Fugle cautioned that it would be wise to do pilot projects before switching the sequence. Lynch's East Islip school experimented with physics first. Most science teachers New York Teacher interviewed agree the sequence can and should be switched, with modification. The math could be simplified for ninth-grade physics. According to Bill Lynch, a physics teacher in East Islip who is married to Nancy Lynch, an exam other than the current Regents Exam for college-bound students will need to be developed for those taking physics in the ninth grade.
Some educators have doubts.
Brian Vorwald, an earth science teacher from the Sayville Teachers Association, questioned whether rearranging the sequence would help students. The new state syllabus is very quantitative, and he does not believe ninth-grade students are prepared to handle physics. Others believe that switching the sequence may not be enough. Rogers said students should have two years of physics - basic physics in the ninth grade and advanced physics senior year. Delfiner is an advocate of more physical science in earlier grades.