VA math changes - ways to speak out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"It certainly looks like they are backtracking, because the current documents directly contradict everything they put out before. I guess the best way to backtrack is to pretend you were never advocating what you previously said you were advocating - which was eliminating all tracking and placing kids in lockstep through 10th grade.:"

+1!
People who posting "can't you read!?! Look at what VDOE posted late Friday night!" have clearly not been following this over the last few months. I hope the late Fri doc means what it says and they have chucked this ridiculous idea of all kids of varying abilities being in the same class for K-10.

But until they admit they made a change I'm going to remain skeptical that they are playing some type of word smithing game here since the late Friday statements are literally the opposite of what they have been saying for months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siS8jlTcUzo
14:00, calculus not that important.
23:00, eliminating tracking poll, the teachers objected. 28:00 'we still have work to do' to get people to realize the importance of detracking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"It certainly looks like they are backtracking, because the current documents directly contradict everything they put out before. I guess the best way to backtrack is to pretend you were never advocating what you previously said you were advocating - which was eliminating all tracking and placing kids in lockstep through 10th grade.:"

+1!
People who posting "can't you read!?! Look at what VDOE posted late Friday night!" have clearly not been following this over the last few months. I hope the late Fri doc means what it says and they have chucked this ridiculous idea of all kids of varying abilities being in the same class for K-10.

But until they admit they made a change I'm going to remain skeptical that they are playing some type of word smithing game here since the late Friday statements are literally the opposite of what they have been saying for months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siS8jlTcUzo
14:00, calculus not that important.
23:00, eliminating tracking poll, the teachers objected. 28:00 'we still have work to do' to get people to realize the importance of detracking.

That was my first interpretation as well, but maybe they meant that they had to rethink what parts get implemented...because that's exactly what happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Please answer this question then. Will kids be able to take Algebra in 7th and post-Calc in 12th? If so, what’s the difference between VPMI and what we have now?

As far as we know, there will no longer be post-calc options (unless you're taking summer school on your own.) Obviously, that could change, but right now everything we have seen indicates that VMPI precludes post-calc math in K-12 schools.

Not "everything":
The traditional high school pathway culminating in the study of Calculus or other advanced courses is not being eliminated.

As explained already, this is categorically false. Algebra- Geometry- Algebra 2- Precalculus is the traditional pathway, and this is eliminated.
Replaced by a pathway of Essential Concepts 7, Essential Concepts 8, Integrated Math 9, Integrated Math 10, plus an insufficient year 11.

Speculation...

You have posted that algebra is eliminated under the new standards. The traditional pathway is eliminated.

You mean algebra as a standalone course listed in a course catalog? Sure. But it seems like they aren't as literal as you - they mean the pathway to cover that content will still exist. Algebra content will still be taught (spiraled w/geometry&alg2) in various course offerings, accelerations, tracks, years, etc.

VDOE now says it's up to the school districts to decide how to implement.

[Anonymous]

Update from parent group:

We wanted to let you know that VDOE has just updated its VMPI website and it appears that there has been some shift in their approach toward VMPI which allows for greater local district autonomy in implementing VMPI and recognizes that a one-size-fits-all policy may not be the best for all students.
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/index.shtml#vmpi

In particular, VDOE included the following text:
"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."

VDOE has not provided details yet on how the above statement will be integrated into the existing VMPI framework. VDOE holds its third community session on VMPI tomorrow night (Tuesday 4/27 at 6:30pm) focusing on the Essential Concepts courses Grades 8-10. This will be the first chance to potentially hear more information about this shift in approach. You can watch the presentation at the first link below (the session will be recorded as well) and there is an opportunity to submit questions ahead of time at the second link and in the chat box during the session itself.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesz3YtqVqXtAioJKX0xtYbPxUW6l7dfpbwfdbQyEQ5eTgZMQ/viewform

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Please answer this question then. Will kids be able to take Algebra in 7th and post-Calc in 12th? If so, what’s the difference between VPMI and what we have now?

As far as we know, there will no longer be post-calc options (unless you're taking summer school on your own.) Obviously, that could change, but right now everything we have seen indicates that VMPI precludes post-calc math in K-12 schools.

Not "everything":
The traditional high school pathway culminating in the study of Calculus or other advanced courses is not being eliminated.

The italicized does not say that post-AP Calculus classes will be offered. "Other advanced courses" could be AP Stats or something. There has actually been no explicit reassurance that dual enrollment type courses will still be an option, which blows my mind.

Other advanced courses, in this context, seems to refer to the additional pathways courses - the data science, discrete math, logic and sets, etc. that are offered to all 11th and 12th graders. They have pitched these multiple times as 'advanced courses'. They do not seem to be referring to Multivariable Calc, linear algebra, or DiffEQ, which I think are some of the traditional 'post-calc' classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You have posted that algebra is eliminated under the new standards. The traditional pathway is eliminated.

You mean algebra as a standalone course listed in a course catalog? Sure. But it seems like they aren't as literal as you - they mean the pathway to cover that content will still exist. Algebra content will still be taught (spiraled w/geometry&alg2) in various course offerings, accelerations, tracks, years, etc.

VDOE now says it's up to the school districts to decide how to implement.

That is eliminating the traditional pathway, if it is not a standalone course. They can't say they are not eliminating the traditional pathway when they are.
The pathway to cover that content is not the same as the traditional pathway, and I disagree that the pathway to cover the content exists.

VDOE says it's up to the school districts how to implement, within the curriculum they have provided. For example, you can't have an algebra class, if the students will not have an algebra SOL to be tested on.

