DCPS Policy on Talented & Gifted & Acaemic Magnet Middle School Programs...Questions for You

[Anonymous]

Actually, Deal offers 2/5 of the 7th graders at Deal take Algebra. 2/5 of 8th graders at Deal take Geometry. Not sure why you think none of the 7th graders take algebra at Deal. This has been in place for many years.

[esevdali]

That's news because Deal doesn't seem to be advertising that it teaches algebra to 7th graders. Why not? I've called and visited the school to ask about this option, and been told that there is no "regularized" program, only "special instruction" on occasion for a few "highly gifted students" (no criteria for assessing giftedness offered). Nobody could offer me any numbers, information about the application/screening process for 6th graders to qualify to be taught algebra in the 7th grade, who is teaching the class, what the racial breakdown has been for students taking 7th grade algebra in recent years, or anything else. Where is this information available? By contrast, when I visited Tacoma Park Middle School I was handed a 20-page brochure on its country-wide magnet math, computers and science program. The brochure includes detailed information on the admission process and much more.

[Anonymous]

I don't think Deal needs to "advertise" anything. As a parent of a 6th grader, I can also confirm that Algebra is offered in 7th. The math teachers are committed to helping as many kids as possible move into Algebra in 7th.

[Anonymous]

That's news because Deal doesn't seem to be advertising that it teaches algebra to 7th graders. Why not? I've called and visited the school to ask about this option, and been told that there is no "regularized" program, only "special instruction" on occasion for a few "highly gifted students" (no criteria for assessing giftedness offered). Nobody could offer me any numbers, information about the application/screening process for 6th graders to qualify to be taught algebra in the 7th grade, who is teaching the class, what the racial breakdown has been for students taking 7th grade algebra in recent years, or anything else. Where is this information available? By contrast, when I visited Tacoma Park Middle School I was handed a 20-page brochure on its country-wide magnet math, computers and science program. The brochure includes detailed information on the admission process and much more.

If your child is a toddler, why are you visiting middle schools and focusing on Algebra? I feel like there is more to your questions and that you are not at all the newbie parent you wanted us to believe in your OP. That is fine, of course, but if you were more forthcoming, perhaps posters can have a clear conversation about your concerns.

As for Deal, the PP is correct and Algebra is offered to 7th graders.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps "reveal" is a better word than "advertise." Why doen't Deal reveal it's gifted algebra program and provide documentation on it when directly asked, in contrast to another DCPS school that offers complete info.

I'm not the PP, but if this is the case, I'm curious too -- especially about the school not being forthcoming with the. information.

It does sound like the pp is trying to nail Deal and perhaps uncover racial preferences, but so what? The info sought should not be secret and no school should have to hide how it chooses kids for special classes, as long as the system is fair and based on academics.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that people are saying these are "special classes" and they are not and they don't have anything to do with giftedness. The school is more than forthcoming with information about all of this, but you have to ask the right questions. As a parent with an AA child there, teachers work hard to get kids placed in the right level of math and will move kids accordingly as necessary - racial preferences are not in play here. Believe me I would have screamed bloody murder if there was a whiff of this going on. FWIW my child was initially placed in the Math 6 class with test scores that were just below the cut-off for pre-algebra. After a few weeks of demonstrating her math skill in class and some assessments the teacher determined that she could be pushed up to pre-algebra. It's challenging for her no doubt but she's doing well.

[Anonymous]

I, too, wish information about 7th grade algebra and "talented and gifted" offerings in DCPS were more readily available. Perhaps these are sensitive issues politically, due to the racial/socioeconomic make-up of the kids in top math classes at Deal? Or maybe more to do with some administrative confusion and not much of a budget to advertise/reveal. Esevdali, an old friend, tried to help me figure out what the algebra situation was at Deal because she's lived in the District for a long time and has some DCPS contacts/savvy, and I, mom of a home schooled 5th grader researching middle schools (including independents with application dates around the corner) arrived over the summer. I haven't done any better than she did.

[Anonymous]

Ok does DCUM posters have special gifted genes so that their progeny represent that top 5% of kids. I honestly doubt it despite your many stellar postings. The trend Fairfax, Montgomery and otherwise is to drop the whole gifted label, too many parents are more vested in it than their kids. The focus is to create an advanced academics for kids with the skill set and ambition, drive, work ethic whatever to take rigorous coursework. It appears to me that this is what Deal is doing. So no the progeny at Deal do not represent some weird skewing of the genetic pie most are kids that are capable and willing to do the work to do Algebra. Your kid will get a good education, but no if you are a parent there you won't get bragging rights about how special your child is compared to the rest of us neanderthals.

[Anonymous]

Deal is actually really open about the math options. I attended several information sessions before enrolling my child and principal Kim's message was the same. There are 2 pathways for kids. One ends in geometry in the 8th grade and the other ends in Algebra in the 8th grade. She had a slide about it in the presentation. She said that the math department has been working on accelerating math for every child for several years. My child is AA and he is in pre-Algebra in the 6th grade. There is no racial or SE issue that is being hidden.

[Anonymous]

Deal is great!!!

[Anonymous]

Deal could certainly be doing a better job advertising its singularly challenging math programs. I can understand why parents would report having a hard time finding out about them. They aren't necessarily mentioned at information nights.

Accelerated learning programs (the terms DCPS likes to use rather than gifted) are rapidly expanding at the elementary schools that feed into Deal, so we should see many more kids ready for, and doing, 7th grade algebra within the next few years.

Does any other DCPS middle school teach 7th grade algebra, or definitely plan to? So if you're not in-bounds for Deal, you're out of luck if your kid is very good at math/motivated to take on math challenges?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deal could certainly be doing a better job advertising its singularly challenging math programs. I can understand why parents would report having a hard time finding out about them. They aren't necessarily mentioned at information nights.

Accelerated learning programs (the terms DCPS likes to use rather than gifted) are rapidly expanding at the elementary schools that feed into Deal, so we should see many more kids ready for, and doing, 7th grade algebra within the next few years.

Does any other DCPS middle school teach 7th grade algebra, or definitely plan to? So if you're not in-bounds for Deal, you're out of luck if your kid is very good at math/motivated to take on math challenges?

This is not true. Deal's math program has been discussed at every information session I attended - at the school and at my feeder school. There is even a graphic that explains the math classes that students can take in each grade. Course outlines for every grade are posted on the website. It is not hard to get the information about it at all.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I should leave well enough alone and not interfere with positive Deal buzz, but I really don't think we should be content with this minimal tracking.

My kid tells me that several students in her 6th grade pre-algebra class are struggling. Although the class initially moved quickly, I hear they're now spending much more time reviewing. It sounds to me like this "advanced" math program should have been more selective to begin with.

Overall, I'm happy with Deal, but still would have liked to see more targeted and unapologetic investment in the school's high students. It bothers me a little that the administration is so opposed on philosophical grounds, and I think the one concession they make in math is not an *unqualified* success.

[Anonymous]

Deal is a great school and my DC loves it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deal could certainly be doing a better job advertising its singularly challenging math programs. I can understand why parents would report having a hard time finding out about them. They aren't necessarily mentioned at information nights.

Accelerated learning programs (the terms DCPS likes to use rather than gifted) are rapidly expanding at the elementary schools that feed into Deal, so we should see many more kids ready for, and doing, 7th grade algebra within the next few years.

Does any other DCPS middle school teach 7th grade algebra, or definitely plan to? So if you're not in-bounds for Deal, you're out of luck if your kid is very good at math/motivated to take on math challenges?

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