Can a sixth grader take algebra 1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

AIM is 7th and half of 8th and the other half will be thought along with Algebra.

Just chiming in to add:
This year’s incoming 6th graders did not learn the last 1/3 of 3rd grade math in spring 2020 because of the pandemic. They also had up to 40 percent of compacted math 4/5 condensed or omitted because of virtual learning and no school Wednesdays. They had the majority of compacted 5/6 with just one Eureka module omitted. I personally think skipping math 7 & math 8 for these kids who skipped lots of foundational math the last 3 years is a bit problematic. My child has an astronomically high MAP score in spite of these omissions too, but I feel as though doing all kinds of skipping is going to leave him with some big gaps. I’m not in a race or a competition with anyone and he does complain of boredom in math, but he might be bored in Algebra too.

That's not really true. Our school covered the complete curriculum. I get that some schools where students slacked off didn't do as well, but try not including everyone in these blanket pronouncements.

I’m sorry but blaming students for slacking off is patently ridiculous. Teachers were not allowed to cover new content on Wednesdays per the contract with the teachers union. There are pacing guidelines from central office that teachers and schools are supposed to follow. If your school went outside these guidelines and disregarded the union contract and taught on Wednesdays, etc. then I believe you, but that is not what happened in the majority of schools and was certainly not related to whether students were or were not slacking.

Our school taught most of the curriculum too. They just did things faster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

AIM is 7th and half of 8th and the other half will be thought along with Algebra.

Just chiming in to add:
This year’s incoming 6th graders did not learn the last 1/3 of 3rd grade math in spring 2020 because of the pandemic. They also had up to 40 percent of compacted math 4/5 condensed or omitted because of virtual learning and no school Wednesdays. They had the majority of compacted 5/6 with just one Eureka module omitted. I personally think skipping math 7 & math 8 for these kids who skipped lots of foundational math the last 3 years is a bit problematic. My child has an astronomically high MAP score in spite of these omissions too, but I feel as though doing all kinds of skipping is going to leave him with some big gaps. I’m not in a race or a competition with anyone and he does complain of boredom in math, but he might be bored in Algebra too.

That's not really true. Our school covered the complete curriculum. I get that some schools where students slacked off didn't do as well, but try not including everyone in these blanket pronouncements.

I’m sorry but blaming students for slacking off is patently ridiculous. Teachers were not allowed to cover new content on Wednesdays per the contract with the teachers union. There are pacing guidelines from central office that teachers and schools are supposed to follow. If your school went outside these guidelines and disregarded the union contract and taught on Wednesdays, etc. then I believe you, but that is not what happened in the majority of schools and was certainly not related to whether students were or were not slacking.

I'm also sorry but blaming teachers because your kids couldn't be bothered is also not right.

Kids couldn’t be bothered to what? Show up to a zoom that didn’t exist? Self teach modules that weren’t provided to them that they didn’t even know were omitted? You sound insane.

As a parent, we monitored what was going on, and filled in where needed. Did you do that? Or, just complain?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

No clue, but when I asked, I was told that my 6th grader who scored over 300 on their MAP-M was not eligible for 6th-grade algebra because they hadn't taken AIM in 5th. It wasn't offered at our school.

I feel for you. It should not be the parent's fault for not having a house in affluent school zones nor parent's fault for reluctancy in advocating for their kids, yet this kid apparently needs a leg-up. It's the system that's sick.

I guess I feel the county should provide the same opportunities to rich and poor alike.

Some "poor" schools are offering Algebra in 6th. Its the "rich" families complaining.

So Frost and Cold Spring are poor? I thought they had <5% FARMS?

Are you not comprehending that its not just the richer schools with low farms that are offering Algebra in 6th. Some high farms MS are offering it as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never understood why different schools are allowed to provide different math pathways. This has been going on quite a while and it has never made sense. It is also not based on "rich" vs. "poor" schools. It has to do with principals I'm guessing.

