A plan to eliminate an advanced mathematics section for Bedford sixth-graders next school year will now be considered as part of an overall curriculum review about to get underway.
The proposal to “unlevel” the section so that all math classes in the grade would be heterogeneous was introduced at the May 10 School Committee meeting by the John Hartunian, John Glenn Middle School principal, and Patrick Morrissey, math program administrator.
After pushback from most committee members, the proposal – which does not require approval by the board – was continued for discussion at a future meeting.
But late Thursday, School Committee Chair Sarah Scoville issued a brief statement: “After further review, the proposal to end sixth-grade leveling will be withdrawn, and instead will be rolled into a larger discussion and examination of the entire math curriculum as a part of a multi-year K-12 curriculum review.”
She also noted that “the curriculum review process and guidelines will be reviewed by our district leadership” at next Tuesday’s committee meeting, which will take place in a hybrid format at Hanscom Air Force Base.
Superintendent of Schools Philip Conrad Friday explained, “The idea is to take a step back and do a complete review, in the larger context of the K-12 curriculum review.” Math is expected to be at the top of that process, he noted.
Feedback from the committee will be “incorporated into what we’re doing,” he said. “I wouldn’t see this in a negative light.”
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