RENEWED SECONDARY MATH PROGRAM: INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS February 10th, 2010

Goals for this Presentation:  To introduce parents to the renewed secondary mathematics program  To outline a plan to keep parents informed and support parents and students throughout the curriculum renewal process

Renewed Mathematics: Why the change?  Curriculum renewal: usually every 10 – 15 years  Development of a Common Curriculum Framework: Western & Northern Canadian Protocol (WNCP, 2006)  Focus on an inquiry-based approach to teaching and students developing a deeper understanding of the concepts

Renewed Curriculum Research WNCP: There is a posting of the research as well as the results from the Post-Secondary, Business and Industry survey that defined the pathways in the new framework. istoricaldocuments.aspx istoricaldocuments.aspx

Mathematics 90Math 11Math 21 Foundations of Mathematics & Pre-Calculus 10 Foundations of Mathematics 20 Foundations of Mathematics 30 Pre-Calculus 20Pre-Calculus 30Calculus 30 Workplace & Apprenticeship 10 Workplace & Apprenticeship 20 Workplace & Apprenticeship 30

Mathematics 90 Foundations of Mathematics & PreCalculus 10 Foundations of Mathematics 20 Foundations of Mathematics 30 PreCalculus 20PreCalculus 30 Workplace and Apprenticeship 10 Workplace and Apprenticeship 20 Workplace and Apprenticeship 30

General Information  There is no intended hierarchy between the pathways. Regardless of the pathway, students will be learning math concepts with the same level of rigor.  Each course at the 20 and 30 level has the pre- requisite of all previous courses in that pathway.  Graduation requirement for mathematics will be any 20 level course.  Students can take more than one pathway.

Foundations of Mathematics  This pathway is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical- thinking skills identified for post-secondary studies in programs that do not require the study of theoretical calculus.  Topics include financial mathematics, geometry, measurement, number sense, logical reasoning, relations and functions, statistics and probability.

Pre-Calculus  This pathway is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical- thinking skills identified for entry into post- secondary programs that require the study of theoretical calculus.  Topics include algebra and number sense, measurement, relations and functions, trigonometry, and permutations, combinations and binomial theorem.

Workplace & Apprenticeship  This pathway is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical- thinking skills identified for entry into the majority of trades and for direct entry into the work force.  Topics included measurement, geometry, trigonometry, financial math (number sense), algebra, statistics and probability.

Modified Mathematics In the future, new modified math courses will be developed. Surveys will be conducted to figure out what math these students need. The plan is to have a resource created (for Grade 10 and 11 only). In the meantime, continue offering Math 11 and 21 for students who legitimately require a modified program.

Implementation Plans for  In Grade 10, students are strongly encouraged to take both math courses: Workplace and Apprenticeship Mathematics 10 (WA 10) & Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10 (FM 10).

French Immersion Mathematics  Both of the Grade 10 Mathematics Courses: Workplace and Apprenticeship Mathematics 10 and Foundations of Mathematics and Pre- Calculus 10 will be offered as part of the French Immersion Program.  Students are recommended to take both courses in French to obtain the number of credits required for a Bilingual Diploma.  After taking these two course, the French Immersion students will join the English pathways.

Other items  Post-Secondary Requirements U of R has released draft of requirements SIAST – see website: U of S – still waiting  Career Education – all students are required to have an educational plan

Parent Communication & Information  Division Letter and Parent Brochure from the Ministry: distributed in January Report Card  Future Parent Nights  Informational Website for Parents and Students: