Math Placement Letters APS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

This is so interesting to me. I wonder if there is anything wonky with the SOL tests this year because my kid is no where near 550, but over the 236 on MAP.

My kid, who was slightly below on SOL and over the MAP, was placed in Math 6. I agree with previous posters that an in-between would have been nice, though I am fine that we did not push for parent placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

This is so interesting to me. I wonder if there is anything wonky with the SOL tests this year because my kid is no where near 550, but over the 236 on MAP.

My kid, who was slightly below on SOL and over the MAP, was placed in Math 6. I agree with previous posters that an in-between would have been nice, though I am fine that we did not push for parent placement.

Pre-algebra is a lot of work. They basically have the kids do three years of IXL problems in one year, plus additional problems in other apps. Even if it's not hard content for your child, it's still daily homework. Any kid who signs up for pre-algebra needs to want to take on that workload.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

This is so interesting to me. I wonder if there is anything wonky with the SOL tests this year because my kid is no where near 550, but over the 236 on MAP.

My kid, who was slightly below on SOL and over the MAP, was placed in Math 6. I agree with previous posters that an in-between would have been nice, though I am fine that we did not push for parent placement.

Pre-algebra is a lot of work. They basically have the kids do three years of IXL problems in one year, plus additional problems in other apps. Even if it's not hard content for your child, it's still daily homework. Any kid who signs up for pre-algebra needs to want to take on that workload.

I really think that this differs a lot by school. We did not push for our student to be in pre-alg for 6th at DHMS. But then math 6 was far behind his 5th grade classroom. They did not reach new material until the end of February. He earned that all important A but to what end? We then parent placed him for his next year and it was much more worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

This is so interesting to me. I wonder if there is anything wonky with the SOL tests this year because my kid is no where near 550, but over the 236 on MAP.

My kid, who was slightly below on SOL and over the MAP, was placed in Math 6. I agree with previous posters that an in-between would have been nice, though I am fine that we did not push for parent placement.

Pre-algebra is a lot of work. They basically have the kids do three years of IXL problems in one year, plus additional problems in other apps. Even if it's not hard content for your child, it's still daily homework. Any kid who signs up for pre-algebra needs to want to take on that workload.

I really think that this differs a lot by school. We did not push for our student to be in pre-alg for 6th at DHMS. But then math 6 was far behind his 5th grade classroom. They did not reach new material until the end of February. He earned that all important A but to what end? We then parent placed him for his next year and it was much more worthwhile.

My experience is also with DHMS.

I agree that there is a huge gap between pre-algebra and Math 6. By parent placement, you mean that he's skipping pre-algebra and going from Math 6 to Algebra? Or you're making sure he takes pre-algebra in 7th?

[Anonymous]

I do think they are working on an "in between" class. My kid's course request went from Pre-Algebra to Math 6 Advanced.

[Anonymous]

The 466 is a statewide SOL number not specific to APS. Here is the link to the new math law:

https://share.google/R2AxGw5VlsviKhEhn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

Good to know. Thanks. Any idea where they would place a kid who was a few points below on the SOL but a few points above on the MAP?

That is exactly my kid! He is now in Math 6 advanced bumped from pre-al. He is a few points above in the supposed SOL cutoff and 4 points below on Map. Sad thing is he ended 4th grade with almost a perfect score on the math SOL and MAP. He had a hell of a 4th grade teacher. This year it definitely went down but the material did not seem any more challenging. Teachers matter for sure. I don't love how they came to this conclusion if they only looked at 5th grade scores. I'm usually very very seemingly hands off while also keeping my finger on the pulse and will pounce if I need to advocate for either of my kids....and I'm torn here. Has anyone actually contacted any of the middle schools and had a conversation with the counselors? Anyone change it for their kids yet?

[Anonymous]

Anyone’s course request change from algebra intensified to algebra? Wondering why the above would have affected that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

Good to know. Thanks. Any idea where they would place a kid who was a few points below on the SOL but a few points above on the MAP?

