Considering moving to DC
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Anonymous
The articles mentioned are not parents' socioeconomic level or education level, its about what is developmentally appropriate for kids. |
Anonymous
Nope. The point above is that the scores are low to begin with representing low expectations. The worst scores are in DCPS schools. In most schools they decline as I stated above but I never said the culture suddenly became low expectations. It was low expectations all along as evidenced by low starting scores. |
Anonymous
So you seriously don’t think there is a good cohort of kids who are able to do Algebra earlier than 8th grade? I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Just look at TJ. |
Anonymous
Of course there is. But there are also parents, like those on this board pushing their kids to go faster and faster so they can claim how amazing their kid is (even before their kid is ready). There are high achieving students who admit they didn't truly understand math at certain levels, but they were pushed and figured out their way through. |
Anonymous
sure, but calling algebra in 8th grade accelerated is total DCPS bullcrap. It simply gets you to calculus in high school. So you're saying that anyone who does calculus in high school is "ACCELERATED", according to DCPS? Could we lower the standard anymore? It's just pathetic. 
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Anonymous
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Who cares about acceleration? I was a top student in Europe, as was my husband, who got a phd from Stanford in a stem field, and we never got any acceleration. What nonsense.
If you want acceleration get a tutor. And I doubt your kid really needs it. |
Anonymous
It’s not acceleration. It’s the basic sequence of math that bright hard working kids do in public and private schools everywhere in the US. |
Anonymous
Accelerated doesn't even apply in high school unless you're taking college classes IMO |
Anonymous
+100 (Although, most posters on this board would NEVER agree.) |
Anonymous
I don't care about acceleration EXCEPT if you're not taking algebra by 8th grade, you're not taking calculus in high school. Calculus in high school is pretty much required for admission to any top50 university in 2022 and certainly any top100 engineering school. Search the college board for this-- it's been discussed at length by people going through the process, talking to college advisors, etc. So yeah, I don't care about "acceleration" but I'd rather not close all these doors in 8th grade. |
Anonymous
I don't consider calculus in high school to be accelerated but also not all kids need to do calculus (at all, not just not in high school). It's fine for many if not most students to take Algebra and Geometry and go no further. A truly accelerated student could take college courses in high school after completing high school calc. In DC this is much easier than in other locations where a college course might not be available nearby. The problem in DC is that EVERY UMC family thinks their kid is accelerated simply because they are bright. They aren't! It's totally fine for a bright, engaged student to take Algebra in 8th grade and take Calc or not in high school. Many college majors will expect students to have a basis in calculus and that sets you up for those majors and helps avoid needing to take a remedial math course in college. That's enough for the vast majority of students. I'm fine with tracking but that's different from what people on this board are talking about where what the really want is for their child to be in a special class with all the "smart" kids and never be bored or feel average. |
Anonymous
People like the posters above perpetuate the low expectation cycle in DC if you think calculus in high school is the highest you should go. Also PP who went to Europe is living like it’s 1980’s or 1990’s. I was a top student too and calculus was the top progression. But then is not now. The top kids now are not topping out at Calculus in high school. The majority of STEM majors entering the top colleges have taken math courses past calculus. Lastly, there are kids who need math past calculus. They have the aptitude and want it, actually crave it. In addition, this is offered at almost every high school in the burbs outside of DC. |
Anonymous
And most importantly, away from "certain kinds" of kids. Let's just be honest. |
Anonymous
It's crazy to me that calculus in EIGHTH GRADE is being floated here as something that parents should be what, grateful to get? Go ANYWHERE with strong public schools anywhere in the US and it's completely normal for a steady number of kids to take Algebra in 7th and definitely in 8th. The low standards we're supposed to accept in DCPS are just nuts. |
Anonymous
No one is saying every student has to take calculus. The lower performing student doesn’t have to take it. But there are a good number of students whose needs are not met when the best that you offer is Calculus. It is also not easy in DC to take college courses in high school. Barely anyone does, The logistical challenges of fitting it into the schedule, aligning it at the right time it’s offered at the college, transportation during the school day to get there and back, etc…. The only exception to this is the college program at School without Walls. |