Calabasas : Hearings to Consider Tougher Math Classes

Two public hearings are scheduled in February to consider a proposal by the Las Virgenes Unified School District to beef up high school math requirements.

Supt. John Fitzpatrick has introduced a plan that would require students to take a year each of algebra and geometry to graduate.

Fitzpatrick said tougher math requirements would better prepare students for college and today’s highly technological job market. Under the plan, beginning in school year 1997-98 students would take a year of algebra as freshmen and a year of geometry as sophomores. Currently, two years of basic math meets the graduation requirement.

Fitzpatrick said that while many students voluntarily enroll in algebra and geometry courses, some capable students avoid them because the classes are more difficult than basic math. Colleges look less favorably on such students, who Fitzpatrick said are also deprived of learning problem-solving skills they will need for today’s rapidly changing technology.

Most district educators agree that math requirements should be toughened, but Rose Dunn, president of the Las Virgenes Educators Assn., wants to make sure teachers have a say in the decision and how it would be implemented.

Fitzpatrick has said he would help students succeed in the more advanced courses by, among other things, upgrading math programs in lower grades, providing tutors and working to reduce class sizes.

Public hearings on the proposal are scheduled for Feb. 13 and 27, tentatively at 6 p.m., at district headquarters, 4111 N. Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas.