What the 6th grade math options in AAP

[Anonymous]

My DC is in 5th grade AAP, so currently taking “6th grade” math. DC is doing really well in Math (99% on the MAP), and loves it, but is not always super challenged.

Next year DC will be in 6th grade still in AAP. What will be the options for math?

[Anonymous]

In FCPS, for AAP kids the options are Algebra 1 (need to test in) and Math 7th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In FCPS, for AAP kids the options are Algebra 1 (need to test in) and Math 7th.

What are the tests to test into Algebra 1?

[Anonymous]

I thought only a handful of schools are doing the pilot. Will more have Algebra 1 next year in 6th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought only a handful of schools are doing the pilot. Will more have Algebra 1 next year in 6th grade?

No one knows.

[Anonymous]

my 5th grader scored 99% on every iready/map and perfect on SOLs and this wasn’t brought up to do algebra in 6th. i think standard AAP is pre algebra unless you’re at a pilot school for algebra in 6th

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought only a handful of schools are doing the pilot. Will more have Algebra 1 next year in 6th grade?

Yes. Every elementary school has to have a certified algebra 1 teacher next year. They are running evening cohort classes to get teachers certified; teachers are supposed to be taking the praxis for algebra 1 by summer.

The "up in the air" question is whether it will be a dedicated class, a split class, an online class with a certified teacher to support, etc. In a year of even more budget cuts, I cannot see a dedicated algebra 1 teacher at a school where only 3 or 4 kids qualify, but the logistics haven't been confirmed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my 5th grader scored 99% on every iready/map and perfect on SOLs and this wasn’t brought up to do algebra in 6th. i think standard AAP is pre algebra unless you’re at a pilot school for algebra in 6th

Next year all schools will have it in some form.

[Anonymous]

Just offer it at all centers and kids who want to take it need to move to the center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just offer it at all centers and kids who want to take it need to move to the center.

This would be so logical. I cannot for the life of me understand why this isn't the plan. The buses already run, it would be a zero cost decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought only a handful of schools are doing the pilot. Will more have Algebra 1 next year in 6th grade?

It is supposed to be available at all schools next year. The issue will become the schools with only 5 or so kids will probably do online while schools with 16 or so kids will have a teacher in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just offer it at all centers and kids who want to take it need to move to the center.

This would be so logical. I cannot for the life of me understand why this isn't the plan. The buses already run, it would be a zero cost decision.

Then what is the point of local level 4? Honestly, I looked up our center school and the majority are taking 7th grade math. I assumed there would have been a very large cohort but it only ended up being pretty small.

[Anonymous]

What is the rush? A good teacher will challenge your kid and give them extensions. I am certified to teach Algebra and have been doing extensions all year? So they are getting a lot of challenging content but not in a high stakes environment of a high school credit class. A lot of parents don’t think about the long term effects on starting Algebra in 6th. What will it look like senior year for them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the rush? A good teacher will challenge your kid and give them extensions. I am certified to teach Algebra and have been doing extensions all year? So they are getting a lot of challenging content but not in a high stakes environment of a high school credit class. A lot of parents don’t think about the long term effects on starting Algebra in 6th. What will it look like senior year for them?

We are are at a center, my 5th child has 99% IQ(2E), 99% in I ready and maps too, loves math and is good at it.

At our school 20+ kids are taking Algebra 1 in 6th this year (almost half of the AAP 6th grade class).

Child knows who are the kids that excel at math. I believe there will be a confidence impact if child is not with the higher math group in 6th because they know and want to do higher level math. I wish it wasn’t an option at all.

[Anonymous]

There are literal studies showing kids getting into top 50 schools need remedial math. Makes you wonder is it because they rushed through it? Kids should not be taking the majority of their high school math in ES/Middle School. IMO this push is ridiculous and will not be as successful as they think. They will be compacting math so AAP 6th is pretty much 8th grade math so they can all jump into Algebra in 7th.