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New Math Curriculum
As many of you are aware, the state of Georgia is phasing in a new math curriculum. The first year of implementation at the middle school level will begin next year with our rising 6th grade students. Each year thereafter the new curriculum will be added, first in 7th grade and the following year in 8th grade.
A few important items of note:
- The new math curriculum will raise expectations for learning math for all students at all grade levels.
- Repetition of topics found in the current curriculum have been eliminated to provide more time for teaching for understanding and mastery.
- At the conclusion of 8th grade all students will be expected to have developed skills with rational numbers as well as understandings of important concepts in Algebra I and Geometry.
- After the 2006 - 2007 school year, the need for the stand alone course of Algebra I and Geometry will no longer exist.
- Because of the new elevated math content, the need for accelerated math courses in middle school will be greatly reduced.
- Students can progress further with the new on grade level curriculum than they presently do with our current accelerated programs.
- The new on-grade-level math curriculum will provide opportunities for all students to study math at higher levels and to prepare for advanced placement (AP) math course.
For those few students who are highly talented in math and function at levels well beyond the new math curriculum, Mabry will offer an accelerated math program. This program will have strict and stringent placement requirements.
- In 6th grade, accelerated math students will cover all of the 6th grade curriculum and half of the 7th grade math curriculum.
- In 7th grade, accelerated math students will cover the remainder of the 7th grade math curriculum and all of the 8th grade math curriculum.
- The 8th grade Accelerated Math I course will cover topics traditionally found in the latter parts of high school Algebra I and Geometry and the beginning of Algebra II.
As you can see, the accelerated math curriculum will be extremely demanding and rigorous. Placement decisions will be made by the Mabry Middle School staff during the summer and no later than the end of the first 9 weeks of the sixth grade year. We will share the placement criteria with you before the end of this school year.
If you would like to learn more about the new math curriculum, I would invite you to talk with our 6th grade counselor, Mrs. Cindy Jackson, and/or visit the State Department of Education's web site.
Posted by Dr. Tyson
