteen pages of fighting and DCUM can't even agree that APS absolutely needs to purchase a quality evidence-based math curriculum instead of having teachers cobble together random materials from unvetted websites and with lots of gaps.

Here's to another 10 years of purchasing the Envision workbooks that go unused and are just recycled.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then what happens when your student is put in special ed setting but starts to fall behind due to slower pacing. Are you okay with that? When is that time going to be made up?

PP suggested increased funding and resources for higher-need classrooms. Smaller class sizes, more tutoring, summer school, etc.

But the fact remains, slow forward progress is better than no progress at all. It certainly beats sitting in a classroom and having to move on to the next topic despite not understanding the material that’s already been presented.

Increased funding and resources from where?

Indeed. APS and Arlington County encourage the increasing influx of English learners and other very high need students with no ceiling, barely checking on residency twice in 12 years, but at some point the system is too strained to function. APS says it’s totally fine, but it’s obviously not if they don’t have money to fix the buildings etc. etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work at another school that is on the list and IMO it’s justified. I am neither a fan or huge critic of Duran though I feel he is partially responsible for some of what is happening. When I talk to friends across the county they have similar concerns. The way we are educating special education students and ELs is not supportive in many cases. At the same time there have been huge cultural shifts in parenting that are impacting achievement.

I believe it! Would like to hear more thoughts on the cultural shift in parenting, and sped and EL since APS is pouring extraordinary resources into support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at another school that is on the list and IMO it’s justified. I am neither a fan or huge critic of Duran though I feel he is partially responsible for some of what is happening. When I talk to friends across the county they have similar concerns. The way we are educating special education students and ELs is not supportive in many cases. At the same time there have been huge cultural shifts in parenting that are impacting achievement.

Would love to hear more about cultural shifts in parenting as I think that could be understated factor. I have some ideas, but not sure if they are the same as how you are seeing it from your vantage point.

Over the past decade (and really since COVID hit it feels like parents are more likely to fall into 2 categories: completely checked out or combative and that. There are also more parents who really struggle with literacy and English Language

+100

I also think that Arlington (and likely many other counties)) does immigrants a huge disservice by catering to their various languages and making it absolutely unnecessary to ever learn any English, and now they want to expand that model from the parents to the students, too, by offering all SOL testung in other languages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then what happens when your student is put in special ed setting but starts to fall behind due to slower pacing. Are you okay with that? When is that time going to be made up?

PP suggested increased funding and resources for higher-need classrooms. Smaller class sizes, more tutoring, summer school, etc.

But the fact remains, slow forward progress is better than no progress at all. It certainly beats sitting in a classroom and having to move on to the next topic despite not understanding the material that’s already been presented.

Increased funding and resources from where?

Indeed. APS and Arlington County encourage the increasing influx of English learners and other very high need students with no ceiling, barely checking on residency twice in 12 years, but at some point the system is too strained to function. APS says it’s totally fine, but it’s obviously not if they don’t have money to fix the buildings etc. etc.

Residency is verified in kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at another school that is on the list and IMO it’s justified. I am neither a fan or huge critic of Duran though I feel he is partially responsible for some of what is happening. When I talk to friends across the county they have similar concerns. The way we are educating special education students and ELs is not supportive in many cases. At the same time there have been huge cultural shifts in parenting that are impacting achievement.

Would love to hear more about cultural shifts in parenting as I think that could be understated factor. I have some ideas, but not sure if they are the same as how you are seeing it from your vantage point.

Over the past decade (and really since COVID hit it feels like parents are more likely to fall into 2 categories: completely checked out or combative and that. There are also more parents who really struggle with literacy and English Language

+100

I also think that Arlington (and likely many other counties)) does immigrants a huge disservice by catering to their various languages and making it absolutely unnecessary to ever learn any English, and now they want to expand that model from the parents to the students, too, by offering all SOL testung in other languages.

How is it a disservice to communicate to parents about their children in the language parents best understand? You don’t think parents have ample need to learn English in this country? What rock are you living under? Would you say doctor’s offices should only communicate to parents in English about their kids health?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at another school that is on the list and IMO it’s justified. I am neither a fan or huge critic of Duran though I feel he is partially responsible for some of what is happening. When I talk to friends across the county they have similar concerns. The way we are educating special education students and ELs is not supportive in many cases. At the same time there have been huge cultural shifts in parenting that are impacting achievement.

