1. CHANGE INITIATIVE
By Phillip Antonino

2. FAMOUS QUOTE “The Math curriculum that we have
just does not seem to be right”.
Math teacher,
Laney High School, August, 2002

3. WE NEED A NEW MATH CURRICULUM
What is currently wrong?
Too many courses.
No standardization.
Algebra IA (the “recycle bin”) and IB are not working.
Too many honors courses.
SAT Prep being underutilized.
Scores are too low.
Too much segregation of students.
Curriculum actually contributes to “The Gap”. We have created “Class Gap”.
Some teachers like the status quo for their own selfish interests. “I refuse to teach on-level courses.”
The status quo is not working

4. 25-15-9 25 – number of Math courses recommended by our state.
15 – number of Math courses taught at Laney High School.
9 – number of Math courses taught at Souhegan High School.
Too many courses

5. INEQUALITIES
New Hanover County’s curriculum does not equal Pender County’s
Within NHC, Laney’s curriculum does not equal Hoggard’s.
No standardization

6. ALGEBRA IA and IB Algebra IA is essentially a broken “recycle bin”.
Algebra IB is essentially an on-level Algebra I where the majority of the students are the minority. “Class Gap”.
We have low expectations for IA. “If you have over half your students passing, then you are doing something wrong”.
EOC Gamesmanship. Algebra IA is our easy way of hiding low level students from the EOC.
This concept is not recognized by the state.
Are we really doing what
is best for our students?

7. “DO WE REALLY NEED ALL OF THESE HONORS CLASSES?”
Honors courses just continue to create “Class Gap” which contributes to “The Gap”.
We have also created a new status of teachers – the Honors Teachers.
All of our classes should be taught with high expectations, and high standards.
Too many honors courses

8. SAT PREP We do not market this course at all.
This course has a reputation of being “a waste of time”. Few students wants to take it. Nobody wants to teach it.
Why does our school offer summer school SAT Prep at cost?
SAT Prep should be encouraged, and sold to all college bound students especially those students identified through PSAT.
This is a measurable event.
SAT Prep is underutilized

9. RECENT MATH SCORES Our School/County/State
Algebra I – 74.9/79.2/80.0
Geometry – 70.0/71.1/67.2
Algebra II – 81.5/81.6/79.5
Are you satisfied with these scores?

10. “CLASS GAP” The majority of our on-level classes is the minority.
Certain teachers have become the “Honors Level” teachers.
Honors classes go against the grain of inclusion.
Too many honors classes

11. TO FIX OR NOT TO FIX? Start with review of national standards.
State curriculum needs changed. Too much duplication, and out of touch with reality.
County curriculum needs changed. We should at least be standardized within the county.
Shame on us!

12. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NTCM)
Content Standards
Numbers and Operations
Algebra
Geometry
Measurement
Data Analysis and Probability
Process Standards
Problem Solving
Reasoning and Proof
Communication
Connections
Representations
Excellent set of standards

13. MY PROPOSAL 12 COURSES (*state recommended courses)
*Pre-Algebra
*Algebra I
*Geometry
*Algebra II
*Precalculus
*AP Stats
*AP Calculus
*Technical Math I
*Technical Math II
*Advanced Functions
*Discrete Math
SAT Prep
Less broad, and richer

14. JUSTIFICATION
Change Algebra IA/IB package to Pre-Algebra, and Algebra I.
Eliminate our “Class Gap“ by eliminating Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, and Honors Discrete.
Overall – better class balance across the board. Create a level the learning field.
Low cost, and high impact changes

15. JUSTIFICATION CONTINUED
Focus of effort continues to be on college bound students.
More emphasis on SAT Prep.
Discrete Math as a higher level elective as an alternative to Precalculus and Advanced Functions.
Continue with alternate Technical Math I and II options. This is good.
Natural guard against “Honors Teachers”.
Again – low cost, high impact changes

16. PROPOSED PATHWAYS Clear and concise Algebra II Pre-Algebra Algebra I
Technical Math I
Geometry
Technical Math II
SAT Prep
Algebra II
Advanced Functions
Discrete Math
*Pre-Calculus
**AP Stats
**AP Calculus
*Recommend Pre-Calculus remain as honors level course.
**Recommend Calc and Stats remain as AP level courses.
Clear and concise

17. ANTICIPATED RESISTANCE
EOC Gamesmanship. Fear that Algebra I scores will drop. “I think the opposite will happen”.
Loss of honors courses and the artificial boost to the GPA. “GPA scores are currently over inflated. This will serve to bring us back to reality”.
We need to do what is best for our students

18. ANTICIPATE RESISTANCE continued
Some teachers will be required to step out of their comfort zone. “This will help level the teaching playing field, and provide a natural counter to low level teaching “burnout”.
One team of teachers