That is exactly my kid! He is now in Math 6 advanced bumped from pre-al. He is a few points above in the supposed SOL cutoff and 4 points below on Map. Sad thing is he ended 4th grade with almost a perfect score on the math SOL and MAP. He had a hell of a 4th grade teacher. This year it definitely went down but the material did not seem any more challenging. Teachers matter for sure. I don't love how they came to this conclusion if they only looked at 5th grade scores. I'm usually very very seemingly hands off while also keeping my finger on the pulse and will pounce if I need to advocate for either of my kids....and I'm torn here. Has anyone actually contacted any of the middle schools and had a conversation with the counselors? Anyone change it for their kids yet?

You can speak with his 5th grade teacher and the middle school math coach for input, but the most important factor is how hard your kid wants to work in 6th grade. For a kid at the cutoff, pre-algebra feels like doing three math classes in one year. It's that much homework. He has to decide if he wants to prioritize math and put in the work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

Good to know. Thanks. Any idea where they would place a kid who was a few points below on the SOL but a few points above on the MAP?

That is exactly my kid! He is now in Math 6 advanced bumped from pre-al. He is a few points above in the supposed SOL cutoff and 4 points below on Map. Sad thing is he ended 4th grade with almost a perfect score on the math SOL and MAP. He had a hell of a 4th grade teacher. This year it definitely went down but the material did not seem any more challenging. Teachers matter for sure. I don't love how they came to this conclusion if they only looked at 5th grade scores. I'm usually very very seemingly hands off while also keeping my finger on the pulse and will pounce if I need to advocate for either of my kids....and I'm torn here. Has anyone actually contacted any of the middle schools and had a conversation with the counselors? Anyone change it for their kids yet?

You can speak with his 5th grade teacher and the middle school math coach for input, but the most important factor is how hard your kid wants to work in 6th grade. For a kid at the cutoff, pre-algebra feels like doing three math classes in one year. It's that much homework. He has to decide if he wants to prioritize math and put in the work.

I think this is the component that a lot of parents don’t consider when parent placing, having a kid capable of doing the work is not the same as having a kid who’s capable of doing it with a reasonable amount of time and effort. The transition to middle school can be hard for some kids, especially if they aren’t used to homework. I now that there is a math six advanced I wouldn’t parent place a kid in pre-algebra unless I was very sure they could handle it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

Good to know. Thanks. Any idea where they would place a kid who was a few points below on the SOL but a few points above on the MAP?

That is exactly my kid! He is now in Math 6 advanced bumped from pre-al. He is a few points above in the supposed SOL cutoff and 4 points below on Map. Sad thing is he ended 4th grade with almost a perfect score on the math SOL and MAP. He had a hell of a 4th grade teacher. This year it definitely went down but the material did not seem any more challenging. Teachers matter for sure. I don't love how they came to this conclusion if they only looked at 5th grade scores. I'm usually very very seemingly hands off while also keeping my finger on the pulse and will pounce if I need to advocate for either of my kids....and I'm torn here. Has anyone actually contacted any of the middle schools and had a conversation with the counselors? Anyone change it for their kids yet?

You can speak with his 5th grade teacher and the middle school math coach for input, but the most important factor is how hard your kid wants to work in 6th grade. For a kid at the cutoff, pre-algebra feels like doing three math classes in one year. It's that much homework. He has to decide if he wants to prioritize math and put in the work.

I think this is the component that a lot of parents don’t consider when parent placing, having a kid capable of doing the work is not the same as having a kid who’s capable of doing it with a reasonable amount of time and effort. The transition to middle school can be hard for some kids, especially if they aren’t used to homework. I now that there is a math six advanced I wouldn’t parent place a kid in pre-algebra unless I was very sure they could handle it.

I'll just add that it's a lot of work even if your kid knows the material. Lots and lots of problems are assigned and it takes time to do them. There were several units where my kid already knew all of the content, but that didn't mean she didn't have to do the assignments. The kid has to want to do math homework while friends are out doing fun things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

Good to know. Thanks. Any idea where they would place a kid who was a few points below on the SOL but a few points above on the MAP?

