Algebra 1 in 6th grade, followed by normal pace

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

without knowing the process, how would URM parents know there is incentive to help their child after school to do well on 4th grade SOL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider the equity issues that math acceleration creates among high school graduates where one student graduates with Calc BC or Multivariable, and another student finishes just Algebra 2 by senior year. That's an equity gap of 3 to 4 years. If we raise the minimum math for HS graduation to something like a precalculus or calc AB, we would see a lot to high school drop outs. But the advanced math students can easily slow down and graduate with Algebra 2, and instead take other math courses like Statistics or Data Analysis or Math modelling, but stay away from calculus or even precalculus.

Who is doing Algebra 2 senior year? Most high schools require 4 years of math.

Not everyone is suited for math beyond Algebra 2. Fortunately, FCPS addresses the needs of students who prefer to focus on lower-level math by providing multiple options to graduate with just Algebra 2, minimizing dropouts.
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/graduation-requirements-and-course-planning/high-school-course-sequencing/mathematics

Virginia only recently started requiring four years of math to graduate. One teacher was arguing against this change in the meeting. It generally got covered as watering down the advanced diploma.

Algebra 1 can be stretched over two years, as in Standard Diploma option 2.
Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4
Algebra 1 Part 1, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2

Or stretch Algebra 2 over two years, as in Advanced Diploma option 3
Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4
Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra FDA, Algebra 2

Lot of options for lower math students, but many barriers for advanced URM students to take Algebra 1 in 6th grade.

There are barriers for students to take Algebra 1 in 6th grade but they aren't related to URM status. Totally different barriers.

URM parents are least informed about process to get their kids into Algebra 1 in 6th grade. Racial barriers for URMs exist. Process needs to be publicized in early elementary.

Are you being deliberately obtuse, here? No one needs to know the process, and the only people who do are the ones who have had kids go through it. All of the tests are things done in school. Kids meet the benchmarks or don't. The parents don't need to do anything at all, and FCPS prefers not having the parents try to do anything. The only people who are informed are FCPS employees, parents of kids who met the benchmark, and people who believe dcum rumors. No one else is informed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

without knowing the process, how would URM parents know there is incentive to help their child after school to do well on 4th grade SOL?

The kid also needs to have a 145+ on the CogAT Q, pass the gatehouse testing triggered by the CogAT and SOL, and then reach the IAAT 91st percentile benchmark as well as the 7th grade math SOL benchmark. The kids who meet all of these criteria don't need parental support. A kid who needs informed parents who support them through meeting these benchmarks doesn't belong in 6th grade Algebra.

If a child needs any help to do well on the 4th grade SOL, there's no way that the child should be skipping 6th grade math (AAP 5th grade) altogether and jumping up to 7th grade math (AAP 6th). The kid has too many gaps in their foundation to do well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

without knowing the process, how would URM parents know there is incentive to help their child after school to do well on 4th grade SOL?

The kid also needs to have a 145+ on the CogAT Q, pass the gatehouse testing triggered by the CogAT and SOL, and then reach the IAAT 91st percentile benchmark as well as the 7th grade math SOL benchmark. The kids who meet all of these criteria don't need parental support. A kid who needs informed parents who support them through meeting these benchmarks doesn't belong in 6th grade Algebra.

If a child needs any help to do well on the 4th grade SOL, there's no way that the child should be skipping 6th grade math (AAP 5th grade) altogether and jumping up to 7th grade math (AAP 6th). The kid has too many gaps in their foundation to do well.

This is the very definition of systemic barriers against URMs. Here the college-educated, white-collar parents understand the intricacies of accelerated math pathways, and create a home and after-school environment that optimally prepares their child to take advantage of these opportunities. On the other hand, URM parents who merely inquire about these accelerated math pathways are being told that their inquiries to gather info about those pathways is an indication their child doesn't belong in such advanced pathways. Why cant this information be published and put on a webpage for everyone to get familiar?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

without knowing the process, how would URM parents know there is incentive to help their child after school to do well on 4th grade SOL?

The kid also needs to have a 145+ on the CogAT Q, pass the gatehouse testing triggered by the CogAT and SOL, and then reach the IAAT 91st percentile benchmark as well as the 7th grade math SOL benchmark. The kids who meet all of these criteria don't need parental support. A kid who needs informed parents who support them through meeting these benchmarks doesn't belong in 6th grade Algebra.

