Anonymous wrote:What is the point of doing it? If you all think your child will have a better chance at a top 15 then you are mistaken. Its not going to help. My DC took Algebra in 6th, pre calculus in 9th, MV, AP stats, linear algebra all by 12th grade. In addition to other AP science classes. He was waitlisted and then denied at MIT as well as other Ivy League schools. He was accepted to UMich, Georgia Tech etc.. but so were others who didn’t take all these advanced math classes. Most students at our large public who were accepted to Ivy schools were legacies and athletic recruits who did not take any such advanced classes. So chill..
You don't get it. My kid just wanted to not be bored in class. Accelerated math is the ONLY class where she doesn't pull out a book to read.
I couldn't care less about colleges. She'll do well wherever she goes.
You really must understand that different kids have different needs.
I get it. I have one of those kids. 260 map-m in third grade. It’s ok to be a little bored. What you aren’t thinking about is down the road. Most HS don’t even have the classes to support taking algebra in 7th. Highly doubt whatever MCPS is doing with the magnets is improving this.
PP you replied to. She's in high school now, and will either go to UMD or CC for an additional math class or take AP Stats at her high school after multivariable calc.
This isn't a little boredom. I cannot ask her to be miserable her entire K-12 years and be depressed. She was depressed before. She's accelerated everywhere as much as her high school has allowed her to be. She's taking two languages to AP level, for example. She has skipped some pre-requisites to do all the core STEM APs.
We thought about homeschooling, because she's way beyond the typical level of a high schooler, but she has friends at this high school. MCPS serves her social needs.
My other kids are not like this, and were satisfactorily challenged by their AP classes and their normal academic tracks. But sometimes, you get a kid like my daughter, and just like for students with special needs, it becomes really worthwhile to fight for a different academic track. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that she does have special needs... of a different sort, that's all.
Then you should have had her apply to magnet or do dual enrollment.
DP: There aren't enough slots in magnets. You'd probably have to cosa but we were told no. MC is impossible due to activities and transportation and online conflicts with other classes and activities.
MCPS should align the HS schedules and offer it virtually if they will not at each school.
A typical path could be:
6th: Algebra
7th: Geometry
8th: Algebra 2
9th: Precalculus
10th: Calc AB or BC
11: Calc BC or MV
12: Linear Algebra or Statistics or something else
Also, with the inequity in MCPS, they will bus some kids to a different school for math, but not others. I've heard them bus 1-2 kids for other schools but they refused to bus mine.
With the new “integrated math” that state education office just approved, will geometry be replaced with integrated math, or Algebra 1+geometry be replaced together with 2-yr of this IM course? I’m very confused as MCPS websites have inconsistent quotes from place to place.
Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 will cover much of current Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 content. Where they put the missing bits (Trigonometry, some Stats, etc.) may depend on the track chosen afterwards.
There will be 4 post-Algebra tracks, and not all would require that then-missing content to have been learned. The one which would would be the path to/past Calculus that many MCPS students would expect to take, especially those more academically inclined and/or STEM-focused. Whether they add that material to a PreCalc class or create a buffer course (or both, with an accelerated PreCalc+ option for those not intending to slow down with the buffer, but the buffer plus standard PreCalc available for those that need it), or whether they arrive at a different solution, is not yet determined.
Thanks for the constructive explanation. This really helps! So a kid who is allowed to enter Algebra at 6th grade previously will now use 2-yrs to complete Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 with this new IM. Then they would go preCalc for 8th grade, Calc for 9th grade, then math electives afterwards? That sounds like an over-acceleration path. Out of SMCS, I don't believe other MCPS HSs offer things beyond MVC and AP Stat. In SMCS, AP Stat is a semester-long course, so kids in SMCS will exhaust all math elective options.
There are schools, besides those housing SMCS, which offer Linear Algebra and Differential Equations in addition to MVC. They are offered based on community pull, which means that well-organized family groups have opportunities not afforded to less well-organized, often poorer, communities.
Terming advanced course opportunities "over"-acceleration would be misleading unless gracefully allowing for them relative to student ability and interest. Cases more clearly related to push, then, might be deemed over-accelerated.
MCPS clearly does not offer Algebra in 6th across the system as part of standard acceleration options. Those accessing it so early must do so with eyes open to the course needs further on, planning for dual enrollment as might be necessary.
As Algebra in 7th is part of the acceleration standard provided system-wide, it should be MCPS's responsibility to ensure equitable access, likewise across the system, to any student pursuing that path. In future years, should some flavor of advanced Precalc in 9th follow Integrated Algebra 2 for those able, Calc BC in 10th, MVC in 11th and at least one other year of college-level coursework, AP Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or other, will be needed at all schools to fulfill that responsibility.
Only the W schools and a few others offer MV. It will not be at all schools, and the BOE has been clear. THis path makes zero sense.
Could not agree more. Makes no sense. I think for some parents it's some sort of flex that their kid is on some super advanced math track. This fails to look at the long game where down the road they run out of classes in MCPS and/or the classes become too challenging.
Even regional model is implemented and these advanced math courses are offered at regional STEM programs, how to make sure students taking the advanced track got accepted to these programs? I'd imagine guaranteed admission would result in favor of push-in and potential corruption...
One way would be to give STEM-magnet admission priority to standard (or above) acceleration students whose home school would not offer the advanced courses locally. But that would create its own inequity.
Better just to make sure enough advanced courses are offered at every school so that no student is asked to slow down/accept discontinuity (e.g., take a filler course after Integrated Algebra, start with Calc AB instead of BC, settle for AP Stats after BC instead of MVC or take on the burden/diminished experience of dual enrollment/virtual classes where in-person is offered to others in the same situation elsewhere in the system).
You are making the assumption that all kids want these magnets vs. choosing the classes they want to take as electives. Many don't want the magnets. The solution is to make sure that all schools have AP's in Math, Science, Computer Science, Engineering and a minimum math of MV. And, where they cannot do it, align the school schedules and do it virtually. MC is not realistic for all kids due to transportation and schedules.
A tiny number of kids insisting on MV because they are too cool for AP Stats is not a reason to offer MV at every school. Even the SMCS magnet runs a stats course before MV.
Although I agree with you, the last sentence is inaccurate. About 1/4 of the juniors in SMCS take MVC (1 year) and magnet stat (1 semester) concurrently, with 1-2 additional math electives.
And it's not about being too cool for AP Stats. Stats is great to have. Stats is more important to have for most people than Calculus in the first place. However, the more important thing for those aiming at STEM such as EE or Math, itself, is direct continuity between instruction covering calculus of a single variable (covered in HS as AP Calc) and calculus of more than one variable (otherwise known as Multivariable Calculus or MVC).
And I believe that, unlike AP Stats, Magnet Stats at SMCS incorporates Calc-based Statistics, helping preserve subject continuity prior to MVC for those not taking the two classes concurrently. Discussion of the SMCS magnet is a different animal than identification of the courses needed to support all students at their local HS.
You keep focusing on the magnets when it's pretty irrelevant as it supports so few kids. For cost savings, that program should go. Stat's is a good class to have but for smart kid who want STEM, MVC is more important.
PP to whom you responded.
I think you are conflating the words of multiple posters. Among the prior posts in this sub-thread, I authored four. These touched on magnets, sometimes clarifying where I saw possible misunderstanding (at least in relation to my own, likely imperfect as it may be), but the thrust of them was about ensuring appropriate classes are equitably available to all students, and the particular example in focus was MVC.
As to the magnets, they have a place in supporting the collective needs of students, often presenting a more effective and/or efficient model in doing so than can be administered through local schools alone. Issues that must be rectified include the unsatisfactory capacity of and identification/selection paradigms associated with the magnets; however, at the same time, the sad condition at many local schools is that they do not provide adequately for high-level (or certain other differential) need in the first place.
I am open to other ideas. If it can be shown that the needs of all equitably can be met without the magnets at a lower cost, financially and logistically, than with them, then perhaps it is time to review the entire idea of magnets. I doubt that, however, and I wish that others would not make assumptions about the cost of magnets being high (in relation to equally effective alternatives -- show us) or, worse, conclude that the needs of a few should be considered irrelevant.
Anonymous wrote:What is the point of doing it? If you all think your child will have a better chance at a top 15 then you are mistaken. Its not going to help. My DC took Algebra in 6th, pre calculus in 9th, MV, AP stats, linear algebra all by 12th grade. In addition to other AP science classes. He was waitlisted and then denied at MIT as well as other Ivy League schools. He was accepted to UMich, Georgia Tech etc.. but so were others who didn’t take all these advanced math classes. Most students at our large public who were accepted to Ivy schools were legacies and athletic recruits who did not take any such advanced classes. So chill..
You don't get it. My kid just wanted to not be bored in class. Accelerated math is the ONLY class where she doesn't pull out a book to read.
I couldn't care less about colleges. She'll do well wherever she goes.
You really must understand that different kids have different needs.
I get it. I have one of those kids. 260 map-m in third grade. It’s ok to be a little bored. What you aren’t thinking about is down the road. Most HS don’t even have the classes to support taking algebra in 7th. Highly doubt whatever MCPS is doing with the magnets is improving this.
PP you replied to. She's in high school now, and will either go to UMD or CC for an additional math class or take AP Stats at her high school after multivariable calc.
This isn't a little boredom. I cannot ask her to be miserable her entire K-12 years and be depressed. She was depressed before. She's accelerated everywhere as much as her high school has allowed her to be. She's taking two languages to AP level, for example. She has skipped some pre-requisites to do all the core STEM APs.
We thought about homeschooling, because she's way beyond the typical level of a high schooler, but she has friends at this high school. MCPS serves her social needs.
My other kids are not like this, and were satisfactorily challenged by their AP classes and their normal academic tracks. But sometimes, you get a kid like my daughter, and just like for students with special needs, it becomes really worthwhile to fight for a different academic track. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that she does have special needs... of a different sort, that's all.
Then you should have had her apply to magnet or do dual enrollment.
DP: There aren't enough slots in magnets. You'd probably have to cosa but we were told no. MC is impossible due to activities and transportation and online conflicts with other classes and activities.
MCPS should align the HS schedules and offer it virtually if they will not at each school.
