FizziksGuy

My personal opinion, which in no way reflects any personal or professional affiliations with any institutions other than myself: I would love to see the concept of "forever tenure" dissolve. As I told my principal the day I started, and I tell my supervisor each and every year, "the moment you think I'm no longer worth my salary, please tell me, and you'll have my resignation letter on your desk for the following school year." I firmly believe that should be the standard, not the exception. Teachers are paid way too little when they start, and, in general, too much after 35+ years of service. Instead, pay me what you think I'm worth each and every year, and if at any time we disagree on that number, we're both free to walk. We need to get the federal government out of public education. This giant push toward national standards is doing a tremendous job of dumbing down what we teach, breaking systems that aren't broken, and costing taxpayers millions of dollars that could be better put to use improving what we do with their kids each and every day. I see this effort, in general, as a major shift putting money into the hands of large publishers and testing companies, and taking away the freedom of teachers to work with their kids to pursue their kids' interests. The more time you give me that's free of government mandates, the more opportunities I have to instill a passion for learning and achievement in your kids by personalizing our classroom activities to their needs. Outside this article, I feel one of the biggest problems in public education currently is the push to evaluate teachers and schools based on graduation rates. The only thing this is doing is forcing schools to find ways to lower standards and expectations to "help" students pass classes and obtain their diplomas. The answer isn't adjusting expectations. It's maintaining high expectations, and starting at an early age and maintaining consistently the understanding that academic achievement leads to higher probabilities for success in life. You want that big house on the hill and a nice car? Take the tougher classes, work hard, go into the STEM disciplines. You don't want to do your homework or do what you're asked in class? There are consequences.

In a recent NY Times Op-Ed article, Harvard Professor Jal Mehta asserts that "America's overall performance in K-12 education remains stubbornly mediocre." Mehta also notes that "by international standards, our teachers are underperforming, regardless ... of training." Mehta proposes a change in the structure of our educational system, de-emphasizing accountability by individual instructors and focusing efforts on "building a body of knowledge, carefully trained people in that knowledge," and emphasizing a strong licensing system. He emphasizes that top countries pull teachers from their top college graduates, whose education is oftentimes government supported (and that these governments have much stronger welfare states). Education activist Diane Ravitch disagrees in her column "One of the Dumbest NY Times' Opinion Pieces Ever," in which she questions Mehta's statement that our educational system "remains stubbornly mediocre." An engineering professor I am acquainted with sent me an e-mail about the articles. In her note she states "I am observing worse and worse preparation in Math and English over the last 20 years of my teaching... Students are not even interested in being good at math. They find it as a nuisance, whereas international students take it as challenge to solve complicated math problems." What are your thoughts on these articles, the current state of STEM education in America and elsewhere, and what do you feels should be the correct focus?

Below please find attached my attempt at breaking down the new course changes by topic. AP Physics 1 & 2 Introduction What is Physics? Math Review Metric System Significant Figures Scientific Notation Accuracy & Precision Vectors and Scalars Mechanics (AP-1 only) Kinematics Defining Motion Graphing Motion Kinematic Equations Free Fall Projectile Motion Relative Motion Dynamics Forces Newton’s 1st Law of Motion Free Body Diagrams Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion Friction Ramps and Inclines Atwood Machines Linear Momentum Momentum and Impulse Impulse-Momentum Theorem Types of Collisions Conservation of Momentum 1 Dimension 2 Dimensions Center of Mass Circular Motion and Gravity Describing Circular Motion Circular Speed and Velocity Frequency and Period Centripetal Force Centripetal Acceleration Centripetal Force Analyzing Circular Motion Horizontal Circles Vertical Circles Gravitation Universal Gravitation Gravitational Fields Orbits Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion Rotational Motion Rotational Kinematics (AP-1 only) Torque Rotational Equilibrium Rotational Dynamics (AP-1 only) Moment of Inertia Newton’s 2nd Law for Rotation Angular Momentum Rotational Kinetic Energy Work, Energy, and Power Work Hooke’s Law Power Energy Kinetic Energy Gravitational Potential Energy Elastic Potential Energy Work-Energy Theorem Conservation of Energy Mechanical Energy Atwood Machines Springs Oscillations Simple Harmonic Motion Mass on a String Pendulums Fluids (AP-2 only) Density & Buoyancy Pressure & Pascal’s Principle Continuity Equation for Fluids Bernoulli’s Principle Thermal Physics (AP-2 only) Mechanical Equivalent of Heat Temperature Thermal Expansion Heat Transfer Ideal Gases Thermodynamics Electrostatics Charges Coulomb’s Law Electric Fields Electric Potential Difference Capacitors (AP-2) Circuits Current Resistance Ohm’s Law Electrical Meters Series Circuits Parallel Circuits Combination Circuits RC Circuits (AP-2) Magnetostatics (AP-2) Magnets Magnetic Permeability Magnetic Dipole Moment Magnetic Fields Forces on Moving Charges Forces on Current-Carrying Wires Fields of Current-Carrying Wires Electromagnetism (AP-2) Magnetic Flux Lenz’s Law Faraday’s Law Waves and Optics Wave Motion Wave Characteristics Wave Equation Sound Waves Interference & Superposition (w/ Beats) Standing Waves Doppler Effect Physical Optics (AP-2 only) Interference Diffraction Single Slit Diffraction Double Slit Diffraction Diffraction Gratings Thin Film Interference Dispersion Electromagnetic Spectrum Geometric Optics (AP-2 only) Reflection & Mirrors Refraction & Lenses Modern Physics (AP-2 only) Atomic Physics Photons Energy of a Photon Momentum of a Photon Photoelectric Effect Compton Scattering X-Ray Production Atomic Energy Levels Energy Level Diagrams Emission and Absorption Spectra Nuclear Physics Nuclear Reactions Conservation of Mass Number and Charge Nuclear Force Nuclear Fission Mass-Energy Equivalence

