7th Grade Algebra

[Anonymous]

We are in the midwest in a good but not great school district. Students are allowed to take algebra in 7th if they have an A in advanced math, if they score in the 95th percentile or higher on the state test, and if they score in the 95th percentile or higher on the IAAT (Iowa test). My daughter was invited to take the Iowa test after she met the first two prongs of eligibility. She had the flu the day she was tested, called to come home immediately after the test (I did not realize in the morning she was sick, because she goes off on the bus before I get up). She ended up scoring in the 93rd percentile. I want her to just take regular 7th grade advanced math. Her teacher gave the kids a chance to say if they were not feeling well, and she did not speak up. She is ADHD, is super shy and doesn't have the best executive function or work habit skills. DH and she want to fight to get into algebra. She has a knack for math but is not a math genius, is not in the "gifted" program, and does not independently work on math (but she does do Math Counts club). DH has a very strong math background (including post-BC calc) and said he would help her. What do you all think?

[Anonymous]

I say yes. Odds are she would have gotten in the 95th percentile or higher had she not been sick. You don't need to be a math genius to do well in algebra 1. But why didn't she speak up when the teacher asked?

[Anonymous]

The bar here is 91st percentile on the IAAT and pass advanced on the 7th grade SOL.

You said you are in the Midwest, so I am assuming that you are not in a FCPS school right now. That would mean that she is not in Advanced Math here to take the SOL. The IAAT score would meet one of the two bars in FCPS. She should have the choice between 7th Honors and Algebra 1 H. One thing to consider might be that Algebra Honors in 7th grade is a high school level class. If she is moving to the area and joining a new school, she might feel a bit more stressed about a lot of things which might impact her grades initially.

I would suggest reaching out to the Middle School that you think you will be moving too as soon as you buy a house and ask to talk to a Counselor and see what they say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bar here is 91st percentile on the IAAT and pass advanced on the 7th grade SOL.

You said you are in the Midwest, so I am assuming that you are not in a FCPS school right now. That would mean that she is not in Advanced Math here to take the SOL. The IAAT score would meet one of the two bars in FCPS. She should have the choice between 7th Honors and Algebra 1 H. One thing to consider might be that Algebra Honors in 7th grade is a high school level class. If she is moving to the area and joining a new school, she might feel a bit more stressed about a lot of things which might impact her grades initially.

I would suggest reaching out to the Middle School that you think you will be moving too as soon as you buy a house and ask to talk to a Counselor and see what they say.

This. FCPS assured us that the bar they set means kids do well in Algebra 1 Honors, but kids who don't clear that bar generally won't do well. You want to be sure your kid is in a good place to start the high school transcript off strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bar here is 91st percentile on the IAAT and pass advanced on the 7th grade SOL.

You said you are in the Midwest, so I am assuming that you are not in a FCPS school right now. That would mean that she is not in Advanced Math here to take the SOL. The IAAT score would meet one of the two bars in FCPS. She should have the choice between 7th Honors and Algebra 1 H. One thing to consider might be that Algebra Honors in 7th grade is a high school level class. If she is moving to the area and joining a new school, she might feel a bit more stressed about a lot of things which might impact her grades initially.

I would suggest reaching out to the Middle School that you think you will be moving too as soon as you buy a house and ask to talk to a Counselor and see what they say.

Thanks. We are not moving, just deciding whether to push for algebra in our home district. Here they use the 5th grade state test results, so she already met that bar. I'm just thinking that as a high school class, she will need to be better able to advocate for herself, self-direct her studying, not zone out in class, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bar here is 91st percentile on the IAAT and pass advanced on the 7th grade SOL.

You said you are in the Midwest, so I am assuming that you are not in a FCPS school right now. That would mean that she is not in Advanced Math here to take the SOL. The IAAT score would meet one of the two bars in FCPS. She should have the choice between 7th Honors and Algebra 1 H. One thing to consider might be that Algebra Honors in 7th grade is a high school level class. If she is moving to the area and joining a new school, she might feel a bit more stressed about a lot of things which might impact her grades initially.

I would suggest reaching out to the Middle School that you think you will be moving too as soon as you buy a house and ask to talk to a Counselor and see what they say.

Thanks. We are not moving, just deciding whether to push for algebra in our home district. Here they use the 5th grade state test results, so she already met that bar. I'm just thinking that as a high school class, she will need to be better able to advocate for herself, self-direct her studying, not zone out in class, etc.

If she likes or even ok with math, just let her do it, can always drop back.

[Anonymous]

What is her score on a practice or official Mathcounts test, and at what level (School or Chapter), from this year (6th grade).

Alternatively, what other scores does she have on prealgebra tests you can find online? Try Khan Academy course challenges, ArtOfProblemSolving.com diagnostic tests like this one:

https://data.artofproblemsolving.com/course-docs/diagnostics/prealgebra1-posttest.pdf

[Anonymous]

Algebra 1 isn't a "high school class". It's the next class in a sequence. You can take it whenever you are ready, and half of students take it in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Algebra 1 is pretty typical for a smarter kid around here. I would have her take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say yes. Odds are she would have gotten in the 95th percentile or higher had she not been sick. You don't need to be a math genius to do well in algebra 1. But why didn't she speak up when the teacher asked?

+1

[Anonymous]

In fx county you need to score 91st percentile or above. 93 is higher than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In fx county you need to score 91st percentile or above. 93 is higher than that.

Congrats, you're ready for algebra class!

[Anonymous]

I would put her in it. If she consistently demonstrates she is strong math student and typically scores well, she should be fine. She may need some follow-up at home to make sure she is completely assignments daily, but you are likely doing that anyway (in regards to adhd)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 1 isn't a "high school class". It's the next class in a sequence. You can take it whenever you are ready, and half of students take it in middle school.

Algebra is a HS level class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 1 isn't a "high school class". It's the next class in a sequence. You can take it whenever you are ready, and half of students take it in middle school.

False.

Anyone who supports equity, inclusion, and diversity must also agree no student lower than 9th grade should be allowed to take algebra.