Montgomery Township High School Science Program

The Physics First program at Montgomery Township High School is academically too advanced for the vast majority of 9th grade students and the expectations for the students ability to learn and thrive as it is currently being taught is unrealistic. The students do not receive applicable instruction. Instead they are expected to teach themselves most of the material. The tests/assessments do not reflect the "teaching and learning" the students experience in the classroom/labs. Our third son is now in Physics. Historically, all three of our sons have routinely studied for hours, properly answered the questions on the “study guide” and then perform abysmally on the assessment because they are expected not just to have learned the material on which the assessment is based, but are rather expected to go far beyond what they have been taught and to make connections that are unreasonable for students at this age. The majority of kids in the 9th grade do not possess that type of academic maturity. An assessment by definition is supposed to assess what has been taught up to that date. The way Physics First testing is administered does NOT reflect what they have been taught and learned. The resulting effect has created a culture where 14 and 15 years old students at Montgomery become thoroughly discouraged to pursue the sciences at MHS. These are smart, bright, and otherwise inquisitive kids who flourish academically in all other subject areas. Year after year our three sons and their peers have continued to suffer through this failed experiment. It is inexcusable that the school has not satisfactorily addressed the fact that the Physics First curriculum and supporting teaching methods has failed the majority of our students over the past 12 plus years. Jennifer and Ben Haftel

The Physics First program at Montgomery Township High School is academically too advanced for the vast majority of 9th grade students and the expectations for the students ability to learn and thrive as it is currently being taught is unrealistic.  The students do not receive applicable instruction. Instead they are expected to teach themselves most of the material.  The tests/assessments do not reflect the "teaching and learning" the students experience in the classroom/labs.  Our third son is now in Physics. Historically, all three of our sons have routinely studied for hours, properly answered the questions on the “study guide” and then perform abysmally on the assessment because they are expected not just to have learned the material on which the assessment is based, but are rather expected to go far beyond what they have been taught and to make connections that are unreasonable for students at this age. The majority of kids in the 9th grade do not possess that type of academic maturity.  An assessment by definition is supposed to assess what has been taught up to that date. The way Physics First testing is administered does NOT reflect what they have been taught and learned. The resulting effect has created a culture where 14 and 15 years old students at Montgomery become thoroughly discouraged to pursue the sciences at MHS.  These are smart, bright, and otherwise inquisitive kids who flourish academically in all other subject areas.  Year after year our three sons and their peers have continued to suffer through this failed experiment. It is inexcusable that the school has not satisfactorily addressed the fact that the Physics First curriculum and supporting teaching methods has failed the majority of our students over the past 12 plus years. Jennifer and Ben Haftel

The current physics class is way too stressful, it's the hardest among all science courses @ NHS.

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.

3 of my kids had negative experiences with having to learn physics first.

Freshman Physics?

This has been a very disappointing year of science for my current freshman. My son who general excels in math and science, and who was eligible for physics honors, is struggling in cp physics. Whats worse, he's not learning anything and he dreads a science class that his nature is to enjoy. I've heard that in general our kids aren't enjoying science at any level and I find that very sad. Our district can do better for our kids.

Our top priority should be eliciting enthusiasm and curiosity in our students.

The district needs to take a more scientific approach to science education at MHS. Scientists use experiments to test hypotheses. Once the hypothesis is proved, or disproved, scientists stop experimenting. And yet, despite years of negative feedback, poor outcomes, and parental angst, the longitudinal research experiment that is science education at MHS inexplicably continues. Why would anyone continue repeating such an experiment, unchanged, and expect outcomes to improve? (h/t Einstein)

It's time to get rid of physics first!

Every MHS student who I have spoken with says that Physics First was a miserable experience for them. Why is this being forced on freshmen, when physics isn't even a course required for NJ high school graduation?? Many competitive schools in the area offer it as a science elective in 11th or 12th grade, after students actually have the math skills to understand it. It is upsetting that MHS offers physics (and biology and chemistry) summer "preview" classes through the school for $550! This implies that students are not feeling confident with their science classes during the school year. We should not have to pay this kind of money at a public school for our students to be successful.

I would like the science program for high school improve overall by providing better trained teachers and subjects that are challenging and interactive.

The Board of Ed is responsible for ensuring the success of all students in all subjects. As evidenced by the student ratings in the recent strategic planning exercise, the high school science ratings are abysmal and require immediate corrective action by the Board and school administration. Both our kids are currently in middle school, but we are very concerned about Physics First and the science curriculum in general. Given that this issue has been troubling to so many for so long, it is irresponsible for the Board not to have addressed it appropriately and adequately to everyone's satisfaction. In addition, the changes in the science curriculum made this year have been problematic for my 7th grader this year. It seems teachers are not equipped to teach the new material with the new approach and student performance and confidence is suffering because of it and this is discouraging their interest in science. Hearing about the discontent with science in high school, it appears this District is not able to successfully prepare for and implement new strategies regarding the science curriculum. This should be a major red flag and concern for those in charge. I strongly urge the Board to study this issue carefully and urgently and quickly adopt a reasonable, evidence-based strategy that is most beneficial to our students.

I totally agree with comments made by Professor Kristjan Haule, a physics professor at Rutgers University. His comments point out why students and parents are struggling with physics, later on chemistry and biology too. I am a scientist working at R&D to discover new things. I understand the importance of solid science background in my daily work. As a result, I strongly insist to go back to the traditional teaching, building up the basic foundation for high schoolers, stopping wasting time to discover the “rules” by themselves. Not everyone is Newton or Einstein. The kids need basic and solid scientific knowledge for future development. The country needs scientists and engineers. Following the textbook to teach, it will cause less confusion for the students. Right now, it appears that teachers teach without a clear instruction and target. I have been told that Chemistry and Biology have the same situation as the physics. What I ask is that please teach and follow a textbook, like mathematics. Don’t shift the teaching task and burden to parents.

It is clear that science and technology will be major drivers of future careers. In structuring the high school science curriculum with physics during freshman year, I feel a great disservice is being done to the students who are not adequately prepared for the course. From what I have observed in my freshman’s experience, there is little actual teaching of the material in class, and there is also the expectation that students must learn much of the content on their own. As freshmen, these students are acclimating to many new environments: physical, social, emotional, and intellectual. On top of this, they are expected to master physics largely through self-study. Some students are simply not equipped to handle independent learning of complex subject matter at this stage, nor should they be expected to. I have a PhD in pharmacology. I took physics during my senior year in high school and again as a junior in college, after taking a full year of calculus. My college physics class turned out to be one of my favorites and one where I learned the most – likely because I was able to understand the subject matter as it was taught and to do well in the class. I urge the BoE to allow our high school freshmen the same opportunity by reconsidering the science curriculum. The current structure likely discourages the pursuit of science at a time when we need scientists and analytical thinkers the most. The students who are high performers will succeed regardless of how the courses are ordered or taught. Please give the other students an opportunity to develop their aptitude and skills rather than killing their confidence and interest in their first year of high school.

Physics first doesn't work because students don't yet have the math background necessary to complete a true physics course.

I have two children who are currently at UMS. When they enter MHS, I want to be certain that they have had a chance to take all of the math prerequisites that necessary for them to succeed in physics. Clearly, this will not be possible if they are hit with physics during their freshman year.

I have an incoming Freshman am concerned about his preparedness for the Physics First Program. From what I've hear, I feel I need to learn the material as well or get him a tutor, not ideal either way.

Not a fan of physics first. I heard this is how high school science is currently set up a few months back and was astonished and appalled.

We need to improve biology course and adjust physics somewhere not freshman year.