The Coweta County School System is asking the community to participate in an online survey of preferences for high school math sequences, available through Friday, March 27.
The survey may be accessed on the Coweta County school system website at www.cowetaschools.org
The survey asks “Which sequence of high school math courses do you prefer for Coweta to pursue?
· The current sequence (Coordinate Algebra, Analytic Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Pre-Calculus)
· The traditional sequence (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus)”
Responses will be considered by the school system as it reviews high school math sequences in light of recent action by the Georgia Board of Education.
The state board has approved new math courses that give local school systems the option of offering a sequence of traditional ‘discrete’ high school mathematics, as well as the state’s long-standing current ‘integrated’ sequence, beginning in the 2015-16 school year.
Dr. Lynn Skinner, the school system’s Mathematics Content Specialist, discussed the new curriculum options at the Coweta County Board of Education’s March meeting. Skinner noted that math curriculums have changed significantly in recent years, as the state has adopted new academic standards. Standards for all high school courses may be accessed at www.georgiastandards.org
Both math sequences now allowed in state curriculum address the same sets of academic standards, but differ in the way the standards are organized for the first two math courses.
The current course sequence follows a path of Coordinate Algebra, Analytic Geometry, and Advanced Algebra, and integrates standards for both Geometry and Algebra in the first two courses. The current curriculum was adopted by the state two years ago, following earlier changes.
This year’s revisions to Georgia’s mathematics standards by the state board included approval of three additional high school math courses – Foundations of Algebra, Algebra I and Geometry, proceeding in that sequence – that return to a traditional course approach focused on discrete mathematical disciplines in each course.
State curriculum assessment tests for the different math courses will be aligned to the same state standards, but will be specific to the type of course taken. Both sequences will allow for additional support of students who need help to master course content, as well as an accelerated option for students who master standards at a faster pace.
Students successfully completing either sequence would be eligible to take Pre-Calculus.
Skinner is seeking feedback about which course Coweta high schools should take from faculty, principals, school council members and the public. She said that the goal is to determine a consensus approach for the math sequences at all Coweta high schools.
The online survey will be available through 5:00 p.m. on March 27.