A typical path could be:
6th: Algebra
7th: Geometry
8th: Algebra 2
9th: Precalculus
10th: Calc AB or BC
11: Calc BC or MV
12: Linear Algebra or Statistics or something else
Also, with the inequity in MCPS, they will bus some kids to a different school for math, but not others. I've heard them bus 1-2 kids for other schools but they refused to bus mine.
With the new “integrated math” that state education office just approved, will geometry be replaced with integrated math, or Algebra 1+geometry be replaced together with 2-yr of this IM course? I’m very confused as MCPS websites have inconsistent quotes from place to place.
Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 will cover much of current Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 content. Where they put the missing bits (Trigonometry, some Stats, etc.) may depend on the track chosen afterwards.
There will be 4 post-Algebra tracks, and not all would require that then-missing content to have been learned. The one which would would be the path to/past Calculus that many MCPS students would expect to take, especially those more academically inclined and/or STEM-focused. Whether they add that material to a PreCalc class or create a buffer course (or both, with an accelerated PreCalc+ option for those not intending to slow down with the buffer, but the buffer plus standard PreCalc available for those that need it), or whether they arrive at a different solution, is not yet determined.
Thanks for the constructive explanation. This really helps! So a kid who is allowed to enter Algebra at 6th grade previously will now use 2-yrs to complete Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 with this new IM. Then they would go preCalc for 8th grade, Calc for 9th grade, then math electives afterwards? That sounds like an over-acceleration path. Out of SMCS, I don't believe other MCPS HSs offer things beyond MVC and AP Stat. In SMCS, AP Stat is a semester-long course, so kids in SMCS will exhaust all math elective options.
There are schools, besides those housing SMCS, which offer Linear Algebra and Differential Equations in addition to MVC. They are offered based on community pull, which means that well-organized family groups have opportunities not afforded to less well-organized, often poorer, communities.
Terming advanced course opportunities "over"-acceleration would be misleading unless gracefully allowing for them relative to student ability and interest. Cases more clearly related to push, then, might be deemed over-accelerated.
MCPS clearly does not offer Algebra in 6th across the system as part of standard acceleration options. Those accessing it so early must do so with eyes open to the course needs further on, planning for dual enrollment as might be necessary.
As Algebra in 7th is part of the acceleration standard provided system-wide, it should be MCPS's responsibility to ensure equitable access, likewise across the system, to any student pursuing that path. In future years, should some flavor of advanced Precalc in 9th follow Integrated Algebra 2 for those able, Calc BC in 10th, MVC in 11th and at least one other year of college-level coursework, AP Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or other, will be needed at all schools to fulfill that responsibility.
Only the W schools and a few others offer MV. It will not be at all schools, and the BOE has been clear. THis path makes zero sense.
Could not agree more. Makes no sense. I think for some parents it's some sort of flex that their kid is on some super advanced math track. This fails to look at the long game where down the road they run out of classes in MCPS and/or the classes become too challenging.
Even regional model is implemented and these advanced math courses are offered at regional STEM programs, how to make sure students taking the advanced track got accepted to these programs? I'd imagine guaranteed admission would result in favor of push-in and potential corruption...
One way would be to give STEM-magnet admission priority to standard (or above) acceleration students whose home school would not offer the advanced courses locally. But that would create its own inequity.
Better just to make sure enough advanced courses are offered at every school so that no student is asked to slow down/accept discontinuity (e.g., take a filler course after Integrated Algebra, start with Calc AB instead of BC, settle for AP Stats after BC instead of MVC or take on the burden/diminished experience of dual enrollment/virtual classes where in-person is offered to others in the same situation elsewhere in the system).
You are making the assumption that all kids want these magnets vs. choosing the classes they want to take as electives. Many don't want the magnets. The solution is to make sure that all schools have AP's in Math, Science, Computer Science, Engineering and a minimum math of MV. And, where they cannot do it, align the school schedules and do it virtually. MC is not realistic for all kids due to transportation and schedules.
A tiny number of kids insisting on MV because they are too cool for AP Stats is not a reason to offer MV at every school. Even the SMCS magnet runs a stats course before MV.
Although I agree with you, the last sentence is inaccurate. About 1/4 of the juniors in SMCS take MVC (1 year) and magnet stat (1 semester) concurrently, with 1-2 additional math electives.
Sounds like 1/2 or more of these kids shouldn't be in SMCS if they aren't ready for MV as juniors.
Why should kids take stats over MV if they are math kids?
By the logic here we shouldn't have SMCS because it only helps a small population and the cost/benefit isn't there.
Most of the rest 3/4 SMCS kids take MVC at senior year. It's a very populated course with a very popular and very capable teacher.
Again, it sounds like those kids shouldn't all be in that program if other kids are taking it junior year and more ready.
The cost vs. benefit of this program makes no sense when you argue reductions and whats cost effective. At a minimum, parents should have to provide transportation.
Do we even have a handle on the differential cost of having SMCS vs. having those students at their home school? Is it that much? If we're making it reach more students with expansion/regionalization, does the value calculus change?
We could use that money to pay for advanced classes at schools that don't have them. The buses and extra classes are costly for only 400 students, max.
So...no? We don't have a handle on the differential cost. It may be a net savings. It may not.
Should it provide for more than 400? Almost certainly so. Add Poolesville SMCS to that number. Then recalculate based on the anticipated capacity across the 6 regions.
Certainly, the needs of any not offered magnet admission should not be ignored. These should adequately be addressed locally in an equitable manner.
Anonymous wrote:What is the point of doing it? If you all think your child will have a better chance at a top 15 then you are mistaken. Its not going to help. My DC took Algebra in 6th, pre calculus in 9th, MV, AP stats, linear algebra all by 12th grade. In addition to other AP science classes. He was waitlisted and then denied at MIT as well as other Ivy League schools. He was accepted to UMich, Georgia Tech etc.. but so were others who didn’t take all these advanced math classes. Most students at our large public who were accepted to Ivy schools were legacies and athletic recruits who did not take any such advanced classes. So chill..
You don't get it. My kid just wanted to not be bored in class. Accelerated math is the ONLY class where she doesn't pull out a book to read.
I couldn't care less about colleges. She'll do well wherever she goes.
You really must understand that different kids have different needs.
I get it. I have one of those kids. 260 map-m in third grade. It’s ok to be a little bored. What you aren’t thinking about is down the road. Most HS don’t even have the classes to support taking algebra in 7th. Highly doubt whatever MCPS is doing with the magnets is improving this.
PP you replied to. She's in high school now, and will either go to UMD or CC for an additional math class or take AP Stats at her high school after multivariable calc.
This isn't a little boredom. I cannot ask her to be miserable her entire K-12 years and be depressed. She was depressed before. She's accelerated everywhere as much as her high school has allowed her to be. She's taking two languages to AP level, for example. She has skipped some pre-requisites to do all the core STEM APs.
We thought about homeschooling, because she's way beyond the typical level of a high schooler, but she has friends at this high school. MCPS serves her social needs.
My other kids are not like this, and were satisfactorily challenged by their AP classes and their normal academic tracks. But sometimes, you get a kid like my daughter, and just like for students with special needs, it becomes really worthwhile to fight for a different academic track. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that she does have special needs... of a different sort, that's all.
Then you should have had her apply to magnet or do dual enrollment.
DP: There aren't enough slots in magnets. You'd probably have to cosa but we were told no. MC is impossible due to activities and transportation and online conflicts with other classes and activities.
MCPS should align the HS schedules and offer it virtually if they will not at each school.
A typical path could be:
6th: Algebra
7th: Geometry
8th: Algebra 2
9th: Precalculus
10th: Calc AB or BC
11: Calc BC or MV
12: Linear Algebra or Statistics or something else
Also, with the inequity in MCPS, they will bus some kids to a different school for math, but not others. I've heard them bus 1-2 kids for other schools but they refused to bus mine.
With the new “integrated math” that state education office just approved, will geometry be replaced with integrated math, or Algebra 1+geometry be replaced together with 2-yr of this IM course? I’m very confused as MCPS websites have inconsistent quotes from place to place.
Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 will cover much of current Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 content. Where they put the missing bits (Trigonometry, some Stats, etc.) may depend on the track chosen afterwards.
There will be 4 post-Algebra tracks, and not all would require that then-missing content to have been learned. The one which would would be the path to/past Calculus that many MCPS students would expect to take, especially those more academically inclined and/or STEM-focused. Whether they add that material to a PreCalc class or create a buffer course (or both, with an accelerated PreCalc+ option for those not intending to slow down with the buffer, but the buffer plus standard PreCalc available for those that need it), or whether they arrive at a different solution, is not yet determined.
Thanks for the constructive explanation. This really helps! So a kid who is allowed to enter Algebra at 6th grade previously will now use 2-yrs to complete Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 with this new IM. Then they would go preCalc for 8th grade, Calc for 9th grade, then math electives afterwards? That sounds like an over-acceleration path. Out of SMCS, I don't believe other MCPS HSs offer things beyond MVC and AP Stat. In SMCS, AP Stat is a semester-long course, so kids in SMCS will exhaust all math elective options.
There are schools, besides those housing SMCS, which offer Linear Algebra and Differential Equations in addition to MVC. They are offered based on community pull, which means that well-organized family groups have opportunities not afforded to less well-organized, often poorer, communities.
Terming advanced course opportunities "over"-acceleration would be misleading unless gracefully allowing for them relative to student ability and interest. Cases more clearly related to push, then, might be deemed over-accelerated.
MCPS clearly does not offer Algebra in 6th across the system as part of standard acceleration options. Those accessing it so early must do so with eyes open to the course needs further on, planning for dual enrollment as might be necessary.
As Algebra in 7th is part of the acceleration standard provided system-wide, it should be MCPS's responsibility to ensure equitable access, likewise across the system, to any student pursuing that path. In future years, should some flavor of advanced Precalc in 9th follow Integrated Algebra 2 for those able, Calc BC in 10th, MVC in 11th and at least one other year of college-level coursework, AP Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or other, will be needed at all schools to fulfill that responsibility.
Only the W schools and a few others offer MV. It will not be at all schools, and the BOE has been clear. THis path makes zero sense.
Could not agree more. Makes no sense. I think for some parents it's some sort of flex that their kid is on some super advanced math track. This fails to look at the long game where down the road they run out of classes in MCPS and/or the classes become too challenging.
Even regional model is implemented and these advanced math courses are offered at regional STEM programs, how to make sure students taking the advanced track got accepted to these programs? I'd imagine guaranteed admission would result in favor of push-in and potential corruption...
