My son currently takes Physics. What is so frustrating is that assessments that are taken in Physics are not returned to the students for weeks after they have taken them. There is little if any opportunity for students to learn from their mistakes and apply that understanding to future tests. I am also frustrated that the class averages for tests are not given to the class or parents. Parents have no way of knowing if their child did well compared to the other students in their class. If a class average is low consistently then that illustrates that students are not learning the material well and do not have a proper understanding of the class material. There is no sense in requiring a class, but not ensuring the students receive feedback from the testing. There are also few assessments meaning each one takes on increased weight in calculating a term grade. Please revisit the Physics program to ensure our children will be well prepared in their future science endeavors. Thank you.
U
Usha Chavan
9 years ago
It is critical that the school board publish the results from the Physics First approach. My one son was fine with it but the other one does not like Science at all. The district science program should be such that we create curious minds and the middle schools should start the process. Teacher training should be provided to shift focus from just evaluations to developing curiosity, interest, learning. It will be interesting to know how many Montgomery kids pursue Science/Engineering disciplines after high school.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
This is one of the worst plans almost as bad as half years of science they tried in the past! My brother had to explain to his college when he applied that he didn't fail science but it was the district hair brain idea to do them in half years! I'm tired of Montgomery trying "great ideas" at our kids expense. This fundamentally does not make sense because the math does not support physics at a freshman level. It may work for a few but as a whole it's such a terrible idea.
A
Ana Williams
9 years ago
Totally agree. It is a disappointment to see our kids not motivated about science.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Definitely want this change before my kids are in MHS. Have heard enough negative from kids who have already taken Physics in Freshman Year at MHS. Their parents have already warned me about anxiety it causes kids. Please make the change.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Physics is best taught after trigonometry and perhaps even calculus, not during freshman year in high school.
D
Danielle Wilson
9 years ago
My 10th grader struggled with Physics last year-it caused an extreme level of stress. I was very disappointed to see that it will again be the only science possible for my rising freshman in the fall. Please discontinue Physics First.
L
Laura Loffredo
9 years ago
I have 3 children that are either in MHS or have graduated from MHS. While my children are Honor Roll/NHS students, the science program has always presented a challenge. The teachers do not use the text books (not sure why we are paying for them) and seem to be free to teach from their own best perspective. It makes even finding a tutor difficult because we don't seem to teach a common curriculum. look at our school's scores on the Biology state tests.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
As someone who won the physics award in high school, I'd like to believe that I have a reasonable understanding of the subject matter. In my opinion, the way the material is being taught is all wrong. There are concepts of physics that can be taught at he freshman level that can excite and inspire students to pursue careers as n science, but this program is doing he opposite. From what I can tell, students are not even being taught all of the material they are being tested on. What little content they are being exposed to is not being taught well. 9th graders should not have to spend countless hours at night and on weekends on their own to learn the material only to be tested on how the material was incorrectly taught. When a student in my son's class - who attends class every day and is attentive - can get a grade of "9" (out of 100) on a test, clearly something serious is wrong with the program. Either change the content to a level more appropriate for the age, or move the clause to junior or senior year.
M
Melissa C Orbe
9 years ago
Featured
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?
H
Hari
9 years ago
agree with others comments
A
Arvin Bansal
9 years ago
Undue stress on kids for a program that is not working
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
My daughter is freshman in MHS and I totally agree with Kristjan Haule's comments posted here. Physics is an interesting subject when the teachers explain the concepts with example, this is missing in MHS. The students are confused and have difficulty to complete homework, eventually they lose interest in the subject
M
Madhavi Patel
9 years ago
My son had physics his freshman year. It was not a good experience. He was not ready didn't have the correct math in order to understand the materials. In addition he had A teacher that could not teach and was fired the following year.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Too much academic pressure as it is. We don't need programs that add to all of this.
S
Shahab Khan
9 years ago
I agree that bug changes are required for the science instruction at MHS
H
Harish
9 years ago
Featured
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
S
Sharmila Fuller
9 years ago
We have a rising 7th grader in Montgomery school district and are very concerned about the physics first program and the kids readiness at MHS. Please abolish the physics first as the neighboring school districts have.Thank you
S
Shelley Jarzyna
9 years ago
I am mostly concerned about the rigidity of the HS science program, where the path of courses is predetermined and STEM based. Other science choices should be offered (e.g., anatomy, physiology, marine biology, AP psychology) to broaden reach across children with varied interests, rather than simply forcing physics on everyone.