[Anonymous]

LCPS Tuesday school board meeting will covering VMPI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"It certainly looks like they are backtracking, because the current documents directly contradict everything they put out before. I guess the best way to backtrack is to pretend you were never advocating what you previously said you were advocating - which was eliminating all tracking and placing kids in lockstep through 10th grade.:"

+1!
People who posting "can't you read!?! Look at what VDOE posted late Friday night!" have clearly not been following this over the last few months. I hope the late Fri doc means what it says and they have chucked this ridiculous idea of all kids of varying abilities being in the same class for K-10.

But until they admit they made a change I'm going to remain skeptical that they are playing some type of word smithing game here since the late Friday statements are literally the opposite of what they have been saying for months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siS8jlTcUzo
14:00, calculus not that important.
23:00, eliminating tracking poll, the teachers objected. 28:00 'we still have work to do' to get people to realize the importance of detracking.

For the first one at 23:00 maybe, but not the second one at 28:00. He goes on to talk about how acceleration is bad, kids accelerate then stop taking math, or have to retake, etc.

That was my first interpretation as well, but maybe they meant that they had to rethink what parts get implemented...because that's exactly what happened.

[Anonymous]

I guess no more TJ, it will become your average HS. No more fighting from FCPS parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You have posted that algebra is eliminated under the new standards. The traditional pathway is eliminated.

You mean algebra as a standalone course listed in a course catalog? Sure. But it seems like they aren't as literal as you - they mean the pathway to cover that content will still exist. Algebra content will still be taught (spiraled w/geometry&alg2) in various course offerings, accelerations, tracks, years, etc.

VDOE now says it's up to the school districts to decide how to implement.

That is eliminating the traditional pathway, if it is not a standalone course. They can't say they are not eliminating the traditional pathway when they are.
The pathway to cover that content is not the same as the traditional pathway, and I disagree that the pathway to cover the content exists.

VDOE says it's up to the school districts how to implement, within the curriculum they have provided. For example, you can't have an algebra class, if the students will not have an algebra SOL to be tested on.

Hopefully they will clarify tomorrow with more specific language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
That is eliminating the traditional pathway, if it is not a standalone course. They can't say they are not eliminating the traditional pathway when they are.
The pathway to cover that content is not the same as the traditional pathway, and I disagree that the pathway to cover the content exists.

VDOE says it's up to the school districts how to implement, within the curriculum they have provided. For example, you can't have an algebra class, if the students will not have an algebra SOL to be tested on.

Hopefully they will clarify tomorrow with more specific language.

What time is the webinar? I think people are expecting too much from it, since the topic is K-7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Update from parent group:

We wanted to let you know that VDOE has just updated its VMPI website and it appears that there has been some shift in their approach toward VMPI which allows for greater local district autonomy in implementing VMPI and recognizes that a one-size-fits-all policy may not be the best for all students.
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/index.shtml#vmpi

In particular, VDOE included the following text:
"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."

VDOE has not provided details yet on how the above statement will be integrated into the existing VMPI framework. VDOE holds its third community session on VMPI tomorrow night (Tuesday 4/27 at 6:30pm) focusing on the Essential Concepts courses Grades 8-10. This will be the first chance to potentially hear more information about this shift in approach. You can watch the presentation at the first link below (the session will be recorded as well) and there is an opportunity to submit questions ahead of time at the second link and in the chat box during the session itself.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesz3YtqVqXtAioJKX0xtYbPxUW6l7dfpbwfdbQyEQ5eTgZMQ/viewform

Tuesday 4/27 at 6:30pm
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ

You can submit Qs/comments in advance:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesz3YtqVqXtAioJKX0xtYbPxUW6l7dfpbwfdbQyEQ5eTgZMQ/viewform

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
That is eliminating the traditional pathway, if it is not a standalone course. They can't say they are not eliminating the traditional pathway when they are.
The pathway to cover that content is not the same as the traditional pathway, and I disagree that the pathway to cover the content exists.

VDOE says it's up to the school districts how to implement, within the curriculum they have provided. For example, you can't have an algebra class, if the students will not have an algebra SOL to be tested on.

Hopefully they will clarify tomorrow with more specific language.

What time is the webinar? I think people are expecting too much from it, since the topic is K-7.

6:30pm

Topic is: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 - Essential Concepts in Grades 8 - 10

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Please answer this question then. Will kids be able to take Algebra in 7th and post-Calc in 12th? If so, what’s the difference between VPMI and what we have now?

As far as we know, there will no longer be post-calc options (unless you're taking summer school on your own.) Obviously, that could change, but right now everything we have seen indicates that VMPI precludes post-calc math in K-12 schools.

Not "everything":
The traditional high school pathway culminating in the study of Calculus or other advanced courses is not being eliminated.

As explained already, this is categorically false. Algebra- Geometry- Algebra 2- Precalculus is the traditional pathway, and this is eliminated.
Replaced by a pathway of Essential Concepts 7, Essential Concepts 8, Integrated Math 9, Integrated Math 10, plus an insufficient year 11.

Speculation...

You have posted that algebra is eliminated under the new standards. The traditional pathway is eliminated.

You mean algebra as a standalone course listed in a course catalog? Sure. But it seems like they aren't as literal as you - they mean the pathway to cover that content will still exist. Algebra content will still be taught (spiraled w/geometry&alg2) in various course offerings, accelerations, tracks, years, etc.

VDOE now says it's up to the school districts to decide how to implement.

NP This is the worst part of the whole proposal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess no more TJ, it will become your average HS. No more fighting from FCPS parents.

Oh, I doubt that. Privileged parters will always try to find some way to keep punching their tickets of privilege. So, their kids may be math-challenged along the way, but they’ll move heaven and earth to make sure they are the “best” of the dummies.