One way would be to give STEM-magnet admission priority to standard (or above) acceleration students whose home school would not offer the advanced courses locally. But that would create its own inequity.
Better just to make sure enough advanced courses are offered at every school so that no student is asked to slow down/accept discontinuity (e.g., take a filler course after Integrated Algebra, start with Calc AB instead of BC, settle for AP Stats after BC instead of MVC or take on the burden/diminished experience of dual enrollment/virtual classes where in-person is offered to others in the same situation elsewhere in the system).
You are making the assumption that all kids want these magnets vs. choosing the classes they want to take as electives. Many don't want the magnets. The solution is to make sure that all schools have AP's in Math, Science, Computer Science, Engineering and a minimum math of MV. And, where they cannot do it, align the school schedules and do it virtually. MC is not realistic for all kids due to transportation and schedules.
A tiny number of kids insisting on MV because they are too cool for AP Stats is not a reason to offer MV at every school. Even the SMCS magnet runs a stats course before MV.
Although I agree with you, the last sentence is inaccurate. About 1/4 of the juniors in SMCS take MVC (1 year) and magnet stat (1 semester) concurrently, with 1-2 additional math electives.
And it's not about being too cool for AP Stats. Stats is great to have. Stats is more important to have for most people than Calculus in the first place. However, the more important thing for those aiming at STEM such as EE or Math, itself, is direct continuity between instruction covering calculus of a single variable (covered in HS as AP Calc) and calculus of more than one variable (otherwise known as Multivariable Calculus or MVC).
And I believe that, unlike AP Stats, Magnet Stats at SMCS incorporates Calc-based Statistics, helping preserve subject continuity prior to MVC for those not taking the two classes concurrently. Discussion of the SMCS magnet is a different animal than identification of the courses needed to support all students at their local HS.
None of your posts make sense. You are arguing its ok your kids have access but not other kids. You argue like programs that supported more students like the MVA are unnecessary but the SMCS which really is unnecessary as these kids have the classes at their home schools is necessary. Its all aboout your wants and wishes without regard to other students needs. Sick.
Not sure where you see me argue against MVA. I have supported in-person as a generally better method of content delivery for most students. I also have suggested that in-person for some and virtual for others, not by choice but by zip code, would be an inequitable situation, precisely because of the former's generally being better for most students.
Aside from having truly unique courses, SMCS serves students from areas that do not have courses beyond the APs (if that -- some don't routinely offer BC), not only students whose home school offers MVC or the like.
My kids do not have the access you appear to assume. I suggest all students should have equitably similar access.
Perhaps you are confusing my posts with those of others? It is an anonymous forum, after all.
There is NO equity in MCPS except for W schools, Poolesville, BCC and a few others. Lets be real. According to the BOE slides, things may get much worse for the DCC students at their home schools as they are taking away programs and moving them to other schools which is the draw to those schools.
SMCS have access to the classes at Blair but because of the program they are locked into a ridged schedule whcih is why some choose not to do it. I'm not getting whats so special via the posts here. Especially when the math is slowed down and the limitations. I don't get why some of these kids were picked over other kids who are more advanced in math and other areas. I don't get why W school kids who have opportunities at their home schools get preference over DCC kids who do not.
And not to mention none of the NEC high schools offers MVC. Just ridiculous.
As an outsider, it looks to me that the consortium model works well for DCC but not NEC, correct? Why? In many sense the new regional model looks very similar to the consortium model to me. So it's going to be very meaningful if CO can analyze why this works for some and not for others.
The DCC isn't perfect and only two schools have advanced classes but its better than not having it at all.
The amount of schools not having advanced classes isn't going to change with the regional model as the minimum schools are required to offer is BC, not MV. So, nothing will change for most of our kids and this is doing something for the sake of doing something vs. actually fixing the problems.
Which is why they should update the presentation for this plan so that the slide on classes expected to be at all schools includes MVC.
Re: DCC, it also isn't like those two schools aren't overbooked such that those not within their individual catchments (guaranteed to attend their home school if listed as 1st or 2nd preference) have a reasonable chance of going there to access the advanced classes.
Actually Wheaton and Blair ARE very overcrowded so its nearly impossible to cosa in. They aren't going to offer MVC, which is why its not in the slides.
That incapacity at Wheaton & Blair is what the PP was noting.
They haven't placed MVC on the slides for higher-end classes to be available at all local schools, but clearly they should. Or they should provide for policy that makes access to the STEM magnets available to any who would be hitting Calc BC prior to 12th grade. Or they can give up on meeting student needs equitably.
Anonymous wrote:What is the point of doing it? If you all think your child will have a better chance at a top 15 then you are mistaken. Its not going to help. My DC took Algebra in 6th, pre calculus in 9th, MV, AP stats, linear algebra all by 12th grade. In addition to other AP science classes. He was waitlisted and then denied at MIT as well as other Ivy League schools. He was accepted to UMich, Georgia Tech etc.. but so were others who didn’t take all these advanced math classes. Most students at our large public who were accepted to Ivy schools were legacies and athletic recruits who did not take any such advanced classes. So chill..
You don't get it. My kid just wanted to not be bored in class. Accelerated math is the ONLY class where she doesn't pull out a book to read.
I couldn't care less about colleges. She'll do well wherever she goes.
You really must understand that different kids have different needs.
I get it. I have one of those kids. 260 map-m in third grade. It’s ok to be a little bored. What you aren’t thinking about is down the road. Most HS don’t even have the classes to support taking algebra in 7th. Highly doubt whatever MCPS is doing with the magnets is improving this.
PP you replied to. She's in high school now, and will either go to UMD or CC for an additional math class or take AP Stats at her high school after multivariable calc.
This isn't a little boredom. I cannot ask her to be miserable her entire K-12 years and be depressed. She was depressed before. She's accelerated everywhere as much as her high school has allowed her to be. She's taking two languages to AP level, for example. She has skipped some pre-requisites to do all the core STEM APs.
We thought about homeschooling, because she's way beyond the typical level of a high schooler, but she has friends at this high school. MCPS serves her social needs.
My other kids are not like this, and were satisfactorily challenged by their AP classes and their normal academic tracks. But sometimes, you get a kid like my daughter, and just like for students with special needs, it becomes really worthwhile to fight for a different academic track. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that she does have special needs... of a different sort, that's all.
Then you should have had her apply to magnet or do dual enrollment.
DP: There aren't enough slots in magnets. You'd probably have to cosa but we were told no. MC is impossible due to activities and transportation and online conflicts with other classes and activities.
MCPS should align the HS schedules and offer it virtually if they will not at each school.
A typical path could be:
6th: Algebra
7th: Geometry
8th: Algebra 2
9th: Precalculus
10th: Calc AB or BC
11: Calc BC or MV
12: Linear Algebra or Statistics or something else
Also, with the inequity in MCPS, they will bus some kids to a different school for math, but not others. I've heard them bus 1-2 kids for other schools but they refused to bus mine.
With the new “integrated math” that state education office just approved, will geometry be replaced with integrated math, or Algebra 1+geometry be replaced together with 2-yr of this IM course? I’m very confused as MCPS websites have inconsistent quotes from place to place.
Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 will cover much of current Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 content. Where they put the missing bits (Trigonometry, some Stats, etc.) may depend on the track chosen afterwards.
There will be 4 post-Algebra tracks, and not all would require that then-missing content to have been learned. The one which would would be the path to/past Calculus that many MCPS students would expect to take, especially those more academically inclined and/or STEM-focused. Whether they add that material to a PreCalc class or create a buffer course (or both, with an accelerated PreCalc+ option for those not intending to slow down with the buffer, but the buffer plus standard PreCalc available for those that need it), or whether they arrive at a different solution, is not yet determined.
Thanks for the constructive explanation. This really helps! So a kid who is allowed to enter Algebra at 6th grade previously will now use 2-yrs to complete Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 with this new IM. Then they would go preCalc for 8th grade, Calc for 9th grade, then math electives afterwards? That sounds like an over-acceleration path. Out of SMCS, I don't believe other MCPS HSs offer things beyond MVC and AP Stat. In SMCS, AP Stat is a semester-long course, so kids in SMCS will exhaust all math elective options.
There are schools, besides those housing SMCS, which offer Linear Algebra and Differential Equations in addition to MVC. They are offered based on community pull, which means that well-organized family groups have opportunities not afforded to less well-organized, often poorer, communities.
Terming advanced course opportunities "over"-acceleration would be misleading unless gracefully allowing for them relative to student ability and interest. Cases more clearly related to push, then, might be deemed over-accelerated.
MCPS clearly does not offer Algebra in 6th across the system as part of standard acceleration options. Those accessing it so early must do so with eyes open to the course needs further on, planning for dual enrollment as might be necessary.
As Algebra in 7th is part of the acceleration standard provided system-wide, it should be MCPS's responsibility to ensure equitable access, likewise across the system, to any student pursuing that path. In future years, should some flavor of advanced Precalc in 9th follow Integrated Algebra 2 for those able, Calc BC in 10th, MVC in 11th and at least one other year of college-level coursework, AP Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or other, will be needed at all schools to fulfill that responsibility.
Only the W schools and a few others offer MV. It will not be at all schools, and the BOE has been clear. THis path makes zero sense.
Could not agree more. Makes no sense. I think for some parents it's some sort of flex that their kid is on some super advanced math track. This fails to look at the long game where down the road they run out of classes in MCPS and/or the classes become too challenging.
Even regional model is implemented and these advanced math courses are offered at regional STEM programs, how to make sure students taking the advanced track got accepted to these programs? I'd imagine guaranteed admission would result in favor of push-in and potential corruption...
One way would be to give STEM-magnet admission priority to standard (or above) acceleration students whose home school would not offer the advanced courses locally. But that would create its own inequity.
Better just to make sure enough advanced courses are offered at every school so that no student is asked to slow down/accept discontinuity (e.g., take a filler course after Integrated Algebra, start with Calc AB instead of BC, settle for AP Stats after BC instead of MVC or take on the burden/diminished experience of dual enrollment/virtual classes where in-person is offered to others in the same situation elsewhere in the system).
You are making the assumption that all kids want these magnets vs. choosing the classes they want to take as electives. Many don't want the magnets. The solution is to make sure that all schools have AP's in Math, Science, Computer Science, Engineering and a minimum math of MV. And, where they cannot do it, align the school schedules and do it virtually. MC is not realistic for all kids due to transportation and schedules.
