VA math changes - ways to speak out

[Anonymous]

Seems racist for the VA school system to assume that African American students are incapable of studying advanced math. What am I missing? Seems like bizarro world where up is down, hard to keep track of what the “approved” way of thinking currently is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is NOT going to be aSB decision of VDOE gets their way. SB is a waste of time. Effort needs focused at the state level.

This appears to have gotten the most exposure via Fox News after a school board member found out about it.
School boards do have discretion in setting county policy regarding gifted students and the like. They can also do tracking by just evaluating kids and sorting by classes that way.
School boards can also pass a resolution in opposition, even if it doesn't have effect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems racist for the VA school system to assume that African American students are incapable of studying advanced math. What am I missing? Seems like bizarro world where up is down, hard to keep track of what the “approved” way of thinking currently is.

This. Clearly there is an issue of Black and Hispanic students not being appropriately identified/encouraged to take more challenging math. FIX THAT! Instead this solution is just don't let anyone be gifted in math. Ugh

[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.

But they have done it enough to take opportunities away from students. LCPS, no 6th graders in algebra, no 7th graders in geometry, no 8th graders in alg 2/trig, in 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024 respectively.
Don't know if Fairfax has implemented changes in response.

FCPS is focused on expanding access to advanced math at the ES level as part of their push for equity.

[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.

Not surprised. Most of the delegates representing Northern Virginia are to the left of Stalin

-Another Democrat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not surprised. Most of the delegates representing Northern Virginia are to the left of Stalin

-Another Democrat

I was just so taken aback. Usually when I write a politician, I get some bland form letter response. But he took the time to write a really mean, really long email to me instead of just explaining why he supported the bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not surprised. Most of the delegates representing Northern Virginia are to the left of Stalin

-Another Democrat

I was just so taken aback. Usually when I write a politician, I get some bland form letter response. But he took the time to write a really mean, really long email to me instead of just explaining why he supported the bill.

Wow. What did you say to him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not surprised. Most of the delegates representing Northern Virginia are to the left of Stalin

-Another Democrat

I was just so taken aback. Usually when I write a politician, I get some bland form letter response. But he took the time to write a really mean, really long email to me instead of just explaining why he supported the bill.

Do you mind share it? If more people in the middle saw his writing, he may not get their vote next time.

[Anonymous]

This may have been shared already but after watching this video explaining the changes I feel like this is a good thing. https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR24-2WheEVBe-5v4baC9f4ZqiT2wpTuZCB9pKk1jz_e0bEbkJ9HGe97Dt4&v=Fz7XElC9jx8&feature=youtu.be

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This may have been shared already but after watching this video explaining the changes I feel like this is a good thing. https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR24-2WheEVBe-5v4baC9f4ZqiT2wpTuZCB9pKk1jz_e0bEbkJ9HGe97Dt4&v=Fz7XElC9jx8&feature=youtu.be

Believe that video focused mostly on the changes re: math taught and not as much as other videos on the doing away with any math advancement piece. The latter is what folks are most concerned about especially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This may have been shared already but after watching this video explaining the changes I feel like this is a good thing. https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR24-2WheEVBe-5v4baC9f4ZqiT2wpTuZCB9pKk1jz_e0bEbkJ9HGe97Dt4&v=Fz7XElC9jx8&feature=youtu.be

Believe that video focused mostly on the changes re: math taught and not as much as other videos on the doing away with any math advancement piece. The latter is what folks are most concerned about especially.

Yes. I support math changes that allow people to focus on deeper learning of arithmetic and other foundations. I don’t support detracting. I wish they would offer alternative tracks earlier, and I would be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is NOT going to be aSB decision of VDOE gets their way. SB is a waste of time. Effort needs focused at the state level.

Loudoun County has already changed its course pathways to match the new plans. They were not required to do this, as Fairfax has not done so I believe.
People can contact Loudoun County School Board and get them to overrule this. Specifically kids who would have been taking algebra in middle school will now be taking algebra in 9th grade, current fourth graders and below.
Current 5th graders have been denied 6th grade algebra, and most have been denied 7th grade algebra.

Loudoun County has gone from having advanced math programs to being way behind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This may have been shared already but after watching this video explaining the changes I feel like this is a good thing. https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR24-2WheEVBe-5v4baC9f4ZqiT2wpTuZCB9pKk1jz_e0bEbkJ9HGe97Dt4&v=Fz7XElC9jx8&feature=youtu.be

Believe that video focused mostly on the changes re: math taught and not as much as other videos on the doing away with any math advancement piece. The latter is what folks are most concerned about especially.

Yes. I support math changes that allow people to focus on deeper learning of arithmetic and other foundations. I don’t support detracting. I wish they would offer alternative tracks earlier, and I would be happy.

Those are the main things that they are hiding that they are doing. They are aware people are against it. Math teachers in one of the videos objected to it, and she just said ,'We have a lot of work to do'.
Making more people aware of this is important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is NOT going to be aSB decision of VDOE gets their way. SB is a waste of time. Effort needs focused at the state level.

Loudoun County has already changed its course pathways to match the new plans. They were not required to do this, as Fairfax has not done so I believe.
People can contact Loudoun County School Board and get them to overrule this. Specifically kids who would have been taking algebra in middle school will now be taking algebra in 9th grade, current fourth graders and below.
Current 5th graders have been denied 6th grade algebra, and most have been denied 7th grade algebra.

Loudoun County has gone from having advanced math programs to being way behind.

This doesn’t match with a Facebook post I saw from a lcps school board member. He said everyone would take algebra is eighth grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

So I posted 6 reasons for concern and you mentioned I was speculating on the one that likely affects the least number of families. I encourage everyone to watch those webinars and submit questions, but know you are watching it on youtube and they pick the questions they want to answer. Also... Asking bureaucrats at VMPI, who support the plan and talk in abstract terms, will have less impact than reaching out to your Delegate and State Senator and school board. The superintendents will have to follow the programs. The others may have more room to shape it. Also - these last two webinars are directed towards kids in upper-grades, BUT the people most affected by this are in elementary school now. So... elementary school parents... I know it's for Grades 8-10, but you need to be watching.

I completely agree people should stay informed and provide constructive feedback to VDOE & representatives.

The doomsday scenarios being thrown around based on zero facts aren’t productive at all though.

It’ll be easier to give feedback after the next two sessions once they’ve (hopefully) provided some specifics.

Yet when I emailed the VMPI to specifically ask what they meant about detracking or if honors math in middle school would be stopped or what it would mean to Fairfax's Advanced Academics Programs, Tina Mazzacane (K-12 Mathematics Coordinator) would not answer in direct terms. She used abstract language and ducked a response. She gave me a reply similar to the one above so my guess is that the VA DOE is tracking this board. And she suggested I watch a youtube webinar that did not allow for live questions from the audience -- just ones that they were able to comb through and pick. Not exactly an open debate or opportunity for direct questions. When the VA DOE won't answer some of the points above, there is definite reason for concern given the materials they have put out thus far.