Course Offerings in Mathematics Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Eight (8) credits in mathematics are required for graduation. These can be earned only after the completion of Math 8 and after the student has completed the eighth grade. We recommend that every student complete either the study of Algebra I and Geometry or IMP 1 and IMP 2 (Interactive Mathematics Program) during their four years in order to prepare for the mathematics MCAS test. Students must pass MCAS mathematics in order to be eligible to earn a diploma in the state of Massachusetts. Additionally, students who do not score in the categories of “proficient” or “advanced” on the mathematics MCAS will have an Educational Proficiency Plan implemented. These students must enroll in and pass the equivalent of a full year’s math course (8 credits) in each of their eleventh and twelfth grade years in order to earn a diploma. Students who plan to further their education should also plan to complete at least through Algebra 2 or IMP 3 and earn grades of C- or better, to be prepared for the SAT.
For students entering the Massachusetts state colleges and university in the fall of 2016 and beyond, four years of math will be required.
Students who do not meet the grade prerequisites for the next course should register for a summer school course at ARHS. Students who earn a grade of D during the regular year are eligible to earn two general credits during summer school. Students who fail the course during the regular year and earn a final grade of at least 50% in the course are eligible to earn four math credits during summer school and must earn a C- in order to be eligible for the next course. Students not meeting these standards are expected to repeat the course during the next academic year. All grade prerequisites must be satisfied prior to beginning the next course in the sequence.
1. The mathematics department has high expectations for achievement for every student in all of its courses. The courses, therefore, may be expected to be rigorous and thorough.
2. Teachers will expect students to be competent in the arithmetic skills needed for each course, Algebra 1 and above. Students who have any weaknesses in computational skills must take responsibility for improving these skills and should consider enrolling in summer school to do so. Teachers are willing to assist students in planning a program for self-improvement.
3. Daily homework is an integral part of the learning process. Every student is expected to complete homework on time, and in an organized manner. The time needed to complete these assignments will vary from student to student and with the nature of the assignment. Typically, a minimum of 45 minutes per assignment will be required.
4. Assessment may include homework, notebook checks, class work, quizzes, tests, portfolios, projects or essays. In addition, students should be prepared to express their understanding of mathematical concepts and to describe in writing how they arrived at solutions.
5. Every student in IMP or Algebra 1 and above is expected to come to class daily with a scientific calculator. The Math Department offers a calculator loan program for students on free or reduced price lunch plans. Students should see their teachers for more information.
1. Students in Honors courses are distinguished for their energy, persistence, and interest in mathematics. Honors courses are demanding and require students to be serious about study habits and to use time effectively. Honors classes are designed for students who enjoy mathematics and are motivated to develop their mathematical thinking.
2. Students should expect the work in an Honors course to have a high level of abstraction and sophistication. The work will not be just harder problems; rather, it will be work at a different cognitive level. The teacher will help students to learn at this level and will consider it a major task of the course to provide students with extensive opportunities to improve their abilities in this area. Students, however, should understand that not everyone is ready to learn at a high level of abstraction.
3. Students who enter Honors level classes should have superior computational skills and are expected to have retained the vast majority of the material studied in previous mathematics courses. Teachers will not spend significant class time reviewing material taught in earlier math courses. Short-term help can be expected from the teacher, if asked for, but the student should not expect the teacher to provide long-term tutorial support for material from a previous course.
4. Students who are interested in more challenging course work by moving from college prep to the honors level, but who do not meet the grade prerequisite, must schedule a conference with their parent/guardian and the department head of mathematics. Department head approval is required before making that change. Students who move from college prep to honors may need to spend additional time and effort in order to bridge the gap of skills and content acquisition either during the school year or during the summer. The department head or a designated math teacher will help students by carefully outlining expectations, providing materials and offering guidance.
We recognize that some students may wish to accelerate their math program. This option is demanding and should only be attempted by those students who are truly fascinated by mathematics, are highly independent, and who have a deep commitment to hard work.
1. A student may enroll in two mathematics classes during the same year. This is especially difficult because of the amount of homework involved, but the arrangement can work for a highly motivated mathematics student. In the traditional pathway, the only way to exercise this option is to take Geometry Honors and Algebra II/Honors concurrently. In the Integrated pathway, a student may take IMP 2 and IMP 3 in the same year or IMP 3 and IMP 4 in the same year but must overlap the courses in the second trimester. For example, a student would take IMP 2 first trimester and complete it second trimester. The student would also start IMP 3 second trimester and complete it third trimester. These options are only available when there is space in Algebra II/Honors, IMP 3 or IMP 4.
2. In very rare cases a student may opt to do an independent study in mathematics. Students must meet a set of criteria and submit a proposal for approval by the Mathematics Department Head by May 1, 2013
3. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this deadline. For details on the criteria as well as links to all necessary forms, please visit the Math Department website: http://www.arps.org/hs/Academics/Mathematics/AccelerationPolicy.php .
In an effort to ensure that students have the necessary background and readiness skills to be successful, most courses in mathematics have both course and grade prerequisites. It is important for students to be aware of these requirements so that they select the appropriate courses to match their interests and prior mathematical preparation. Because mathematics is so sequential in nature, most courses require that students earn a final grade of C- or better to continue on to the next course in the sequence. If a student does not earn the prerequisite grade for a course, he/she must either repeat the course for general credit or attend summer school and earn a grade of C- or better before continuing in the sequence.
The Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP) is a four-year sequence of courses. Each course is organized in four to six-week units around a central problem or theme. Motivated by this central focus, students solve a variety of smaller routine and non-routine problems that develop the underlying skills and concepts needed to solve the central problem. Students work in teams as well as individually to strategize, solve problems and present ideas both in writing and orally. Graphing calculators are used regularly.
IMP provides excellent preparation for the MCAS, SAT Reasoning Test and SAT subject tests. Students should plan to remain in IMP for at least three years. For more information on IMP, log on to their website: www.mathimp.org . Course descriptions may be found below.
IMP Honors is a program offered within all IMP classes for students wishing to go beyond the regular requirements of IMP. Participating students are expected to complete assignments at a higher level of abstraction, depth, generality and independence. IMP Honors appears on the student’s transcript as such, with a different course number.
Pre-Algebra courses are for students who need to develop a stronger background in mathematics, greater confidence in mathematics, and stronger abstract reasoning abilities before attempting Algebra or IMP. These are challenging courses for many ninth grade students and success is dependent upon a solid foundation in math. For students who need to build a stronger foundation, it is strongly recommended that students take all three terms of mathematics, with the possibilities including Math Intervention, Transformational Geometry, Parameter Graphing, Number Patterns A, or Number Patterns B.