I'm the OP and I am all for rethinking high school math education for people who are "not math people." For a lot of professionals, a solid understanding of basic statistics is probably a lot more important than what you learn in Algebra 2.

Having watched the promotional video about this new initiative (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz7XElC9jx8) it seems like they are overly dismissive of calculus and also don't seem to get the distinction between learning the basics of stats (something everyone should know) and really understanding the math behind stats, which requires linear algebra. Any college stats class from a math or applied math department would also require calculus (which of course underpins many sciences and economics). It is also not clear to me how people will take AP Physics without some knowledge of calculus (or at least being well set up to quickly absorb the basics).

And people wonder why we want to not only leave Arlington but the now all Democrat controlled Virginia.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone in another thread posted this link. https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/index.shtml

I was unaware of this proposal. My youngest kid (who is very strong at math) is in 4th grade now so I am trying to figure out what this may mean. Has anyone been following this closely? I'm new to Virginia so I don't have a great sense of the process and how much the counties have to follow stuff like this (or can they still track even if the state doesn't want to). Where I am from the local school districts are pretty autonomous.

I am a Virginia Math teacher and I attended a Webinair regarding these changes. The plan is to get rid of ALL advanced math classes until Jr year.
You heard it right, JUNIOR year. So advanced math students would be in mixed ability classes through most of their school careers.
And of course by Junior, the most they will be able to advance is one year.

Certainly puts bright Virginia students at a disadvantage when applying to colleges outside the state.

Thanks PP!! I'm going to try to watch the next Webinar. My kid will be in 8th grade in 2024. According to his teachers he will likely be in the accelerated math program where he does Algebra in 7th grade (I realize that is not 100% guaranteed). Did they say what they will do with kids who were already tracked? Or will that tracking be discontinued even before all of this officially starts? Also how will some kids be ready for calculus by 11th grade without tracking? Will everyone cover all material in algebra 1and 2, trig and geometry by then?

Also do you think this is definitely going to happen or is it a trial balloon?

Write your state rep and vote republican for the governor’s race.

—dem voter who is switching

Race to the bottom. Pathetic!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone in another thread posted this link. https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/index.shtml

I was unaware of this proposal. My youngest kid (who is very strong at math) is in 4th grade now so I am trying to figure out what this may mean. Has anyone been following this closely? I'm new to Virginia so I don't have a great sense of the process and how much the counties have to follow stuff like this (or can they still track even if the state doesn't want to). Where I am from the local school districts are pretty autonomous.

I am a Virginia Math teacher and I attended a Webinair regarding these changes. The plan is to get rid of ALL advanced math classes until Jr year.
You heard it right, JUNIOR year. So advanced math students would be in mixed ability classes through most of their school careers.
And of course by Junior, the most they will be able to advance is one year.

Certainly puts bright Virginia students at a disadvantage when applying to colleges outside the state.

Thanks PP!! I'm going to try to watch the next Webinar. My kid will be in 8th grade in 2024. According to his teachers he will likely be in the accelerated math program where he does Algebra in 7th grade (I realize that is not 100% guaranteed). Did they say what they will do with kids who were already tracked? Or will that tracking be discontinued even before all of this officially starts? Also how will some kids be ready for calculus by 11th grade without tracking? Will everyone cover all material in algebra 1and 2, trig and geometry by then?

Also do you think this is definitely going to happen or is it a trial balloon?

So if equity is that important, they're also going to make all school sports no-cut with equal playing time for all, right? Everyone should get an equal chance to play. After all, school sports use public funds.

If you want equity, don't apply it selectively to academics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Come on now DCUM Progressives, put your money where your mouth is.

This is equity, lowering the math curriculum content so all student outcomes are more equivalent in the end. This is fair for under-resourced minority families

Not all college courses and future employment need advanced math, and those that do need advanced math can be supplemented at home or wait to focus on advanced math in your kids Junior and Senior year. Your kids will be enriched by helping lower performing math students in mixed ability classes through their 10th grade.

