VA math changes - ways to speak out

[Anonymous]

OMG there is no math change like this. OP you are wasting your time and everyone else's. None of this crap is actually true.

[Anonymous]

Even normie nova neoliberals have their breaking point, it seems. Turns out it was calculus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG there is no math change like this. OP you are wasting your time and everyone else's. None of this crap is actually true.

After massive pushback, VDOE is backtracking a bit.

We need to keep a close watch on this to make sure it doesn't happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG there is no math change like this. OP you are wasting your time and everyone else's. None of this crap is actually true.

If you read Jay Matthew's article, it definitely WAS true until people like OP posted and rallied the parents to speak out. Far from being a waste of time, parents made a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what to tell you. Both Reaser and Serotkin have told me in writing that acceleration is and will continue to be an option in LCPS.

I'd like to believe this, but it looked to me like they misunderstood what the county staff was saying.
I will believe that if the staff changes the chart https://www.lcps.org/Page/212323 to include additional pathways that were there before, and if they reinstate algebra for 6th grade.
It is a fact that 5th grade kids tested to enroll in prealgebra next year, when normally they would have been taking a test to enroll in algebra.
This advancement is gone. At the school board meeting Mr. Mahedavi confused this with the different class names that have been changing, and they said they did not make any changes due to VMPI.

They use the words “example” and tentative.

Not so tentative for the 5th graders who have been delayed a year. Not just the 5th graders who would have qualified for algebra, but the sizable contingent that takes in 7th would be way down, as they didn't get pre-algebra (formerly math 6/7) in 6th.
It is possible they have relaxed the admissions to get into pre-algebra in 6th, but from what I've heard they just gave the same algebra test and used that for admission to pre-algebra. The numbers are not up as would be expected from an easier test.

Foundations of Algebra IS pre-Algebra. It also takes the Math 7 SOL which is exactly what Math 6/7 took. Here is the verbatim course description:

"Foundations of Algebra 514000
SOL Test This course is designed to prepare students for Algebra I. It provides opportunities for students to
apply problem solving and critical thinking as part of their mathematics studies. Topics include practical
applications of rational numbers and proportional reasoning, geometry and measurement, algebraic
equations, and data representation and interpretation. Mathematical communication and reasoning are
emphasized throughout the course. Students completing this course will take the Grade 7 Mathematics SOL
test. "

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what to tell you. Both Reaser and Serotkin have told me in writing that acceleration is and will continue to be an option in LCPS.

I'd like to believe this, but it looked to me like they misunderstood what the county staff was saying.
I will believe that if the staff changes the chart https://www.lcps.org/Page/212323 to include additional pathways that were there before, and if they reinstate algebra for 6th grade.
It is a fact that 5th grade kids tested to enroll in prealgebra next year, when normally they would have been taking a test to enroll in algebra.
This advancement is gone. At the school board meeting Mr. Mahedavi confused this with the different class names that have been changing, and they said they did not make any changes due to VMPI.

They use the words “example” and tentative.

Not so tentative for the 5th graders who have been delayed a year. Not just the 5th graders who would have qualified for algebra, but the sizable contingent that takes in 7th would be way down, as they didn't get pre-algebra (formerly math 6/7) in 6th.
It is possible they have relaxed the admissions to get into pre-algebra in 6th, but from what I've heard they just gave the same algebra test and used that for admission to pre-algebra. The numbers are not up as would be expected from an easier test.

Foundations of Algebra IS pre-Algebra. It also takes the Math 7 SOL which is exactly what Math 6/7 took. Here is the verbatim course description:

"Foundations of Algebra 514000
SOL Test This course is designed to prepare students for Algebra I. It provides opportunities for students to
apply problem solving and critical thinking as part of their mathematics studies. Topics include practical
applications of rational numbers and proportional reasoning, geometry and measurement, algebraic
equations, and data representation and interpretation. Mathematical communication and reasoning are
emphasized throughout the course. Students completing this course will take the Grade 7 Mathematics SOL
test. "

This goes to what Mr. Mahedavi was asking. Next year, there will be separate classes of Foundations of Algebra and Prealgebra, along with Math 6.

[Anonymous]

APS school board candidate coverage on this issue : https://www.insidenova.com/news/arlington/arlington-candidates-voice-some-concerns-about-state-education-proposals/article_b7b492f4-ac3b-11eb-9330-f768c59895ca.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what to tell you. Both Reaser and Serotkin have told me in writing that acceleration is and will continue to be an option in LCPS.