Would love to hear more about cultural shifts in parenting as I think that could be understated factor. I have some ideas, but not sure if they are the same as how you are seeing it from your vantage point.

Over the past decade (and really since COVID hit it feels like parents are more likely to fall into 2 categories: completely checked out or combative and that. There are also more parents who really struggle with literacy and English Language

+100

I also think that Arlington (and likely many other counties)) does immigrants a huge disservice by catering to their various languages and making it absolutely unnecessary to ever learn any English, and now they want to expand that model from the parents to the students, too, by offering all SOL testung in other languages.

How is it a disservice to communicate to parents about their children in the language parents best understand? You don’t think parents have ample need to learn English in this country? What rock are you living under? Would you say doctor’s offices should only communicate to parents in English about their kids health?

No, that is correct. Many people never do learn English, and many don’t learn it beyond a very rudimentary level. Since you don’t know this you are not friendly with many non-English speakers, and you are the one living under a rock. I’m an English learner myself and therefore it’s my experience. Hospitals have used phone based or other remote translation services for decades. These are situation-based, temporary, not permanent, accommodations. That’s different from how the school system provides native language support. Especially in a learning environment the increased and sustained focus on the native language can hinder immersion into the new language for adults and students alike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at another school that is on the list and IMO it’s justified. I am neither a fan or huge critic of Duran though I feel he is partially responsible for some of what is happening. When I talk to friends across the county they have similar concerns. The way we are educating special education students and ELs is not supportive in many cases. At the same time there have been huge cultural shifts in parenting that are impacting achievement.

Would love to hear more about cultural shifts in parenting as I think that could be understated factor. I have some ideas, but not sure if they are the same as how you are seeing it from your vantage point.

Over the past decade (and really since COVID hit it feels like parents are more likely to fall into 2 categories: completely checked out or combative and that. There are also more parents who really struggle with literacy and English Language

+100

I also think that Arlington (and likely many other counties)) does immigrants a huge disservice by catering to their various languages and making it absolutely unnecessary to ever learn any English, and now they want to expand that model from the parents to the students, too, by offering all SOL testung in other languages.

How is it a disservice to communicate to parents about their children in the language parents best understand? You don’t think parents have ample need to learn English in this country? What rock are you living under? Would you say doctor’s offices should only communicate to parents in English about their kids health?

No, that is correct. Many people never do learn English, and many don’t learn it beyond a very rudimentary level. Since you don’t know this you are not friendly with many non-English speakers, and you are the one living under a rock. I’m an English learner myself and therefore it’s my experience. Hospitals have used phone based or other remote translation services for decades. These are situation-based, temporary, not permanent, accommodations. That’s different from how the school system provides native language support. Especially in a learning environment the increased and sustained focus on the native language can hinder immersion into the new language for adults and students alike.

You're making a lot of assumptions about me. I know how hospital and medical facilities use translation services because it is important to communicate with all people. I happen to think it is also important for schools to communicate with all parents about their children because school is important. If you don't think education is important then we have different opinions on that.

I don't think parents are choosing not to learn English because the PTA provides a translator at PTA meetings (that translator is often a volunteer at my school), the school provides a translator for a 15 minute parent teacher conference twice a year, and the school translates a few (but not all) documents. That is all the translation I have seen at my kids' schools. Are you saying these services are the reason someone moves to this country and choose NOT to learn English? There is a whole lot of life outside of these few things which I think informs those choices. I think schools should provide more translation, such as translating standardized test reports and report cards. Maybe your school system does these things. My kids' school does not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then what happens when your student is put in special ed setting but starts to fall behind due to slower pacing. Are you okay with that? When is that time going to be made up?

PP suggested increased funding and resources for higher-need classrooms. Smaller class sizes, more tutoring, summer school, etc.

But the fact remains, slow forward progress is better than no progress at all. It certainly beats sitting in a classroom and having to move on to the next topic despite not understanding the material that’s already been presented.

Increased funding and resources from where?

Indeed. APS and Arlington County encourage the increasing influx of English learners and other very high need students with no ceiling, barely checking on residency twice in 12 years, but at some point the system is too strained to function. APS says it’s totally fine, but it’s obviously not if they don’t have money to fix the buildings etc. etc.

Residency is verified in kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade.

We should start verifying residency EVERY year.

This country needs a change and should start verifying citizenship in order to attend free public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So… upon review of VA’s math standards (elementary anyway), it’s pretty obvious that they just… aren’t that rigorous.

