HIGH SCHOOL???Possible Curriculum Pathways for 8th Grade Students Enrolled in Algebra I

Traditional Education before 21st Century Changes

Article: “The Single Best Idea for Reforming Education K-12Author: Steve Denning

Common Core State Standards New Focus on Education

2012-2013

Article: “The Single Best Idea for Reforming Education K-12Author: Steve Denning

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER

Common Core State Standards Semester classes vs. year long classes Honors classes in high school College Admission Standards

Common Core State Standards

The new standards support improved curriculum and instruction due to increased:

•FOCUS, via critical areas at each grade level•COHERENCE, through carefully developed connections within and across grades•CLARITY, with precisely worded standards that cannot be treated as a checklist•RIGOR, including a focus on College and Career Readiness and Standards for Mathematical Practice throughout Pre-K-12•(Common Core State Standards – page 3-4)

Yearlong Courses vs. Semester Courses Middle School – 50

Minute Classes for 180 Days = 9000 Minutes

Difference – 900 min approx 20 days more of instruction

1 section per day with review time per lesson

High School – 90 Minute Classes for 90 Days = 8100 Minutes

Difference – 900 min approx 10 days less of instruction

Example: 2 sections per day, little to no review time

Absences have greater impact on learning

Homework

Honors Classes in High School

Students may take numerous honors classes per semester - Increased workload

Rigorous, fast paced Students are more responsible

for their own learning

College Admission Standards - UNCCH

“To be smart is good. To translate your smarts into greatlearning—and the good grades that go along withit—is even better. The more you learn, the better yourchances of earning a place at a great school. In additionto strong grades, competitive colleges will hope to seeyou taking at least one course in each of the five coredisciplines—English, math, lab science, social science,and foreign language—right through to the end ofyour senior year. And we also hope that you will takeadvantage of other opportunities available to you—honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or InternationalBaccalaureate (IB) courses, and summer programs atthe local university, for example.” (UNCCH Admissions page)

College Admissions Requirements

Colleges look for honors courses but they expect good grades in those courses.

“At the same time, it’s fair to say that we seek excellence using a variety of information – courses, grades, test scores, recommendations, essays-to help assess performance and potential.” (UNCCH Admissions – Quick Fact Sheet)

QUESTIONS?????