Filling in Gaps With Middle School and High School Math

[Anonymous]

The amount of instruction that students received in middle school and high school math during COVID was significantly reduced. The Wednesdays with no instruction really took a toll and the curriculum did not cover all the content a math course normally covered.

What is MCPS doing to fill in the gaps for content that wasn’t covered? How are the gaps being filled in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The amount of instruction that students received in middle school and high school math during COVID was significantly reduced. The Wednesdays with no instruction really took a toll and the curriculum did not cover all the content a math course normally covered.

What is MCPS doing to fill in the gaps for content that wasn’t covered? How are the gaps being filled in?

We were told at back to school night that the students who took Algebra last year will be required to take the exam next month. So much of the curriculum wasn’t covered and they haven’t been in an algebra class since June. When I pointed out the difficulty of the situation I was told that it does seem unfair, but they will have another chance to take it if they fail. I asked if there could be extra tutoring for the students before the exam and was told that isn’t possible. They did say they are trying to get some tutoring started after school to backfill some of the math gaps, but aren’t sure how they will identify which kids need it because they don’t have staff to offer it to everyone, and it would be after school and not during school. Plus, that wouldn’t start until a few more months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of instruction that students received in middle school and high school math during COVID was significantly reduced. The Wednesdays with no instruction really took a toll and the curriculum did not cover all the content a math course normally covered.

What is MCPS doing to fill in the gaps for content that wasn’t covered? How are the gaps being filled in?

We were told at back to school night that the students who took Algebra last year will be required to take the exam next month. So much of the curriculum wasn’t covered and they haven’t been in an algebra class since June. When I pointed out the difficulty of the situation I was told that it does seem unfair, but they will have another chance to take it if they fail. I asked if there could be extra tutoring for the students before the exam and was told that isn’t possible. They did say they are trying to get some tutoring started after school to backfill some of the math gaps, but aren’t sure how they will identify which kids need it because they don’t have staff to offer it to everyone, and it would be after school and not during school. Plus, that wouldn’t start until a few more months.

According to this info from the mcps website[/url], it looks like kids who took algebra last year have to take the fall MCAP, but don’t have to pass it. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/mcap/MCAP_EarlyFall_Overview_1_Pgr_v.7%20(1)_Final.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The amount of instruction that students received in middle school and high school math during COVID was significantly reduced. The Wednesdays with no instruction really took a toll and the curriculum did not cover all the content a math course normally covered.

What is MCPS doing to fill in the gaps for content that wasn’t covered? How are the gaps being filled in?

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/reopening/Mathematics%20-%202.5%20Year%20Mitigation%20of%20Learning%20Disruptions%20-%20Recovery%20Plan%20Overview.pdf

Click through the links to see the plan. Then you and your student can speak with the teacher, counselor, and Principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of instruction that students received in middle school and high school math during COVID was significantly reduced. The Wednesdays with no instruction really took a toll and the curriculum did not cover all the content a math course normally covered.

What is MCPS doing to fill in the gaps for content that wasn’t covered? How are the gaps being filled in?

We were told at back to school night that the students who took Algebra last year will be required to take the exam next month. So much of the curriculum wasn’t covered and they haven’t been in an algebra class since June. When I pointed out the difficulty of the situation I was told that it does seem unfair, but they will have another chance to take it if they fail. I asked if there could be extra tutoring for the students before the exam and was told that isn’t possible. They did say they are trying to get some tutoring started after school to backfill some of the math gaps, but aren’t sure how they will identify which kids need it because they don’t have staff to offer it to everyone, and it would be after school and not during school. Plus, that wouldn’t start until a few more months.

