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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I just read the new presentation slides more closely, and found out that integrated math 1 (IM1; covering Algebra 1 and a little bit of geometry) is assumed for all programs, except for IB and STEM. For IB, they are allowed to move up, and for STEM, they start with IM2 (covering some geometry and Algebra 2). Right now SMCS begins with Algebra 2 for the slowest path and function for the fastest path. For RMIB, I believe they have a similar slow and fast path beginning levels.

So in the new regional model, the fastest math pathway would be: IM2 -> PreCalc -> Calc AB -> Calc BC/AP Stat. This is one year slower than the fastest math pathway provided right now at MCPS:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/k-q/poolesvillehs/uploadedfiles/departments/math/mathpathways.pdf

For biomedical science program (Page 43), the math pathway skips the entire preCalc and Calc, but only offers AP Stat for junior and senior years. This makes me doubt if anyone in the design team really has any biomedical background. Calculus is a required course in any R1 colleges for the biomedical/bioengineering major.

Wondering how folks here think about the water down of across-board math pathway.
[/quote]

All these curriculum pathways are copied and pasted from MSDE documents. No one at MCPS even thought to compare them with programs like Blair and Wheaton.

https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Documents/CTE/standards/HHS_Biomedical_Science-A.pdf

https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Documents/CTE/standards/HHS_Certified_Clinical_Medical_Assistant-A.pdf[/quote]

Ah... Thanks! The two links make a lot more sense to me now. So MCPS sugarcoated the biomedical science track (criteria-based) to make it look like a track for pre-med/doctor career, but indeed, this is CTE-oriented and the goal is to train nurse/nurse practitioner!

Such a waste of the proximity to NIH and those large pharmaceutical companies.[/quote]

It would more be a CNA/Nurse, not nurse practictioner or a PA.  What were you expecting it to be?[/quote]

pre-med/doctor career is a college track not a high school track.  Pre-Med is a set of college courses that need to be completed in order to apply and enter medical school.  HS is about giving students a first exploration at career options and preparing them for what is needed for college or career.  Getting them setup to be able to obtain an early clinical related certification such as a CNA or PT would actually be helpful.  It something to put on the resume, it a viable way to make income while in college, and provides them greater exposure to put medical/science fields and personnel.

And while Calculus may be a required class, students are not required to take it prior to college.  Additionally, the slides is just showing an option for the math pathway, they are not saying that is the ONLY math pathway.  The greater majority of students have not been starting HS at Pre-Cal.  They are either starting at Alg2 or Geo.  Given the new integrated Algebra forthcoming, parents are still waiting to hear all of what will be covered and what will/should happen post IM2 for kids who would normally be moving into Pre-Cal.[/quote]

Skipping pre-Calc and Calc entirely meaning that those students who get into the criteria-based biomedical science program who are supposed to get more rigorous education and getting more competitive in college admission actually choose a slower math pathway than their home schools in many cases. Unless the bioscience electives could be really appealing, there's no incentive to choose these programs at all. And by the way, if analytical chemistry, bio chemistry or physical chemistry are among the bioscience elective options, sorry they will be eliminated as they require calculus knowledge. [/quote]

Some of ya'll have really bumped your heads.  As someone who was a science major I can tell you that no HS kids needs to be taking analytical chemistry, bio chemistry or physical chemistry.  Why are you trying to bring all the collegiate courses down to the HS level?[/quote]

pp here. I have a phd in biomedical science, and have a kid from MCPS in pre-med track right now. I'm talking about differentiation. What makes the biomedical science program more appealing than local HS offers if they don't even offer AP preCalc/Calc? The required major-specific courses only include IB HL chemistry and IB HL biology (only junior and senior years). No one knows what the biomedical selectives are, but MCPS hinted that they could be using what are offered currently at SMCS. But when you check those biology/chemistry courses in SMCS curriculum, you got know calculus. So the biomedical electives are probably CTE-oriented.

Kids can get a much better selection and rigorous education in e.g., region #4 in any of their home schools, or RMIB, or Wootton STEM. So who do you anticipate to choose the biomedical science program? [/quote]

Who said anything about not offering Pre-Cal or Calc.  In fact offer all schools offering Calculus is listed on the core courses.  They used a base example in the slides of what is required.  That doesn't mean a student can't go beyond.  If a kid is on a higher math track, they will take the math that corresponds with where they are and where they want to go.  That said, taking AP Stats is not a bad thing.  Stats is used all over Biomedical Science and Medicine as I'm sure you know. [/quote]

If students want to go beyond at some schools they have that ability, but at other schools they don’t.  Why limit students?   Not everyone wants to be a doctor.  You are assuming students want it.   [/quote]

I’m not assuming students want to be a doctor unless they say so.  I am assuming that any student who applies to a Biomedical science program wants to do something is Biomedical science or some type of science.  Otherwise, why apply to the program.

And this is not about limiting students it’s about determining what court and what level of courses will be offered at schools and as part of programs. Just because students want to go further and further doesn’t mean the district needs to import in every collegiate level course.[/quote]

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