Mathematics education in New York
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In the United States, the state of New York has implemented a novel curriculum for high school mathematics.
The courses Math A, Math A/B, and Math B are required courses mandated by the New York State Department of Education for high school graduation. They are inspired by the controversial standards-based mathematics movement which encourages integrated mathematics.
However, many schools in New York City, wary of this approach which has received negative reviews from many parents and students, have stayed with traditional mathematics based old curriculum of Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Critics of mathematics reform often observe that integrated courses cover too many topics in too little depth, resulting in poor mastery of the basics of algebra, geometry and trigonometry.
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[edit] Math A
Math A replaces the former "Course 1" curriculum which focused solely on the topic of algebra, while Math A covers a whole range of topics.
In Math A, students will learn to how write, solve, and graph equations and inequalities. They will also learn how to solve systems of equations, quadratics, as well as exponents, exponential functions, polynomials, radicals, and rational expressions. Other topics included are probability and statistics. Geometric concepts such as right triangles are also introduced. The course works in conjunction with New York State's Standards for Mathematics.[1] The course will end after three semesters, in which students will take the Regents Math A Examination.
[edit] Math A/B
Math A/B takes the place of the former "Course 2" curriculum, which focused almost solely on geometry, while Math A/B focuses on a whole range of topics. Math A/B serves as a bridge between the Math A and Math B courses.
Math A/B stays true to its geometric roots, as the first half of the course will cover topics such as perpendicular and parallel lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, and transformations. After the first semester, students will take the New York State Math A Regents exam. For the second half of the year, students will begin Math B. They will cover logic, geometric figures, and an introduction to trigonometry.
[edit] Math B
Math B is required to receive a High School Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. The course replaces the former "Course 3" curriculum, which focused almost solely on trigonometry. Math B focuses on a whole range of topics. It is taken after the student has completed and passed Math A.
A regents exam is taken at the end of the one and a half year course. The Math B regents is often considered one of the most difficult New York State regents.
Math B covers concepts that can be found in trigonometry and advanced algebra, as well as preparing students for pre-calculus and calculus and reviewing old topics. During their year of study, students will learn different theorems, graph complex numbers and vectors, as well as reviewing topics such as exponential functions, systems of inequalities, and radicals. As the year progresses, students will be expected to relate these functions to the real world, create conjectures through their own research, and begin a classroom discussion about these topics. At the end of their studies, they will take the New York State Math B Regents Examination.
[edit] Future changes
In November 2004, the Mathematics Standards Committee made a report to the Board of Regents[2] about the State's requirements for high school graduation as related to mathematics. The committee recommended that:
- The curriculum should return to its old format as a one-year course with a regents exam taken at the end of the year, with the new exam to be administered no earlier than June 2007. Math A would have its name changed to Integrated Algebra.
- In addition to the current regents exam at the end of the Math B course, there should be another regents exam, at the end of the first half of Math B study (currently Math A/B), to be administered no later than June 2006, bringing the total number of regents exams to three.
- The course's name be changed to Integrated Geometry for the first half of the course, and Integrated Algebra II and Trigonometry for the second half of the course (currently Math B).
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- The State of New York has announced that these changes will be implemented in the 2009-10 scholastic year.
The move was praised by many who thought the changes to the original draft curriculum were unnecessary.