According to this info from the mcps website[/url], it looks like kids who took algebra last year have to take the fall MCAP, but don’t have to pass it. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/mcap/MCAP_EarlyFall_Overview_1_Pgr_v.7%20(1)_Final.pdf

The link didn't work for me, but here's the info:
COVID-19 WAIVER
High school students who were enrolled in an ELA/L 10, Algebra I or High School Science course last year
and take the shorter Early Fall assessment will not be required to pass the assessment to meet Maryland’s
graduation requirements. Additionally, during the 2021-2022 school year, students enrolled in an ELA/L 10,
Algebra I, Biology or Life Science, or Government course will be required to take, yet not required to pass, the
current assessments for graduation. Students must pass the respective course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of instruction that students received in middle school and high school math during COVID was significantly reduced. The Wednesdays with no instruction really took a toll and the curriculum did not cover all the content a math course normally covered.

What is MCPS doing to fill in the gaps for content that wasn’t covered? How are the gaps being filled in?

We were told at back to school night that the students who took Algebra last year will be required to take the exam next month. So much of the curriculum wasn’t covered and they haven’t been in an algebra class since June. When I pointed out the difficulty of the situation I was told that it does seem unfair, but they will have another chance to take it if they fail. I asked if there could be extra tutoring for the students before the exam and was told that isn’t possible. They did say they are trying to get some tutoring started after school to backfill some of the math gaps, but aren’t sure how they will identify which kids need it because they don’t have staff to offer it to everyone, and it would be after school and not during school. Plus, that wouldn’t start until a few more months.

According to this info from the mcps website[/url], it looks like kids who took algebra last year have to take the fall MCAP, but don’t have to pass it. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/mcap/MCAP_EarlyFall_Overview_1_Pgr_v.7%20(1)_Final.pdf

+1 I was told by my child’s principal to sit and take the test now. He will get credit for the graduation requirement no matter what the score is as long as he sits for the September testing.

It makes me wonder why give tests if no one is held accountable for knowing the material? Lord help all the graduates with a MCPS diploma who will not have basic math, English, science, and social studies skills. MCPS and the State of Maryland are just writing of the standards for multiple graduating classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of instruction that students received in middle school and high school math during COVID was significantly reduced. The Wednesdays with no instruction really took a toll and the curriculum did not cover all the content a math course normally covered.

What is MCPS doing to fill in the gaps for content that wasn’t covered? How are the gaps being filled in?

We were told at back to school night that the students who took Algebra last year will be required to take the exam next month. So much of the curriculum wasn’t covered and they haven’t been in an algebra class since June. When I pointed out the difficulty of the situation I was told that it does seem unfair, but they will have another chance to take it if they fail. I asked if there could be extra tutoring for the students before the exam and was told that isn’t possible. They did say they are trying to get some tutoring started after school to backfill some of the math gaps, but aren’t sure how they will identify which kids need it because they don’t have staff to offer it to everyone, and it would be after school and not during school. Plus, that wouldn’t start until a few more months.

According to this info from the mcps website[/url], it looks like kids who took algebra last year have to take the fall MCAP, but don’t have to pass it. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/mcap/MCAP_EarlyFall_Overview_1_Pgr_v.7%20(1)_Final.pdf

The link didn't work for me, but here's the info:
COVID-19 WAIVER
High school students who were enrolled in an ELA/L 10, Algebra I or High School Science course last year
and take the shorter Early Fall assessment will not be required to pass the assessment to meet Maryland’s
graduation requirements. Additionally, during the 2021-2022 school year, students enrolled in an ELA/L 10,
Algebra I, Biology or Life Science, or Government course will be required to take, yet not required to pass, the
current assessments for graduation. Students must pass the respective course.

Passing a course during COVID was turning in assignments for completion and at home tests with unlimited time so students looked up the answers while taking tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of instruction that students received in middle school and high school math during COVID was significantly reduced. The Wednesdays with no instruction really took a toll and the curriculum did not cover all the content a math course normally covered.

What is MCPS doing to fill in the gaps for content that wasn’t covered? How are the gaps being filled in?

We were told at back to school night that the students who took Algebra last year will be required to take the exam next month. So much of the curriculum wasn’t covered and they haven’t been in an algebra class since June. When I pointed out the difficulty of the situation I was told that it does seem unfair, but they will have another chance to take it if they fail. I asked if there could be extra tutoring for the students before the exam and was told that isn’t possible. They did say they are trying to get some tutoring started after school to backfill some of the math gaps, but aren’t sure how they will identify which kids need it because they don’t have staff to offer it to everyone, and it would be after school and not during school. Plus, that wouldn’t start until a few more months.