One option if your kid would like to accelerate is to take geometry and algebra II together in middle school. My kids went to Newport Mill (would not let 6th graders in algebra--to my knowledge), but I definitely knew a few kids who doubled up geometry and algebra II. Newport is co-located with Einstein, so it's easier to make that schedule work.

I don’t understand why some middle schoolers must take a foreign language in 6th and others are allowed to start in 7th and take both music and art in 6th. Or why some schools have two foreign language options and others have four, when there is no mechanism besides home address to determine these inequitable pathways and opportunities. It’s like what we taught in preschool. If you’re going to share a snack, you need to have enough for everyone who wants.

Staffing issues, including not being able to find teachers to teach the variety of languages. Our school tried to expand their language offerings and couldn't find teachers to teach it. They asked us last year what languages we'd be interested in. The other issue is having enough students to fill the classes at each individual school. You can lottery into some schools so there is some school choice. When kids are taking music and art in 6th some schools have 8 periods, not 7 which makes it easier to fit in a language and electives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

No clue, but when I asked, I was told that my 6th grader who scored over 300 on their MAP-M was not eligible for 6th-grade algebra because they hadn't taken AIM in 5th. It wasn't offered at our school.

I feel for you. It should not be the parent's fault for not having a house in affluent school zones nor parent's fault for reluctancy in advocating for their kids, yet this kid apparently needs a leg-up. It's the system that's sick.

I guess I feel the county should provide the same opportunities to rich and poor alike.

Some "poor" schools are offering Algebra in 6th. Its the "rich" families complaining.

So Frost and Cold Spring are poor? I thought they had <5% FARMS?

Are you not comprehending that its not just the richer schools with low farms that are offering Algebra in 6th. Some high farms MS are offering it as well.

Name them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

No clue, but when I asked, I was told that my 6th grader who scored over 300 on their MAP-M was not eligible for 6th-grade algebra because they hadn't taken AIM in 5th. It wasn't offered at our school.

I feel for you. It should not be the parent's fault for not having a house in affluent school zones nor parent's fault for reluctancy in advocating for their kids, yet this kid apparently needs a leg-up. It's the system that's sick.

I guess I feel the county should provide the same opportunities to rich and poor alike.

Some "poor" schools are offering Algebra in 6th. Its the "rich" families complaining.

So Frost and Cold Spring are poor? I thought they had <5% FARMS?

Are you not comprehending that its not just the richer schools with low farms that are offering Algebra in 6th. Some high farms MS are offering it as well.

Name them.

Eastern MS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never understood why different schools are allowed to provide different math pathways. This has been going on quite a while and it has never made sense. It is also not based on "rich" vs. "poor" schools. It has to do with principals I'm guessing.

One option if your kid would like to accelerate is to take geometry and algebra II together in middle school. My kids went to Newport Mill (would not let 6th graders in algebra--to my knowledge), but I definitely knew a few kids who doubled up geometry and algebra II. Newport is co-located with Einstein, so it's easier to make that schedule work.

I don’t understand why some middle schoolers must take a foreign language in 6th and others are allowed to start in 7th and take both music and art in 6th. Or why some schools have two foreign language options and others have four, when there is no mechanism besides home address to determine these inequitable pathways and opportunities. It’s like what we taught in preschool. If you’re going to share a snack, you need to have enough for everyone who wants.

You are responding to me, and I completely agree with you. Don't even get me started about foreign languages. There is no rhyme or reason as to how mcps decides to offer foreign languages at the high school level. I assume that language offerings in MS are dictated by what languages are offered at their feeder HS, so, MS language offerings are not the same at each MS. If your kid is at an IB middle school, they will be told they have to take a foreign language in 6th (unless they are not on grade level). Some people love this, others don't. I know from friends that non-IB middles schools vary in how much they encourage 6th graders to start a language.

You don't have to take a foriegn language in 6th or even in MS. Some kids don't.

