Benefits of taking Algebra 1 in 6th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of students at McLean High School who are taking math beyond BC Calculus—it’s not something unique to TJ. I’m not sure why anyone would think advanced math isn’t being used as a way to gain a competitive edge; the students who are capable are absolutely pursuing it. To suggest otherwise is simply not accurate. Moreover, juniors and seniors taking these courses are doing so out of their own drive and determination, not because of “tiger parents.” These classes are far too demanding for a parent to force a 16- or 17-year-old into them without the student’s genuine commitment.

1. This thread is about sophomores in BC calc,1 level above what your are describing

2. You don't know the Asian immigrant parent community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of students at McLean High School who are taking math beyond BC Calculus—it’s not something unique to TJ. I’m not sure why anyone would think advanced math isn’t being used as a way to gain a competitive edge; the students who are capable are absolutely pursuing it. To suggest otherwise is simply not accurate. Moreover, juniors and seniors taking these courses are doing so out of their own drive and determination, not because of “tiger parents.” These classes are far too demanding for a parent to force a 16- or 17-year-old into them without the student’s genuine commitment.

1. This thread is about sophomores in BC calc,1 level above what your are describing

2. You don't know the Asian immigrant parent community.

The thread stopped being about sophomores in BC Calc many pages ago. Now, people are arguing whether 11th grade Calc + multivariable gives an edge in top STEM college admissions vs 12th grade Calc.

[Anonymous]

My advice if your child will be attending an IB high school, make sure you ask what the math options are for senior year.
On the IB path, a student who takes algebra in 7th will take their IB math exam at end of junior year.
And then they either have no math class left to take or they have to take an online AP class or an online dual enrollment math class or if they did SL level, they can take or audit an IB math class that’s the same one they just took but at HL level.
If your student is attending an AP high school then they usually offer plenty of AP math classes through senior year.

[Anonymous]

I think IB is where advanced math hits a roadblock. In the webinar that FCPS held for Alg in 6th grade, the head of Instructional Design (Dr. Reilly, ex-Mclean HS Principal) asked parents of kids who are zoned for IB high schools to "really think about whether this is right" for the child, almost discouraging the path for students who will pursue IB because it sets them up for having to wait several years before being able to the math IB exam (which isn't a good idea). She flat out said that it's probably "not a good idea" during the webinar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think IB is where advanced math hits a roadblock. In the webinar that FCPS held for Alg in 6th grade, the head of Instructional Design (Dr. Reilly, ex-Mclean HS Principal) asked parents of kids who are zoned for IB high schools to "really think about whether this is right" for the child, almost discouraging the path for students who will pursue IB because it sets them up for having to wait several years before being able to the math IB exam (which isn't a good idea). She flat out said that it's probably "not a good idea" during the webinar.

Well then AP should be offered at all schools. Did they say if that is going to happen? Cause word on the street is Algebra will be offered at all ES in the next few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think IB is where advanced math hits a roadblock. In the webinar that FCPS held for Alg in 6th grade, the head of Instructional Design (Dr. Reilly, ex-Mclean HS Principal) asked parents of kids who are zoned for IB high schools to "really think about whether this is right" for the child, almost discouraging the path for students who will pursue IB because it sets them up for having to wait several years before being able to the math IB exam (which isn't a good idea). She flat out said that it's probably "not a good idea" during the webinar.

Well then AP should be offered at all schools. Did they say if that is going to happen? Cause word on the street is Algebra will be offered at all ES in the next few years.

I’ll believe that when I see it. Majority of 8th graders in this country can’t even pass pre algebra

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think IB is where advanced math hits a roadblock. In the webinar that FCPS held for Alg in 6th grade, the head of Instructional Design (Dr. Reilly, ex-Mclean HS Principal) asked parents of kids who are zoned for IB high schools to "really think about whether this is right" for the child, almost discouraging the path for students who will pursue IB because it sets them up for having to wait several years before being able to the math IB exam (which isn't a good idea). She flat out said that it's probably "not a good idea" during the webinar.

Well then AP should be offered at all schools. Did they say if that is going to happen? Cause word on the street is Algebra will be offered at all ES in the next few years.

I’ll believe that when I see it. Majority of 8th graders in this country can’t even pass pre algebra

It will be offered. Doesn’t mean all 6th graders will take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think IB is where advanced math hits a roadblock. In the webinar that FCPS held for Alg in 6th grade, the head of Instructional Design (Dr. Reilly, ex-Mclean HS Principal) asked parents of kids who are zoned for IB high schools to "really think about whether this is right" for the child, almost discouraging the path for students who will pursue IB because it sets them up for having to wait several years before being able to the math IB exam (which isn't a good idea). She flat out said that it's probably "not a good idea" during the webinar.

Well then AP should be offered at all schools. Did they say if that is going to happen? Cause word on the street is Algebra will be offered at all ES in the next few years.

I’ll believe that when I see it. Majority of 8th graders in this country can’t even pass pre algebra

It will be offered. Doesn’t mean all 6th graders will take it.

