Since March 2021, there were reports that Virginia Department of Education is moving to eliminate all accelerated math options prior to 11th grade based on Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative. The reports raised many concerns in the Northern Virginia community. CAPA NoVA has been tracking the development and contacting experts, and will share the information with the community. If you have any information to share, please email to VMPI@capanova.org
Update on 5/22/2021
If you watch the VMPI videos and get confused, and wonder whether mathematics will become a branch of civic curriculum, you are not alone.
Dr. Rebecca Goldin, a well-respected mathematician and professor at George Mason University, has been following VMPI closely. During a virtual meeting with CAPA NoVA team in late April, Dr. Goldin expressed her frustration having little information to map VMPI with mathematics contents and worried about the implication for math education in Virginia public schools.
Mr. Chap Peterson, a senior senator at the Virginia General Assembly, sent a letter to Mr. Atif Qarni, Virginia Secretary of Education, to express his concerns about the dilution of the quality of learning.
During a virtual meeting with Delegate Kathy Tran in April, CAPA NoVA expressed concerns regarding VMPI. Delegate Tran later contacted Secretary Qarni to get more information and received an updated description of VMPI from VDOE. The VMPI page on VDOE website was also updated.
Dr. Johnathan Farley, a talented mathematician and professor of mathematics at Morgan State University, kindly had a virtual meeting with CAPA NoVA team to discuss about VMPI. Dr. Farley believed that VDOE would eventually implement what it originally advertised to remove advanced math curriculum through 10th grade. He suggested parents instead should to find ways to provide quality education to their children regardless how VDOE will implement VMPI.
Fairfax County School Board At-Large Member Ms. Rachna Sizemore Heizer addressed the concerns about in the Fairfax community in her newsletter on May 17, 2021:
Virginia Math Pathways Initiative: I continue to receive questions regarding the Virginia Department of Education’s review of the math curriculum. The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI) is a VDOE proposal that is under development to modernize and update Virginia’s mathematics curriculum in grades K-12 to align instruction with the essential knowledge and skills students need to succeed in the 21st-century economy. The website includes information about the process, goals and plans that are currently under development and has a schedule of webinars that you can watch to learn more information. The Washington Post recently had an article about the VMPI. This is a state initiative, not an FCPS one, so please direct your feedback to vdoe.mathematics@doe.virginia.gov and your State Senator and Delegate (you can find your state senator and delegate here).
I have reviewed the materials and had many conversations about the VMPI. I still have questions. The website and webinars have stated that the implementation of VMPI would still allow for student acceleration in mathematics content according to ability and achievement and that school divisions would still be able to tailor courses to meet student needs and provide opportunities for advanced sections and accelerations. The website also states that advanced courses would not be eliminated.
I strongly believe that we need to ensure there is access to robust mathematics education at all levels and paths that meets the needs of all learners, including advanced learners. This is a work in progress and I will continue to monitor this issue.
We too encourage Norther Virginia community residents contact the General Assembly delegates and senators to express concerns and provide opinions to state legislators.
Official Information from VDOE:
Official website of Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI)
This is the introduction of VMPI in VDOE official website.
VMPI Community Meeting 3 – March posted on April 27, 2021
This is the video of the third VMPI community meeting. Please note the tone has changed from the previous meetings.
VMPI Community Meeting 2 – March posted on April 13, 2021
This is the video of the second VMPI community meeting.
VMPI Community Meeting 1 – March posted on March 23, 2021
This is the video of the first VMPI community meeting.
The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Regional Webinar posted on Dec 17, 2021
This is the first video we can find posted on Youtube regarding VMPI.