I think you don’t know what you are talking about because your school is different, which is the point we are trying to make which is the offerings and requirements vary wildly by school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

No clue, but when I asked, I was told that my 6th grader who scored over 300 on their MAP-M was not eligible for 6th-grade algebra because they hadn't taken AIM in 5th. It wasn't offered at our school.

I feel for you. It should not be the parent's fault for not having a house in affluent school zones nor parent's fault for reluctancy in advocating for their kids, yet this kid apparently needs a leg-up. It's the system that's sick.

I guess I feel the county should provide the same opportunities to rich and poor alike.

Some "poor" schools are offering Algebra in 6th. Its the "rich" families complaining.

So Frost and Cold Spring are poor? I thought they had <5% FARMS?

Are you not comprehending that its not just the richer schools with low farms that are offering Algebra in 6th. Some high farms MS are offering it as well.

Name them.

Eastern MS

Is it offered only to the magnet kids or to the zoned students as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

No clue, but when I asked, I was told that my 6th grader who scored over 300 on their MAP-M was not eligible for 6th-grade algebra because they hadn't taken AIM in 5th. It wasn't offered at our school.

I feel for you. It should not be the parent's fault for not having a house in affluent school zones nor parent's fault for reluctancy in advocating for their kids, yet this kid apparently needs a leg-up. It's the system that's sick.

I guess I feel the county should provide the same opportunities to rich and poor alike.

Some "poor" schools are offering Algebra in 6th. Its the "rich" families complaining.

So Frost and Cold Spring are poor? I thought they had <5% FARMS?

Are you not comprehending that its not just the richer schools with low farms that are offering Algebra in 6th. Some high farms MS are offering it as well.

Name them.

Eastern MS

That is a terrible example because Eastern is a receiving school for kids from the affluent part of the county who attended schools that offered aim in 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

No clue, but when I asked, I was told that my 6th grader who scored over 300 on their MAP-M was not eligible for 6th-grade algebra because they hadn't taken AIM in 5th. It wasn't offered at our school.

I feel for you. It should not be the parent's fault for not having a house in affluent school zones nor parent's fault for reluctancy in advocating for their kids, yet this kid apparently needs a leg-up. It's the system that's sick.

I guess I feel the county should provide the same opportunities to rich and poor alike.

Some "poor" schools are offering Algebra in 6th. Its the "rich" families complaining.

So Frost and Cold Spring are poor? I thought they had <5% FARMS?

Are you not comprehending that its not just the richer schools with low farms that are offering Algebra in 6th. Some high farms MS are offering it as well.

Name them.

Eastern MS

I'm guessing Eastern like TPMS will allow only kids whose wealthy ES offered AIM in 5th. In general, this just seems to be a thing for the rich schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

No clue, but when I asked, I was told that my 6th grader who scored over 300 on their MAP-M was not eligible for 6th-grade algebra because they hadn't taken AIM in 5th. It wasn't offered at our school.

I feel for you. It should not be the parent's fault for not having a house in affluent school zones nor parent's fault for reluctancy in advocating for their kids, yet this kid apparently needs a leg-up. It's the system that's sick.

I guess I feel the county should provide the same opportunities to rich and poor alike.

Some "poor" schools are offering Algebra in 6th. Its the "rich" families complaining.

So Frost and Cold Spring are poor? I thought they had <5% FARMS?

Are you not comprehending that its not just the richer schools with low farms that are offering Algebra in 6th. Some high farms MS are offering it as well.

Name them.

Eastern MS

I'm guessing Eastern like TPMS will allow only kids whose wealthy ES offered AIM in 5th. In general, this just seems to be a thing for the rich schools.

I think people are pushing back because MOST of the rich schools do not allow Algebra in 6th grade. My guess is that it is not "rich" schools, it is schools with a high population of a certain demographic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

No clue, but when I asked, I was told that my 6th grader who scored over 300 on their MAP-M was not eligible for 6th-grade algebra because they hadn't taken AIM in 5th. It wasn't offered at our school.