A tiny number of kids insisting on MV because they are too cool for AP Stats is not a reason to offer MV at every school. Even the SMCS magnet runs a stats course before MV.
Although I agree with you, the last sentence is inaccurate. About 1/4 of the juniors in SMCS take MVC (1 year) and magnet stat (1 semester) concurrently, with 1-2 additional math electives.
And it's not about being too cool for AP Stats. Stats is great to have. Stats is more important to have for most people than Calculus in the first place. However, the more important thing for those aiming at STEM such as EE or Math, itself, is direct continuity between instruction covering calculus of a single variable (covered in HS as AP Calc) and calculus of more than one variable (otherwise known as Multivariable Calculus or MVC).
And I believe that, unlike AP Stats, Magnet Stats at SMCS incorporates Calc-based Statistics, helping preserve subject continuity prior to MVC for those not taking the two classes concurrently. Discussion of the SMCS magnet is a different animal than identification of the courses needed to support all students at their local HS.
None of your posts make sense. You are arguing its ok your kids have access but not other kids. You argue like programs that supported more students like the MVA are unnecessary but the SMCS which really is unnecessary as these kids have the classes at their home schools is necessary. Its all aboout your wants and wishes without regard to other students needs. Sick.
Not sure where you see me argue against MVA. I have supported in-person as a generally better method of content delivery for most students. I also have suggested that in-person for some and virtual for others, not by choice but by zip code, would be an inequitable situation, precisely because of the former's generally being better for most students.
Aside from having truly unique courses, SMCS serves students from areas that do not have courses beyond the APs (if that -- some don't routinely offer BC), not only students whose home school offers MVC or the like.
My kids do not have the access you appear to assume. I suggest all students should have equitably similar access.
Perhaps you are confusing my posts with those of others? It is an anonymous forum, after all.
There is NO equity in MCPS except for W schools, Poolesville, BCC and a few others. Lets be real. According to the BOE slides, things may get much worse for the DCC students at their home schools as they are taking away programs and moving them to other schools which is the draw to those schools.
SMCS have access to the classes at Blair but because of the program they are locked into a ridged schedule whcih is why some choose not to do it. I'm not getting whats so special via the posts here. Especially when the math is slowed down and the limitations. I don't get why some of these kids were picked over other kids who are more advanced in math and other areas. I don't get why W school kids who have opportunities at their home schools get preference over DCC kids who do not.
And not to mention none of the NEC high schools offers MVC. Just ridiculous.
As an outsider, it looks to me that the consortium model works well for DCC but not NEC, correct? Why? In many sense the new regional model looks very similar to the consortium model to me. So it's going to be very meaningful if CO can analyze why this works for some and not for others.
The DCC isn't perfect and only two schools have advanced classes but its better than not having it at all.
The amount of schools not having advanced classes isn't going to change with the regional model as the minimum schools are required to offer is BC, not MV. So, nothing will change for most of our kids and this is doing something for the sake of doing something vs. actually fixing the problems.
Which is why they should update the presentation for this plan so that the slide on classes expected to be at all schools includes MVC.
Re: DCC, it also isn't like those two schools aren't overbooked such that those not within their individual catchments (guaranteed to attend their home school if listed as 1st or 2nd preference) have a reasonable chance of going there to access the advanced classes.
Actually Wheaton and Blair ARE very overcrowded so its nearly impossible to cosa in. They aren't going to offer MVC, which is why its not in the slides.
That incapacity at Wheaton & Blair is what the PP was noting.
They haven't placed MVC on the slides for higher-end classes to be available at all local schools, but clearly they should. Or they should provide for policy that makes access to the STEM magnets available to any who would be hitting Calc BC prior to 12th grade. Or they can give up on meeting student needs equitably.
This is all to say they are making changes when the changes will be minimal and hurt some schools.
The expectation is you go to MC or you just don't take it and take other stuff.
Anonymous wrote:What is the point of doing it? If you all think your child will have a better chance at a top 15 then you are mistaken. Its not going to help. My DC took Algebra in 6th, pre calculus in 9th, MV, AP stats, linear algebra all by 12th grade. In addition to other AP science classes. He was waitlisted and then denied at MIT as well as other Ivy League schools. He was accepted to UMich, Georgia Tech etc.. but so were others who didn’t take all these advanced math classes. Most students at our large public who were accepted to Ivy schools were legacies and athletic recruits who did not take any such advanced classes. So chill..
You don't get it. My kid just wanted to not be bored in class. Accelerated math is the ONLY class where she doesn't pull out a book to read.
I couldn't care less about colleges. She'll do well wherever she goes.
You really must understand that different kids have different needs.
I get it. I have one of those kids. 260 map-m in third grade. It’s ok to be a little bored. What you aren’t thinking about is down the road. Most HS don’t even have the classes to support taking algebra in 7th. Highly doubt whatever MCPS is doing with the magnets is improving this.
PP you replied to. She's in high school now, and will either go to UMD or CC for an additional math class or take AP Stats at her high school after multivariable calc.
This isn't a little boredom. I cannot ask her to be miserable her entire K-12 years and be depressed. She was depressed before. She's accelerated everywhere as much as her high school has allowed her to be. She's taking two languages to AP level, for example. She has skipped some pre-requisites to do all the core STEM APs.
We thought about homeschooling, because she's way beyond the typical level of a high schooler, but she has friends at this high school. MCPS serves her social needs.
My other kids are not like this, and were satisfactorily challenged by their AP classes and their normal academic tracks. But sometimes, you get a kid like my daughter, and just like for students with special needs, it becomes really worthwhile to fight for a different academic track. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that she does have special needs... of a different sort, that's all.
Then you should have had her apply to magnet or do dual enrollment.
DP: There aren't enough slots in magnets. You'd probably have to cosa but we were told no. MC is impossible due to activities and transportation and online conflicts with other classes and activities.
MCPS should align the HS schedules and offer it virtually if they will not at each school.
A typical path could be:
6th: Algebra
7th: Geometry
8th: Algebra 2
9th: Precalculus
10th: Calc AB or BC
11: Calc BC or MV
12: Linear Algebra or Statistics or something else
Also, with the inequity in MCPS, they will bus some kids to a different school for math, but not others. I've heard them bus 1-2 kids for other schools but they refused to bus mine.
With the new “integrated math” that state education office just approved, will geometry be replaced with integrated math, or Algebra 1+geometry be replaced together with 2-yr of this IM course? I’m very confused as MCPS websites have inconsistent quotes from place to place.
Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 will cover much of current Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 content. Where they put the missing bits (Trigonometry, some Stats, etc.) may depend on the track chosen afterwards.
There will be 4 post-Algebra tracks, and not all would require that then-missing content to have been learned. The one which would would be the path to/past Calculus that many MCPS students would expect to take, especially those more academically inclined and/or STEM-focused. Whether they add that material to a PreCalc class or create a buffer course (or both, with an accelerated PreCalc+ option for those not intending to slow down with the buffer, but the buffer plus standard PreCalc available for those that need it), or whether they arrive at a different solution, is not yet determined.
Thanks for the constructive explanation. This really helps! So a kid who is allowed to enter Algebra at 6th grade previously will now use 2-yrs to complete Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 with this new IM. Then they would go preCalc for 8th grade, Calc for 9th grade, then math electives afterwards? That sounds like an over-acceleration path. Out of SMCS, I don't believe other MCPS HSs offer things beyond MVC and AP Stat. In SMCS, AP Stat is a semester-long course, so kids in SMCS will exhaust all math elective options.
There are schools, besides those housing SMCS, which offer Linear Algebra and Differential Equations in addition to MVC. They are offered based on community pull, which means that well-organized family groups have opportunities not afforded to less well-organized, often poorer, communities.
Terming advanced course opportunities "over"-acceleration would be misleading unless gracefully allowing for them relative to student ability and interest. Cases more clearly related to push, then, might be deemed over-accelerated.
MCPS clearly does not offer Algebra in 6th across the system as part of standard acceleration options. Those accessing it so early must do so with eyes open to the course needs further on, planning for dual enrollment as might be necessary.
As Algebra in 7th is part of the acceleration standard provided system-wide, it should be MCPS's responsibility to ensure equitable access, likewise across the system, to any student pursuing that path. In future years, should some flavor of advanced Precalc in 9th follow Integrated Algebra 2 for those able, Calc BC in 10th, MVC in 11th and at least one other year of college-level coursework, AP Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or other, will be needed at all schools to fulfill that responsibility.
Only the W schools and a few others offer MV. It will not be at all schools, and the BOE has been clear. THis path makes zero sense.
Could not agree more. Makes no sense. I think for some parents it's some sort of flex that their kid is on some super advanced math track. This fails to look at the long game where down the road they run out of classes in MCPS and/or the classes become too challenging.
Even regional model is implemented and these advanced math courses are offered at regional STEM programs, how to make sure students taking the advanced track got accepted to these programs? I'd imagine guaranteed admission would result in favor of push-in and potential corruption...
One way would be to give STEM-magnet admission priority to standard (or above) acceleration students whose home school would not offer the advanced courses locally. But that would create its own inequity.
Better just to make sure enough advanced courses are offered at every school so that no student is asked to slow down/accept discontinuity (e.g., take a filler course after Integrated Algebra, start with Calc AB instead of BC, settle for AP Stats after BC instead of MVC or take on the burden/diminished experience of dual enrollment/virtual classes where in-person is offered to others in the same situation elsewhere in the system).
You are making the assumption that all kids want these magnets vs. choosing the classes they want to take as electives. Many don't want the magnets. The solution is to make sure that all schools have AP's in Math, Science, Computer Science, Engineering and a minimum math of MV. And, where they cannot do it, align the school schedules and do it virtually. MC is not realistic for all kids due to transportation and schedules.
A tiny number of kids insisting on MV because they are too cool for AP Stats is not a reason to offer MV at every school. Even the SMCS magnet runs a stats course before MV.
Although I agree with you, the last sentence is inaccurate. About 1/4 of the juniors in SMCS take MVC (1 year) and magnet stat (1 semester) concurrently, with 1-2 additional math electives.
Sounds like 1/2 or more of these kids shouldn't be in SMCS if they aren't ready for MV as juniors.
