How the proposal can help students progress
Staff Writer
On October 28, Fremont Unified School District proposed changes in the secondary math pathways. The proposed pathway gives students in Algebra 1 the chance to go onto the “compressed” pathway by offering two math classes, Geometry and Algebra 2/Trigonometry, in a single year. This pathway has been offered at AHS in the past, but with the proposal, it may be implemented throughout all FUSD high schools.
Additionally, students will have the option to take two separate math classes in 11th grade. “The proposal to offer this option to students in 11th grade is a new idea since it has never been offered to these students in the past,” said Christine Tu, FUSD’s Math and Science Program manager. “The idea of including [these options] in the district pathways would ensure that all students and families were aware of the option at their site rather than only offering it to a select group of students who asked for it,” she said.
There have been varied responses to these proposals. In terms of parental responses, Mrs. Tu said, “There are parents who embrace the new proposed pathways and some that have some questions and concerns. Access is not being taken away or limited.”
AHS Math teachers also voiced their perspective on the changes. Mrs. Kerr, a Statistics, IED, and Geometry teacher said, “The current acceleration pathway that combines Geometry, Algebra 2, and Precalculus in one year, that’s what I think is bad. So, anything that allows them to accelerate that is not that [pathway], I am in favor of. My support is absolutely to give students a chance to get caught up on the path, but I don’t want that support coming in a way that puts them at risk. I support the two separate classes way more than the current pathway.”
Mrs. Bhasin, a AP Calculus BC and Geometry/Alg 2/Trig teacher, said “The proposals that we have so far allow students to take two math classes in tenth grade, this was a structure we had a few years ago. I honestly feel that it is really useful [since] it gives more options for students. I have taught a group of students who were taking two math classes and they seemed to be very comfortable, [since] they were regular classes, they were not going fast, and students had a satisfaction that before they graduate, they’ll be able to take Calculus. That was a big plus for them.”
In regards to how the proposals were reached, Mrs. Tu said, “All proposals included in the presentation were based on feedback received by stakeholders and research conducted using the 2023 California Math Framework and additional reports that support opening up access for all students in secondary math pathways.”
Mrs. Tu said, “This [proposal] is being shared at the board meeting in November but will not be voted on until December. Once the board gives direction, we will know next steps and can share implementation plans at a future time.”
The pathways above display FUSD’s proposal as indicated on its website: the standard path ending with Precalculus (green), the single acceleration path ending with AP Calculus AB or BC (green), and the double acceleration path ending with Multivariable or Discrete Math (orange). The proposal calls for offering two classes in one academic year, as represented in the image by classes outlined with dashed borders (Art Credit: Amrita Venkatesh (12)).
Eagle Era 
Leave a comment