PAQ&A

Political Action Questions & Answers

University of Texas – First Bytes Workshop - June 6, 2007

Karen North, Facilitator

knorth@houstonisd.org  *  www.knorth.info

 


AP Computer Science does not satisfy the 4th year of math for the DAP

 

SBOE November 17, 2006....

Under the additional math requirements, all the courses available for the fourth math credit except Mathematical Models with Applications have Algebra II as a prerequisite. Those classes are Precalculus; Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics; AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC; AP Computer Science; Independent Study in Mathematics; International Baccalaureate (IB) Mathematical Studies Subsidiary Level; IB Mathematical Methods Subsidiary Level; IB1, 2 Mathematics Higher Level; IB Advanced Mathematics Subsidiary Level; and concurrent enrollment in college math courses.

 

Mavis Knight, SBOE - June 1, 2007…

Unless Karen Kahan has some specific insights, I would ask George Rislov if there are standards within Computer Science that could be enhanced that would make Computer Science more appealing to the Board for acceptance in the DAP. This would be in addition to providing more documentation that CS meets the definition and overcomes the philosophical difference on the board about what is pure math

 

The Distinguished Achievement Program

DAP requires high performance beyond that usually expected of students in high school. In addition to specific course requirements, the Distinguished Achievement Program requires that all students successfully complete any combination of four advanced measures that focus on demonstrated student performance at the college level or work equivalent to that done by professionals in the arts, sciences, business, industry, or in community service.  DAP is the old honors program.  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/gted/dapfaq.html.  There are 3 graduation plans in Texas, General (lowest), Recommended (college bound), and Distinguished (honors).  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter074/ch074e.html

 

Infinity Project, SMU, Political Action …

Engineering counts for a science credit on both the recommended and DAP graduation plans.  It is not a pure science; it is a technology course applying math and science concepts.  It is not an AP level course.  It does not have TEKS as it is a new course.  How did it get acceptance by the SBOE?

 

MY POLITICAL HISTORY

1983 – CIS Certification Process

1992 -  TEA Technology Application / CS TEKS Development: Karen Kahan  and Patsy Lanclos

1994 -  SBEC Excet Test battle: Jim Harrison

2005 -  SBOE AP CS as 4th year rigorous math course battle – 4x4 Legislative Plan

NEW -  SBOE AP CS as 4th year math added to DAP plan  (IB CS?)

NEW -  SBOE Regular CS as 4th year math added to Recognized plan  (IB CS?)

?  -  U.T. develops a math logic course that incorporates CS concepts (idea from last year)

 

CONTACTS

Educators Testifying: Karen North, Rod Miller, Susan Boone, Charmaine Bentley, Judith Hromcik, Laurie Barello, Mike Scott (UT), Mark Stehlik (Carnegie Mellon). 

TEA: Karen Kahan (Tech Apps), George Rislov (SBOE contact)

SBOE:Mavis Knight, Pat Hardy Supporters

Senate Education Committee Chair: Senator Shapiro

T-STEM (Texas Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Initiative – Meeting maybe Friday

CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association), Chris Stevenson