VA math changes - ways to speak out

[Anonymous]

https://www.youngkinforgovernor.com/post/youngkin-calls-for-resignation-of-virginia-education-chiefs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got a response from Tina about the specific pathway to calculus.
One of the many options that is being proposed is that a student could take grade 6 and 7 mathematics; essential concepts courses in grades 8, 9, and 10; pre-calculus in grade 11; and calculus in grade 12. Many other options and pathways will also be available.

Sincerely,
Tina

Has anyone gotten a response on post-AP math classes? Calc is great for those who need it, but many northern VA kids go beyond it in HS.

They have AP statistics and other classes available, but they are not anticipating anyone taking calculus prior to 12th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“ Rs are the pro-science party,”

Neither side is pro science. Each bases positions much more off of what outcome is desired. It’s just that on this topic Ds want equity more than they want to cultivate the kids who will be the leading edge of our math and science force. Plenty of other issues where the R position is likewise driven by dogma not data.

You know those two things aren't mutually exclusive, right?

Of course they are not. The actual equity problem is that Black and Hispanic kids are under-identified for advanced math. That's the problem to fix. VAs solution is to instead just not let any kids pursue math at a faster, more advanced pace.

They aren’t doing that.

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/VMPI%20for%20vdoe%20website.docx

● The traditional high school pathway culminating in the study of Calculus or other advanced courses is not being eliminated. Additional course pathways will include engaging semester courses in statistics, data science, modeling, design, and logic, among others.
● Local school divisions will still have plenty of flexibility to create courses aligned to the standards to meet the needs of all students; and provide opportunities for all students to advance through the curriculum based on their learning needs. School divisions will also be able to offer advanced sections and acceleration through the courses.

Since this document just appeared recently, and contradicts earlier statements, what they are actually planning now is unclear.

Can’t you read? It’s still in the development stage.

NOTHING HAS BEEN FINALIZED YET.

Sorry, your trash candidates will have to manufacture some other hot issue.

Tell that to the hundreds of kids who took a precalculus eligibility test instead of a simulated math 8 SOL to get into algebra class in February, in response to these changes.
That is well past development stage.

That wasn’t this initiative, nimrod.

Any changes made to the Mathematics Standards of Learning would be scheduled for classroom level implementation in the 2025-2026 school year.

The stated reason for the change is the new statewide math progression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“ Rs are the pro-science party,”

Neither side is pro science. Each bases positions much more off of what outcome is desired. It’s just that on this topic Ds want equity more than they want to cultivate the kids who will be the leading edge of our math and science force. Plenty of other issues where the R position is likewise driven by dogma not data.

You know those two things aren't mutually exclusive, right?

Of course they are not. The actual equity problem is that Black and Hispanic kids are under-identified for advanced math. That's the problem to fix. VAs solution is to instead just not let any kids pursue math at a faster, more advanced pace.

They aren’t doing that.

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/VMPI%20for%20vdoe%20website.docx

● The traditional high school pathway culminating in the study of Calculus or other advanced courses is not being eliminated. Additional course pathways will include engaging semester courses in statistics, data science, modeling, design, and logic, among others.
● Local school divisions will still have plenty of flexibility to create courses aligned to the standards to meet the needs of all students; and provide opportunities for all students to advance through the curriculum based on their learning needs. School divisions will also be able to offer advanced sections and acceleration through the courses.

Since this document just appeared recently, and contradicts earlier statements, what they are actually planning now is unclear.

Can’t you read? It’s still in the development stage.

NOTHING HAS BEEN FINALIZED YET.

Sorry, your trash candidates will have to manufacture some other hot issue.

Tell that to the hundreds of kids who took a precalculus eligibility test instead of a simulated math 8 SOL to get into algebra class in February, in response to these changes.
That is well past development stage.

That wasn’t this initiative, nimrod.

Any changes made to the Mathematics Standards of Learning would be scheduled for classroom level implementation in the 2025-2026 school year.

The stated reason for the change is the new statewide math progression. I'm confused as to how this happened without the school board member being aware of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is McAuliffe plan for education https://terrymcauliffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1.29.21-FINAL-Education-Plan-1.pdf

So he’s saying that after eight years of Democratic administrations, the state of education in Virginia is horrible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.youngkinforgovernor.com/post/youngkin-calls-for-resignation-of-virginia-education-chiefs

This guy defends The Big Lie.

