VA math changes - ways to speak out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Voters elected an administration which supported this proposal. I don’t get the outrage.

Ignorance.

Huh?

People are outraged because they don't understand the changes. They are speculating and coming up with all sorts of doomsday scenarios.

It is speculating until it is implemented and people see it in action. At this point several years worth of kids have been put thru inferior classes.

It’s speculating until they announce plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We don’t know which HS it is....

The original Railside has been used as an examplar, without people knowing what high school it was. Then when the data was checked by people who managed to get around the refusal to provide the names, it was found that Railside was not performing better than the comparison schools after all.

That was never verified by a legit source.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“ It is speculating until it is implemented and people see it in action”

How they will deal with ensuring kids are prepared to actually take calculus senior year with the new progression is speculation.
But it is not speculation that they are doing away with honors/AAP/ability grouping. They are very clear on that front in the webinars although they use different words. They say all kids will be in heterogeneous classes learning the same content k-10. Within those the only thing they will offer the faster kids is “deeper” math on that topic - whatever that means. They also talk a lot about needing to use “group worthy” math techniques- so lots of group work for math eating up time rather than actually practicing the math problems to have them sink in well.

They are offering ALL kids a deeper learning experience.

They haven’t shared details on that either so you’re speculating on what that looks like.

[Anonymous]

All kids having a "deeper learning experience" in math sounds good. Gut instinct - good idea! We all want kids to understand math -- hopefully like one stream of it (finance, statistics, etc) But a "deeper learning experience" is a term of art -- meaningless without specifics. And this plan is on track to start rolling our soon (test runs before full scale in 25-26).

I have reached out to elected officials and even a school principal. None of them seem to know anything about it beyond a bullet point or two provided by the VA DOE and it's all **abstract talking points.**

They call for detracking all the way through elementary school. In practical terms, that may mean:
--No AAP
--No honors/advanced math in elementary or middle school.
--This would be statewide, but the IB diploma is set by international standards. The switch to this pacing would make it difficult to get the IB diploma.
--Fewer chances for advanced math and science classes. Students interested in STEM would hit fewer higher level classes and thus be less competitive to certain colleges.
--This also translates into fewer opportunities for AP courses at the high school level. That is real money in at college level courses that will hit college students and their families' pocketbooks.
--For teachers, they talk about "heterogenous classrooms," which translates into them expecting miracles out of teachers so they they teach to all levels in one room. That won't happen.

On one of the webinars, a state employee who was a representative of the VMPI said well - college level courses should stay in college. No a fan of the AP level coursework. Again... that is a huge money saver for many families.

I think this program has some unintended consequences. I would love to be wrong, but I don't think people have any idea what is coming at them and it will change the system in some pretty profound ways.

I believe in public education and think they should look for more ways to help students get and stay interested in math. But that shouldn't start by eliminating advancement opportunities.

I encourage you to reach out to your school board members and your elected officials (more than once if you have to) to make sure they become educated beyond the abstract terms.

I spoke to my state Senator yesterday and he plans to reach out to the VMPI for clarity (practical implications -- not abstract jargon), but we need all of the state senators and delegates and school board members to AT LEAST UNDERSTAND the implications of what it will mean in practical terms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All kids having a "deeper learning experience" in math sounds good. Gut instinct - good idea! We all want kids to understand math -- hopefully like one stream of it (finance, statistics, etc) But a "deeper learning experience" is a term of art -- meaningless without specifics. And this plan is on track to start rolling our soon (test runs before full scale in 25-26).

I have reached out to elected officials and even a school principal. None of them seem to know anything about it beyond a bullet point or two provided by the VA DOE and it's all **abstract talking points.**

They call for detracking all the way through elementary school. In practical terms, that may mean:
--No AAP
--No honors/advanced math in elementary or middle school.
--This would be statewide, but the IB diploma is set by international standards. The switch to this pacing would make it difficult to get the IB diploma.
--Fewer chances for advanced math and science classes. Students interested in STEM would hit fewer higher level classes and thus be less competitive to certain colleges.
--This also translates into fewer opportunities for AP courses at the high school level. That is real money in at college level courses that will hit college students and their families' pocketbooks.
--For teachers, they talk about "heterogenous classrooms," which translates into them expecting miracles out of teachers so they they teach to all levels in one room. That won't happen.

On one of the webinars, a state employee who was a representative of the VMPI said well - college level courses should stay in college. No a fan of the AP level coursework. Again... that is a huge money saver for many families.

I think this program has some unintended consequences. I would love to be wrong, but I don't think people have any idea what is coming at them and it will change the system in some pretty profound ways.

I believe in public education and think they should look for more ways to help students get and stay interested in math. But that shouldn't start by eliminating advancement opportunities.

I encourage you to reach out to your school board members and your elected officials (more than once if you have to) to make sure they become educated beyond the abstract terms.

I spoke to my state Senator yesterday and he plans to reach out to the VMPI for clarity (practical implications -- not abstract jargon), but we need all of the state senators and delegates and school board members to AT LEAST UNDERSTAND the implications of what it will mean in practical terms.

You are speculating that it’d be harder for IB. They haven’t shared specifics yet.

I think it’s important to understand the impacts of these changes — that will be easier to do after they’ve shared specifics. We should hear more at the next info sessions.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021 - Essential Concepts in Grades 8 - 10
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - Advanced Pathways in Grades 11 - 12

https://youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ

[Anonymous]

"I think it’s important to understand the impacts of these changes — that will be easier to do after they’ve shared specifics. We should hear more at the next info sessions."