Very important and long over due
My son currently takes Physics. What is so frustrating is that assessments that are taken in Physics are not returned to the students for weeks after they have taken them. There is little if any opportunity for students to learn from their mistakes and apply that understanding to future tests. I am also frustrated that the class averages for tests are not given to the class or parents. Parents have no way of knowing if their child did well compared to the other students in their class. If a class average is low consistently then that illustrates that students are not learning the material well and do not have a proper understanding of the class material. There is no sense in requiring a class, but not ensuring the students receive feedback from the testing. There are also few assessments meaning each one takes on increased weight in calculating a term grade. Please revisit the Physics program to ensure our children will be well prepared in their future science endeavors. Thank you.
It is critical that the school board publish the results from the Physics First approach. My one son was fine with it but the other one does not like Science at all. The district science program should be such that we create curious minds and the middle schools should start the process. Teacher training should be provided to shift focus from just evaluations to developing curiosity, interest, learning. It will be interesting to know how many Montgomery kids pursue Science/Engineering disciplines after high school.
This is one of the worst plans almost as bad as half years of science they tried in the past! My brother had to explain to his college when he applied that he didn't fail science but it was the district hair brain idea to do them in half years! I'm tired of Montgomery trying "great ideas" at our kids expense. This fundamentally does not make sense because the math does not support physics at a freshman level. It may work for a few but as a whole it's such a terrible idea.
Totally agree. It is a disappointment to see our kids not motivated about science.
Definitely want this change before my kids are in MHS. Have heard enough negative from kids who have already taken Physics in Freshman Year at MHS. Their parents have already warned me about anxiety it causes kids. Please make the change.
Physics is best taught after trigonometry and perhaps even calculus, not during freshman year in high school.
My 10th grader struggled with Physics last year-it caused an extreme level of stress. I was very disappointed to see that it will again be the only science possible for my rising freshman in the fall. Please discontinue Physics First.
I have 3 children that are either in MHS or have graduated from MHS. While my children are Honor Roll/NHS students, the science program has always presented a challenge. The teachers do not use the text books (not sure why we are paying for them) and seem to be free to teach from their own best perspective. It makes even finding a tutor difficult because we don't seem to teach a common curriculum. look at our school's scores on the Biology state tests.
As someone who won the physics award in high school, I'd like to believe that I have a reasonable understanding of the subject matter. In my opinion, the way the material is being taught is all wrong. There are concepts of physics that can be taught at he freshman level that can excite and inspire students to pursue careers as n science, but this program is doing he opposite. From what I can tell, students are not even being taught all of the material they are being tested on. What little content they are being exposed to is not being taught well. 9th graders should not have to spend countless hours at night and on weekends on their own to learn the material only to be tested on how the material was incorrectly taught. When a student in my son's class - who attends class every day and is attentive - can get a grade of "9" (out of 100) on a test, clearly something serious is wrong with the program. Either change the content to a level more appropriate for the age, or move the clause to junior or senior year.
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?
agree with others comments
Undue stress on kids for a program that is not working
My daughter is freshman in MHS and I totally agree with Kristjan Haule's comments posted here. Physics is an interesting subject when the teachers explain the concepts with example, this is missing in MHS. The students are confused and have difficulty to complete homework, eventually they lose interest in the subject
My son had physics his freshman year. It was not a good experience. He was not ready didn't have the correct math in order to understand the materials. In addition he had A teacher that could not teach and was fired the following year.
Too much academic pressure as it is. We don't need programs that add to all of this.
I agree that bug changes are required for the science instruction at MHS
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
We have a rising 7th grader in Montgomery school district and are very concerned about the physics first program and the kids readiness at MHS. Please abolish the physics first as the neighboring school districts have.Thank you
I am mostly concerned about the rigidity of the HS science program, where the path of courses is predetermined and STEM based. Other science choices should be offered (e.g., anatomy, physiology, marine biology, AP psychology) to broaden reach across children with varied interests, rather than simply forcing physics on everyone.