By STEVE FREKER
MALDEN — The Malden School Committee has approved sweeping changes in how Malden High School students will be taught mathematics and science.
First-year Malden High School principal Ted Lombardi proposed the major change in mathematics curriculum, forecasting potential improvements in Malden’s performance on state assessment tests.
Instead of taking the three traditional math classes of Algebra, Geometry and Algebra 2 in that order in Grades 9,10 and 11, Malden High students will next year be taught a mix of the three separate subjects in courses called Math 1, Math 2 and Math 3.
Lombardi, who came to Malden High after serving several years as principal at Lawrence High School, told the School Committee that he oversaw institution of similar curriculum changes at that school “and the (MCAS) scores went up.”
A renewed focus on improving state assessment test scores at Malden High School has been embraced by the school board. An example is its recent hire of a new superintendent of schools, John Oteri, who was questioned extensively in the interview process on his role in the dramatic improvement from a Level Three school system in Somerville to a Level One state rating. MCAS scores play a key part in this state assessment of school systems.
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Lombardi said Malden would be joining “many districts (that have) moved to this curriculum,” which involves joining together of math topics as opposed to learning one specific area or subject such as Algebra or Geometry.
In an effort to improve MCAS science test scores, the School Committee also approved a change in science curriculum proposed by Lombardi. Instead of freshmen students taking college preparatory classes in Biology, they would now be offered an Environmental Science class in ninth grade and would take Biology their sophomore year.
The Malden High principal said it made more sense for this change in the science curriculum since sophomores take the MCAS science test and it would give them a better chance at attaining higher scores.
In addition, Lombardi said exploratory classes in business and technical education would be offered to ninth graders in subjects such as woodshop, engineering and others.
“These changes will better suit our students and give them a better chance to succeed,” Lombardi said.