Worthless POS.

[Anonymous]

Northern Virginians are getting twitchy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.youngkinforgovernor.com/post/youngkin-calls-for-resignation-of-virginia-education-chiefs

This guy defends The Big Lie.

Worthless POS.

Actually, the facts establish he’s worth a great deal of money.

[Anonymous]

His website has no info on positions. I am not ruling it out but he needs to post some stuff other than press releases.

[Anonymous]

Didn't San Francisco try something similar to this plan? I don't remember the details but I think their plan also did not allow kids to take Algebra before 9th grade. Families left the public school system in high numbers. While it is harder to leave a state, I see many families opting for private school or homeschooling. Maybe that's what VA wants! High achieving students leave the system will help close the achievement gap!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got a response from Tina about the specific pathway to calculus.
One of the many options that is being proposed is that a student could take grade 6 and 7 mathematics; essential concepts courses in grades 8, 9, and 10; pre-calculus in grade 11; and calculus in grade 12. Many other options and pathways will also be available.

Sincerely,
Tina

The problem with this response is if your middle schooler is in a single heterogeneous classroom with insufficient differentiation from 6th-10th grade, it is highly unlikely she will be ready for higher level math. The issue is less about calculus in 12th than it is the removal of differentiated math options in earlier grades.

[Anonymous]

What VDOE wants to do is make college admissions harder for gifted kids and high achievers by leveling the playing field. That’s why they don’t want you to take advanced classés earlier on to give you an edge when applying for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got a response from Tina about the specific pathway to calculus.
One of the many options that is being proposed is that a student could take grade 6 and 7 mathematics; essential concepts courses in grades 8, 9, and 10; pre-calculus in grade 11; and calculus in grade 12. Many other options and pathways will also be available.

Sincerely,
Tina

The problem with this response is if your middle schooler is in a single heterogeneous classroom with insufficient differentiation from 6th-10th grade, it is highly unlikely she will be ready for higher level math. The issue is less about calculus in 12th than it is the removal of differentiated math options in earlier grades.

Advanced kids can only learn in advanced classrooms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got a response from Tina about the specific pathway to calculus.
One of the many options that is being proposed is that a student could take grade 6 and 7 mathematics; essential concepts courses in grades 8, 9, and 10; pre-calculus in grade 11; and calculus in grade 12. Many other options and pathways will also be available.

Sincerely,
Tina

The problem with this response is if your middle schooler is in a single heterogeneous classroom with insufficient differentiation from 6th-10th grade, it is highly unlikely she will be ready for higher level math. The issue is less about calculus in 12th than it is the removal of differentiated math options in earlier grades.

Advanced kids can only learn in advanced classrooms?

Of course not, but in a truly heterogenous classroom the abilities/knowledge could be spread across 3 or more grade levels. Trust me, the teacher will not be focused on the 3 or 4 kids working one or two grade levels ahead. Differentiation meaning "here's some extra word problems while I work with the kids who are struggling" is not teaching. I'm not bashing teachers, asking them to differentiate Grade 7 math to kids at a 5th grade level and an 8th or 9th grade level is unfair to them and to the kids whose needs aren't met.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got a response from Tina about the specific pathway to calculus.
One of the many options that is being proposed is that a student could take grade 6 and 7 mathematics; essential concepts courses in grades 8, 9, and 10; pre-calculus in grade 11; and calculus in grade 12. Many other options and pathways will also be available.

Sincerely,
Tina

The problem with this response is if your middle schooler is in a single heterogeneous classroom with insufficient differentiation from 6th-10th grade, it is highly unlikely she will be ready for higher level math. The issue is less about calculus in 12th than it is the removal of differentiated math options in earlier grades.

Advanced kids can only learn in advanced classrooms?

Of course not, but in a truly heterogenous classroom the abilities/knowledge could be spread across 3 or more grade levels. Trust me, the teacher will not be focused on the 3 or 4 kids working one or two grade levels ahead. Differentiation meaning "here's some extra word problems while I work with the kids who are struggling" is not teaching. I'm not bashing teachers, asking them to differentiate Grade 7 math to kids at a 5th grade level and an 8th or 9th grade level is unfair to them and to the kids whose needs aren't met.

So then how will learners not “be ready for higher level math”?