FCPS previews course-guide updates, middle-school math acceleration and new CTE pathways
Summary
District staff previewed course-guide and pathway updates, including a cohort model that will allow identified students to take in-person geometry in middle school and exploration of middle-school routes for computer science and engineering high-school credit.
District staff told the Curriculum & Instruction Committee the annual course guide will be published in time for student course selections and that several curricular and scheduling updates are being previewed to the committee before full-board action.
The most significant middle-school change discussed was a math-acceleration pathway in which a cohort of students will move to in-person geometry in middle school (students identified earlier through multiple measures proceed through algebra and geometry prior to high school). Staff said this cohort model will appear in the course guide and that the district expects additional state-level math policy changes that will require ongoing board discussion.
Staff also said they are exploring future middle-school opportunities for high-school credit in computer science and engineering as scheduling changes are considered for middle schools (driven in part by math-minute requirements). High-school updates include re-titling or reframing some electives to be more accessible to students, introducing new CTE pathways and publishing AOPA/aviation-related pathway options where available.
On identification for acceleration, staff described multiple-measure screening including CogAT and state/local diagnostic assessments, and said most acceleration cohorts are identified between fourth and sixth grade with on-ramps in fifth and sixth depending on preparation and readiness.
Staff emphasized that new courses requiring board approval will be presented to the full board in upcoming meetings and that the committee will return in January with a focused early-literacy and English language arts presentation.
