 Education
- Erosion of high school calculus
What
is the the issue?
In mid-October 2005,
the Ministry of Education introduced changes to
three particular university preparation math courses,
including:
- MCR 3U “Function
and Relations to become “Functions”
- MCB 4U “Advanced
Functions and Introductory Calculus” to
become “Advanced Functions”
- MGA 4U “Geometry
and Discreet Math” to become “Geometry
and Algebra”
Controversy surrounds the modifications to MGA
4U, in which 25% of its original content (permutations
and combinations, binomial theorem and proofs)
is proposed to be removed. According to teachers
and the Ministry, the material has proven to be
too difficult for secondary students resulting
in the decline of student enrollments in math
and science-related fields. The result of the
proposed changes would mean that engineering students
would not receive the necessary exposure to basic
concepts of calculus until they reach university.
Engineering faculties, who are represented on
the Council of Ontario Deans of Engineering (CODE),
were not directly consulted about the proposed
changes. When consultations concluded at midnight
on November 13, 2005, the Ministry of Education
received some feedback from individuals in the
university sector via the Council of Ontario Universities
(COU) Math Review Task Force. Secondary school
math teachers also expressed concern and support
for calculus to remain an essential element of
the math curriculum. The new curriculum was expected
to be implemented in September 2006.
Why
is this an important issue for engineers?
With an increasingly
competitive economy and strong demand for innovation,
the high school curriculum has become even more
vital in preparing students adequately to excel
in engineering programs across Ontario. The proposed
changes to the curriculum will result in a lack
of preparation for new engineering students who
will struggle through calculus-applied engineering
courses. It will also impact university engineering
faculties who will be forced to make up the shortfall,
putting strains on heavy existing workloads. This
will result increased frustration within faculty
and students.
OSPE’s
position
At a time when the Ministry of Research and
Innovation is emphasizing the importance of math
and science among students in elementary and secondary
schools and encouraging the engineering industry
to increase its innovative capabilities, OSPE
believes that calculus is a fundamental component
in university engineering courses. OSPE believes
that it would be detrimental to the overall practice
of engineering if engineering students are not
adequately prepared in calculus prior to entering
university.
OSPE is working to have the Ministry of Education
delay the implementation of the changes until
engineering faculties have been provided the opportunity
to give direct input regarding the suggested changes
to the high school math curriculum.
Developments
Sept.
14, 2006 - Funding essential for province’s
revised calculus course
June
15, 2006 - Task Force recommends retention of
high school calculus
May
18, 2006 - OSPE Political Action Network heard
at Queen's Park - Calculus
Feb. 20, 2006 - OSPE
meets with the Ministry of Education’s Task
Force to provide feedback on the elimination of
parts of the calculus program from the grade 12
math curriculum.
Feb.
8, 2006 - OSPE applauds delay of high school math
curriculum reforms by the Ministry of Education.
Feb. 1, 2006 - The Ministry
of Education announced the creation of a Task
Force and possible subcommittee to review the
high school math curriculum. The Task Force is
charged with reviewing the overall math curriculum.
OSPE is seeking representation on both the Task
Force and subcommittee, but is stressing its involvement
on the calculus subcommittee.
Dec.
8 2006 - OSPE follows-up with Ministry of Education
on proposed reforms to secondary school math curriculum.
Nov.
4, 2005 - OSPE submits a letter to Catherine Rankin,
Director of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy
Branch at the Ministry of Education. In the letter,
OSPE requests the Ministry include CODE in direct
consultations and that CODE be provided ample
time to examine the Ministry’s proposals.
Ministry
Links
Ontario
Ministry of Education
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