RENEWED SECONDARY MATH PROGRAM:

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

February 10th, 2010

Goals for this Presentation:

To introduce parents to the renewed secondary mathematics program

To outline a plan to keep parents informed and support parents and students throughout the curriculum renewal process

Renewed Mathematics: Why the change?

Curriculum renewal: usually every 10 – 15 years

Development of a Common Curriculum Framework: Western & Northern Canadian Protocol (WNCP, 2006)

Focus on an inquiry-based approach to teaching and students developing a deeper understanding of the concepts

Renewed Curriculum Research

WNCP: There is a posting of the research as well as the results from the Post-Secondary, Business and Industry survey that defined the pathways in the new framework. http://wncp.ca/english/subjectarea/mathematics/historicaldocuments.aspx

General Information

There is no intended hierarchy between the pathways. Regardless of the pathway, students will be learning math concepts with the same level of rigor.

Each course at the 20 and 30 level has the pre-requisite of all previous courses in that pathway.

Graduation requirement for mathematics will be any 20 level course.

Students can take more than one pathway.

Foundations of Mathematics

This pathway is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills identified for post-secondary studies in programs that do not require the study of theoretical calculus.

Topics include financial mathematics, geometry, measurement, number sense, logical reasoning, relations and functions, statistics and probability.

Pre-Calculus

This pathway is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills identified for entry into post-secondary programs that require the study of theoretical calculus.

Topics include algebra and number sense, measurement, relations and functions, trigonometry, and permutations, combinations and binomial theorem.

Workplace & Apprenticeship

This pathway is designed to provide students with the mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills identified for entry into the majority of trades and for direct entry into the work force.

Topics included measurement, geometry, trigonometry, financial math (number sense), algebra, statistics and probability.

Modified Mathematics

In the future, new modified math courses will be developed. Surveys will be conducted to figure out what math these students need. The plan is to have a resource created (for Grade 10 and 11 only).

In the meantime, continue offering Math 11 and 21 for students who legitimately require a modified program.

Implementation Plans for 2010-2011

In Grade 10, students are strongly encouraged to take both math courses: Workplace and Apprenticeship Mathematics 10 (WA 10) & Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10 (FM 10). 

French Immersion Mathematics

Both of the Grade 10 Mathematics Courses: Workplace and Apprenticeship Mathematics 10 and Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10 will be offered as part of the French Immersion Program.

Students are recommended to take both courses in French to obtain the number of credits required for a Bilingual Diploma.

After taking these two course, the French Immersion students will join the English pathways.

Other items

Post-Secondary Requirements U of R has released draft of requirementsSIAST – see website:

http://www.siast.sk.ca/programs/atoz.shtmlU of S – still waiting

Career Education – all students are required to have an educational plan

Parent Communication & Information Division Letter and Parent Brochure

from the Ministry: distributed in January Report Card

Future Parent Nights

Informational Website for Parents and Students: http://blog.scs.sk.ca/hayes2/