Algebra in 7th v 8th

[Anonymous]

Currently trying to figure out whether to try to aim for algebra in 7th or 8th. DS is in 6th now and is a strong math student if given the proper challenge and structure. He goes to a Title I middle school so we have to really be proactive about what we want him to achieve, although the school is clear that they do support Algebra in 7th/geometry in 8th for those kids who are at that level.

What is the benefit of Algebra in 7th? How do I know if DS is ready? I am not against tutoring/supplementing but I don’t want it to be too much effort for little benefit. That said, one benefit of acceleration to DS would be that he sees he can do it if he works (he’s not a naturally hard worker.)

[Anonymous]

Khan Academy course challenges.

AoPS course quizzes / placement test.

Does your kid "get" math easily the first time they see it, as easily as learning new words when they read a book?
Does your kid enjoy doing extra not required math at home? If not, don't do 7th. Kid will burn out in high school for no benefit.

Schoool math class should be a breeze, reinforcing what they already know and gently stretching. Acceleration / enrichment needs to be self-paced or on the side, so that if the kid falls behind o their studies temporarily, they won't drown in current of the main 5-year curriculum that will not pause for them.

[Anonymous]

You should probably look long term. Algebra in 7th means Calculus in 11th. Which seems crazy to me but lots of top kids around here do that, with the intention of something even harder in 12th and top colleges/STEM majors in college in mind. Does that sound right to your family?
I personally think math concepts for a bright child track well with brain development when they take algebra in 8th and Calculus in 12th. But depends on your long term goals.

[Anonymous]

What math clsss is your kid in now? If they aren't already on the algebra track (prealgebra / math 8 / AMP + / Accelerated Math 7) you need to do Khan AoPS at home, level of Math 8 / Prealgebra
(Both have free video curriculum and homework). The don't need to be able to do all of the prealgebra "challenge" problems in AoPS.

In my district (and most districts) in order to qualify for early Algebra, they need to pretest the spring before, and score higher than the median *exit* score for Algebra students.

Also try https://artofproblemsolving.com/mathcounts_trainer "School" difficulty tier.

[Anonymous]

It is also an option, of your kid finds Algebra too easy when they take it, to double up on Geometry and Algebra 2 as an elective the next year. Even kids at magnet science high schools, who didn't take geometry in 8th do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is also an option, of your kid finds Algebra too easy when they take it, to double up on Geometry and Algebra 2 as an elective the next year. Even kids at magnet science high schools, who didn't take geometry in 8th do this.

This is only an option in school districts/HS that are either on a 4/4 schedule or offer summer classes, isn't it?

Or will your regular school district on an A/B schedule or traditional schedule let you take Algebra 2 and Geometry concurrently?

[Anonymous]

I have a child who did Algebra in 6th and a child who did Algebra in 7th.

The benefit of a fast track is:

1. Avoiding boredom and being appropriately challenged.
2. Getting noticed positively for college admissions (although these days a lot of students take Algebra 1 in 7th, so in itself that's not newsworthy).

The disadvantages are:

1. Getting into difficulties later in the more advanced math classes. Age-old question: is it better to have straight As in an easy class, or Bs in a hard class?

It's not always possible to know in advance how your child will do. I'm the sort of person who is willing to try, and then support my kids with tutors, or teacher them myself at home, or, if need be, take a slower track (although that never happened).

[Anonymous]

First: the kid should decide if they want to take algebra in 7th. It's a lot of work. They need to know that and be willing and wanting to do it - not the parent.

[Anonymous]

7th if they are able. It will open the door for more math opportunities in high school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should probably look long term. Algebra in 7th means Calculus in 11th. Which seems crazy to me but lots of top kids around here do that, with the intention of something even harder in 12th and top colleges/STEM majors in college in mind. Does that sound right to your family?
I personally think math concepts for a bright child track well with brain development when they take algebra in 8th and Calculus in 12th. But depends on your long term goals.

OP here. I and all my siblings did Algebra in 7th and calc in 11th so I guess it seems normal to me. I suppose my worry is that if we don’t get serious now about math it will never happen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should probably look long term. Algebra in 7th means Calculus in 11th. Which seems crazy to me but lots of top kids around here do that, with the intention of something even harder in 12th and top colleges/STEM majors in college in mind. Does that sound right to your family?
I personally think math concepts for a bright child track well with brain development when they take algebra in 8th and Calculus in 12th. But depends on your long term goals.

