PUSD Announces New Math Subjects, Other Updates in Middle Schools

The Pasadena Unified School District has announced the changes in math subjects to be taught, and has updated the Pasadena Education Network on electives, evaluations and other matters concerning the middle schools in the district.

Dr. Fal Asrani, PUSD Executive Director of Secondary Education, told the Network that PUSD will replace Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 with Integrated Math in high school.

“All students would be required to take this sequence to graduate which ultimately prepares all students for college,” Asrani told the Network. “It is UC approved and has been adopted by many other districts.”

The transition to integrated math in high school will begin next school year.

PUSD set a meeting on Thursday, October 24, to discuss the implementation and math pathway for advanced students. There will be an advanced track that will allow students to take high school math while in middle school, the Network reported.

Asrani announced that this year, all middle schools except McKinley are offering foreign language. There is also a block for English Language Arts for students in need of remediation at every school. Other electives includes art, music, robotics, dance, drama, yearbook, student leadership, and creative writing.

PUSD also appointed a task force to develop a standardized evaluative tool for teacher evaluations.

Asrani told the Network that her analysis on the data from different PUSD schools led her to implement a “twilight school” for high school students with grades of D’s and F’s, who will also have an additional Saturday school as a support for their learning.

The registration for students who will enter middle or high school in August 2014 will begin on January 6 next year. PUSD will distribute to students registration packets that they can review with their parents during winter break.

To know more about the latest on PUSD middle schools, read Pasadena Education Network’s notes from its Middle School Principal panel at http://penfamilies.org/principals-answer-prospective-middle-school-parents-questions.