Math options upper elementary

[Anonymous]

I know there is advanced math
But is there another math option in 5th or 6th grade? I keep hearing about taking algebra and SOLs.

[Anonymous]

In FCPS, if you score a 91% on the Iowa and 500+ on the grade 7 SOL (which means you are in AAP in 6th grade and taking 7th grade math) then you qualify to take Algebra I in 7th grade. I haven’t heard of Algebra in 6th but maybe that’s a thing for a handful of super smart kids or outside of FCPS?

[Anonymous]

Kids coming from private school may be able to skip to algebra/geometry if parents show that DC already took pre algebra/algebra in private school.

[Anonymous]

In FCPS, kids can skip up to 6th grade math while in 5th (and on a path for Algebra in 6th) if they meet all of the following:
-575+ on 4th grade math SOL
-145+ on CogAT Q
-teacher recommendation
-passing score on other testing given by central admin
-having a principal willing to let kids be on this accelerated path.

[Anonymous]

Very few kids skip to Algebra in 6th grade or younger. The SOL numbers put it under 30 kids a year. Most kids will be in Advanced Math/Level IV or regular math. Kids can test into Algebra 1 in 7th grade with a score on the 91st percentile on the IAAT and passing advanced on the 7th grade SOL taken in 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

I don't think Algebra in 6th is necessary. Give your children a break!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids coming from private school may be able to skip to algebra/geometry if parents show that DC already took pre algebra/algebra in private school.

Does this apply to homeschoolers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Algebra in 6th is necessary. Give your children a break!!

It's not being offered to kids who are being pushed and need a break. It's only offered to kids who are bored out of their minds and could use a little more challenge. FCPS is not unreasonable with their acceleration paths. Only around 30 kids per year are accelerated into 6th grade algebra, which is appropriate given the size of the student body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Algebra in 6th is necessary. Give your children a break!!

It's not being offered to kids who are being pushed and need a break. It's only offered to kids who are bored out of their minds and could use a little more challenge. FCPS is not unreasonable with their acceleration paths. Only around 30 kids per year are accelerated into 6th grade algebra, which is appropriate given the size of the student body.

About the same number in Loudoun.

[Anonymous]

I’ve had one kid who qualified for double acceleration in 5th. They have to have 575 on their 3rd AND 4th SOLs along with the 145+ COGAT and another content assessment. This kid breezed through 7th grade math as a 5th grader (top of the 6th advanced class he was working with), took algebra in 6th, and in 8th he was taking precalc at the high school. (Not sure how he got both geometry and algebra II knocked out in 7th— summer study?)

This was the most mathematically brilliant kid I’ve had in my career (20+ years). I’ve had other kids I thought could have handled the double acceleration, but the requirements are SO stringent it’s almost impossible to meet them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had one kid who qualified for double acceleration in 5th. They have to have 575 on their 3rd AND 4th SOLs along with the 145+ COGAT and another content assessment. This kid breezed through 7th grade math as a 5th grader (top of the 6th advanced class he was working with), took algebra in 6th, and in 8th he was taking precalc at the high school. (Not sure how he got both geometry and algebra II knocked out in 7th— summer study?)

This was the most mathematically brilliant kid I’ve had in my career (20+ years). I’ve had other kids I thought could have handled the double acceleration, but the requirements are SO stringent it’s almost impossible to meet them.

Looks like they're excessively stringent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had one kid who qualified for double acceleration in 5th. They have to have 575 on their 3rd AND 4th SOLs along with the 145+ COGAT and another content assessment. This kid breezed through 7th grade math as a 5th grader (top of the 6th advanced class he was working with), took algebra in 6th, and in 8th he was taking precalc at the high school. (Not sure how he got both geometry and algebra II knocked out in 7th— summer study?)

This was the most mathematically brilliant kid I’ve had in my career (20+ years). I’ve had other kids I thought could have handled the double acceleration, but the requirements are SO stringent it’s almost impossible to meet them.

Looks like they're excessively stringent.

Not really. The one child I know that got the extra acceleration (150+ COGAT, perfect scores on every SOL) really struggled with the classroom aspect of the class. Because it’s a small handful of young kids in a classroom full of significantly older kids, it introduces other stressors. She’s stopping math entirely after she completes her 4 years of HS math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had one kid who qualified for double acceleration in 5th. They have to have 575 on their 3rd AND 4th SOLs along with the 145+ COGAT and another content assessment. This kid breezed through 7th grade math as a 5th grader (top of the 6th advanced class he was working with), took algebra in 6th, and in 8th he was taking precalc at the high school. (Not sure how he got both geometry and algebra II knocked out in 7th— summer study?)

This was the most mathematically brilliant kid I’ve had in my career (20+ years). I’ve had other kids I thought could have handled the double acceleration, but the requirements are SO stringent it’s almost impossible to meet them.

Looks like they're excessively stringent.

Not really. The one child I know that got the extra acceleration (150+ COGAT, perfect scores on every SOL) really struggled with the classroom aspect of the class. Because it’s a small handful of young kids in a classroom full of significantly older kids, it introduces other stressors. She’s stopping math entirely after she completes her 4 years of HS math.

Sounds she would have done better in a larger cohort of similarly aged kids. I wonder how that could happen...

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader is in precalc and I regret allowing this much acceleration. It is so much work. It was pretty smooth sailing until this year. I feel like their maturity and executive function does not match the work level. We will slow down and repeat it next year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had one kid who qualified for double acceleration in 5th. They have to have 575 on their 3rd AND 4th SOLs along with the 145+ COGAT and another content assessment. This kid breezed through 7th grade math as a 5th grader (top of the 6th advanced class he was working with), took algebra in 6th, and in 8th he was taking precalc at the high school. (Not sure how he got both geometry and algebra II knocked out in 7th— summer study?)

This was the most mathematically brilliant kid I’ve had in my career (20+ years). I’ve had other kids I thought could have handled the double acceleration, but the requirements are SO stringent it’s almost impossible to meet them.

Looks like they're excessively stringent.

Not really. The one child I know that got the extra acceleration (150+ COGAT, perfect scores on every SOL) really struggled with the classroom aspect of the class. Because it’s a small handful of young kids in a classroom full of significantly older kids, it introduces other stressors. She’s stopping math entirely after she completes her 4 years of HS math.

This is a myth. Younger kids are perfectly fine being in a classroom with others who are older. The main issues have to do with not being ready to learn the material, not with the class composition.