Why should kids take stats over MV if they are math kids?
By the logic here we shouldn't have SMCS because it only helps a small population and the cost/benefit isn't there.
Most of the rest 3/4 SMCS kids take MVC at senior year. It's a very populated course with a very popular and very capable teacher.
Again, it sounds like those kids shouldn't all be in that program if other kids are taking it junior year and more ready.
The cost vs. benefit of this program makes no sense when you argue reductions and whats cost effective. At a minimum, parents should have to provide transportation.
I don't interpret it this way. If most of the kids end up taking MVC and passing with a good GPA, they are qualified for SMCS as MVC is very deep in magnet (again). It's called "differential equation". Kids solve ODEs and PDEs and do a lot of proofing that are not taught in K-12 curriculum anywhere in U.S.
In the SMCS magnet, Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations are packaged as a 2 semester "Magnet Analysis 2" course. It is both faster and deeper than the typical MVC offered at some other MCPS schools.
You need to stop with this non-sense. Its not deeper and MV and DE are always together.
Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations A/B MAT2038 A/B
Anonymous wrote:What is the point of doing it? If you all think your child will have a better chance at a top 15 then you are mistaken. Its not going to help. My DC took Algebra in 6th, pre calculus in 9th, MV, AP stats, linear algebra all by 12th grade. In addition to other AP science classes. He was waitlisted and then denied at MIT as well as other Ivy League schools. He was accepted to UMich, Georgia Tech etc.. but so were others who didn’t take all these advanced math classes. Most students at our large public who were accepted to Ivy schools were legacies and athletic recruits who did not take any such advanced classes. So chill..
You don't get it. My kid just wanted to not be bored in class. Accelerated math is the ONLY class where she doesn't pull out a book to read.
I couldn't care less about colleges. She'll do well wherever she goes.
You really must understand that different kids have different needs.
I get it. I have one of those kids. 260 map-m in third grade. It’s ok to be a little bored. What you aren’t thinking about is down the road. Most HS don’t even have the classes to support taking algebra in 7th. Highly doubt whatever MCPS is doing with the magnets is improving this.
PP you replied to. She's in high school now, and will either go to UMD or CC for an additional math class or take AP Stats at her high school after multivariable calc.
This isn't a little boredom. I cannot ask her to be miserable her entire K-12 years and be depressed. She was depressed before. She's accelerated everywhere as much as her high school has allowed her to be. She's taking two languages to AP level, for example. She has skipped some pre-requisites to do all the core STEM APs.
We thought about homeschooling, because she's way beyond the typical level of a high schooler, but she has friends at this high school. MCPS serves her social needs.
My other kids are not like this, and were satisfactorily challenged by their AP classes and their normal academic tracks. But sometimes, you get a kid like my daughter, and just like for students with special needs, it becomes really worthwhile to fight for a different academic track. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that she does have special needs... of a different sort, that's all.
Then you should have had her apply to magnet or do dual enrollment.
DP: There aren't enough slots in magnets. You'd probably have to cosa but we were told no. MC is impossible due to activities and transportation and online conflicts with other classes and activities.
MCPS should align the HS schedules and offer it virtually if they will not at each school.
A typical path could be:
6th: Algebra
7th: Geometry
8th: Algebra 2
9th: Precalculus
10th: Calc AB or BC
11: Calc BC or MV
12: Linear Algebra or Statistics or something else
Also, with the inequity in MCPS, they will bus some kids to a different school for math, but not others. I've heard them bus 1-2 kids for other schools but they refused to bus mine.
With the new “integrated math” that state education office just approved, will geometry be replaced with integrated math, or Algebra 1+geometry be replaced together with 2-yr of this IM course? I’m very confused as MCPS websites have inconsistent quotes from place to place.
Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 will cover much of current Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 content. Where they put the missing bits (Trigonometry, some Stats, etc.) may depend on the track chosen afterwards.
There will be 4 post-Algebra tracks, and not all would require that then-missing content to have been learned. The one which would would be the path to/past Calculus that many MCPS students would expect to take, especially those more academically inclined and/or STEM-focused. Whether they add that material to a PreCalc class or create a buffer course (or both, with an accelerated PreCalc+ option for those not intending to slow down with the buffer, but the buffer plus standard PreCalc available for those that need it), or whether they arrive at a different solution, is not yet determined.
Thanks for the constructive explanation. This really helps! So a kid who is allowed to enter Algebra at 6th grade previously will now use 2-yrs to complete Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 with this new IM. Then they would go preCalc for 8th grade, Calc for 9th grade, then math electives afterwards? That sounds like an over-acceleration path. Out of SMCS, I don't believe other MCPS HSs offer things beyond MVC and AP Stat. In SMCS, AP Stat is a semester-long course, so kids in SMCS will exhaust all math elective options.
There are schools, besides those housing SMCS, which offer Linear Algebra and Differential Equations in addition to MVC. They are offered based on community pull, which means that well-organized family groups have opportunities not afforded to less well-organized, often poorer, communities.
Terming advanced course opportunities "over"-acceleration would be misleading unless gracefully allowing for them relative to student ability and interest. Cases more clearly related to push, then, might be deemed over-accelerated.
MCPS clearly does not offer Algebra in 6th across the system as part of standard acceleration options. Those accessing it so early must do so with eyes open to the course needs further on, planning for dual enrollment as might be necessary.
As Algebra in 7th is part of the acceleration standard provided system-wide, it should be MCPS's responsibility to ensure equitable access, likewise across the system, to any student pursuing that path. In future years, should some flavor of advanced Precalc in 9th follow Integrated Algebra 2 for those able, Calc BC in 10th, MVC in 11th and at least one other year of college-level coursework, AP Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or other, will be needed at all schools to fulfill that responsibility.
Only the W schools and a few others offer MV. It will not be at all schools, and the BOE has been clear. THis path makes zero sense.
Could not agree more. Makes no sense. I think for some parents it's some sort of flex that their kid is on some super advanced math track. This fails to look at the long game where down the road they run out of classes in MCPS and/or the classes become too challenging.
Even regional model is implemented and these advanced math courses are offered at regional STEM programs, how to make sure students taking the advanced track got accepted to these programs? I'd imagine guaranteed admission would result in favor of push-in and potential corruption...
One way would be to give STEM-magnet admission priority to standard (or above) acceleration students whose home school would not offer the advanced courses locally. But that would create its own inequity.
Better just to make sure enough advanced courses are offered at every school so that no student is asked to slow down/accept discontinuity (e.g., take a filler course after Integrated Algebra, start with Calc AB instead of BC, settle for AP Stats after BC instead of MVC or take on the burden/diminished experience of dual enrollment/virtual classes where in-person is offered to others in the same situation elsewhere in the system).
You are making the assumption that all kids want these magnets vs. choosing the classes they want to take as electives. Many don't want the magnets. The solution is to make sure that all schools have AP's in Math, Science, Computer Science, Engineering and a minimum math of MV. And, where they cannot do it, align the school schedules and do it virtually. MC is not realistic for all kids due to transportation and schedules.
A tiny number of kids insisting on MV because they are too cool for AP Stats is not a reason to offer MV at every school. Even the SMCS magnet runs a stats course before MV.
Although I agree with you, the last sentence is inaccurate. About 1/4 of the juniors in SMCS take MVC (1 year) and magnet stat (1 semester) concurrently, with 1-2 additional math electives.
And it's not about being too cool for AP Stats. Stats is great to have. Stats is more important to have for most people than Calculus in the first place. However, the more important thing for those aiming at STEM such as EE or Math, itself, is direct continuity between instruction covering calculus of a single variable (covered in HS as AP Calc) and calculus of more than one variable (otherwise known as Multivariable Calculus or MVC).
And I believe that, unlike AP Stats, Magnet Stats at SMCS incorporates Calc-based Statistics, helping preserve subject continuity prior to MVC for those not taking the two classes concurrently. Discussion of the SMCS magnet is a different animal than identification of the courses needed to support all students at their local HS.
None of your posts make sense. You are arguing its ok your kids have access but not other kids. You argue like programs that supported more students like the MVA are unnecessary but the SMCS which really is unnecessary as these kids have the classes at their home schools is necessary. Its all aboout your wants and wishes without regard to other students needs. Sick.
Not sure where you see me argue against MVA. I have supported in-person as a generally better method of content delivery for most students. I also have suggested that in-person for some and virtual for others, not by choice but by zip code, would be an inequitable situation, precisely because of the former's generally being better for most students.
Aside from having truly unique courses, SMCS serves students from areas that do not have courses beyond the APs (if that -- some don't routinely offer BC), not only students whose home school offers MVC or the like.
My kids do not have the access you appear to assume. I suggest all students should have equitably similar access.
Perhaps you are confusing my posts with those of others? It is an anonymous forum, after all.
There is NO equity in MCPS except for W schools, Poolesville, BCC and a few others. Lets be real. According to the BOE slides, things may get much worse for the DCC students at their home schools as they are taking away programs and moving them to other schools which is the draw to those schools.
SMCS have access to the classes at Blair but because of the program they are locked into a ridged schedule whcih is why some choose not to do it. I'm not getting whats so special via the posts here. Especially when the math is slowed down and the limitations. I don't get why some of these kids were picked over other kids who are more advanced in math and other areas. I don't get why W school kids who have opportunities at their home schools get preference over DCC kids who do not.
And not to mention none of the NEC high schools offers MVC. Just ridiculous.
As an outsider, it looks to me that the consortium model works well for DCC but not NEC, correct? Why? In many sense the new regional model looks very similar to the consortium model to me. So it's going to be very meaningful if CO can analyze why this works for some and not for others.
The DCC isn't perfect and only two schools have advanced classes but its better than not having it at all.
The amount of schools not having advanced classes isn't going to change with the regional model as the minimum schools are required to offer is BC, not MV. So, nothing will change for most of our kids and this is doing something for the sake of doing something vs. actually fixing the problems.
Which is why they should update the presentation for this plan so that the slide on classes expected to be at all schools includes MVC.
Re: DCC, it also isn't like those two schools aren't overbooked such that those not within their individual catchments (guaranteed to attend their home school if listed as 1st or 2nd preference) have a reasonable chance of going there to access the advanced classes.
Actually Wheaton and Blair ARE very overcrowded so its nearly impossible to cosa in. They aren't going to offer MVC, which is why its not in the slides.