Purchase ANY decent math curriculum and consistently use it. Many of them surpass VA’s standards!

Then complain to the state. Get VA to align to common core. This isn’t an APS issue.

Huh? No need to complain to the state when many math programs DO cover (and exceed!) current standards. APS just needs to pick one and teachers need to actually use it.

Envision is crap, but there are many good options.

You should complain to the state because the state standards are not rigorous enough and the issue with unaligned curriculum would go aware if VA went to common core.

There's no rule against exceeding the state standard. That's a minimum.

It gets hard to match up when the local curriculum is different from the state's. And also there's the issue with curriculum literally not matching. There are tons that match common core. But there are some who want to undermine public ed and get vouchers so maybe that's just you instead of looking to the real source of the problem which is Youngkin.

APS not having math curriculum has nothing to do with Youngkin or vouchers. It was the situation before Youngkin and will be after Youngkin. It's an APS issue. Duran knows math test scores are falling across the district and across all demographics, as measured by MAP, SOL and NWEA scores. Yet he literally sent an email saying he was going to watch and wait. That's not okay.

State standards being different than than off the shelf curriculums has been an issue for ages. You can work with the publisher to get a special edition made or put together your own rubric to tell teachers how to match the curriculum to standards. But APS hasn't provided a solution for teachers and isn't even looking for a way to do so because they don't think falling test scores are a problem.

APS only got its act together and dropped Lucy Caulkins after there was nationwide uproar that compelled it to act. Parents need to speak up and tell Syphax to get off its duff and do its job. This isn't an unsolvable problem. APS administrators are just lazy and would prefer to talk more about DEI and make excuses instead of doing their jobs.

yes it's been an issue for ages but youngkin is gov and has been for 4 years and didnt' fix it

Youngkin pushed for more advanced math classes and harder SOL standards. That's something. We now have Math 6 Intensified, a very needed course, only because of Youngkin. I'm not a Republican but am very glad APS now offers that course. There was too big a gap between Math 6 and Pre-algebra, leaving many kids either bored or underwater.

Math 6 intensified wasn't because of Youngkin. Duran finally gave us more intensified classes in middle school. But you will never give him credit for that or anything else will you?

You are wrong. Math 6 Intensified was added over the summer, in a rush, in order to meet requirements in a new law passed by Youngkin's administration. APS was forced into it.

Math 6 intensified is not new this year. I don’t recall when it was added but kids were in it for at least the last 2 years, based on what my friends with older kids tell me. Math 6 advanced was added over the summer because the VA legislature passed a law last spring requiring all kids who score in the top X% of VA SOLs to be in an “advanced math” class. Math 6 intensified is a lot, 3 years in one, so math 6 advanced was created to be something between that and regular Math 6.

This is all incorrect. The class that is math 6-7-8 is called Pre-Algebra for 6th grade, not Math 6 Intensified. There was a new class added over the summer because of Youngkin 's new law. It fills be gap between Math 6 and Pre-algebra. It's absolutely new and a class APS resisted adding it for years until they were forced to do so by this new law.

We're saying the same thing. Math 6 Advanced is the class added over the summer to, as you say, fill the gap.

You're correct that Math 6 Intensified is the name of an older class. Pre-Algebra for 6th grade is the name of the most advanced math class for 6th graders this year, not sure if it was called that the last two years. But again, the existence of an advanced math class and a "regular" math class is NOT new this year. The new class this year was the THIRD class to fill the gap between the other two. It was added because of legislation VA passed Spring 2025.

No it's not. You're still wrong. There was nothing between Math 6 and Pre-algebra last year for 6th graders. Now there is a class in between, and only because of the new law.

This conversation started as a disagreement about whether there was any advanced math for 6th graders in APS prior to Youngkin. It got confusing because of mixed up class names. There were 2 math classes for 6th graders last year: pre-algebra and Math 6. Now there are 3 math classes for 6th graders: pre-algebra, Math 6 Advanced, and Math 6.

The first person said "We now have Math 6 Intensified, a very needed course, only because of Youngkin." As has been pointed out, there is no "Math 6 Intensified." I think some posters thought "Math 6 Intensified" was the name of the math class that was/is more advanced than Math 6, which is actually pre-algebra and which existed before this past summer. The poster probably meant "Math 6 Advanced."