I'd like to believe this, but it looked to me like they misunderstood what the county staff was saying.
I will believe that if the staff changes the chart https://www.lcps.org/Page/212323 to include additional pathways that were there before, and if they reinstate algebra for 6th grade.
It is a fact that 5th grade kids tested to enroll in prealgebra next year, when normally they would have been taking a test to enroll in algebra.
This advancement is gone. At the school board meeting Mr. Mahedavi confused this with the different class names that have been changing, and they said they did not make any changes due to VMPI.

They use the words “example” and tentative.

Not so tentative for the 5th graders who have been delayed a year. Not just the 5th graders who would have qualified for algebra, but the sizable contingent that takes in 7th would be way down, as they didn't get pre-algebra (formerly math 6/7) in 6th.
It is possible they have relaxed the admissions to get into pre-algebra in 6th, but from what I've heard they just gave the same algebra test and used that for admission to pre-algebra. The numbers are not up as would be expected from an easier test.

Foundations of Algebra IS pre-Algebra. It also takes the Math 7 SOL which is exactly what Math 6/7 took. Here is the verbatim course description:

"Foundations of Algebra 514000
SOL Test This course is designed to prepare students for Algebra I. It provides opportunities for students to
apply problem solving and critical thinking as part of their mathematics studies. Topics include practical
applications of rational numbers and proportional reasoning, geometry and measurement, algebraic
equations, and data representation and interpretation. Mathematical communication and reasoning are
emphasized throughout the course. Students completing this course will take the Grade 7 Mathematics SOL
test. "

This goes to what Mr. Mahedavi was asking. Next year, there will be separate classes of Foundations of Algebra and Prealgebra, along with Math 6.

PP here and I see what you are saying now. My school board member referred me to Dr. Ellis and cc'd her on our email exchange. We will see if she replies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APS school board candidate coverage on this issue : https://www.insidenova.com/news/arlington/arlington-candidates-voice-some-concerns-about-state-education-proposals/article_b7b492f4-ac3b-11eb-9330-f768c59895ca.html

MT continues to push GOP talking points...

Not going to go over well in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG there is no math change like this. OP you are wasting your time and everyone else's. None of this crap is actually true.

Loudoun has already begun some of the phasing in. This year's 5th graders cannot take Alegebra next year, and even for pre-Algebra they have the test in with the same test they used to give for Algebra. Most "smart" 5th graders will be taking "Foundations of Algebra" in 6th followed by "Pre Algebra" in 7th, and not Algebra until 8th. That is definitely a departure from Math in Loudoun in previous years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG there is no math change like this. OP you are wasting your time and everyone else's. None of this crap is actually true.

Loudoun has already begun some of the phasing in. This year's 5th graders cannot take Alegebra next year, and even for pre-Algebra they have the test in with the same test they used to give for Algebra. Most "smart" 5th graders will be taking "Foundations of Algebra" in 6th followed by "Pre Algebra" in 7th, and not Algebra until 8th. That is definitely a departure from Math in Loudoun in previous years.

That is LCPS acting on its own, nothing required by VDOE.

Many school districts have been reworking middle school math paths over recent years to limit/slow acceleration by discouraging/eliminating compacted math. For example, discussion for APS in 2019:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/812180.page

Algebra in 8th grade is appropriate for the vast majority of high-achieving kids. The actual # of "very superior" is quite small in reality.

[Anonymous]

LCPS did this in response to VMPI. The link to the video calls it an introduction to VMPI.

They were managing quite well with half the kids taking algebra in 7th grade, at least at some schools.
They just had to toughen up the curriculum for Math6/7 and change it to pre-algebra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LCPS did this in response to VMPI. The link to the video calls it an introduction to VMPI.

They were managing quite well with half the kids taking algebra in 7th grade, at least at some schools.
They just had to toughen up the curriculum for Math6/7 and change it to pre-algebra.

Either they were considering these changes before VMPI (similar to what APS did in 2019) ....OR.... they prematurely made changes based on some initial VMPI slides that were presented while VDOE was seeking feedback early on in the process.

[Anonymous]

Not just a few slides. They have had more interaction for a longer period, as was told at the LCPS school board meeting.
They made some changes in anticipation of not having an algebra class in 2023-2024.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not just a few slides. They have had more interaction for a longer period, as was told at the LCPS school board meeting.
They made some changes in anticipation of not having an algebra class in 2023-2024.

VPMI doesn’t implement until 2025-26. And they aren’t restricting acceleration.

So...LCPS jumped the gun. OR was already planning to adjust the options, as other area districts have done.