That is exactly my kid! He is now in Math 6 advanced bumped from pre-al. He is a few points above in the supposed SOL cutoff and 4 points below on Map. Sad thing is he ended 4th grade with almost a perfect score on the math SOL and MAP. He had a hell of a 4th grade teacher. This year it definitely went down but the material did not seem any more challenging. Teachers matter for sure. I don't love how they came to this conclusion if they only looked at 5th grade scores. I'm usually very very seemingly hands off while also keeping my finger on the pulse and will pounce if I need to advocate for either of my kids....and I'm torn here. Has anyone actually contacted any of the middle schools and had a conversation with the counselors? Anyone change it for their kids yet?

You can speak with his 5th grade teacher and the middle school math coach for input, but the most important factor is how hard your kid wants to work in 6th grade. For a kid at the cutoff, pre-algebra feels like doing three math classes in one year. It's that much homework. He has to decide if he wants to prioritize math and put in the work.

It feels like you're doing 3 years of math in 1 year because you ARE literally taking 3 years of math in 1 year. I recall the math teacher saying the biggest challenge was not the material, it was that the 6th graders didn't have the executive functioning skills developed yet to handle that much material that fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

Good to know. Thanks. Any idea where they would place a kid who was a few points below on the SOL but a few points above on the MAP?

That is exactly my kid! He is now in Math 6 advanced bumped from pre-al. He is a few points above in the supposed SOL cutoff and 4 points below on Map. Sad thing is he ended 4th grade with almost a perfect score on the math SOL and MAP. He had a hell of a 4th grade teacher. This year it definitely went down but the material did not seem any more challenging. Teachers matter for sure. I don't love how they came to this conclusion if they only looked at 5th grade scores. I'm usually very very seemingly hands off while also keeping my finger on the pulse and will pounce if I need to advocate for either of my kids....and I'm torn here. Has anyone actually contacted any of the middle schools and had a conversation with the counselors? Anyone change it for their kids yet?

You can speak with his 5th grade teacher and the middle school math coach for input, but the most important factor is how hard your kid wants to work in 6th grade. For a kid at the cutoff, pre-algebra feels like doing three math classes in one year. It's that much homework. He has to decide if he wants to prioritize math and put in the work.

Ok this was super helpful--- I am going to let it be. I really don't want him to be so stressed out in 6th grade for a math class. Thanks for the feedback--- had no idea there was so much homework!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If 466 is the cut off for the newly created intensified class, what will the cut off be for pre algebra? That seems surprisingly low for the 75th percentile, but sounds like the test scores this year are lower (my child’s was also lower than the year prior). I’m not sure I want my kid in pre algebra — seems like there is already enough adjustment in middle school so I’m excited for this new option.

Last year it was 550+ on the SOL and 236+ on MAP for pre-algebra.

Good to know. Thanks. Any idea where they would place a kid who was a few points below on the SOL but a few points above on the MAP?

That is exactly my kid! He is now in Math 6 advanced bumped from pre-al. He is a few points above in the supposed SOL cutoff and 4 points below on Map. Sad thing is he ended 4th grade with almost a perfect score on the math SOL and MAP. He had a hell of a 4th grade teacher. This year it definitely went down but the material did not seem any more challenging. Teachers matter for sure. I don't love how they came to this conclusion if they only looked at 5th grade scores. I'm usually very very seemingly hands off while also keeping my finger on the pulse and will pounce if I need to advocate for either of my kids....and I'm torn here. Has anyone actually contacted any of the middle schools and had a conversation with the counselors? Anyone change it for their kids yet?

You can speak with his 5th grade teacher and the middle school math coach for input, but the most important factor is how hard your kid wants to work in 6th grade. For a kid at the cutoff, pre-algebra feels like doing three math classes in one year. It's that much homework. He has to decide if he wants to prioritize math and put in the work.

Ok this was super helpful--- I am going to let it be. I really don't want him to be so stressed out in 6th grade for a math class. Thanks for the feedback--- had no idea there was so much homework!

It depends somewhat on their personality too. Because of block scheduling my son was able to get almost all the homework done in class, but he's pretty serious about school and doesn't talk much until work is done (according to teacher.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone’s course request change from algebra intensified to algebra? Wondering why the above would have affected that?

My kid did. I think the cut off for 75% for the 8th grade sol was 440. So they originally went with that for intensified, but then probably moved it to 500. Bummer for my kid because he really wanted to continue taking intensified math.