Minimum math at TJ
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Anonymous
Luckily VDOE shows how many took the test. Not sure why you are arguing against this well known fact. |
Anonymous
There is no strict guide line for what is considered grade level at FCPS. Standard diploma only requires Algebra 2 for high school graduation. But students who have no interest in any sort of calculus are being misled they'll do just fine at TJ, just to achieve a predetermined equity chart. So yes, they would be giving up on losing the non-calculus graduation option if they enter TJ, as TJ requires completing calculus to graduate. https://www.fcps.edu/academics/graduation-requirements-and-course-planning/high-school-course-sequencing/mathematics |
Anonymous
Would the percentage of kids in Algebra 1 in 7th drop? Sure, maybe from 15% to 10%. We started enrichment in third grade, which was our COVID DL year. We started because the math that year was awful. DS continued because he liked it. We have asked him every year if he wants to continue and he says yes. He likes the pacing and the challenge. I think the kids who are choosing math enrichment are more likely then not kids who would test into Algebra 1 H in 7th grade without the enrichment. They are choosing to do extra math because they enjoy it. I know that there are kids who are in DSs class at RSM who are there because their parents make them attend. They are able to do the work but they would not choose to be there. I suspect that those kids would be less likely to test into Algebra 1 H in 7th grade. Some would because they are capable of the work, they are handling the honors class at RSM, but some are struggling in the honors class, DS's class has had to push back two assessments to help kids grasp the material. I suspect that the Algebra in 8th grade requirement is two-fold. 1) Placate the NAACP by making it easier for smart Black kids who are found at ES a bit later and don't have the money for enrichment have a better chance of attending TJ. 2) Decrease the math acceleration rat race to remove pressure from some kids because everyone has noticed the increased mental health concerns of MS and HS kids. |
Anonymous
Correct. |
Anonymous
The education gap in all subjects starts at birth. Parents who read to their kids, play games with their kids, teach colors/shapes/letters/numbers to their kids start their kids off on a strong foot in K. Many of those kids pick up reading and writing in K. They are ahead in math. These kids tend to be middle class and upper middle class and rich. The parents in these groups tend to be educated and understand the importance of reading to their kids and doing other fun things that teach their kids as toddlers and in Pre-K. These families can also afford preschools that reinforce these lessons and/or Nannies/Au Pairs that work on these skills. Kids from families were the parents do not have an education or have only a high school degree tend not to read to to heir kids and do the other academic activities that prepare their kids for school. They also are less likely to be able to afford or send their kids to preschools that can help prepare their kids for school. The kids show up at K with less time spent in an academic environment and less exposure to academics. They are behind from day 1. The schools are doing what they can but they are not going to be able to fill that gap because the parents are unable to help their kids with school work at home while the higher SES families are able to support at home or hire tutors if their kids need help. 9th grade used to be the norm for Algebra 1 and a good percentage of kids in higher SES families will end up in Algebra 1 in 9th grade. If kids from Title 1 schools are ending up in Algebra 1 by 9th grade then they are on track. The kids getting there in 8th grade are ahead of the game. We have to stop expecting that schools can magically fill the gaps because they cannot. Title 1 schools have smaller classes, more Teachers, more specialists, and free summer school. I am not sure what else you think they can do. And the answer is not to hold back the kids whose parents read to them and introduced them to academics at a younger age. |
Anonymous
Conveniently, back in the day they had things called entrance tests and teacher recommendations to identify those kids. Admitting kids who are in Algebra in 8th is fine if the kid's teacher thinks the kid is something special, the kid crushed some sort of entrance test, the kid has some other spectacular achievements, or in some way truly demonstrated that they would be successful at TJ. In the past, the Algebra I admits likely were successful TJ students, because they got in on the strength of a much more comprehensive application packet. Admitting them based on shallow essays, a desire for racial balancing, and the hopes that they are diamonds in the rough rather than just being somewhat above average is neither fair to the kids who deserved the TJ spot nor to the kids being set up to fail at TJ. |
Anonymous
can you post the link where it shows number of students instead of percent specifically for Geometry in TJ 9th? |
Anonymous
They do use screening tools to determine when kids take pre-algebra. Algebra in 8th is fine for any STEM kid. |
Anonymous
Tenth graders? So they took Algebra in 9th? |
Anonymous
No they probably took the RS1 fall and then TJ Math 1 in Spring and TJ Math 2 in fall 10th grade. This would have completed their Geometry requirement (TJ math 1/2). Then they would have taken the geometry sol in 10th. |
Anonymous
Oh, it's far far worst than that! There is a huge cabal of enrichment teachers, students, and parents, all promoting the evils of math enrichment! All dedicated to one cause: to convince you that studying math beyond the core average curriculum will help you succeed in your education and career! So devious! |
Anonymous
Just go to the VDoE sol results site and use count instead of rate. |
Anonymous
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The obvious solution for underprivileged kids is so simple, one wonders what political forces oppose it
Smart, high potential kids got less preparation through trade 8. Fine, let's fix that. Give them 9th grade to prep for enriched (not advanced!) high school, and then enter high school a year later. Stop the nonsense age-based games. Oh no, you cry! But then more people will be qualified for advanced high school education, but we only allow 550 students to obtain it! How will we prove the eliteness of MY children?! |
Anonymous
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Here's the SOL tables for recent years and grades and courses.
https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/apex/f?p=152:1:15235566613501:SHOW_REPORT:::: Grade 10 Geometry, 2022-2023 98 total 98 passing (including proficient and non-proficient) 58 proficient There are more students in Geometry 10th than Geometry 9th. ( This might because the only way to take Geometry SOL in 9th is to do summer-before-9th Geometry , since TJ teaches Research Stats 1 first, then Geometry split across 2 years or 1 semester only for all of Algebra 2.) The vast majority are still in Algebra 2 (or higher, but higher is not reported in SOL) in 9th. Previous years had data, but was too low to to report numbers for 10th Geometry. |
Anonymous
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I'm shocked and even in past years more than half of students are passing but not proficient in their Algebra 2 SOLs.
I'd say that means they are advancing too quickly. Yet the effect seems the same regardless of grade level of course. So it seems there are substantial cohorts of students advancing 2 years ahead when 1 was enough, and advancing 3 years ahead when 2 was enough. Or TJ has up to half it's population being kids who "get" math quite but aren't great at understanding it. Anyway, these 9th graders in Geometry, while older than previous geometry students, are doing just as well (slightly better even) as those students who advanced more quickly |