COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120
PRINS. MEMO NO. 44
November 11, 2003
ELEMENTARY /
MIDDLE / SECONDARY
|
TO: |
Principals |
|
FROM: |
Patricia I.
Wright Assistant
Superintendent for Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Computer
Mathematics Using Graphing Calculators |
The Virginia
Department of Education is pleased to announce the development of a set of
materials to help interested high schools and mathematics teachers implement a
Computer Mathematics course in which the graphing calculator is the primary
computing device. Computer Mathematics is a Board of Education approved course
based on the Standards of Learning content adopted in October 2001. This mathematics course is considered above
the level of algebra and geometry and may be used to satisfy a standard unit
of credit toward the Standard and Advanced Studies Diplomas. Examples of course
sequences fulfilling the mathematics requirements for a Standard Diploma are
(a) Algebra I, Part 1; Algebra I, Part 2; and Computer Mathematics; or (b)
Algebra I, Geometry, and Computer Mathematics.
Computer Mathematics may also be used with Algebra I, Geometry, and
Algebra II to fulfill the mathematics requirements for an Advanced Studies
Diploma.
A CD-ROM
containing the course materials will be distributed in November 2003 as
follows: two CD-ROMs per high school
and two CD-ROMs per school division.
For further
information, contact Deborah Kiger Lyman (dlyman@mail.vak12ed.edu), mathematics
specialist, at
(804)
786-6418.