That incapacity at Wheaton & Blair is what the PP was noting.
They haven't placed MVC on the slides for higher-end classes to be available at all local schools, but clearly they should. Or they should provide for policy that makes access to the STEM magnets available to any who would be hitting Calc BC prior to 12th grade. Or they can give up on meeting student needs equitably.
This is all to say they are making changes when the changes will be minimal and hurt some schools.
The expectation is you go to MC or you just don't take it and take other stuff.
As long as that is the expectation for MVC at every MCPS high school without a STEM magnet.
Anonymous wrote:What is the point of doing it? If you all think your child will have a better chance at a top 15 then you are mistaken. Its not going to help. My DC took Algebra in 6th, pre calculus in 9th, MV, AP stats, linear algebra all by 12th grade. In addition to other AP science classes. He was waitlisted and then denied at MIT as well as other Ivy League schools. He was accepted to UMich, Georgia Tech etc.. but so were others who didn’t take all these advanced math classes. Most students at our large public who were accepted to Ivy schools were legacies and athletic recruits who did not take any such advanced classes. So chill..
You don't get it. My kid just wanted to not be bored in class. Accelerated math is the ONLY class where she doesn't pull out a book to read.
I couldn't care less about colleges. She'll do well wherever she goes.
You really must understand that different kids have different needs.
I get it. I have one of those kids. 260 map-m in third grade. It’s ok to be a little bored. What you aren’t thinking about is down the road. Most HS don’t even have the classes to support taking algebra in 7th. Highly doubt whatever MCPS is doing with the magnets is improving this.
PP you replied to. She's in high school now, and will either go to UMD or CC for an additional math class or take AP Stats at her high school after multivariable calc.
This isn't a little boredom. I cannot ask her to be miserable her entire K-12 years and be depressed. She was depressed before. She's accelerated everywhere as much as her high school has allowed her to be. She's taking two languages to AP level, for example. She has skipped some pre-requisites to do all the core STEM APs.
We thought about homeschooling, because she's way beyond the typical level of a high schooler, but she has friends at this high school. MCPS serves her social needs.
My other kids are not like this, and were satisfactorily challenged by their AP classes and their normal academic tracks. But sometimes, you get a kid like my daughter, and just like for students with special needs, it becomes really worthwhile to fight for a different academic track. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that she does have special needs... of a different sort, that's all.
Then you should have had her apply to magnet or do dual enrollment.
DP: There aren't enough slots in magnets. You'd probably have to cosa but we were told no. MC is impossible due to activities and transportation and online conflicts with other classes and activities.
MCPS should align the HS schedules and offer it virtually if they will not at each school.
A typical path could be:
6th: Algebra
7th: Geometry
8th: Algebra 2
9th: Precalculus
10th: Calc AB or BC
11: Calc BC or MV
12: Linear Algebra or Statistics or something else
Also, with the inequity in MCPS, they will bus some kids to a different school for math, but not others. I've heard them bus 1-2 kids for other schools but they refused to bus mine.
With the new “integrated math” that state education office just approved, will geometry be replaced with integrated math, or Algebra 1+geometry be replaced together with 2-yr of this IM course? I’m very confused as MCPS websites have inconsistent quotes from place to place.
Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 will cover much of current Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 content. Where they put the missing bits (Trigonometry, some Stats, etc.) may depend on the track chosen afterwards.
There will be 4 post-Algebra tracks, and not all would require that then-missing content to have been learned. The one which would would be the path to/past Calculus that many MCPS students would expect to take, especially those more academically inclined and/or STEM-focused. Whether they add that material to a PreCalc class or create a buffer course (or both, with an accelerated PreCalc+ option for those not intending to slow down with the buffer, but the buffer plus standard PreCalc available for those that need it), or whether they arrive at a different solution, is not yet determined.
Thanks for the constructive explanation. This really helps! So a kid who is allowed to enter Algebra at 6th grade previously will now use 2-yrs to complete Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 with this new IM. Then they would go preCalc for 8th grade, Calc for 9th grade, then math electives afterwards? That sounds like an over-acceleration path. Out of SMCS, I don't believe other MCPS HSs offer things beyond MVC and AP Stat. In SMCS, AP Stat is a semester-long course, so kids in SMCS will exhaust all math elective options.
There are schools, besides those housing SMCS, which offer Linear Algebra and Differential Equations in addition to MVC. They are offered based on community pull, which means that well-organized family groups have opportunities not afforded to less well-organized, often poorer, communities.
Terming advanced course opportunities "over"-acceleration would be misleading unless gracefully allowing for them relative to student ability and interest. Cases more clearly related to push, then, might be deemed over-accelerated.
MCPS clearly does not offer Algebra in 6th across the system as part of standard acceleration options. Those accessing it so early must do so with eyes open to the course needs further on, planning for dual enrollment as might be necessary.
As Algebra in 7th is part of the acceleration standard provided system-wide, it should be MCPS's responsibility to ensure equitable access, likewise across the system, to any student pursuing that path. In future years, should some flavor of advanced Precalc in 9th follow Integrated Algebra 2 for those able, Calc BC in 10th, MVC in 11th and at least one other year of college-level coursework, AP Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or other, will be needed at all schools to fulfill that responsibility.
Only the W schools and a few others offer MV. It will not be at all schools, and the BOE has been clear. THis path makes zero sense.
Could not agree more. Makes no sense. I think for some parents it's some sort of flex that their kid is on some super advanced math track. This fails to look at the long game where down the road they run out of classes in MCPS and/or the classes become too challenging.
Even regional model is implemented and these advanced math courses are offered at regional STEM programs, how to make sure students taking the advanced track got accepted to these programs? I'd imagine guaranteed admission would result in favor of push-in and potential corruption...
One way would be to give STEM-magnet admission priority to standard (or above) acceleration students whose home school would not offer the advanced courses locally. But that would create its own inequity.
Better just to make sure enough advanced courses are offered at every school so that no student is asked to slow down/accept discontinuity (e.g., take a filler course after Integrated Algebra, start with Calc AB instead of BC, settle for AP Stats after BC instead of MVC or take on the burden/diminished experience of dual enrollment/virtual classes where in-person is offered to others in the same situation elsewhere in the system).
You are making the assumption that all kids want these magnets vs. choosing the classes they want to take as electives. Many don't want the magnets. The solution is to make sure that all schools have AP's in Math, Science, Computer Science, Engineering and a minimum math of MV. And, where they cannot do it, align the school schedules and do it virtually. MC is not realistic for all kids due to transportation and schedules.
A tiny number of kids insisting on MV because they are too cool for AP Stats is not a reason to offer MV at every school. Even the SMCS magnet runs a stats course before MV.
Although I agree with you, the last sentence is inaccurate. About 1/4 of the juniors in SMCS take MVC (1 year) and magnet stat (1 semester) concurrently, with 1-2 additional math electives.
And it's not about being too cool for AP Stats. Stats is great to have. Stats is more important to have for most people than Calculus in the first place. However, the more important thing for those aiming at STEM such as EE or Math, itself, is direct continuity between instruction covering calculus of a single variable (covered in HS as AP Calc) and calculus of more than one variable (otherwise known as Multivariable Calculus or MVC).
And I believe that, unlike AP Stats, Magnet Stats at SMCS incorporates Calc-based Statistics, helping preserve subject continuity prior to MVC for those not taking the two classes concurrently. Discussion of the SMCS magnet is a different animal than identification of the courses needed to support all students at their local HS.
None of your posts make sense. You are arguing its ok your kids have access but not other kids. You argue like programs that supported more students like the MVA are unnecessary but the SMCS which really is unnecessary as these kids have the classes at their home schools is necessary. Its all aboout your wants and wishes without regard to other students needs. Sick.
Not sure where you see me argue against MVA. I have supported in-person as a generally better method of content delivery for most students. I also have suggested that in-person for some and virtual for others, not by choice but by zip code, would be an inequitable situation, precisely because of the former's generally being better for most students.
Aside from having truly unique courses, SMCS serves students from areas that do not have courses beyond the APs (if that -- some don't routinely offer BC), not only students whose home school offers MVC or the like.
My kids do not have the access you appear to assume. I suggest all students should have equitably similar access.
Perhaps you are confusing my posts with those of others? It is an anonymous forum, after all.
There is NO equity in MCPS except for W schools, Poolesville, BCC and a few others. Lets be real. According to the BOE slides, things may get much worse for the DCC students at their home schools as they are taking away programs and moving them to other schools which is the draw to those schools.
SMCS have access to the classes at Blair but because of the program they are locked into a ridged schedule whcih is why some choose not to do it. I'm not getting whats so special via the posts here. Especially when the math is slowed down and the limitations. I don't get why some of these kids were picked over other kids who are more advanced in math and other areas. I don't get why W school kids who have opportunities at their home schools get preference over DCC kids who do not.
And not to mention none of the NEC high schools offers MVC. Just ridiculous.
As an outsider, it looks to me that the consortium model works well for DCC but not NEC, correct? Why? In many sense the new regional model looks very similar to the consortium model to me. So it's going to be very meaningful if CO can analyze why this works for some and not for others.
The DCC isn't perfect and only two schools have advanced classes but its better than not having it at all.
The amount of schools not having advanced classes isn't going to change with the regional model as the minimum schools are required to offer is BC, not MV. So, nothing will change for most of our kids and this is doing something for the sake of doing something vs. actually fixing the problems.
Which is why they should update the presentation for this plan so that the slide on classes expected to be at all schools includes MVC.
Re: DCC, it also isn't like those two schools aren't overbooked such that those not within their individual catchments (guaranteed to attend their home school if listed as 1st or 2nd preference) have a reasonable chance of going there to access the advanced classes.
Actually Wheaton and Blair ARE very overcrowded so its nearly impossible to cosa in. They aren't going to offer MVC, which is why its not in the slides.
That incapacity at Wheaton & Blair is what the PP was noting.
They haven't placed MVC on the slides for higher-end classes to be available at all local schools, but clearly they should. Or they should provide for policy that makes access to the STEM magnets available to any who would be hitting Calc BC prior to 12th grade. Or they can give up on meeting student needs equitably.
This is all to say they are making changes when the changes will be minimal and hurt some schools.
The expectation is you go to MC or you just don't take it and take other stuff.
As long as that is the expectation for MVC at every MCPS high school without a STEM magnet.
