We have recently learned of the Prior Lake Savage school district's plan to discontinue advanced math classes in middle school.  This was approved at the December 11, 2023 school board meeting.   Having had 2 kids that have gone through the advanced math curriculum and 2 more on their way through the elementary school, I strongly oppose this change.  

Teaching advanced and struggling math students in the same classroom presents significant challenges for a teacher. Meeting the diverse needs of both groups is nearly impossible within a standardized curriculum. Advanced students may feel held back, experiencing insufficient intellectual stimulation, while struggling learners may find the material too fast-paced, leading to frustration and a widening achievement gap. Providing tailored support becomes impractical in a large, undifferentiated setting, risking the neglect of individual learning styles. The teacher's attention is stretched thin, compromising the quality of instruction and inhibiting the optimal growth of both advanced and struggling students within the same classroom.

In middle school, differentiating math curricula for advanced and struggling students makes sense to address varied learning paces and depths of understanding. While elementary school may have a more generalized approach with a more basic curriculum, middle school should acknowledge diverse abilities, ensuring tailored instruction that fosters engagement, comprehension, and individualized support for optimal student development.

Please join me in asking the district to keep 2 levels of math classes for 6th graders and above.