I asked Elaine Tholen (our Dranesville FCPS Rep.) about the Pathways initiative. Passing on her response for your situational awareness.
Jim
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HI there--Jim, Louise and I are in conversation about this with other constituents and board members. Bottom line is we need to stay on top of this as the work continues over the next couple of years. With our current review of AAP, courses we need at base high schools with the changes to TJ admissions, etc. this all ties together.
FYI--I am sending versions of this note to constituents as they ask about this....
Thanks--and a huge thank you to Louise for her research on this as well.
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Thank you for your email. I, like you, am anxious to learn more about the state’s plan as they move to update the mathematics standards of learning for our students. As you may know, the standards are changed routinely every 7 years. It is my understanding that these VMPI discussions have started to look at priorities for this process. I agree with the idea of making our coursework as relevant as we can for the workforce the students will potentially be going into. I do not agree with sacrificing the core content of our Algebra and Geometry courses nor do I agree with not providing access to accelerated mathematics work for those students that need it. While I don’t think that is the intent of VMPI, I am finding out more and will be following this closely.
I have spent my career promoting STEM courses and careers for young people and will be working to be sure our Fairfax County students remain ready to compete for top STEM programs at our universities across the country. I am working with other board members, staff, and community members to follow this issue. If you don’t already, please subscribe to my newsletter HERE to get updates as this moves forward over the next months. I had some information in the newsletter I put out yesterday and you can access that HERE.
For your convenience, the information I provided is below.
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Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative
Every 7 years, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) revises the standards in each content area and reassesses graduation requirements, and they are examining math now. Their goal is to modernize and update Virginia’s mathematics curriculum in grades K-12 to align instruction with the essential knowledge and skills students need to succeed in the 21st-century economy. VMPI wants to address the persistent achievement gaps in K-12 math. School districts would design their own courses to meet the new requirements, and changes made to the Mathematics Standards of Learning would be taught in the 2025-2026 school year.
A key component of VMPI is the shift from a traditional high school mathematics course sequence (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2) to an Integrated Mathematics course sequence. The content from Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 is not being eliminated by VMPI since the content of these courses would be integrated into a progression of connected learning. Students in 11th and 12th grade would continue to have access to a wide variety of rigorous mathematics courses to meet their interests and post-secondary plans. The VDOE is proposing that this model would encourage students to connect mathematical concepts and develop a much deeper and more relevant understanding of each concept. VDOE Diagram of Math Sequence of Courses and Opportunities: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/infographic-vmpi-virginia.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=
All sessions will be live streamed on the https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrbxl9wHScrWKWIEoUWNIfQ VDOE’s YouTube Channel beginning at 6:30pm with a 20-minute presentation from members of the VMPI Planning Committees and will follow with time for facilitators to respond to questions from the community. Previous session recordings are posted at the same site. Search "VMPI" to locate them.
· Apr 27 at 6:30 pm: Essential Concepts in Grades 8-10
· May 25 at 6:30 pm: Advanced Pathways in Grades 11-12
Submit comments using this form or via email to vdoe.mathematics@doe.virginia.govWant to submit comments to your state representatives? Click here for their contact info. The dates for the public comment period on the mathematics standards revisions have not yet been announced. Previously-shared timelines suggest the schedule for public comment and hearings might begin in December of 2021.
Thank you for writing to me,
Elaine Tholen
School Board Member, Dranesville
Empowering Our Students for Tomorrow
571-423-1087
Please be aware that correspondence with School Board members is subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This means that your correspondence may be made public if (1) it deals with FCPS business and (2) someone requests it. Only a few topics are exempt from disclosure such as information about identifiable students and personnel information about individual employees.
Jim