Algebra I in 6th grade isn't advanced math, it's super advanced, triple advanced math. Not appropriate for 99% of kids. |
Sure, only in the Republic of Gilead |
Algebra 1 is not advanced math for 6th grade. Math 7 is. That's what normal-track AAP kids take. Enrolling everyone who scores over 500 on the math 5 SOL or 90th percentile on the spring iReady in 5th grade does a similar thing. I agree to why not for that. But the article says kids have to pass a minimum score on a test, not that everyone does it. Also not that advanced math is Algebra 1 for 6th grade. It's not even technically the normal advanced track for 7th grade. It's considered a basic advanced track for 8th grade. |
There's a push under Reid to get more 8th graders into Algebra 1 honors. That is a push for advancing math. |
you seem to be misinformed. Many counties across US have kids completing algebra 1 comfortably in 6th grade. multiple sections across many middle schools in LoCo. |
Someone is, that's true. |
that's a push out of remedial! |
That still doesn't make it the standard advanced math track anywhere in the US. It means plenty of kids can handle it, not that everyone should be pushed into it. The standard advanced track is 7th grade math, one year before pre-Algebra. Still. Everywhere. |
thousand of kids across america are completing algebra 1 in 6th grade, and no one is pushing them. Every kid always has a choice to opt down. But URM kids dont know what their choices are, unless they have an educated parent. I am an URM parent by the way, and educated. When students are restricted from enrolling in above grade math, that also restricts them from discovering their basic potential. What texas is doing is making the option available as default, which benefits the poorly informed URM kids, and letting them opt out if they find it challenging. from article: "We have seen our advanced math enrollment numbers for all demographics increase," McDaniel said. "But specifically with students of poverty and students of color, we have seen an increase in the number of students in advanced math tracks." |
Just because you keep quoting the article saying advanced math is going up does not mean that in that Texas district they enrolled everyone is Algebra 1 in 6th grade. I have a kid who is good at math. She's in Math 7 in 6th grade with the rest of the AAP class at our AAP center school. In her grade there is no one in Algebra 1, though she has friends who wish they were (they didn't meet the stringent FCPS qualifications). Of those, about half will go on to take Algebra 1 Honors in 7th grade and the rest will take Math 7 Honors. This is the standard US advanced math track. That's all people keep trying to tell you. And you keep saying that FCPS should enroll all 6th graders in Algebra 1 (honors or no you do not specify, but it would be a disservice to enroll a kid in a credit bearing class early if they weren't ready for honors). |
Advanced math in Texas = Algebra I in 8th grade or sometimes 7th grade and pre-algebra in 7th grade Advanced math in Nova = Algebra I in 8th grade or 7th grade and pre-algebra in 6th and 7th grade |
they can always drop back. that's the lesson from texas. Dont restrict, given kids choice, and let them decide if they want to take it on or step back. McDaniel said. "But specifically with students of poverty and students of color, we have seen an increase in the number of students in advanced math tracks." I can understand there is a long held belief out there that students of poverty and students of color wont be successful in advanced classes. But McDaniel says, given them a choice and see. I say, give everyone a choice and see. |
Race aside, if many more 6th grade kids are pushed into the Advanced Class, it stands to reason there will be MORE of them with an opt-out policy. What I would want to know is whether they excel, get by, or fail. "Opt-out" is necessarily stickier, and may burden the teacher and students if they are not well prepared. |
Rather than going on about Algebra in 6th grade, focus your energy and advocacy on Advanced Math which is prealgebra in 6th and 7th grade. |
Did you read what you’re quoting. They set a bar and just opt everyone in that crosses the bar. If they are below the bar (60% of kids) TX does not opt those kids into advanced math. This is the same concept FCPS uses it just has a higher bar via the Iowa test. |