Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
*This petition is for parents and guardians of students of Montgomery Township School District only.*
We, the undersigned of this petition, hereby petition the Montgomery Township School District (Somerset County, NJ) Board of Education to take immediate action to re-evaluate the entire Montgomery Township High School Science Program including abolishing the Physics First Program.
•The Strategic Planning Survey results show that the percentage of High School students who rate the Science program as good or excellent is about one-third (specifically Freshman 38%, Sophomores 33%, Juniors 31% and Seniors 30%). This, in addition to countless individual and public meetings with district parents, shows the dissatisfaction of the public for the Science program. Please refer to page 14 of the pdf below:
•Regarding the MHS Science Program as a whole, we have issues including but not limited to: sequencing of courses (see next two bullets), curriculum, instruction/teaching technique and assessments.
•Regarding Physics First, we value the social/emotional component of our child(ren)’s academic experience and believe the Physics First program creates an undue amount of stress, negativity and decreased confidence for our child(ren). This stress affects how well they perform academically in all their other classes as well as affects their emotional, mental and physical well-being.
•The school district has not published any information or measurable data to the public regarding the success of the Physics First program or the benefits to our students. We believe enough time has been invested in the Physics First program to assess the program and, from our perspective, it is not working. Please note: North Hunterdon Central High School recently abolished Physics First. [We are trying to get more information/ data about this. If we are able to, it will be posted in the “Highlight” section below.] Physics is now open to only 11th and 12th graders as is shown on this webpage:
It is for these reasons we demand that the Montgomery Township Board of Education immediately act to address our concerns regarding the entire MHS Science Program including abolishing Physics First. We favor a more traditional science program that will be in line with our current district standards, maintain our competitive curriculum with comparison to similar districts and fulfill the science requirements for our students.
The readers of this petition should carefully review all comments included with this petition for each parent’s individual concerns.
Directions to those signing: In order to be counted, please enter your full legal name, a unique email address (only one signature per email allowed) and your ZIP Code. Then, in the comments box, please include a comment to explain your specific opinion/issue about any aspect of the MHS Science Program and/or Physics First. (Even though your ZIP Code is not displaying under your signature, it is being recorded and will be reported to the BOE.) Thank you for your support!
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Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 15, 2017
March 14, 2017
I have been spending my time reading every message you send me about your experiences with the science curriculum. It is truly humbling to realize how many of you feel exactly the same way about the need for a change in our district. I am working on organizing these thoughts so we can present them clearly to the board members next time we meet.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2017
127 Comments
I believe the intention is good, however, it's the execution that prevents the benefits to be experienced by the students. Believe it is time for the Board and administrators to admit that while their intentions are good, they need to adopt the traditional cadence of study and put an end to the experiment.
I am signing becuase I feel there should be more choice for students to choose sciences classes that align with their interest and aptitude. I want my child to be able to take Earth Science, Oceanography, Astronomy, Physics, or Chemistry at any grade level in high school.
My son lost all confidence in science beginning in 8th grade. He was not ready for physics first in 9th grade. He did not meet the math requirements yet. Other schools in our area base your science class on your math level, not grade. This makes way more sense.
I've had 3 kids go thru MHS. Physics freshman year was a challenge for all. None had been taught the math that is needed to be successful in the class. Why set our kids up to struggle?
I have not heard a single positive comment about physics first from our township students or parents. Other good competitive districts in CA,MA states do not introduce physics in 9th grade
Please take action
Let's have our students become excited, confident, and successful.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
*This petition is for parents and guardians of students of Montgomery Township School District only.*
We, the undersigned of this petition, hereby petition the Montgomery Township School District (Somerset County, NJ) Board of Education to take immediate action to re-evaluate the entire Montgomery Township High School Science Program including abolishing the Physics First Program.
•The Strategic Planning Survey results show that the percentage of High School students who rate the Science program as good or excellent is about one-third (specifically Freshman 38%, Sophomores 33%, Juniors 31% and Seniors 30%). This, in addition to countless individual and public meetings with district parents, shows the dissatisfaction of the public for the Science program. Please refer to page 14 of the pdf below:
•Regarding the MHS Science Program as a whole, we have issues including but not limited to: sequencing of courses (see next two bullets), curriculum, instruction/teaching technique and assessments.
•Regarding Physics First, we value the social/emotional component of our child(ren)’s academic experience and believe the Physics First program creates an undue amount of stress, negativity and decreased confidence for our child(ren). This stress affects how well they perform academically in all their other classes as well as affects their emotional, mental and physical well-being.
•The school district has not published any information or measurable data to the public regarding the success of the Physics First program or the benefits to our students. We believe enough time has been invested in the Physics First program to assess the program and, from our perspective, it is not working. Please note: North Hunterdon Central High School recently abolished Physics First. [We are trying to get more information/ data about this. If we are able to, it will be posted in the “Highlight” section below.] Physics is now open to only 11th and 12th graders as is shown on this webpage:
It is for these reasons we demand that the Montgomery Township Board of Education immediately act to address our concerns regarding the entire MHS Science Program including abolishing Physics First. We favor a more traditional science program that will be in line with our current district standards, maintain our competitive curriculum with comparison to similar districts and fulfill the science requirements for our students.
The readers of this petition should carefully review all comments included with this petition for each parent’s individual concerns.
Directions to those signing: In order to be counted, please enter your full legal name, a unique email address (only one signature per email allowed) and your ZIP Code. Then, in the comments box, please include a comment to explain your specific opinion/issue about any aspect of the MHS Science Program and/or Physics First. (Even though your ZIP Code is not displaying under your signature, it is being recorded and will be reported to the BOE.) Thank you for your support!
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 15, 2017
March 14, 2017
I have been spending my time reading every message you send me about your experiences with the science curriculum. It is truly humbling to realize how many of you feel exactly the same way about the need for a change in our district. I am working on organizing these thoughts so we can present them clearly to the board members next time we meet.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2017
127 Comments
Physics should not be a freshman course. Earth Science should be. The kids haven't even learned the math for it. Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry and then Physics. That's the order it should be.
I believe the intention is good, however, it's the execution that prevents the benefits to be experienced by the students. Believe it is time for the Board and administrators to admit that while their intentions are good, they need to adopt the traditional cadence of study and put an end to the experiment.
I am signing becuase I feel there should be more choice for students to choose sciences classes that align with their interest and aptitude. I want my child to be able to take Earth Science, Oceanography, Astronomy, Physics, or Chemistry at any grade level in high school.
My son lost all confidence in science beginning in 8th grade. He was not ready for physics first in 9th grade. He did not meet the math requirements yet. Other schools in our area base your science class on your math level, not grade. This makes way more sense.
I've had 3 kids go thru MHS. Physics freshman year was a challenge for all. None had been taught the math that is needed to be successful in the class. Why set our kids up to struggle?
I have not heard a single positive comment about physics first from our township students or parents. Other good competitive districts in CA,MA states do not introduce physics in 9th grade
Please take action
Let's have our students become excited, confident, and successful.
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Physics should not be a freshman course. Earth Science should be. The kids haven't even learned the math for it. Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry and then Physics. That's the order it should be.