If a child needs any help to do well on the 4th grade SOL, there's no way that the child should be skipping 6th grade math (AAP 5th grade) altogether and jumping up to 7th grade math (AAP 6th). The kid has too many gaps in their foundation to do well.

This is the very definition of systemic barriers against URMs. Here the college-educated, white-collar parents understand the intricacies of accelerated math pathways, and create a home and after-school environment that optimally prepares their child to take advantage of these opportunities. On the other hand, URM parents who merely inquire about these accelerated math pathways are being told that their inquiries to gather info about those pathways is an indication their child doesn't belong in such advanced pathways. Why cant this information be published and put on a webpage for everyone to get familiar?

No. You are quite wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

without knowing the process, how would URM parents know there is incentive to help their child after school to do well on 4th grade SOL?

The kid also needs to have a 145+ on the CogAT Q, pass the gatehouse testing triggered by the CogAT and SOL, and then reach the IAAT 91st percentile benchmark as well as the 7th grade math SOL benchmark. The kids who meet all of these criteria don't need parental support. A kid who needs informed parents who support them through meeting these benchmarks doesn't belong in 6th grade Algebra.

If a child needs any help to do well on the 4th grade SOL, there's no way that the child should be skipping 6th grade math (AAP 5th grade) altogether and jumping up to 7th grade math (AAP 6th). The kid has too many gaps in their foundation to do well.

This is the very definition of systemic barriers against URMs. Here the college-educated, white-collar parents understand the intricacies of accelerated math pathways, and create a home and after-school environment that optimally prepares their child to take advantage of these opportunities. On the other hand, URM parents who merely inquire about these accelerated math pathways are being told that their inquiries to gather info about those pathways is an indication their child doesn't belong in such advanced pathways. Why cant this information be published and put on a webpage for everyone to get familiar?

OMG. For the millionth time, it's not a systemic barrier, because very few white and Asian parents know about these pathways, either. FCPS doesn't publish them, because they don't want a bunch of people trying to prep and push their unready children into 6th grade Algebra. The overwhelming majority of parents of all colors in FCPS do not understand the accelerated math pathways and how to access them. This is fine, because parents aren't supposed to do anything at all to push their kid onto an accelerated path.

Also, I have no idea why you think that publishing the pathway would lead to a bunch of URMs qualifying. FCPS already publishes the criteria for 7th grade Algebra, and very few lower income or disadvantaged students qualify for 7th grade Algebra. Why would parents who aren't taking steps to nurture their kids into 7th grade Algebra make even more Herculean efforts to get their kids into 6th grade Algebra?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

without knowing the process, how would URM parents know there is incentive to help their child after school to do well on 4th grade SOL?

The kid also needs to have a 145+ on the CogAT Q, pass the gatehouse testing triggered by the CogAT and SOL, and then reach the IAAT 91st percentile benchmark as well as the 7th grade math SOL benchmark. The kids who meet all of these criteria don't need parental support. A kid who needs informed parents who support them through meeting these benchmarks doesn't belong in 6th grade Algebra.

If a child needs any help to do well on the 4th grade SOL, there's no way that the child should be skipping 6th grade math (AAP 5th grade) altogether and jumping up to 7th grade math (AAP 6th). The kid has too many gaps in their foundation to do well.

This is the very definition of systemic barriers against URMs. Here the college-educated, white-collar parents understand the intricacies of accelerated math pathways, and create a home and after-school environment that optimally prepares their child to take advantage of these opportunities. On the other hand, URM parents who merely inquire about these accelerated math pathways are being told that their inquiries to gather info about those pathways is an indication their child doesn't belong in such advanced pathways. Why cant this information be published and put on a webpage for everyone to get familiar?

OMG. For the millionth time, it's not a systemic barrier, because very few white and Asian parents know about these pathways, either. FCPS doesn't publish them, because they don't want a bunch of people trying to prep and push their unready children into 6th grade Algebra. The overwhelming majority of parents of all colors in FCPS do not understand the accelerated math pathways and how to access them. This is fine, because parents aren't supposed to do anything at all to push their kid onto an accelerated path.

Also, I have no idea why you think that publishing the pathway would lead to a bunch of URMs qualifying. FCPS already publishes the criteria for 7th grade Algebra, and very few lower income or disadvantaged students qualify for 7th grade Algebra. Why would parents who aren't taking steps to nurture their kids into 7th grade Algebra make even more Herculean efforts to get their kids into 6th grade Algebra?