The slides are clear the highest is BC. You have to figure out the MV yourself.
Anonymous wrote:What is the point of doing it? If you all think your child will have a better chance at a top 15 then you are mistaken. Its not going to help. My DC took Algebra in 6th, pre calculus in 9th, MV, AP stats, linear algebra all by 12th grade. In addition to other AP science classes. He was waitlisted and then denied at MIT as well as other Ivy League schools. He was accepted to UMich, Georgia Tech etc.. but so were others who didn’t take all these advanced math classes. Most students at our large public who were accepted to Ivy schools were legacies and athletic recruits who did not take any such advanced classes. So chill..
You don't get it. My kid just wanted to not be bored in class. Accelerated math is the ONLY class where she doesn't pull out a book to read.
I couldn't care less about colleges. She'll do well wherever she goes.
You really must understand that different kids have different needs.
I get it. I have one of those kids. 260 map-m in third grade. It’s ok to be a little bored. What you aren’t thinking about is down the road. Most HS don’t even have the classes to support taking algebra in 7th. Highly doubt whatever MCPS is doing with the magnets is improving this.
PP you replied to. She's in high school now, and will either go to UMD or CC for an additional math class or take AP Stats at her high school after multivariable calc.
This isn't a little boredom. I cannot ask her to be miserable her entire K-12 years and be depressed. She was depressed before. She's accelerated everywhere as much as her high school has allowed her to be. She's taking two languages to AP level, for example. She has skipped some pre-requisites to do all the core STEM APs.
We thought about homeschooling, because she's way beyond the typical level of a high schooler, but she has friends at this high school. MCPS serves her social needs.
My other kids are not like this, and were satisfactorily challenged by their AP classes and their normal academic tracks. But sometimes, you get a kid like my daughter, and just like for students with special needs, it becomes really worthwhile to fight for a different academic track. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that she does have special needs... of a different sort, that's all.
Then you should have had her apply to magnet or do dual enrollment.
DP: There aren't enough slots in magnets. You'd probably have to cosa but we were told no. MC is impossible due to activities and transportation and online conflicts with other classes and activities.
MCPS should align the HS schedules and offer it virtually if they will not at each school.
A typical path could be:
6th: Algebra
7th: Geometry
8th: Algebra 2
9th: Precalculus
10th: Calc AB or BC
11: Calc BC or MV
12: Linear Algebra or Statistics or something else
Also, with the inequity in MCPS, they will bus some kids to a different school for math, but not others. I've heard them bus 1-2 kids for other schools but they refused to bus mine.
With the new “integrated math” that state education office just approved, will geometry be replaced with integrated math, or Algebra 1+geometry be replaced together with 2-yr of this IM course? I’m very confused as MCPS websites have inconsistent quotes from place to place.
Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 will cover much of current Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 content. Where they put the missing bits (Trigonometry, some Stats, etc.) may depend on the track chosen afterwards.
There will be 4 post-Algebra tracks, and not all would require that then-missing content to have been learned. The one which would would be the path to/past Calculus that many MCPS students would expect to take, especially those more academically inclined and/or STEM-focused. Whether they add that material to a PreCalc class or create a buffer course (or both, with an accelerated PreCalc+ option for those not intending to slow down with the buffer, but the buffer plus standard PreCalc available for those that need it), or whether they arrive at a different solution, is not yet determined.
Thanks for the constructive explanation. This really helps! So a kid who is allowed to enter Algebra at 6th grade previously will now use 2-yrs to complete Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 with this new IM. Then they would go preCalc for 8th grade, Calc for 9th grade, then math electives afterwards? That sounds like an over-acceleration path. Out of SMCS, I don't believe other MCPS HSs offer things beyond MVC and AP Stat. In SMCS, AP Stat is a semester-long course, so kids in SMCS will exhaust all math elective options.
There are schools, besides those housing SMCS, which offer Linear Algebra and Differential Equations in addition to MVC. They are offered based on community pull, which means that well-organized family groups have opportunities not afforded to less well-organized, often poorer, communities.
Terming advanced course opportunities "over"-acceleration would be misleading unless gracefully allowing for them relative to student ability and interest. Cases more clearly related to push, then, might be deemed over-accelerated.
MCPS clearly does not offer Algebra in 6th across the system as part of standard acceleration options. Those accessing it so early must do so with eyes open to the course needs further on, planning for dual enrollment as might be necessary.
As Algebra in 7th is part of the acceleration standard provided system-wide, it should be MCPS's responsibility to ensure equitable access, likewise across the system, to any student pursuing that path. In future years, should some flavor of advanced Precalc in 9th follow Integrated Algebra 2 for those able, Calc BC in 10th, MVC in 11th and at least one other year of college-level coursework, AP Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or other, will be needed at all schools to fulfill that responsibility.
Only the W schools and a few others offer MV. It will not be at all schools, and the BOE has been clear. THis path makes zero sense.
Could not agree more. Makes no sense. I think for some parents it's some sort of flex that their kid is on some super advanced math track. This fails to look at the long game where down the road they run out of classes in MCPS and/or the classes become too challenging.
Even regional model is implemented and these advanced math courses are offered at regional STEM programs, how to make sure students taking the advanced track got accepted to these programs? I'd imagine guaranteed admission would result in favor of push-in and potential corruption...
One way would be to give STEM-magnet admission priority to standard (or above) acceleration students whose home school would not offer the advanced courses locally. But that would create its own inequity.
Better just to make sure enough advanced courses are offered at every school so that no student is asked to slow down/accept discontinuity (e.g., take a filler course after Integrated Algebra, start with Calc AB instead of BC, settle for AP Stats after BC instead of MVC or take on the burden/diminished experience of dual enrollment/virtual classes where in-person is offered to others in the same situation elsewhere in the system).
You are making the assumption that all kids want these magnets vs. choosing the classes they want to take as electives. Many don't want the magnets. The solution is to make sure that all schools have AP's in Math, Science, Computer Science, Engineering and a minimum math of MV. And, where they cannot do it, align the school schedules and do it virtually. MC is not realistic for all kids due to transportation and schedules.
A tiny number of kids insisting on MV because they are too cool for AP Stats is not a reason to offer MV at every school. Even the SMCS magnet runs a stats course before MV.
Although I agree with you, the last sentence is inaccurate. About 1/4 of the juniors in SMCS take MVC (1 year) and magnet stat (1 semester) concurrently, with 1-2 additional math electives.
And it's not about being too cool for AP Stats. Stats is great to have. Stats is more important to have for most people than Calculus in the first place. However, the more important thing for those aiming at STEM such as EE or Math, itself, is direct continuity between instruction covering calculus of a single variable (covered in HS as AP Calc) and calculus of more than one variable (otherwise known as Multivariable Calculus or MVC).
And I believe that, unlike AP Stats, Magnet Stats at SMCS incorporates Calc-based Statistics, helping preserve subject continuity prior to MVC for those not taking the two classes concurrently. Discussion of the SMCS magnet is a different animal than identification of the courses needed to support all students at their local HS.
None of your posts make sense. You are arguing its ok your kids have access but not other kids. You argue like programs that supported more students like the MVA are unnecessary but the SMCS which really is unnecessary as these kids have the classes at their home schools is necessary. Its all aboout your wants and wishes without regard to other students needs. Sick.
Not sure where you see me argue against MVA. I have supported in-person as a generally better method of content delivery for most students. I also have suggested that in-person for some and virtual for others, not by choice but by zip code, would be an inequitable situation, precisely because of the former's generally being better for most students.
Aside from having truly unique courses, SMCS serves students from areas that do not have courses beyond the APs (if that -- some don't routinely offer BC), not only students whose home school offers MVC or the like.
My kids do not have the access you appear to assume. I suggest all students should have equitably similar access.
Perhaps you are confusing my posts with those of others? It is an anonymous forum, after all.
There is NO equity in MCPS except for W schools, Poolesville, BCC and a few others. Lets be real. According to the BOE slides, things may get much worse for the DCC students at their home schools as they are taking away programs and moving them to other schools which is the draw to those schools.
SMCS have access to the classes at Blair but because of the program they are locked into a ridged schedule whcih is why some choose not to do it. I'm not getting whats so special via the posts here. Especially when the math is slowed down and the limitations. I don't get why some of these kids were picked over other kids who are more advanced in math and other areas. I don't get why W school kids who have opportunities at their home schools get preference over DCC kids who do not.
And not to mention none of the NEC high schools offers MVC. Just ridiculous.
As an outsider, it looks to me that the consortium model works well for DCC but not NEC, correct? Why? In many sense the new regional model looks very similar to the consortium model to me. So it's going to be very meaningful if CO can analyze why this works for some and not for others.
The DCC isn't perfect and only two schools have advanced classes but its better than not having it at all.
The amount of schools not having advanced classes isn't going to change with the regional model as the minimum schools are required to offer is BC, not MV. So, nothing will change for most of our kids and this is doing something for the sake of doing something vs. actually fixing the problems.
Which is why they should update the presentation for this plan so that the slide on classes expected to be at all schools includes MVC.
Re: DCC, it also isn't like those two schools aren't overbooked such that those not within their individual catchments (guaranteed to attend their home school if listed as 1st or 2nd preference) have a reasonable chance of going there to access the advanced classes.
Actually Wheaton and Blair ARE very overcrowded so its nearly impossible to cosa in. They aren't going to offer MVC, which is why its not in the slides.
That incapacity at Wheaton & Blair is what the PP was noting.
They haven't placed MVC on the slides for higher-end classes to be available at all local schools, but clearly they should. Or they should provide for policy that makes access to the STEM magnets available to any who would be hitting Calc BC prior to 12th grade. Or they can give up on meeting student needs equitably.
This is all to say they are making changes when the changes will be minimal and hurt some schools.
The expectation is you go to MC or you just don't take it and take other stuff.
As long as that is the expectation for MVC at every MCPS high school without a STEM magnet.
The slides are clear the highest is BC. You have to figure out the MV yourself.
Breaking News...MCPS makes things clear at BOE meeting...Film at eleven.
Do not do this. You will run out of classes. I say this bc it happened to many people I know personally. So it’s not a biased opinion it’s totally wholly accurate and true.
Anonymous wrote:Do not do this. You will run out of classes. I say this bc it happened to many people I know personally. So it’s not a biased opinion it’s totally wholly accurate and true.
