School Improvement # 25 The High School Math Dilemma

School Improvement

This episode talks about the 3 problems in teaching secondary math. The scope and sequence of the courses is critical for students. Problem 1, When to the students take Geometry. Geometry on standardized tests only include plane and coordinate geometry and is about 7 questions on the ACT out of 60 questions. Problem 2, When and where do you teach statistics and probability? A small part of the tests, but it does not fit into Algebra or Geometry. Problem 3, What do you do with the students who do poorly in 8th grade math when they get to high school? The easy solution to these issues are implementing a trimester schedule and require 3 blocks of math in the junior year. (9th Algebra Concepts - less than a B in 8th grade - 10th Grade Algebra 2 - teach all part A in the Fall and require a "B" to go to Part B or Algebra Essentials in the Winter - Junior Year - Advanced Algebra, ACT Math, Geometry A - Senior Year - Geometry B and Personal Finance). In semesters, 9th grade must be Algebra Concepts, 10th grade is Algebra 2, 11th grade is Integrated Alg/Geometry, 12th grade is Personal Finance and elective or even better College Algebra. Statistics and Probability have to be bell work in the classrooms during grades 9-11.
Remember algebra skills are the deal breaker for students in college. As long as college degree in social work requires College Algebra, we need to give the students in high school the Willy Wonka Gold Ticket to a BS degree.

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