See this comment: "Math 6 intensified wasn't because of Youngkin. Duran finally gave us more intensified classes in middle school. But you will never give him credit for that or anything else will you?" This poster probably meant to reference pre-algebra and thought the poster they responded to thought there had only been one math class for all 6 graders before this past summer.

Then someone replied "You are wrong. Math 6 Intensified was added over the summer." This person probably meant to reference Math 6 Advanced which was added over the summer. The PP they responded to correct there had been 2 math classes before this summer.

Then "Math 6 intensified is not new this year...." This person probably meant pre-algebra.

Then someone wrote "There was a new class added over the summer because of Youngkin 's new law. It fills be gap between Math 6 and Pre-algebra." This new class is Math 6 Advanced, and yes, it fills in between Math 6 and pre-algebra.

Bottom line, there were two math classes for 6th graders before this year. Now there is a third, between the other two, and yes, this 3rd class is due to the new law.

You missed the whole point of the conversation. Someone said "yes it's been an issue for ages but youngkin is gov and has been for 4 years and didnt' fix it" in reference to math. I said he made an improvement with the new law, which forced APS to add a new advanced math classes for 6th graders. The someone else posted that the class wasnt added because of Youngkin but that Duran was already adding intensified classes. That's just flat out wrong.

Last year there were two math classes for 6th graders: Math 6 and Pre-algebra for 6th graders. That.meant that 5-10% of 6th graders were taking an advanced math class. Because of the new law passed by Youngkin, APS was forced to offer a new math class so now 40-50% of 6th graders are taking an advanced math class. That's a HUGE improvement and something APS refused to do for years, despite being asked by parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at another school that is on the list and IMO it’s justified. I am neither a fan or huge critic of Duran though I feel he is partially responsible for some of what is happening. When I talk to friends across the county they have similar concerns. The way we are educating special education students and ELs is not supportive in many cases. At the same time there have been huge cultural shifts in parenting that are impacting achievement.

Would love to hear more about cultural shifts in parenting as I think that could be understated factor. I have some ideas, but not sure if they are the same as how you are seeing it from your vantage point.

Over the past decade (and really since COVID hit it feels like parents are more likely to fall into 2 categories: completely checked out or combative and that. There are also more parents who really struggle with literacy and English Language

+100

I also think that Arlington (and likely many other counties)) does immigrants a huge disservice by catering to their various languages and making it absolutely unnecessary to ever learn any English, and now they want to expand that model from the parents to the students, too, by offering all SOL testung in other languages.

APS and other school districts are literally required by law to communicate with parents in their native language. APS got dinged on this by the feds and there was a settlement that they had to follow. I guess you didn't know this PP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So… upon review of VA’s math standards (elementary anyway), it’s pretty obvious that they just… aren’t that rigorous.

Purchase ANY decent math curriculum and consistently use it. Many of them surpass VA’s standards!

Then complain to the state. Get VA to align to common core. This isn’t an APS issue.

Huh? No need to complain to the state when many math programs DO cover (and exceed!) current standards. APS just needs to pick one and teachers need to actually use it.

Envision is crap, but there are many good options.

You should complain to the state because the state standards are not rigorous enough and the issue with unaligned curriculum would go aware if VA went to common core.

There's no rule against exceeding the state standard. That's a minimum.

It gets hard to match up when the local curriculum is different from the state's. And also there's the issue with curriculum literally not matching. There are tons that match common core. But there are some who want to undermine public ed and get vouchers so maybe that's just you instead of looking to the real source of the problem which is Youngkin.

APS not having math curriculum has nothing to do with Youngkin or vouchers. It was the situation before Youngkin and will be after Youngkin. It's an APS issue. Duran knows math test scores are falling across the district and across all demographics, as measured by MAP, SOL and NWEA scores. Yet he literally sent an email saying he was going to watch and wait. That's not okay.

State standards being different than than off the shelf curriculums has been an issue for ages. You can work with the publisher to get a special edition made or put together your own rubric to tell teachers how to match the curriculum to standards. But APS hasn't provided a solution for teachers and isn't even looking for a way to do so because they don't think falling test scores are a problem.

APS only got its act together and dropped Lucy Caulkins after there was nationwide uproar that compelled it to act. Parents need to speak up and tell Syphax to get off its duff and do its job. This isn't an unsolvable problem. APS administrators are just lazy and would prefer to talk more about DEI and make excuses instead of doing their jobs.

yes it's been an issue for ages but youngkin is gov and has been for 4 years and didnt' fix it

Youngkin pushed for more advanced math classes and harder SOL standards. That's something. We now have Math 6 Intensified, a very needed course, only because of Youngkin. I'm not a Republican but am very glad APS now offers that course. There was too big a gap between Math 6 and Pre-algebra, leaving many kids either bored or underwater.

