Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI)
What is the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI)?
- The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI) is a joint initiative of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) to consider how to modernize and update math instruction to Virginia’s K-12 students to prepare them all to be life ready and succeed in their post-secondary pursuits.
- VMPI is a proposal 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 proposals would update Virginia's Mathematics Standards of Learning and Virginia’s public school divisions would then be responsible for creating courses and designing curricula to implement those state standards, as they do now.
- VMPI maintains Virginia’s rigorous mathematics instruction for all students and strives to provide all students with opportunities to receive high quality, highly-relevant math instruction that is tailored to their specific post-secondary goals.
- The implementation of VMPI would still allow for student acceleration in mathematics content according to ability and achievement. It does not dictate how and when students take specific courses. Those decisions remain with students and school divisions based on individualized learning needs.
- The traditional high school pathway culminating in the study of Calculus or other advanced courses is not being eliminated. Additional course pathways will include engaging semester courses in statistics, data science, modeling, design, and logic, among others.
- Local school divisions will still have plenty of flexibility to create courses aligned to the standards to meet the needs of all students; and provide opportunities for all students to advance through the curriculum based on their learning needs. School divisions will also be able to offer advanced sections and acceleration through the courses.
- VMPI will increase rigor by integrating mathematical content and concepts, emphasizing reasoning and problem solving, and providing a highly-relevant experience for all students. It will also include a new focus on statistical literacy, essential for success in a data-rich world.
- VMPI proposes math standards in kindergarten through high school that focus on reasoning, real-world problem solving, communication, and conceptual connections while shifting away from an emphasis on computation and routine problem practice.
- The VMPI initiative imagines math instruction for students that integrates existing math content into blended courses for students typically in grades 8-10.
- The content from Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 is not being eliminated by VMPI, but rather the content of these courses will be blended into a seamless progression of connected learning. This encourages students to connect mathematical concepts and develop a much deeper and more relevant understanding of each concept within its context and relevance.
- VMPI envisions additional and innovative opportunities for students to access content that is not currently widely available to all students. This foundation can then be built upon with specific coursework tailored to post-secondary goals.
- The foundation of VMPI’s integrated mathematics content approach is common in many countries, including in countries that are our chief global competitors.
- VMPI is aligned with research and supported by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
What is the timeline for implementing VMPI?
- VMPI is in the development stage, and the changes being proposed are under discussion with a wide variety of stakeholders, including the Board of Education. No final decisions have been made at this time.
- The changes being considered as a part of VMPI will ultimately be decided upon and put into effect with the regularly scheduled 2023 update to the Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning. These standards cover grades K-12 and are updated once every 7 years by the Board of Education. As with all new mathematics standards, there will be many opportunities for public comment and revisions.
- Any changes made to the Mathematics Standards of Learning would be scheduled for classroom level implementation in the 2025-2026 school year.
How can I learn more or provide feedback?
- Visit the VMPI website for additional details about Community Meetings on VMPI and other opportunities for public feedback.
- The Virginia Department of Education also welcomes your feedback via email at vdoe.mathematics@doe.virginia.gov.
Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Informational Video
Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Infographic
What are the goals and desired outcomes of VMPI?
The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI) will:
- Identify K-12 mathematics pathways that support future success
- Empower students to be active participants in a quantitative world
- Encourage students to see themselves as knowers and doers of mathematics
- Improve equity in mathematics learning opportunities
- Collaborate with multiple stakeholder to advance mathematics education
The VMPI will develop an initial vision for mathematics education in K-12 that will require feedback from many different stakeholders across the Commonwealth. This feedback will be critical when the Mathematics Standards of Learning revisions in 2023 reflect the goals and recommendations of this Initiative. Possible piloting of high school level mathematics courses prior to full implementation is now being considered. This Initiative will establish an innovative direction for mathematics education in Virginia that will benefit all students.
What are the proposed changes to mathematics pathways on which the VMPI task force is seeking feedback?