According to this info from the mcps website[/url], it looks like kids who took algebra last year have to take the fall MCAP, but don’t have to pass it. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/mcap/MCAP_EarlyFall_Overview_1_Pgr_v.7%20(1)_Final.pdf

The link didn't work for me, but here's the info:
COVID-19 WAIVER
High school students who were enrolled in an ELA/L 10, Algebra I or High School Science course last year
and take the shorter Early Fall assessment will not be required to pass the assessment to meet Maryland’s
graduation requirements. Additionally, during the 2021-2022 school year, students enrolled in an ELA/L 10,
Algebra I, Biology or Life Science, or Government course will be required to take, yet not required to pass, the
current assessments for graduation. Students must pass the respective course.

Passing a course during COVID was turning in assignments for completion and at home tests with unlimited time so students looked up the answers while taking tests.

Well, that depended on the teacher and school and was not universally true. Just something some parents would prefer to sweep under the rug I guess.

[Anonymous]

My 9th grader took Algebra I in 7th, so when everything moved to virtual they didn’t take the exam in spring 2019. But I haven’t seen anything that addresses testing for Algebra students from 2018-19, just the ones who took Algebra last year.

Apparently someone asked in my kid’s Algebra II class this year during the first week of school, and the teacher didn’t really know anything. Based on the testing schedule the school sent out, they’re not supposed to take it with this batch. So who knows. Maybe they just get a free pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader took Algebra I in 7th, so when everything moved to virtual they didn’t take the exam in spring 2019. But I haven’t seen anything that addresses testing for Algebra students from 2018-19, just the ones who took Algebra last year.

Apparently someone asked in my kid’s Algebra II class this year during the first week of school, and the teacher didn’t really know anything. Based on the testing schedule the school sent out, they’re not supposed to take it with this batch. So who knows. Maybe they just get a free pass.

I asked the admins/counselors at my son’s high school and they said they don’t have any additional information. They believe our kids will be waived.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader took Algebra I in 7th, so when everything moved to virtual they didn’t take the exam in spring 2019. But I haven’t seen anything that addresses testing for Algebra students from 2018-19, just the ones who took Algebra last year.

Apparently someone asked in my kid’s Algebra II class this year during the first week of school, and the teacher didn’t really know anything. Based on the testing schedule the school sent out, they’re not supposed to take it with this batch. So who knows. Maybe they just get a free pass.

I think you mean Spring 2020.

[Anonymous]

Remember these are very low bar tests designed for almost any kid to pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader took Algebra I in 7th, so when everything moved to virtual they didn’t take the exam in spring 2019. But I haven’t seen anything that addresses testing for Algebra students from 2018-19, just the ones who took Algebra last year.

Apparently someone asked in my kid’s Algebra II class this year during the first week of school, and the teacher didn’t really know anything. Based on the testing schedule the school sent out, they’re not supposed to take it with this batch. So who knows. Maybe they just get a free pass.

I think you mean Spring 2020.

Man, my sense of time is totally messed up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader took Algebra I in 7th, so when everything moved to virtual they didn’t take the exam in spring 2019. But I haven’t seen anything that addresses testing for Algebra students from 2018-19, just the ones who took Algebra last year.

Apparently someone asked in my kid’s Algebra II class this year during the first week of school, and the teacher didn’t really know anything. Based on the testing schedule the school sent out, they’re not supposed to take it with this batch. So who knows. Maybe they just get a free pass.

I think you mean Spring 2020.

Man, my sense of time is totally messed up!

On my child's "Student Grades and Graduation Report," it states that the Algebra 1 test is Not Required. I think they just waived the test for any child who took Algebra in the 2019-2020 school year.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the school and teacher. They only left out a few topics at our school. We supplement with a private summer school program.