The overwhelming majority of parents of all colors in FCPS do not understand the accelerated math pathways and how to access them. I bet URM parents are the majority that are kept in the dark. You want us to rely on disingenuous and phony equity activists who treat us like perennial victims?
why you think that publishing the pathway would lead to a bunch of URMs qualifying Information is power, and by making it public, are you afraid URM students will learn advanced math more than the usual students?
Why would parents who aren't taking steps to nurture their kids into 7th grade Generalization? so, not a single URM parent is taking steps to nurture their kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

without knowing the process, how would URM parents know there is incentive to help their child after school to do well on 4th grade SOL?

The kid also needs to have a 145+ on the CogAT Q, pass the gatehouse testing triggered by the CogAT and SOL, and then reach the IAAT 91st percentile benchmark as well as the 7th grade math SOL benchmark. The kids who meet all of these criteria don't need parental support. A kid who needs informed parents who support them through meeting these benchmarks doesn't belong in 6th grade Algebra.

If a child needs any help to do well on the 4th grade SOL, there's no way that the child should be skipping 6th grade math (AAP 5th grade) altogether and jumping up to 7th grade math (AAP 6th). The kid has too many gaps in their foundation to do well.

This is the very definition of systemic barriers against URMs. Here the college-educated, white-collar parents understand the intricacies of accelerated math pathways, and create a home and after-school environment that optimally prepares their child to take advantage of these opportunities. On the other hand, URM parents who merely inquire about these accelerated math pathways are being told that their inquiries to gather info about those pathways is an indication their child doesn't belong in such advanced pathways. Why cant this information be published and put on a webpage for everyone to get familiar?

OMG. For the millionth time, it's not a systemic barrier, because very few white and Asian parents know about these pathways, either. FCPS doesn't publish them, because they don't want a bunch of people trying to prep and push their unready children into 6th grade Algebra. The overwhelming majority of parents of all colors in FCPS do not understand the accelerated math pathways and how to access them. This is fine, because parents aren't supposed to do anything at all to push their kid onto an accelerated path.

Also, I have no idea why you think that publishing the pathway would lead to a bunch of URMs qualifying. FCPS already publishes the criteria for 7th grade Algebra, and very few lower income or disadvantaged students qualify for 7th grade Algebra. Why would parents who aren't taking steps to nurture their kids into 7th grade Algebra make even more Herculean efforts to get their kids into 6th grade Algebra?

The overwhelming majority of parents of all colors in FCPS do not understand the accelerated math pathways and how to access them. I bet URM parents are the majority that are kept in the dark. You want us to rely on disingenuous and phony equity activists who treat us like perennial victims?
why you think that publishing the pathway would lead to a bunch of URMs qualifying Information is power, and by making it public, are you afraid URM students will learn advanced math more than the usual students?
Why would parents who aren't taking steps to nurture their kids into 7th grade Generalization? so, not a single URM parent is taking steps to nurture their kids?

What's a URM? You keep swinging this word like a club. The racism is offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

without knowing the process, how would URM parents know there is incentive to help their child after school to do well on 4th grade SOL?

The kid also needs to have a 145+ on the CogAT Q, pass the gatehouse testing triggered by the CogAT and SOL, and then reach the IAAT 91st percentile benchmark as well as the 7th grade math SOL benchmark. The kids who meet all of these criteria don't need parental support. A kid who needs informed parents who support them through meeting these benchmarks doesn't belong in 6th grade Algebra.

If a child needs any help to do well on the 4th grade SOL, there's no way that the child should be skipping 6th grade math (AAP 5th grade) altogether and jumping up to 7th grade math (AAP 6th). The kid has too many gaps in their foundation to do well.

This is the very definition of systemic barriers against URMs. Here the college-educated, white-collar parents understand the intricacies of accelerated math pathways, and create a home and after-school environment that optimally prepares their child to take advantage of these opportunities. On the other hand, URM parents who merely inquire about these accelerated math pathways are being told that their inquiries to gather info about those pathways is an indication their child doesn't belong in such advanced pathways. Why cant this information be published and put on a webpage for everyone to get familiar?

Instead of spending all day ranting here, go tell a "URM" the secrets you've learned, so they can learn the forbidden knowledge of arithmetic and shapes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

I don’t think it’s that automatic like 7th grade reading is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

Any links to this source? Is 145 on CoGat a must? What is the additional testing conducted by gatehouse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So less than half of Asian Americans take calculus in high school? A higher amount than other groups but still not a majority of students.

