Pathways initiative to update math programs
The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative is a joint initiative of the state education department , the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Virginia Community College System, according to the VDOE website.
Its goal is to create updated math instruction for students in grades K-12 to prepare them for their post-secondary education and careers. VMPI will increase rigor by integrating mathematical content and concepts, emphasizing reasoning and problem solving, and providing a highly-relevant experience for all students, states Virginia s education department website. It will also include a new focus on statistical literacy, essential for success in a data-rich world.
Rebecca Watts
If Virginiaâs workforce is to respond to the ever-changing needs of business and industry and if employers are to provide thriving-wage jobs that allow individuals to advance in chosen career paths, there is work to do.
Though Virginia has slowly been regaining jobs lost to the COVID-19 pandemic and the unemployment rate for February (5.2%) is less than the national average (6.2%), it is still higher than what it was last year at this time (3.3%).
Local industries, ranging from health care to information technology, all require a qualified and skilled workforce to maintain and continuously modernize their service and product offerings. Without a top-notch talent pool prepared with relevant 21st century skills, businesses face the possibility of failing to remain competitive.
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The Virginia Department of Education said it would not be eliminating advanced math courses for 11th graders, despite media reports saying otherwise. A curriculum change is coming but it’s only in the early stages. (Photo via Pixabay by Elchinator)
The Virginia Department of Education Tuesday responded to confusion around media reports that they were eliminating advanced math courses, as part of its Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative. A curriculum change is coming but it’s only in the early stages.
Fox News reported last week that Virginia will “eliminate all accelerated math courses before 11th grade as part of an equity-focused plan.”
Jahd Khalil reports
“Virginia is not doing anything right now in this space, because we are literally just having conversations with the community about what they want in the next set of revisions,” said James Lane, the Superintendent of Public Instruction in a press briefing Monday. Acceleration is not going away in mathematics courses in Virginia. If a student needs an accelerated pathway, they will absolutely be able to do that.”
Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane speaks to reporters about VMPI.
The Virginia Math Pathways Initiative is a cooperative effort between the Virginia Department of Education, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and the Virginia Community College System to nail down what kind of math skills colleges and employers want from students and incorporate that into revised standards of learning for math, which are due in 2023. Those revisions are routine. Every seven years Virginia revises the standards of learning.
âAcceleration is not going awayâ: Virginia Department of Education discussing future of mathematics in schools
Virginia Department of Education discussing future of mathematics in schools By Jasmine Turner | April 26, 2021 at 10:22 PM EDT - Updated April 26 at 10:31 PM
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Virginia state superintendent says families do not need to worry about accelerated math courses being eliminated within schools. Concerned families had been worried after hearing of the possibility of accelerated courses being eliminated prior to the 11th grade.
âAbsolutely, acceleration is NOT going away in mathematics courses in Virginia, if a student needs an accelerated pathway they will absolutely get it,â said Superintendent Dr. James Lane.