It depends on what school you are at. A few schools have higher math or as a parent you have to figure it out yourself like the rest of us did and you are on your own. MCPS needs to stop using buzz words like equity.
Anonymous wrote:What is the point of doing it? If you all think your child will have a better chance at a top 15 then you are mistaken. Its not going to help. My DC took Algebra in 6th, pre calculus in 9th, MV, AP stats, linear algebra all by 12th grade. In addition to other AP science classes. He was waitlisted and then denied at MIT as well as other Ivy League schools. He was accepted to UMich, Georgia Tech etc.. but so were others who didn’t take all these advanced math classes. Most students at our large public who were accepted to Ivy schools were legacies and athletic recruits who did not take any such advanced classes. So chill..
You don't get it. My kid just wanted to not be bored in class. Accelerated math is the ONLY class where she doesn't pull out a book to read.
I couldn't care less about colleges. She'll do well wherever she goes.
You really must understand that different kids have different needs.
I get it. I have one of those kids. 260 map-m in third grade. It’s ok to be a little bored. What you aren’t thinking about is down the road. Most HS don’t even have the classes to support taking algebra in 7th. Highly doubt whatever MCPS is doing with the magnets is improving this.
PP you replied to. She's in high school now, and will either go to UMD or CC for an additional math class or take AP Stats at her high school after multivariable calc.
This isn't a little boredom. I cannot ask her to be miserable her entire K-12 years and be depressed. She was depressed before. She's accelerated everywhere as much as her high school has allowed her to be. She's taking two languages to AP level, for example. She has skipped some pre-requisites to do all the core STEM APs.
We thought about homeschooling, because she's way beyond the typical level of a high schooler, but she has friends at this high school. MCPS serves her social needs.
My other kids are not like this, and were satisfactorily challenged by their AP classes and their normal academic tracks. But sometimes, you get a kid like my daughter, and just like for students with special needs, it becomes really worthwhile to fight for a different academic track. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that she does have special needs... of a different sort, that's all.
Then you should have had her apply to magnet or do dual enrollment.
DP: There aren't enough slots in magnets. You'd probably have to cosa but we were told no. MC is impossible due to activities and transportation and online conflicts with other classes and activities.
MCPS should align the HS schedules and offer it virtually if they will not at each school.
A typical path could be:
6th: Algebra
7th: Geometry
8th: Algebra 2
9th: Precalculus
10th: Calc AB or BC
11: Calc BC or MV
12: Linear Algebra or Statistics or something else
Also, with the inequity in MCPS, they will bus some kids to a different school for math, but not others. I've heard them bus 1-2 kids for other schools but they refused to bus mine.
With the new “integrated math” that state education office just approved, will geometry be replaced with integrated math, or Algebra 1+geometry be replaced together with 2-yr of this IM course? I’m very confused as MCPS websites have inconsistent quotes from place to place.
Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 will cover much of current Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 content. Where they put the missing bits (Trigonometry, some Stats, etc.) may depend on the track chosen afterwards.
There will be 4 post-Algebra tracks, and not all would require that then-missing content to have been learned. The one which would would be the path to/past Calculus that many MCPS students would expect to take, especially those more academically inclined and/or STEM-focused. Whether they add that material to a PreCalc class or create a buffer course (or both, with an accelerated PreCalc+ option for those not intending to slow down with the buffer, but the buffer plus standard PreCalc available for those that need it), or whether they arrive at a different solution, is not yet determined.
Thanks for the constructive explanation. This really helps! So a kid who is allowed to enter Algebra at 6th grade previously will now use 2-yrs to complete Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 with this new IM. Then they would go preCalc for 8th grade, Calc for 9th grade, then math electives afterwards? That sounds like an over-acceleration path. Out of SMCS, I don't believe other MCPS HSs offer things beyond MVC and AP Stat. In SMCS, AP Stat is a semester-long course, so kids in SMCS will exhaust all math elective options.
There are schools, besides those housing SMCS, which offer Linear Algebra and Differential Equations in addition to MVC. They are offered based on community pull, which means that well-organized family groups have opportunities not afforded to less well-organized, often poorer, communities.
Terming advanced course opportunities "over"-acceleration would be misleading unless gracefully allowing for them relative to student ability and interest. Cases more clearly related to push, then, might be deemed over-accelerated.
MCPS clearly does not offer Algebra in 6th across the system as part of standard acceleration options. Those accessing it so early must do so with eyes open to the course needs further on, planning for dual enrollment as might be necessary.
As Algebra in 7th is part of the acceleration standard provided system-wide, it should be MCPS's responsibility to ensure equitable access, likewise across the system, to any student pursuing that path. In future years, should some flavor of advanced Precalc in 9th follow Integrated Algebra 2 for those able, Calc BC in 10th, MVC in 11th and at least one other year of college-level coursework, AP Stats, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations or other, will be needed at all schools to fulfill that responsibility.
Only the W schools and a few others offer MV. It will not be at all schools, and the BOE has been clear. THis path makes zero sense.
Could not agree more. Makes no sense. I think for some parents it's some sort of flex that their kid is on some super advanced math track. This fails to look at the long game where down the road they run out of classes in MCPS and/or the classes become too challenging.
Even regional model is implemented and these advanced math courses are offered at regional STEM programs, how to make sure students taking the advanced track got accepted to these programs? I'd imagine guaranteed admission would result in favor of push-in and potential corruption...
One way would be to give STEM-magnet admission priority to standard (or above) acceleration students whose home school would not offer the advanced courses locally. But that would create its own inequity.
Better just to make sure enough advanced courses are offered at every school so that no student is asked to slow down/accept discontinuity (e.g., take a filler course after Integrated Algebra, start with Calc AB instead of BC, settle for AP Stats after BC instead of MVC or take on the burden/diminished experience of dual enrollment/virtual classes where in-person is offered to others in the same situation elsewhere in the system).
You are making the assumption that all kids want these magnets vs. choosing the classes they want to take as electives. Many don't want the magnets. The solution is to make sure that all schools have AP's in Math, Science, Computer Science, Engineering and a minimum math of MV. And, where they cannot do it, align the school schedules and do it virtually. MC is not realistic for all kids due to transportation and schedules.
A tiny number of kids insisting on MV because they are too cool for AP Stats is not a reason to offer MV at every school. Even the SMCS magnet runs a stats course before MV.
Although I agree with you, the last sentence is inaccurate. About 1/4 of the juniors in SMCS take MVC (1 year) and magnet stat (1 semester) concurrently, with 1-2 additional math electives.
And it's not about being too cool for AP Stats. Stats is great to have. Stats is more important to have for most people than Calculus in the first place. However, the more important thing for those aiming at STEM such as EE or Math, itself, is direct continuity between instruction covering calculus of a single variable (covered in HS as AP Calc) and calculus of more than one variable (otherwise known as Multivariable Calculus or MVC).
And I believe that, unlike AP Stats, Magnet Stats at SMCS incorporates Calc-based Statistics, helping preserve subject continuity prior to MVC for those not taking the two classes concurrently. Discussion of the SMCS magnet is a different animal than identification of the courses needed to support all students at their local HS.
None of your posts make sense. You are arguing its ok your kids have access but not other kids. You argue like programs that supported more students like the MVA are unnecessary but the SMCS which really is unnecessary as these kids have the classes at their home schools is necessary. Its all aboout your wants and wishes without regard to other students needs. Sick.
Not sure where you see me argue against MVA. I have supported in-person as a generally better method of content delivery for most students. I also have suggested that in-person for some and virtual for others, not by choice but by zip code, would be an inequitable situation, precisely because of the former's generally being better for most students.
Aside from having truly unique courses, SMCS serves students from areas that do not have courses beyond the APs (if that -- some don't routinely offer BC), not only students whose home school offers MVC or the like.
My kids do not have the access you appear to assume. I suggest all students should have equitably similar access.
Perhaps you are confusing my posts with those of others? It is an anonymous forum, after all.
There is NO equity in MCPS except for W schools, Poolesville, BCC and a few others. Lets be real. According to the BOE slides, things may get much worse for the DCC students at their home schools as they are taking away programs and moving them to other schools which is the draw to those schools.
SMCS have access to the classes at Blair but because of the program they are locked into a ridged schedule whcih is why some choose not to do it. I'm not getting whats so special via the posts here. Especially when the math is slowed down and the limitations. I don't get why some of these kids were picked over other kids who are more advanced in math and other areas. I don't get why W school kids who have opportunities at their home schools get preference over DCC kids who do not.
And not to mention none of the NEC high schools offers MVC. Just ridiculous.
As an outsider, it looks to me that the consortium model works well for DCC but not NEC, correct? Why? In many sense the new regional model looks very similar to the consortium model to me. So it's going to be very meaningful if CO can analyze why this works for some and not for others.
The DCC isn't perfect and only two schools have advanced classes but its better than not having it at all.
The amount of schools not having advanced classes isn't going to change with the regional model as the minimum schools are required to offer is BC, not MV. So, nothing will change for most of our kids and this is doing something for the sake of doing something vs. actually fixing the problems.
Which is why they should update the presentation for this plan so that the slide on classes expected to be at all schools includes MVC.
Re: DCC, it also isn't like those two schools aren't overbooked such that those not within their individual catchments (guaranteed to attend their home school if listed as 1st or 2nd preference) have a reasonable chance of going there to access the advanced classes.
Actually Wheaton and Blair ARE very overcrowded so its nearly impossible to cosa in. They aren't going to offer MVC, which is why its not in the slides.
That incapacity at Wheaton & Blair is what the PP was noting.
They haven't placed MVC on the slides for higher-end classes to be available at all local schools, but clearly they should. Or they should provide for policy that makes access to the STEM magnets available to any who would be hitting Calc BC prior to 12th grade. Or they can give up on meeting student needs equitably.
This is all to say they are making changes when the changes will be minimal and hurt some schools.
The expectation is you go to MC or you just don't take it and take other stuff.
As long as that is the expectation for MVC at every MCPS high school without a STEM magnet.
The slides are clear the highest is BC. You have to figure out the MV yourself.
Breaking News...MCPS makes things clear at BOE meeting...Film at eleven.
Breaking News, you cannot trust MCPS to educate your kids or fulfill their promises. You have to figure it out if you are not at a W school or one of the few schools that had advanced classes. Plan to have your kids on public transportation, buy a car or drive to MC or other places.
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