Students can get to calculus if they have Algebra 1 in 8th grade. There really isn’t a barrier for any race.

That's impressive so far. If barriers like this current convoluted process to enroll in Algebra 1 in 6th grade were to be eliminated, calculus enrollment would increase over time not just for Asian American students but all other races too.

6th grade Algebra 1 is not a barrier to calculus. You can take Algebra 1 in 8th grade and take calculus. And there is no real barrier to Algebra 1 in 8th grade, most the MS have a large number of students in Algebra 1 in 8th grade, so on track to calculus.

Most kids don’t take calculus because they are not interested in calculus and want to take a different type of math. Calculus is not required for most college majors.

There is lack of straight forward process to enroll in Algebra 1 in 6th grade. Parent needs to know the multiyear plan and testing process starting from 4th grade, which is ridiculous. Only 30 or so kids' parents seem to know about it. URM kids are missing out.

The process is triggered by FCPS and not the parents. Parents don't need to know the plan, since they have no part in initiating the acceleration. It's triggered by the school for kids who meet the criteria. If a URM kid is at an AAP center that participates in this acceleration, and the URM kid meets the benchmarks, the URM kid will be skipped ahead, just like all of the other kids who qualify. There aren't necessarily that many kids with qualifying scores who lack access. One PP has stated that her kid meets the benchmarks but wasn't offered the acceleration, but if I remember correctly, the kid opted not to attend the center, where the acceleration was likely available.

There are many reasons to be concerned with the FCPS path toward Algebra in 6th. Using CogAT scores from the fall of 2nd grade, rather than retesting for math level at the end of 4th is absurd. Letting principals opt out of the program when they have qualifying kids is also bad. Making highly advanced kids slog through grade level math for 3 years and only mildly accelerated for 2 more before completely skipping a year is dumb. Keeping parents largely out of the process is no big deal.

What if the URM kid isn't at the center since their well-meaning parents trusted FCPS' claims that local LIV was the same? Then what?

You're really determined to make this a "FCPS oppressing URMs" thing, even when it isn't. There are probably only a small handful of kids who meet the CogAT Q and SOL benchmarks, but are at a non participating school. These kids are likely white or Asian kids, and they likely knew that staying at the LLIV rather than attending the center would cost them some opportunities.

If, in theory, you had a brilliant URM with a sky high CogAT Q, then the school would be encouraging the parents to send the kid to the center. It's pretty well understood that if your kid is a regular AAP kid, the LLIV and the center will be more or less the same, but if you have an outlier, your kid should attend the center.

I agree, the benchmarks for algebra in 6th are arbitrarily high. Where does FCPS say that "if your kid is a regular AAP kid, the LLIV and the center will be more or less the same, but if you have an outlier, your kid should attend the center"? I'm not dumb, but if it wasn't for DCUM I would also believe FCPS, so I'm not calling anyone dumb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A common concern raised by equity proponents is that HS students may not be learning Calculus as thoroughly as they should. Instead, statistics is suggested as a better choice since students tend to learn it better in HS. Math educators who support equity efforts argue that postponing Calculus until college could lead to a more proficient learning experience. A big benefit of not allowing calculus enrollment in high school is it immediately addresses the math equity gap that is caused by Calculus students graduating HS with two additional math years compared to those who complete HS with just Algebra 2.

There is a whole segment of academic researchers and teachers who have buried their head into equity philosophy, and generate virtue signaling content all over the internet, justifying lower and slower math is better for everyone, including advanced students. But data proves them wrong. HS students that enroll in Calc BC have shown they are more than capable of mastering Calculus than the apparently easier Statistics.

+1. People keep insisting that kids' brains are "not ready" for Algebra when they're younger, and that they will have gaps in their understanding or struggle in later math classes. If the data actually supported this idea, they might have a point in pushing a slower track. The AP Calc and SOL data pretty convincingly show that the accelerated kids are more than capable of handling their accelerated path.

Parents here are very oddly competitive about math level, and it seems like everyone wants the highest available level to be the one that their kid is taking. The parents of kids who didn't qualify for 7th grade Algebra want to restrict other kids from taking it or want to redefine math levels such that their kids are just as smart and capable as the more accelerated kids. The parents of the 7th grade Algebra kids act like it's absurd for anyone to access 6th or even 5th grade Algebra. It makes sense that people don't want their kids to look worse on paper than kids who are more advanced. It's sad, though, to be so petty as to try to hold other kids back just because their own kids aren't ready for more acceleration.

