Algebra in 6th grade in LCPS

[Anonymous]

We are getting conflicting advice on whether 6th graders in LCPS can take Algebra next year. My son’s 5th grade teacher said that it’s an option for those who make the cutoff on the pre-Algebra assessment test and another test. But it appears that the current LCPS Middle School Mathematics Course Selection Process guideline deleted this option some time after yesterday morning. Does anyone know for sure what is going on? LCPS students received their scores on the pre-Algebra assessment test yesterday, but it’s not clear to us what the score represents. (It doesn’t seem to be in percentile.)

[Anonymous]

It’s not necessary.

[Anonymous]

Students who score 90% are supposed to be notified that they are eligible for algebra. Students below 90% can appeal to the gifted coordinator, I think Wendy King, and cc the principal. These students if approved based on SOL and MAP will be given IAAT.

What document are you looking at? I see a 2022-2023 document, that also does not have algebra 1 in 6th grade listed, but this did happen for students last year, with more than 10 students taking algebra across the county, up from 3 the year before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Students who score 90% are supposed to be notified that they are eligible for algebra. Students below 90% can appeal to the gifted coordinator, I think Wendy King, and cc the principal. These students if approved based on SOL and MAP will be given IAAT.

What document are you looking at? I see a 2022-2023 document, that also does not have algebra 1 in 6th grade listed, but this did happen for students last year, with more than 10 students taking algebra across the county, up from 3 the year before.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m3FclZTYeH03SFjF9mDaDJNRgjQ4BDJ7n3M-lmj2_jE/edit
This document lists 6th grade algebra after two assessments, but I am told that 90% on the first can be enough to skip the 2nd assessment.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the replies/link. The 2023-2024 document (or a variation of it) was what I saw online Friday morning, but it appears that it has been replaced with the 2022-2023 document without the applicable option. We were advised that if a student scored over 90% on the pre-Algebra assessment test, (s)he would still need to take another test to qualify for Algebra. Someone on another thread in this forum said that you have to appeal for consideration even if a student makes the cutoff. The process isn’t completely transparent to us and parents are told different things. Thus, there seems to be a disconnect / misinformation.

[Anonymous]

I got that 2023-24 document from the LCPS website after seeing your post, so I don't know where you saw it was replaced by 2022-2023.

The appeal is available if you do not make the cutoff.
This process has been changing so many adminstrators might not be aware of the process. I suspect might be against oit too.
I am personally familiar with students who took 6th grade algebra this year. Some appealed, some were accepted after the pre-algebra test, and some had to take a 2nd test despite scoring over 90%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got that 2023-24 document from the LCPS website after seeing your post, so I don't know where you saw it was replaced by 2022-2023.

The appeal is available if you do not make the cutoff.
This process has been changing so many adminstrators might not be aware of the process. I suspect might be against oit too.
I am personally familiar with students who took 6th grade algebra this year. Some appealed, some were accepted after the pre-algebra test, and some had to take a 2nd test despite scoring over 90%.

Thank you so much! This is helpful. I now see the 2023-2024 document on the LCPS website and will follow up with my son’s school to confirm the next step.