Math 6 intensified wasn't because of Youngkin. Duran finally gave us more intensified classes in middle school. But you will never give him credit for that or anything else will you?

You are wrong. Math 6 Intensified was added over the summer, in a rush, in order to meet requirements in a new law passed by Youngkin's administration. APS was forced into it.

Math 6 intensified is not new this year. I don’t recall when it was added but kids were in it for at least the last 2 years, based on what my friends with older kids tell me. Math 6 advanced was added over the summer because the VA legislature passed a law last spring requiring all kids who score in the top X% of VA SOLs to be in an “advanced math” class. Math 6 intensified is a lot, 3 years in one, so math 6 advanced was created to be something between that and regular Math 6.

This is all incorrect. The class that is math 6-7-8 is called Pre-Algebra for 6th grade, not Math 6 Intensified. There was a new class added over the summer because of Youngkin 's new law. It fills be gap between Math 6 and Pre-algebra. It's absolutely new and a class APS resisted adding it for years until they were forced to do so by this new law.

The bill was sponsored by a DEM. It's not Youngkin's law.

Also the new law did not mandate Advanced Math 6.

You MAGAs lie, lie, lie

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So… upon review of VA’s math standards (elementary anyway), it’s pretty obvious that they just… aren’t that rigorous.

Purchase ANY decent math curriculum and consistently use it. Many of them surpass VA’s standards!

Then complain to the state. Get VA to align to common core. This isn’t an APS issue.

Huh? No need to complain to the state when many math programs DO cover (and exceed!) current standards. APS just needs to pick one and teachers need to actually use it.

Envision is crap, but there are many good options.

You should complain to the state because the state standards are not rigorous enough and the issue with unaligned curriculum would go aware if VA went to common core.

There's no rule against exceeding the state standard. That's a minimum.

It gets hard to match up when the local curriculum is different from the state's. And also there's the issue with curriculum literally not matching. There are tons that match common core. But there are some who want to undermine public ed and get vouchers so maybe that's just you instead of looking to the real source of the problem which is Youngkin.

APS not having math curriculum has nothing to do with Youngkin or vouchers. It was the situation before Youngkin and will be after Youngkin. It's an APS issue. Duran knows math test scores are falling across the district and across all demographics, as measured by MAP, SOL and NWEA scores. Yet he literally sent an email saying he was going to watch and wait. That's not okay.

State standards being different than than off the shelf curriculums has been an issue for ages. You can work with the publisher to get a special edition made or put together your own rubric to tell teachers how to match the curriculum to standards. But APS hasn't provided a solution for teachers and isn't even looking for a way to do so because they don't think falling test scores are a problem.

APS only got its act together and dropped Lucy Caulkins after there was nationwide uproar that compelled it to act. Parents need to speak up and tell Syphax to get off its duff and do its job. This isn't an unsolvable problem. APS administrators are just lazy and would prefer to talk more about DEI and make excuses instead of doing their jobs.

yes it's been an issue for ages but youngkin is gov and has been for 4 years and didnt' fix it

Youngkin pushed for more advanced math classes and harder SOL standards. That's something. We now have Math 6 Intensified, a very needed course, only because of Youngkin. I'm not a Republican but am very glad APS now offers that course. There was too big a gap between Math 6 and Pre-algebra, leaving many kids either bored or underwater.

Math 6 intensified wasn't because of Youngkin. Duran finally gave us more intensified classes in middle school. But you will never give him credit for that or anything else will you?

You are wrong. Math 6 Intensified was added over the summer, in a rush, in order to meet requirements in a new law passed by Youngkin's administration. APS was forced into it.

Math 6 intensified is not new this year. I don’t recall when it was added but kids were in it for at least the last 2 years, based on what my friends with older kids tell me. Math 6 advanced was added over the summer because the VA legislature passed a law last spring requiring all kids who score in the top X% of VA SOLs to be in an “advanced math” class. Math 6 intensified is a lot, 3 years in one, so math 6 advanced was created to be something between that and regular Math 6.

