Reply to VA math changes - ways to speak out

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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.[/quote]

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
[/quote]

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.   [/quote]

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.

[/quote]

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.   [/quote]

There are no doomsday scenarios on here based on zero facts.  You just wish to repeat this to try and shut down discussion.[/quote]

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