Why do they keep only sharing info orally in dribs and drabs? Why isn't there more in writing on the VMPI website like a FAQ that responds substantively - not in talking points or top-level assurances - to the questions and concerns that have been raised? If all is fine and this is great for everyone it's sure odd how little is in writing and in detail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I think it’s important to understand the impacts of these changes — that will be easier to do after they’ve shared specifics. We should hear more at the next info sessions."

Why do they keep only sharing info orally in dribs and drabs? Why isn't there more in writing on the VMPI website like a FAQ that responds substantively - not in talking points or top-level assurances - to the questions and concerns that have been raised? If all is fine and this is great for everyone it's sure odd how little is in writing and in detail.

I assume they haven’t finalized the plan enough for public consumption.

[Anonymous]

I am ordinarily highly skeptical of anything reported on FOX, but the quoted post by the Loudoun County School Board member confirms our understanding that all accelerated math will be eliminated before 11th grade.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/virginia-accelerated-math-courses-equity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am ordinarily highly skeptical of anything reported on FOX, but the quoted post by the Loudoun County School Board member confirms our understanding that all accelerated math will be eliminated before 11th grade.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/virginia-accelerated-math-courses-equity

Is it really necessary to have this exact conversation on three different threads.

Let’s just pick one to continue. This one since it’s a VA-wide change?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I think it’s important to understand the impacts of these changes — that will be easier to do after they’ve shared specifics. We should hear more at the next info sessions."

Why do they keep only sharing info orally in dribs and drabs? Why isn't there more in writing on the VMPI website like a FAQ that responds substantively - not in talking points or top-level assurances - to the questions and concerns that have been raised? If all is fine and this is great for everyone it's sure odd how little is in writing and in detail.

I assume they haven’t finalized the plan enough for public consumption.

I absolutely agree that we should all tune in to the next info sessions. I've listened to all the ones available already: I will note that most of them do not seem to be introducing much in the way of *new* information at this point, which again, concerns me. The last one seemed to be little more than a cheerleading session. I'd hope that in the next two they give us more specifics (many of us have submitted questions asking for those specifics and gotten no replies, or generic cheerleading replies.)

If indeed they haven't finalized a plan enough for public consumption (I would agree that's likely), it's concerning that they plan to roll this out so quickly (and again, while they say they will 'pilot' it, they haven't said to my knowledge if or how they plan to evaluate that pilot before making a go/no go decision.)

The way they are acting - dodging questions, not providing specifics, and ignoring constructive criticism or those who disagree with them, make us think that as far as VDOE is concerned this is a foregone conclusion and none of our input is going to matter. Which is why we're, pretty understandably, upset, when we feel like parts of this plan are going to cause real harm for large swaths of kids.

I'm more than willing to change my opinion of the program if there's information in the coming sessions that change the picture of the information we've been provided already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am ordinarily highly skeptical of anything reported on FOX, but the quoted post by the Loudoun County School Board member confirms our understanding that all accelerated math will be eliminated before 11th grade.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/virginia-accelerated-math-courses-equity

If that’s true, then this is an extremely dumb decision by the state. Really weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suggest contacting the school board, and seeing if they will bring a resolution opposing the changes, and confirming they will continue to track and offer acceleration. I don't think they are allowed to offer additional classes, but they can let kids continue to test up to higher levels, and separate the classes by ability.

Maybe other school districts' school boards would help but I highly doubt Fairfax County will. If you live in Fairfax county I would contact your state senator and delegate and anyone you are considering voting for, for Gov.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I think it’s important to understand the impacts of these changes — that will be easier to do after they’ve shared specifics. We should hear more at the next info sessions."

Why do they keep only sharing info orally in dribs and drabs? Why isn't there more in writing on the VMPI website like a FAQ that responds substantively - not in talking points or top-level assurances - to the questions and concerns that have been raised? If all is fine and this is great for everyone it's sure odd how little is in writing and in detail.

I assume they haven’t finalized the plan enough for public consumption.

I absolutely agree that we should all tune in to the next info sessions. I've listened to all the ones available already: I will note that most of them do not seem to be introducing much in the way of *new* information at this point, which again, concerns me. The last one seemed to be little more than a cheerleading session. I'd hope that in the next two they give us more specifics (many of us have submitted questions asking for those specifics and gotten no replies, or generic cheerleading replies.)

If indeed they haven't finalized a plan enough for public consumption (I would agree that's likely), it's concerning that they plan to roll this out so quickly (and again, while they say they will 'pilot' it, they haven't said to my knowledge if or how they plan to evaluate that pilot before making a go/no go decision.)

The way they are acting - dodging questions, not providing specifics, and ignoring constructive criticism or those who disagree with them, make us think that as far as VDOE is concerned this is a foregone conclusion and none of our input is going to matter. Which is why we're, pretty understandably, upset, when we feel like parts of this plan are going to cause real harm for large swaths of kids.

I'm more than willing to change my opinion of the program if there's information in the coming sessions that change the picture of the information we've been provided already.

Yup. Hope they provide specifics and plan for a full pilot.

[Anonymous]

I'm really hesitant to send an email to my delegate about anything, to be honest. A year or so ago I sent him an email about a bill I had reasonable reservations about and he sent me a long vitriolic reply calling me a right wing extremist. I'm a Democrat. I don't trust him to listen to my concerns. I'll look up who else I can email about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm really hesitant to send an email to my delegate about anything, to be honest. A year or so ago I sent him an email about a bill I had reasonable reservations about and he sent me a long vitriolic reply calling me a right wing extremist. I'm a Democrat. I don't trust him to listen to my concerns. I'll look up who else I can email about it.

State senator?