DP. I am not one of the posters you are referring to since I have not posted that on this thread but I have heard it from knowledgeable, experienced math teachers. The same is true for learning to read, fwiw, some kids are ready young and some kids are ready at the usual time and a few kids late - but generally if you try to teach a child too early, you only frustrate them and yourself. Same for math, although you don't seem to believe that.

Even preschoolers can be taught algebra: https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/712525-does-your-child-know-they-are-smart/?do=findComment&comment=9057720

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:from another thread....

To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must:
Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section
Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL
have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher.

Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade.
report

How on earth would URM parents know about this convoluted process?

Every FCPS student takes all of these tests. No parent involvement required. Or wanted.

without knowing the process, how would URM parents know there is incentive to help their child after school to do well on 4th grade SOL?

The kid also needs to have a 145+ on the CogAT Q, pass the gatehouse testing triggered by the CogAT and SOL, and then reach the IAAT 91st percentile benchmark as well as the 7th grade math SOL benchmark. The kids who meet all of these criteria don't need parental support. A kid who needs informed parents who support them through meeting these benchmarks doesn't belong in 6th grade Algebra.

If a child needs any help to do well on the 4th grade SOL, there's no way that the child should be skipping 6th grade math (AAP 5th grade) altogether and jumping up to 7th grade math (AAP 6th). The kid has too many gaps in their foundation to do well.

This is the very definition of systemic barriers against URMs. Here the college-educated, white-collar parents understand the intricacies of accelerated math pathways, and create a home and after-school environment that optimally prepares their child to take advantage of these opportunities. On the other hand, URM parents who merely inquire about these accelerated math pathways are being told that their inquiries to gather info about those pathways is an indication their child doesn't belong in such advanced pathways. Why cant this information be published and put on a webpage for everyone to get familiar?

OMG. For the millionth time, it's not a systemic barrier, because very few white and Asian parents know about these pathways, either. FCPS doesn't publish them, because they don't want a bunch of people trying to prep and push their unready children into 6th grade Algebra. The overwhelming majority of parents of all colors in FCPS do not understand the accelerated math pathways and how to access them. This is fine, because parents aren't supposed to do anything at all to push their kid onto an accelerated path.

Also, I have no idea why you think that publishing the pathway would lead to a bunch of URMs qualifying. FCPS already publishes the criteria for 7th grade Algebra, and very few lower income or disadvantaged students qualify for 7th grade Algebra. Why would parents who aren't taking steps to nurture their kids into 7th grade Algebra make even more Herculean efforts to get their kids into 6th grade Algebra?

The overwhelming majority of parents of all colors in FCPS do not understand the accelerated math pathways and how to access them. I bet URM parents are the majority that are kept in the dark. You want us to rely on disingenuous and phony equity activists who treat us like perennial victims?
why you think that publishing the pathway would lead to a bunch of URMs qualifying Information is power, and by making it public, are you afraid URM students will learn advanced math more than the usual students?
Why would parents who aren't taking steps to nurture their kids into 7th grade Generalization? so, not a single URM parent is taking steps to nurture their kids?

You're insane or a troll. I don't know why I'm still bothering. URM parents are not the majority kept in the dark. Basically everyone is kept in the dark by design. It's not like they're sending out a memo to the white and Asian families. Heck, a lot of FCPS teachers and even principals seem to be in the dark. FCPS does not want to facilitate people pushing their under-prepared kids into early Algebra. They don't want early Algebra to even come across as a goal or prize rather than as an accommodation for kids who are already far ahead.

You also keep conflating URM parents and disadvantaged parents. I fully believe that URM parents with college degrees are every bit as capable of enriching and advocating for their children as their white and Asian counterparts. They don't need special coddling, and to suggest that they do is offensive.

If we're really talking about disadvantaged kids, among disadvantaged FCPS 7th graders in Algebra I, 41 Asian kids, 7 Black, 8 Hispanic, and 9 White kids got pass advanced. Among the 6th grade Algebra I cohort, 4 out of the 31 test takers were disadvantaged, with 2 earning pass advanced and 2 earning pass proficient. While the numbers are too small to determine, the vdoe site has listings for hispanic and two-or-more-races among the 6th grade Algebra cohort. FCPS seems to be doing fine with ensuring that outlier children, even if they are disadvantaged, have access to advanced opportunities.