Mathematics
Mathematics
The Math Department at Durango High School reviewed
The Math Department at Durango High School reviewed
curriculum in 2010-11 and constructed the following guiding principles:
• Students should learn to be good problem solvers and problem generators.
• Students should develop procedural fluency and conceptual understanding of the math being taught.
• Students should be able to communicate effectively about math.
• Students should enjoy math.
• Good teaching inspires students.
• Choice is important.
• Learner-centered classrooms enhance student learning.
• Relationships between students and teachers are important.
Students are required to earn 40 credits in mathematics for graduation. Based on district guidelines and parameters, the math curriculum was designed so that all students complete the following sequence of courses:
Year 1: Mathematics I
Year 2: Mathematics II
Year 3: Mathematics III
Year 4: Students select from Precalculus , AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, Personal Financial Literacy (1 semester), and College Algebra Readiness and Skills (1 semester).
Accelerated math students may complete part of this curriculum during their middle school years. Based on their acceleration, they can access more than one advance placement level math course during their junior and senior years in high school.
Pedagogically, these classes will use an investigative approach to solve authentic and interesting problems in which students explore the themes of mathematics and develop mathematical thinking, while implementing the direct teaching practices of the traditional approach to build the math skills and computations needed to increase procedural fluency.
Curricular materials for Mathematics I, II, and III are available online using the links below.
Year 1: Mathematics I
Year 1: Mathematics I
Year 2: Mathematics II
Challenge up
The DHS math department has a tradition of offering a “challenge up” option, which allows some students to move on from Math 2 directly to Pre-Calculus, skipping Math 3 . In the past, students were allowed to do this based on parent permission and teacher recommendation, as well as completing a packet to build algebra fluency. The revision of our “challenge up” policy is intended to set students up for success in their math pathway at Durango High School and beyond.
We are now using a data-informed approach to identify “challenge up” students. We primarily use the PSAT math score due to the fact that it provides a consistent and normed measure. We select students who score well above the college ready benchmark that the College Board provides. The students in “challenge up” are in the 90th percentile nationally. We also consider Math 2 final exam scores and academic habits.
We are also supporting “challenge up” students by creating a unique Pre-Calculus class. This class is required for students who qualify to “challenge up”. They receive Pre-Calculus credit on their transcript, however this curriculum addresses units of Math 3 not typically included in Pre-Calculus and moves at a faster pace. It is an accelerated, targeted year of math designed to prepare students for advanced math.
We continue working hard to place students in math courses where they will be most challenged and successful. For the 2018-19 academic school year, the top 30 students with the highest PSAT math scores were invited to “challenge up”. If your student did not score in the top 30, they will take Math 3 this year and Pre-Calculus next year. We believe this will give them the strongest foundation in math, which will set them up for success in advanced math and college entrance exams like the SAT.
We look forward to continuing to support the success of all DHS students.
The DHS math department has a tradition of offering a “challenge up” option, which allows some students to move on from Math 2 directly to Pre-Calculus, skipping Math 3 . In the past, students were allowed to do this based on parent permission and teacher recommendation, as well as completing a packet to build algebra fluency. The revision of our “challenge up” policy is intended to set students up for success in their math pathway at Durango High School and beyond.
We are now using a data-informed approach to identify “challenge up” students. We primarily use the PSAT math score due to the fact that it provides a consistent and normed measure. We select students who score well above the college ready benchmark that the College Board provides. The students in “challenge up” are in the 90th percentile nationally. We also consider Math 2 final exam scores and academic habits.
We are also supporting “challenge up” students by creating a unique Pre-Calculus class. This class is required for students who qualify to “challenge up”. They receive Pre-Calculus credit on their transcript, however this curriculum addresses units of Math 3 not typically included in Pre-Calculus and moves at a faster pace. It is an accelerated, targeted year of math designed to prepare students for advanced math.
We continue working hard to place students in math courses where they will be most challenged and successful. For the 2018-19 academic school year, the top 30 students with the highest PSAT math scores were invited to “challenge up”. If your student did not score in the top 30, they will take Math 3 this year and Pre-Calculus next year. We believe this will give them the strongest foundation in math, which will set them up for success in advanced math and college entrance exams like the SAT.
We look forward to continuing to support the success of all DHS students.