Reply to Middle school math pathways changing?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is most likely to align better with the changes coming from MSDE in math and to account for compacted 5/6 students being able to take AMP 7+ but needing a unit before getting started.

One of the changes(or at least new options from MSDE) will be Integrated Algebra which I fully support.  [/quote]

What is integrated algebra? I think of integrated math as a combo of algebra (or pre-algebra) and geometry so you have a bit of both each year. I do not know what integrated algebra would be. [/quote]

Yes, it's "integrated math 1/2/3" replacing the ridiculous 'algebra1/geometry/algebra2", not "integrated algebra".

(And it's much, much better than non-integrated. It eliminates the "wall of algebra" that interferes with kids' opportunity to accelerate or decelerate after math 8 / 7+ / AIM "prealgebra" -- which is actually already "integrated math 0" )[/quote]

Easier acceleration is a benefit but not the goal.  The goal is to better integrate teaching and learning of math subjects that rely on and build together.  Additionally it ensures that Algebra is continuously being used as opposed to taking a year off for geometry.  A practice most engineers and advance mathematicians will tell you makes more sense.  Math should be looked at as a language that helps solve problems and explain/rationalize concepts.  Most folks just see it as plug and chug of numbers and formulas.  Integrated math helps you see how to apply math.[/quote]

The applications you are talking about are a little bit in math class, but mainly part of science and economics class. (A major difference between middle school and high school science is that middle school science assumes kids don't know any HS level algebra and geometry.)

This is also part of why magnet science classes can teach more deeply -- they assume a higher math level for the class.

"Integrated math" here means reordering topics to balance algebra and geometry.
You can see it on Khan Academy.

Some schools (not MCPS) have an "integrated math" alternative to the regular/honors math track in the same school, which is a light non-honors math/science/engineering class that spends its time in high school doing basic algebra/geometry spread out over more years.
I worked in one of those classrooms once.

MCPS has 2-year algebra 2, but I don't know what they spend the time on. I fear that it's just the same algebra 2 but slower with more algebra 1 review and practice, not filled with supplemental hands-on instructional aids. But I don't know.
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