Below please find attached my attempt at breaking down the new course changes by topic. AP Physics 1 & 2 Introduction What is Physics? Math Review Metric System Significant Figures Scientific Notation Accuracy & Precision Vectors and Scalars Mechanics (AP-1 only) Kinematics Defining Motion Graphing Motion Kinematic Equations Free Fall Projectile Motion (AP-2 only) Relative Motion Dynamics Forces Newton’s 1st Law of Motion Free Body Diagrams Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion Friction Ramps and Inclines Atwood Machines Linear Momentum Momentum and Impulse Impulse-Momentum Theorem Types of Collisions Conservation of Momentum 1 Dimension 2 Dimensions (AP-2 only) Center of Mass (AP-1 qualitative, AP-2 quantitative) Circular Motion and Gravity Describing Circular Motion Circular Speed and Velocity Frequency and Period Centripetal Force Centripetal Acceleration Centripetal Force Analyzing Circular Motion Horizontal Circles Vertical Circles Gravitation Universal Gravitation Gravitational Fields Orbits Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion Rotational Motion Rotational Kinematics (AP-1 only) Torque Rotational Equilibrium Rotational Dynamics (AP-1 only) Moment of Inertia Newton’s 2nd Law for Rotation Angular Momentum Rotational Kinetic Energy Work, Energy, and Power Work Hooke’s Law Power Energy Kinetic Energy Gravitational Potential Energy Elastic Potential Energy Work-Energy Theorem Conservation of Energy Mechanical Energy Atwood Machines Springs Oscillations Simple Harmonic Motion Mass on a String Pendulums Fluids (AP-2 only) Density & Buoyancy Pressure & Pascal’s Principle Continuity Equation for Fluids Bernoulli’s Principle Thermal Physics (AP-2 only) Mechanical Equivalent of Heat Temperature Thermal Expansion Heat Transfer Ideal Gases Thermodynamics Electrostatics Charges Standard Model Coulomb’s Law Electric Fields Electric Potential Difference Capacitors (AP-2) Circuits Current Resistance Ohm’s Law Electrical Meters Series Circuits Parallel Circuits Combination Circuits RC Circuits (AP-2) Magnetostatics (AP-2) Magnets Magnetic Permeability Magnetic Dipole Moment Magnetic Fields Forces on Moving Charges Forces on Current-Carrying Wires Fields of Current-Carrying Wires Electromagnetism (AP-2) Magnetic Flux Lenz’s Law Faraday’s Law Waves and Optics Wave Motion Wave Characteristics Wave Equation Sound Waves Interference & Superposition (w/ Beats) Standing Waves Doppler Effect Physical Optics (AP-2 only) Interference Diffraction Single Slit Diffraction Double Slit Diffraction Diffraction Gratings Thin Film Interference Dispersion Electromagnetic Spectrum Geometric Optics (AP-2 only) Reflection & Mirrors Refraction & Lenses Modern Physics (AP-2 only) Atomic Physics Photons Energy of a Photon Momentum of a Photon Photoelectric Effect Compton Scattering X-Ray Production Atomic Energy Levels Energy Level Diagrams Emission and Absorption Spectra Nuclear Physics Nuclear Reactions Conservation of Mass Number and Charge Nuclear Force Nuclear Fission Mass-Energy Equivalence