OP here. I and all my siblings did Algebra in 7th and calc in 11th so I guess it seems normal to me. I suppose my worry is that if we don’t get serious now about math it will never happen?

You have answered your own question. If kid is good with it, go for it. Will open up options. Just know that you may need to supplement what is taught in school.

[Anonymous]

Ok. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who did Algebra in 6th and a child who did Algebra in 7th.

The benefit of a fast track is:

1. Avoiding boredom and being appropriately challenged.
2. Getting noticed positively for college admissions (although these days a lot of students take Algebra 1 in 7th, so in itself that's not newsworthy).

The disadvantages are:

1. Getting into difficulties later in the more advanced math classes. Age-old question: is it better to have straight As in an easy class, or Bs in a hard class?

It's not always possible to know in advance how your child will do. I'm the sort of person who is willing to try, and then support my kids with tutors, or teacher them myself at home, or, if need be, take a slower track (although that never happened).

There is no evidence for the claim that you "get into difficulties later" - it's politically motivated misinformation that was spread by, for instance, proponents of VMPI.

The longitudinal numbers show a different picture: students who are screened to take Algebra I earlier do better in it and they do better later. (Run SOL statistics, for instance.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who did Algebra in 6th and a child who did Algebra in 7th.

The benefit of a fast track is:

1. Avoiding boredom and being appropriately challenged.
2. Getting noticed positively for college admissions (although these days a lot of students take Algebra 1 in 7th, so in itself that's not newsworthy).

The disadvantages are:

1. Getting into difficulties later in the more advanced math classes. Age-old question: is it better to have straight As in an easy class, or Bs in a hard class?

It's not always possible to know in advance how your child will do. I'm the sort of person who is willing to try, and then support my kids with tutors, or teacher them myself at home, or, if need be, take a slower track (although that never happened).

There is no evidence for the claim that you "get into difficulties later" - it's politically motivated misinformation that was spread by, for instance, proponents of VMPI.

The longitudinal numbers show a different picture: students who are screened to take Algebra I earlier do better in it and they do better later. (Run SOL statistics, for instance.)

PP you replied to. You sound exhausting. The fear of not doing well later when a child starts an advanced track is perfectly legitimate, and it was verified in the experience of my oldest child, who made it all the way to AP Calc BC, and then collapsed in math. Luckily, it was his senior year, and his second semester grades didn't matter. My second child is the one who took Algebra 1 in 6th, and compared to her brother, I feel she's on a more assured footing, because her math understanding is a lot more solid than his at the same age.

Please don't dismiss concerns like this, or immediately jump to weird politicization. It's uncalled for. And don't think for a minute that "screening" somehow guarantees that a child won't have problems. Anything can happen, that's why parents must always be vigilant, and be ready to jump in and support their child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who did Algebra in 6th and a child who did Algebra in 7th.

The benefit of a fast track is:

1. Avoiding boredom and being appropriately challenged.
2. Getting noticed positively for college admissions (although these days a lot of students take Algebra 1 in 7th, so in itself that's not newsworthy).

The disadvantages are:

1. Getting into difficulties later in the more advanced math classes. Age-old question: is it better to have straight As in an easy class, or Bs in a hard class?

It's not always possible to know in advance how your child will do. I'm the sort of person who is willing to try, and then support my kids with tutors, or teacher them myself at home, or, if need be, take a slower track (although that never happened).

There is no evidence for the claim that you "get into difficulties later" - it's politically motivated misinformation that was spread by, for instance, proponents of VMPI.

The longitudinal numbers show a different picture: students who are screened to take Algebra I earlier do better in it and they do better later. (Run SOL statistics, for instance.)

OP here. I actually did struggle in Calc BC (and AP Physics) but I don’t think it was due to acceleration to Algebra in 7th. It was because math had been easy and I didn’t really know how to study when it got hard- and I wasn’t super motivated. I eked out a 3 on the Calculus AP exam, took the college credit, and never did math again.