Tracking advanced math students is racist since those students are predominantly white and Asian kids from UMC backgrounds. Public school is not about pushing/challenging these students. Public school is intended to bring students to a basic achievement level.

https://youtu.be/w4kowE_YIVw

In the end it will mean that privileged kids will supplement or move to private schools. It will remove the option of advanced math for underprivileged kids, but not for those with resources. They'll just get this content elsewhere.

Winner winner chicken dinner.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I just gotta wonder if deep down the intent is a gigantic class divide.

I'm Korean and I find it incredibly easy to succeed in this country. Mainly because my competition is so weak. It doesn't look like it's going to be any harder in the future for bright supported kids.

If they really wanted more equity they'd have honest conversations with parents about their role in ushering in success. There is no accountability for poor choices and bad decisions.

+1

I get that most students don’t need or will not use calculus. But this just not make sense.

Anonymous wrote:So, will this not go into effect until 2025? If my youngest graduates in 2024, I don't need to be worried about this, right?

Right. My kids will be out of school by then too. But as opposed as I am to charters, I would be screaming for them if my kids were affected by this.

Anonymous wrote:I worry what this means for Virginia students competing against out of state kids for college. It would be one thing if all states were going this route...but if we are the only one, that stinks.

Bingo! I brought this up at the webinair I attended and crickets from the organizers of this ridiculous plan.

Anonymous wrote:Someone in another thread posted this link. https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/index.shtml

I was unaware of this proposal. My youngest kid (who is very strong at math) is in 4th grade now so I am trying to figure out what this may mean. Has anyone been following this closely? I'm new to Virginia so I don't have a great sense of the process and how much the counties have to follow stuff like this (or can they still track even if the state doesn't want to). Where I am from the local school districts are pretty autonomous.

I am a Virginia Math teacher and I attended a Webinair regarding these changes. The plan is to get rid of ALL advanced math classes until Jr year.
You heard it right, JUNIOR year. So advanced math students would be in mixed ability classes through most of their school careers.
And of course by Junior, the most they will be able to advance is one year.

Certainly puts bright Virginia students at a disadvantage when applying to colleges outside the state.

Anonymous wrote:I hope there will be less expensive middle and high school private options down the road.

We have been very impressed with AoPS this year.

I hope there will be less expensive middle and high school private options down the road.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Come on now DCUM Progressives, put your money where your mouth is.

This is equity, lowering the math curriculum content so all student outcomes are more equivalent in the end. This is fair for under-resourced minority families

Not all college courses and future employment need advanced math, and those that do need advanced math can be supplemented at home or wait to focus on advanced math in your kids Junior and Senior year. Your kids will be enriched by helping lower performing math students in mixed ability classes through their 10th grade.

Tracking advanced math students is racist since those students are predominantly white and Asian kids from UMC backgrounds. Public school is not about pushing/challenging these students. Public school is intended to bring students to a basic achievement level.

https://youtu.be/w4kowE_YIVw

In the end it will mean that privileged kids will supplement or move to private schools. It will remove the option of advanced math for underprivileged kids, but not for those with resources. They'll just get this content elsewhere.

Winner winner chicken dinner.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I just gotta wonder if deep down the intent is a gigantic class divide.

I'm Korean and I find it incredibly easy to succeed in this country. Mainly because my competition is so weak. It doesn't look like it's going to be any harder in the future for bright supported kids.

If they really wanted more equity they'd have honest conversations with parents about their role in ushering in success. There is no accountability for poor choices and bad decisions.

Anonymous wrote:Come on now DCUM Progressives, put your money where your mouth is.

This is equity, lowering the math curriculum content so all student outcomes are more equivalent in the end. This is fair for under-resourced minority families

Not all college courses and future employment need advanced math, and those that do need advanced math can be supplemented at home or wait to focus on advanced math in your kids Junior and Senior year. Your kids will be enriched by helping lower performing math students in mixed ability classes through their 10th grade.

Tracking advanced math students is racist since those students are predominantly white and Asian kids from UMC backgrounds. Public school is not about pushing/challenging these students. Public school is intended to bring students to a basic achievement level.

https://youtu.be/w4kowE_YIVw

In the end it will mean that privileged kids will supplement or move to private schools. It will remove the option of advanced math for underprivileged kids, but not for those with resources. They'll just get this content elsewhere.