I doubt it will be offered at many schools. Doubt it. There aren’t enough kids qualified to take it in 6th. While they could theoretically join in the 7th or 8th graders for Alg I, now the school is obligated to offer geometry and Alg II. There just aren’t enough kids filling those classes in middle school. Maybe at select schools..but widespread, no way. They can’t even find enough lunch ladies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think IB is where advanced math hits a roadblock. In the webinar that FCPS held for Alg in 6th grade, the head of Instructional Design (Dr. Reilly, ex-Mclean HS Principal) asked parents of kids who are zoned for IB high schools to "really think about whether this is right" for the child, almost discouraging the path for students who will pursue IB because it sets them up for having to wait several years before being able to the math IB exam (which isn't a good idea). She flat out said that it's probably "not a good idea" during the webinar.

Well then AP should be offered at all schools. Did they say if that is going to happen? Cause word on the street is Algebra will be offered at all ES in the next few years.

I’ll believe that when I see it. Majority of 8th graders in this country can’t even pass pre algebra

It will be offered. Doesn’t mean all 6th graders will take it.

I doubt it will be offered at many schools. Doubt it. There aren’t enough kids qualified to take it in 6th. While they could theoretically join in the 7th or 8th graders for Alg I, now the school is obligated to offer geometry and Alg II. There just aren’t enough kids filling those classes in middle school. Maybe at select schools..but widespread, no way. They can’t even find enough lunch ladies.

A good number of kids are taking Algebra 2 in MS. Geometry is available at all the MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great! People who don't want math acceleration can opt out, and those who want it can have it available. Everyone should choose what they think works best for their child.

Anyone who truly believes that math acceleration confers no benefit shouldn't be bothered by other kids who do accelerate.

Sounds about right.

But if you go on a public forum claiming it’s beneficial for admissions at top colleges, don’t be surprised if you get some pushback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think IB is where advanced math hits a roadblock. In the webinar that FCPS held for Alg in 6th grade, the head of Instructional Design (Dr. Reilly, ex-Mclean HS Principal) asked parents of kids who are zoned for IB high schools to "really think about whether this is right" for the child, almost discouraging the path for students who will pursue IB because it sets them up for having to wait several years before being able to the math IB exam (which isn't a good idea). She flat out said that it's probably "not a good idea" during the webinar.

Well then AP should be offered at all schools. Did they say if that is going to happen? Cause word on the street is Algebra will be offered at all ES in the next few years.

I’ll believe that when I see it. Majority of 8th graders in this country can’t even pass pre algebra

It will be offered. Doesn’t mean all 6th graders will take it.

I doubt it will be offered at many schools. Doubt it. There aren’t enough kids qualified to take it in 6th. While they could theoretically join in the 7th or 8th graders for Alg I, now the school is obligated to offer geometry and Alg II. There just aren’t enough kids filling those classes in middle school. Maybe at select schools..but widespread, no way. They can’t even find enough lunch ladies.

There are currently 500-700 6th graders currently taking it in the county with only 20 schools. So if they keep the same requirements then there will be enough kids to qualify. My school is not a pilot but based off current requirements, 1/2 of the 6th grade AAP class would be able to take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great! People who don't want math acceleration can opt out, and those who want it can have it available. Everyone should choose what they think works best for their child.

Anyone who truly believes that math acceleration confers no benefit shouldn't be bothered by other kids who do accelerate.

Sounds about right.

But if you go on a public forum claiming it’s beneficial for admissions at top colleges, don’t be surprised if you get some pushback.

Where would the advanced students go if not to top colleges? Of course not all, but a good number get offers from best colleges.

[Anonymous]

Blocking advanced students from accelerated math is done with, for now, at least. And yeah, the diversity chart for these 700 sixth graders in Algebra 1 is bound to be compiled, and at that time the woke warriors will flip about the racial gap. But at the moment, the politics just aren’t lining up for that drama.

[Anonymous]

None of this has been well thought out within the Leadership of FCPS. Prediction - there will be issues down the road when students start to struggle in Algebra 2 and courses beyond as 8th and 9th graders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great! People who don't want math acceleration can opt out, and those who want it can have it available. Everyone should choose what they think works best for their child.

Anyone who truly believes that math acceleration confers no benefit shouldn't be bothered by other kids who do accelerate.

Sounds about right.

But if you go on a public forum claiming it’s beneficial for admissions at top colleges, don’t be surprised if you get some pushback.

Where would the advanced students go if not to top colleges? Of course not all, but a good number get offers from best colleges.

If 700 kids take Algebra in 6 in one district alone, it’s not possible that half of it will make it to top colleges. Probably not even 10%.

Colleges want to see a rigorous coursework and evidence the student can handle the classes for intended major. A kid entering high school at geometry, getting A, and completing AP calculus BC with 5, will check the most rigorous mark, and there’s no reason to believe they can’t handle more advanced college classes.

Taking more math classes won’t change that, it just means the kid was set on that path from elementary school because the parents put in the effort. Look up details in Harvard vs. Fair Admissions, at no point the DE math came out as a factor.

It’s going to be down to other things first and DE math has a negligible impact.