I feel for you. It should not be the parent's fault for not having a house in affluent school zones nor parent's fault for reluctancy in advocating for their kids, yet this kid apparently needs a leg-up. It's the system that's sick.

I guess I feel the county should provide the same opportunities to rich and poor alike.

Some "poor" schools are offering Algebra in 6th. Its the "rich" families complaining.

So Frost and Cold Spring are poor? I thought they had <5% FARMS?

Are you not comprehending that its not just the richer schools with low farms that are offering Algebra in 6th. Some high farms MS are offering it as well.

Name them.

Figure it out yourself. It doesn't matter as you'd never send your kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never understood why different schools are allowed to provide different math pathways. This has been going on quite a while and it has never made sense. It is also not based on "rich" vs. "poor" schools. It has to do with principals I'm guessing.

One option if your kid would like to accelerate is to take geometry and algebra II together in middle school. My kids went to Newport Mill (would not let 6th graders in algebra--to my knowledge), but I definitely knew a few kids who doubled up geometry and algebra II. Newport is co-located with Einstein, so it's easier to make that schedule work.

I don’t understand why some middle schoolers must take a foreign language in 6th and others are allowed to start in 7th and take both music and art in 6th. Or why some schools have two foreign language options and others have four, when there is no mechanism besides home address to determine these inequitable pathways and opportunities. It’s like what we taught in preschool. If you’re going to share a snack, you need to have enough for everyone who wants.

You are responding to me, and I completely agree with you. Don't even get me started about foreign languages. There is no rhyme or reason as to how mcps decides to offer foreign languages at the high school level. I assume that language offerings in MS are dictated by what languages are offered at their feeder HS, so, MS language offerings are not the same at each MS. If your kid is at an IB middle school, they will be told they have to take a foreign language in 6th (unless they are not on grade level). Some people love this, others don't. I know from friends that non-IB middles schools vary in how much they encourage 6th graders to start a language.

You don't have to take a foriegn language in 6th or even in MS. Some kids don't.

I think you don’t know what you are talking about because your school is different, which is the point we are trying to make which is the offerings and requirements vary wildly by school.

The offerings do wildly vary but there is zero requirement to take it in 6th grade. There is a requirement for high school graduation but that different. No school requires it in 6th, they just encourage it.

[Anonymous]

I really don’t understand why this subtopic brings out the nastiest nasties on dcum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have read all 7 pages of posts, and those against acceleration keep saying it’s too much math by the time you get to high school. Whiles Some are saying what about advocating for your kids acceleration.
Why can’t mcps embrace the kids talent and push them more in math so that they are challenged and continue to thrive. Forget about what MIGHT happen at high school level, what about NOW why can’t they be challenged now instead placed in a boring low level math class. Shouldn’t parents advocate for there children so they can learn and thrive and not develop a boredom in school for low level math classes. On a separate note, Isn’t AIM like a review of just 5 and 6 grade math?

No clue, but when I asked, I was told that my 6th grader who scored over 300 on their MAP-M was not eligible for 6th-grade algebra because they hadn't taken AIM in 5th. It wasn't offered at our school.

I feel for you. It should not be the parent's fault for not having a house in affluent school zones nor parent's fault for reluctancy in advocating for their kids, yet this kid apparently needs a leg-up. It's the system that's sick.

I guess I feel the county should provide the same opportunities to rich and poor alike.

Some "poor" schools are offering Algebra in 6th. Its the "rich" families complaining.

So Frost and Cold Spring are poor? I thought they had <5% FARMS?

Are you not comprehending that its not just the richer schools with low farms that are offering Algebra in 6th. Some high farms MS are offering it as well.

Name them.

Eastern MS

Is it offered only to the magnet kids or to the zoned students as well?

Only to the magnet kids from a wealthy ES that offered IM in 5th.