Dear all, pretty soon the new book lists will be out, including the calculator needed for next year's S4 to S7 classes. José Sánchez from the Woluwe Parents' Association has prepared a FAQ in 2011 which we quote below, slightly adapted to fit ESF and the 2012 situation:

FAQ calculators (May 2012)

For what years is the calculator needed?
The calculator was introduced in September 2010 for classes S4 and S6, for both 'short' and 'long' maths, and these classes will continue to use it until their BAC. In September 2011 classes S4 and S6 had to buy the calculator; in September 2012, and every  subsequent year, class S4 (current S3) will start using the device.

Will the school pay for the calculator?
NO! The Board of Governors of the European Schools has decided that the cost of the calculator has to be borne by parents.

Will the school organise the purchase of the calculator?
NO! The Board of Governors of the European Schools has given strict instructions to schools not to get involved in the purchase. For more information please ask the school.

Which calculator do I need to buy?
In a letter dated 24 May 2012, the office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools indicates:
TI-Nspire CAS version 3.2 or higher software. (compulsory)
The calculators authorised and with which this software can be used are:
TI-Nspire CX CAS (recommended in the case of new purchase); TI-Nspire CAS Touchpad.

Where should I buy?
You are free to buy at any store. Please consider buying at Amazon, using the link on the startpage of this website.

Why this calculator and not another one?
According to the Board of Governors of the European Schools, this device is currently the only one on the market satisfying the specifications required, including the switching to a verifiable exam mode (so that pupils cannot store information) and the absence of a communication possibility with other devices (via Bluetooth, email, etc., which would for example be on a net book). For more information please contact the Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools, which can put you in contact with the working group of inspectors who prepared the maths curriculum revision, including specifications for a graphical calculator.

What is the educational purpose of the calculator?
Please refer to the decisions of the Board of Governors or contact the school administration, maths teachers, or math inspectors.

When do I need to buy the calculator?
In 2012 all students from S4 to S7 will need to have the calculator before the start of the 2012/13 school year.

Do maths teachers know how to use the calculator, and will they teach students how to use it?
School management has given full assurances that all teachers have received training on how to use the calculator and are fit and able to teach its use to the students.

The calculator could also be used for teaching science subjects like physics or used in a laboratory. Is this planned?
ESF PA is aware of such plans, but details will be communicated by the subject teachers in their classes.

What is the price?
Approximately €120 to €160 depending on supplier and model.

Can I make a joint purchase with other parents?
ESF PA is considering options, but has not found a good offer yet - last year a joint purchase was not offered.

I already have the model used at present. Can I continue using it in September 2012?
YES. Version 3.2 of the software is compulsory for all calculators from September 2012, but for all existing calculators equipped with version 3.0, the upgrade is free of charge. Pupils can download version 3.2 by connecting to the Texas Instruments site. Pupils who already have the calculator do not need to purchase version 3.2.

Who decided to introduce the calculator?
The Board of Governors, which is the highest decision-making body of the European Schools system; based on the Statute of the European School, the General Rules and the Rules of Procedure.

Can the school oblige me to buy the calculator?
Following the decision of the Board of Governors, the calculator is included in the Book List, so it is "compulsory" in the same way as the books which the school indicates you should buy. Furthermore, as of 2012, some of the maths exercises in the BAC exam will require the use of this calculator. The use of any other kind of calculator has been prohibited in all maths exams since the 2010/2011 school year.

The maths teacher suggested I buy another calculator as well, because this one is too difficult to use. What should I do?
The maths teacher cannot oblige you to buy any other kind of calculator, as this is the official calculator which the students need to use in the BAC. (Note: This question has never come up at ESF)

How were the parents represented in these discussions and decisions?
Parents were represented by Interparents (the umbrella organisation of all European School APEEEs) in the preparatory committees (teaching and budgets) and in the Board of Governors. Interparents and the representatives of the various APEEEs informed their respective boards at all stages of the process, which only lasted from December 2009 till April 2010

What is the history of the decision to use these calculators?
The proposal on calculators is linked to the revision of the maths curriculum. This was prepared by the Board of Inspectors, to which parents have no access at all. It then went to the Joint Teaching Committee, the Budgets Committee, and finally the Board of Governors, where Interparents made reservations on the introduction of the calculators for a wide range of educational, administrative and legal reasons, and not least for reasons of cost. However, these arguments were all dismissed. Being in favour of a modern maths curriculum, Interparents proposed that the calculator be introduced only in year S4 in 2011, so as to allow a sufficiently long transition period and gather experience in the use of
the new calculator before applying it to the syllabus for year S6, rather than using students taking their Baccalaureate in 2012 as guinea pigs. Finally the Board of Governors decided to introduce the new calculator for years S4 and S6 in 2010; almost all Member States, the European Commission, the school directors, teachers and pupils voted in favour. In a separate vote, with a larger majority, the Board of Governors decided that the cost of the calculators has to be borne by the parents.

Is the introduction of the calculator an experiment?
NO! The Board of Governors has formally decided that the calculators are part of the curricular content as of September 2010, starting in S4 (and in S6 in 2010 and 2011). A pilot phase was carried out in the Uccle school before.

Where can I get more information?
Please contact the school management, the maths teachers, or the office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools, who can put you in touch with the maths inspector.

Do I need to buy software for my home computer?
NO! The calculators purchased in 2010 included a CD-ROM with the software to run the functions of the calculator on a home computer.

Does the machine “speak” only English?
NO! The device can be set in many different language modes, including most languages in which maths is taught at ESF.

Where can I find more information about the calculator?
Please refer to the manual, ask your maths teacher, or contact the manufacturer on any technical questions concerning the calculator. ESF PA does not have the knowledge or resources to provide you with user support. There is also a discussion group at:
https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/tinspire.

What happens if the calculator breaks down, fails or has a problem during an exam?
The school has a stock of reserve calculators in case problems arise during exams. This reserve is not intended to be used systematically in normal course work by students who have forgotten or lost their calculator (for whatever reason).

Can the batteries be changed without tools?
The little compartment containing the standard batteries can be opened by pressing on a button on the calculator. The rechargeable battery cannot be changed without a screwdriver. It is highly recommended students charge the device before exams. For more information please ask the supplier.

Can I get help if the calculator is too expensive for me?
As you may know, the ESF PA has a social fund. It can help families upon individual request under certain conditions. For more information please contact our social fund coordinator.

Disclaimer: the above information is correct to the best of our knowledge; however, ESF PA declines all legal responsibility; for legally binding information please contact the school management and the supplier.

Felix Walderdorff
ESF PA
May 2012

Thanks a lot for their valuable help to José Sánchez, Rachel Lancry, Timo Hallantie, Agnès Lahaye, Timothy Cooper, Anja Galle and Aliocha Sioen from Apeee Woluwe.