This is all incorrect. The class that is math 6-7-8 is called Pre-Algebra for 6th grade, not Math 6 Intensified. There was a new class added over the summer because of Youngkin 's new law. It fills be gap between Math 6 and Pre-algebra. It's absolutely new and a class APS resisted adding it for years until they were forced to do so by this new law.

The bill was sponsored by a DEM. It's not Youngkin's law.

Also the new law did not mandate Advanced Math 6.

You MAGAs lie, lie, lie

It was passed with bipartisan support and signed by Youngkin.

I'm not MAGA. Not even close to Republican, but a parent who is super frustrated that Dems spend all time time talking about equity instead of actually educating kids. That's how you improve lives: you make sure kids get a quality education. You don't dumb down standards to make things look more equal. Duran had years to add that class and it didn't happen until he was forced to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So… upon review of VA’s math standards (elementary anyway), it’s pretty obvious that they just… aren’t that rigorous.

Purchase ANY decent math curriculum and consistently use it. Many of them surpass VA’s standards!

Then complain to the state. Get VA to align to common core. This isn’t an APS issue.

Huh? No need to complain to the state when many math programs DO cover (and exceed!) current standards. APS just needs to pick one and teachers need to actually use it.

Envision is crap, but there are many good options.

You should complain to the state because the state standards are not rigorous enough and the issue with unaligned curriculum would go aware if VA went to common core.

There's no rule against exceeding the state standard. That's a minimum.

It gets hard to match up when the local curriculum is different from the state's. And also there's the issue with curriculum literally not matching. There are tons that match common core. But there are some who want to undermine public ed and get vouchers so maybe that's just you instead of looking to the real source of the problem which is Youngkin.

APS not having math curriculum has nothing to do with Youngkin or vouchers. It was the situation before Youngkin and will be after Youngkin. It's an APS issue. Duran knows math test scores are falling across the district and across all demographics, as measured by MAP, SOL and NWEA scores. Yet he literally sent an email saying he was going to watch and wait. That's not okay.

State standards being different than than off the shelf curriculums has been an issue for ages. You can work with the publisher to get a special edition made or put together your own rubric to tell teachers how to match the curriculum to standards. But APS hasn't provided a solution for teachers and isn't even looking for a way to do so because they don't think falling test scores are a problem.

APS only got its act together and dropped Lucy Caulkins after there was nationwide uproar that compelled it to act. Parents need to speak up and tell Syphax to get off its duff and do its job. This isn't an unsolvable problem. APS administrators are just lazy and would prefer to talk more about DEI and make excuses instead of doing their jobs.

yes it's been an issue for ages but youngkin is gov and has been for 4 years and didnt' fix it

Youngkin pushed for more advanced math classes and harder SOL standards. That's something. We now have Math 6 Intensified, a very needed course, only because of Youngkin. I'm not a Republican but am very glad APS now offers that course. There was too big a gap between Math 6 and Pre-algebra, leaving many kids either bored or underwater.

Math 6 intensified wasn't because of Youngkin. Duran finally gave us more intensified classes in middle school. But you will never give him credit for that or anything else will you?

You are wrong. Math 6 Intensified was added over the summer, in a rush, in order to meet requirements in a new law passed by Youngkin's administration. APS was forced into it.

Math 6 intensified is not new this year. I don’t recall when it was added but kids were in it for at least the last 2 years, based on what my friends with older kids tell me. Math 6 advanced was added over the summer because the VA legislature passed a law last spring requiring all kids who score in the top X% of VA SOLs to be in an “advanced math” class. Math 6 intensified is a lot, 3 years in one, so math 6 advanced was created to be something between that and regular Math 6.

This is all incorrect. The class that is math 6-7-8 is called Pre-Algebra for 6th grade, not Math 6 Intensified. There was a new class added over the summer because of Youngkin 's new law. It fills be gap between Math 6 and Pre-algebra. It's absolutely new and a class APS resisted adding it for years until they were forced to do so by this new law.

The bill was sponsored by a DEM. It's not Youngkin's law.

Also the new law did not mandate Advanced Math 6.

You MAGAs lie, lie, lie

It was passed with bipartisan support and signed by Youngkin.

I'm not MAGA. Not even close to Republican, but a parent who is super frustrated that Dems spend all time time talking about equity instead of actually educating kids. That's how you improve lives: you make sure kids get a quality education. You don't dumb down standards to make things look more equal. Duran had years to add that class and it didn't happen until he was forced to do so.

You are not alone. I feel the same way