Below please find attached my attempt at breaking down the new course changes by topic. AP Physics 1 & 2 Introduction What is Physics? Math Review Metric System Significant Figures Scientific Notation Accuracy & Precision Vectors and Scalars Mechanics (AP-1 only) Kinematics Defining Motion Graphing Motion Kinematic Equations Free Fall Projectile Motion Relative Motion Dynamics Forces Newton’s 1st Law of Motion Free Body Diagrams Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion Friction Ramps and Inclines Atwood Machines Linear Momentum Momentum and Impulse Impulse-Momentum Theorem Types of Collisions Conservation of Momentum 1 Dimension 2 Dimensions Center of Mass Circular Motion and Gravity Describing Circular Motion Circular Speed and Velocity Frequency and Period Centripetal Force Centripetal Acceleration Centripetal Force Analyzing Circular Motion Horizontal Circles Vertical Circles Gravitation Universal Gravitation Gravitational Fields Orbits Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion Rotational Motion Rotational Kinematics (AP-1 only) Torque Rotational Equilibrium Rotational Dynamics (AP-1 only) Moment of Inertia Newton’s 2nd Law for Rotation Angular Momentum Rotational Kinetic Energy Work, Energy, and Power Work Hooke’s Law Power Energy Kinetic Energy Gravitational Potential Energy Elastic Potential Energy Work-Energy Theorem Conservation of Energy Mechanical Energy Atwood Machines Springs Oscillations Simple Harmonic Motion Mass on a String Pendulums Fluids (AP-2 only) Density & Buoyancy Pressure & Pascal’s Principle Continuity Equation for Fluids Bernoulli’s Principle Thermal Physics (AP-2 only) Mechanical Equivalent of Heat Temperature Thermal Expansion Heat Transfer Ideal Gases Thermodynamics Electrostatics Charges Coulomb’s Law Electric Fields Electric Potential Difference Capacitors (AP-2) Circuits Current Resistance Ohm’s Law Electrical Meters Series Circuits Parallel Circuits Combination Circuits RC Circuits (AP-2) Magnetostatics (AP-2) Magnets Magnetic Permeability Magnetic Dipole Moment Magnetic Fields Forces on Moving Charges Forces on Current-Carrying Wires Fields of Current-Carrying Wires Electromagnetism (AP-2) Magnetic Flux Lenz’s Law Faraday’s Law Waves and Optics Wave Motion Wave Characteristics Wave Equation Sound Waves Interference & Superposition (w/ Beats) Standing Waves Doppler Effect Physical Optics (AP-2 only) Interference Diffraction Single Slit Diffraction Double Slit Diffraction Diffraction Gratings Thin Film Interference Dispersion Electromagnetic Spectrum Geometric Optics (AP-2 only) Reflection & Mirrors Refraction & Lenses Modern Physics (AP-2 only) Atomic Physics Photons Energy of a Photon Momentum of a Photon Photoelectric Effect Compton Scattering X-Ray Production Atomic Energy Levels Energy Level Diagrams Emission and Absorption Spectra Nuclear Physics Nuclear Reactions Conservation of Mass Number and Charge Nuclear Force Nuclear Fission Mass-Energy Equivalence

And in a much more drastic change, we've now upgraded from grid hosting to our own virtual private server, with 50 GB of storage space, 2 GB of RAM, and 2 CPU cores. I'm counting on you guys to help make sure I'm not wasting resources, but I've already noticed a BIG improvement in site speed and performance. Plus, the upgraded community area is not only much prettier, it also adds functionality and speed!

As well, it's quite easy to make specific forums that are password protected or visible only to specific groups. Several teachers have used this capability to create safe areas only accessible to themselves and their students. If that's something you'd have an interest in at any point, let me know (with the recent server upgrade, software upgrade and associated investment, I'd love to see us get all the use we can out of the site!)

Thanks, and great to hear from you! Lots of excitement at your house as of late, I imagine? I'm hoping the new Downloads section can become a great repository for teachers to share lots of great work... labs, activities, worksheets, and so on. I'll be adding a category that only registered professional educators can access shortly for items that are a bit more "sensitive."