Follow the "Math Path"
1. Foundational Mathematics Concepts Grades K-7
- Number & Number Sense
- Computation and Estimation
- Measurement and Geometry
- Probability and Statistics
- Patterns, Functions, and Algebra
2. Essential Mathematics Concepts Grades 8-10 (2 HS Mathematics Credits)
- Data Analysis
- Mathematical Modeling
- Functions and Algebra
- Spatial Reasoning
- Probability
3. ADVANCED MATHEMATICS CONCEPTS GRADES 11-12 (2 HS Mathematics Credits)
Modules may be mixed and matched to total two credits and taken in any order except where pre-requisite knowledge may be necessary.
1/2 Credit Course Options
Data Modules
- Data Science
- Probability and Statistics
Design Modules
- Geometry and Design
- Trigonometric Applications
Analysis Modules
- Applications of Advanced Algebra
- Precalculus- Focus on Functions
Modeling Modules
- Mathematical Modeling
- Financial Modeling
Computing Modules
- Discrete Mathematics for Computing
- Sets and Logic
1 Credit Course Options
Some courses may include Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Computer Science
- Calculus
- Statistics
- International Baccalaureate
Direct Entry, College, Trade School Military
Career Clusters
Agriculture
- Architecture
- Arts
- Business
- Education
- Energy
- Finance
- Government and Public Domain
- Health
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Law
- Manufacturing
- Marketing
- STEM
- Transportation
What is the VMPI proposed timeline?
- 2020-2021 Develop Essential Concepts
- 2021-2022 Revision Committee – Draft 2023 Math SOL
- 2022-2023 Board of Education Review of Draft 2023 Math SOL
- 2023-2024 Board of Education Approval Request 2023 Math SOL
- 2024-2025 Crosswalk Year 2023 Math SOL
- 2025-2026 Full Implementation 2023 Math SOL, Math Essential Concepts Courses Initiated
- 2026-2027 New Graduation Requirements
How did the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative begin?
VMPI has its origin in a groundbreaking 2018 study from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM): Catalyzing Change in High School Mathematics – Initiating Critical Conversations
. Catalyzing Change spurs key stakeholders to examine the challenges in high school mathematics to ensure that all students have the mathematical experiences necessary for personal and professional success. NCTM has recently released two additional publications: Catalyzing Change in Early Childhood and Elementary Mathematics: Initiating Critical Conversations and Catalyzing Change in Middle School Mathematics: Initiating Critical Conversations.
VMPI is also driven by Virginia’s participation in a multistate High School to College Math Pathways Forum hosted in May 2019 by the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences
(CBMS). The Forum brought states together to reimagine the alignment of mathematics education with what students need to succeed in college and at work.
Additional Resources
Please note that the following articles reflect broader national scholarship on mathematics education. These articles are not reflective of the views of the Virginia Department of Education.
- The Case for Mathematics Pathways – an article from the University of Texas at Austin – Charles A. Dana Center, 2019
- Closing the Opportunity Gap: A Call for Detracking Mathematics-This is a PDF document. – a position statement from the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, 2020.
- Launch Years – Reimagining Mathematics Education – a report from the University at Texas at Austin – Charles A. Dana Center, 2020.
- Mathematics Education through the Lens of Social Justice: Acknowledgement, Actions, and Accountability-This is a PDF document. – a joint position statement from the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics and TODOS: Mathematics for ALL, 2016.
Feedback
Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative Community Informational Sessions
A series of one-hour VMPI Community Informational Sessions will be held during the next several months to provide parents and community members an opportunity to learn more about the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative. The sessions will take place on the following dates:
- Tuesday, March 23, 2021 -
Why Change Mathematics Instruction? - Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - How does VMPI affect Virginia Children’s Futures?
- Tuesday, April 27, 2021 - Essential Concepts in Grades 8 - 10
- Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - Advanced Pathways in Grades 11 - 12
All sessions will be live streamed on the VDOE’s YouTube Channel beginning at 6:30pm with a 20-minute presentation from members of the VMPI Planning Committees and will follow with time for facilitators to respond to questions from the community. Questions participants would like to have addressed during the sessions can be submitted through the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative form.
The Virginia Department of Education welcomes your feedback as the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative moves forward. Please email vdoe.mathematics@doe.virginia.gov.
Additional opportunities for information and stakeholder feedback will be forthcoming. STAY TUNED!