IAAT test no longer required for Algebra 1 honors

[Anonymous]

Hi All ,
Just got the message from one of our friend . I also checked FCPS website
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/advanced-academic-programs-aap/middle/honors-grades-7-8
Did anyone received any email from your kids school? . Why was this decision not made before taking test . Im totally exasperated.

[Anonymous]

If you're upset that your kid took an algebra test, you're going to have a bad time when the kid takes algebra.

[Anonymous]

I'm not upset because DD took the test . After writing the test the board came up with a great idea of nullifying it . Do you think any parent would be happy about it ?

[Anonymous]

Teacher here we underwent rigorous training since the test was changed from paper to online . Such a waste of time and resources. Someone in the board should be held accountable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi All ,
Just got the message from one of our friend . I also checked FCPS website
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/advanced-academic-programs-aap/middle/honors-grades-7-8
Did anyone received any email from your kids school? . Why was this decision not made before taking test . Im totally exasperated.

Exasperated, we never be. IAAT was always an irrelevant test: should not have been in the decision tree at all. Public school does its own thing, and as a parent you should do what's best for your DC. In the end, student benefits more from what the parent does for them than what the public school can do for them.

[Anonymous]

At this point it’s not about the test . It’s about the decision and not communicating with parents . In my kids school half of the kids didn’t take it due to flu and they are yet to decide on the date for taking up the test . So will they be asked to write it ? Yet to receive the communication from teacher

[Anonymous]

People get upset because they test=prep their kid for it.

[Anonymous]

Looks like someone finally figured out there are laws against one assessment being used for placement.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a bad idea. We are going to see more kids in algebra 1 H in 7th that are not a good fit for it. For kids “advanced but not tip top” it is a pretty hard class. DS got whatever was needed on the Iowa test to take it in 7th and did. In hindsight I wish we had told him no despite that. Without having that benchmark as a signal though more kids will take it and likely not be ready for its pace.

[Anonymous]

Guess this is what happens when people complain about having a high bar.

You got what you asked for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like someone finally figured out there are laws against one assessment being used for placement.

Your statement is factually wrong. They had 3 assessments in place. IAAT, SOL, and grades. Kids with borderline scores on the SOL or the IAAT have been allowed to take Algebra 1 H in 7th grade. People on this board have reported that they heard from the MS that their child had the opportunity to take Algebra 1 H even though they did not hit the mark on all of the tests. Someone posted about emails from Carson that did just that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is a bad idea. We are going to see more kids in algebra 1 H in 7th that are not a good fit for it. For kids “advanced but not tip top” it is a pretty hard class. DS got whatever was needed on the Iowa test to take it in 7th and did. In hindsight I wish we had told him no despite that. Without having that benchmark as a signal though more kids will take it and likely not be ready for its pace.

I believe that I read that they were going to allow for 7th graders to take Algebra and not require Algebra H in 7th grade. Right now, 8th graders can choose between Algebra and Algebra H, 8th graders had to take Algebra H

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like someone finally figured out there are laws against one assessment being used for placement.

Your statement is factually wrong. They had 3 assessments in place. IAAT, SOL, and grades. Kids with borderline scores on the SOL or the IAAT have been allowed to take Algebra 1 H in 7th grade. People on this board have reported that they heard from the MS that their child had the opportunity to take Algebra 1 H even though they did not hit the mark on all of the tests. Someone posted about emails from Carson that did just that.

Yes 💯 true ! . If your kids are in border on any of those still you kids can get in being said that there is no point in cancelling out a test that’s already been taken .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guess this is what happens when people complain about having a high bar.

You got what you asked for.

Or this is about the push from Reid to get more kids in Algebra 1 by 8th. Lower the bar, lower the bar, lower the bar, including lowering the bar for 7th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guess this is what happens when people complain about having a high bar.

You got what you asked for.

Or this is about the push from Reid to get more kids in Algebra 1 by 8th. Lower the bar, lower the bar, lower the bar, including lowering the bar for 7th.

I suspect that this change is to try and stop the complaints from the parents who want their kids in Algebra 1 H in 7th grade that did not meet the thresholds. I feel bad for the Algebra teachers next year because there are going to be more struggling kids in the class.