LCPS Math placement for 5th graders, rising 6th graders

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

Thanks. Has there been any shift in the split of kids going into Foundations versus Math 6?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

The question is what will it be this year, as last year was when they basically disappeared 6th grade algebra, with just 3 students in all of LCPS. Prealgebra was down to about 10 students in one school instead of the previous 200.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

In my middle school, teachers are recommending algebra 1 for 7th grade for kids who took foundations in 6th, I think anyone with an A, but it might be 95%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

County math staff is on record supporting eliminating of tracking, and wanting to eliminate prealgebra in 6th grade, for equity reasons.
Eliminating algebra in 8th would fit with this, as that is what VMPI was doing while they were claiming algebra in 8th.
The kids who are not capable of algebra in 8th would not be left behind, so this was really prealgebra in 8th as they admitted in some videos.
However, some of the current prealgebra curriculum was taught in algebra class when I was in school, like graphing line equations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

Thanks. Has there been any shift in the split of kids going into Foundations versus Math 6?

Any parent who wants Foundations can have it. They may recommend Math 6 for your child but there is no formal test for Foundations. I’m sure it varies slightly by school of course. My DD said a few weeks into the year a couple kids were moved to Pre Algebra and a couple were moved to Math 6. I think this just underscores the fact that parents and 5th grade teachers are still confused what the county is trying to do.

I agree with a PP that kids who get a high grade in Foundations would be allowed to take Algebra in 7th - however what I’m not sure about is whether they would be encouraged to do so.

I will say, my 9th grader who took Algebra in 7th is one of the few she knows who stayed on the honors path. Very few of her Algebra in 7th cohort are taking Algebra 2 Trig Honors this year. Most dropped out to take plain Algebra 2, and some even repeated Algebra in 8th grade. So they are dropping like flies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

Thanks. Has there been any shift in the split of kids going into Foundations versus Math 6?

Any parent who wants Foundations can have it. They may recommend Math 6 for your child but there is no formal test for Foundations. I’m sure it varies slightly by school of course. My DD said a few weeks into the year a couple kids were moved to Pre Algebra and a couple were moved to Math 6. I think this just underscores the fact that parents and 5th grade teachers are still confused what the county is trying to do.

I agree with a PP that kids who get a high grade in Foundations would be allowed to take Algebra in 7th - however what I’m not sure about is whether they would be encouraged to do so.

I will say, my 9th grader who took Algebra in 7th is one of the few she knows who stayed on the honors path. Very few of her Algebra in 7th cohort are taking Algebra 2 Trig Honors this year. Most dropped out to take plain Algebra 2, and some even repeated Algebra in 8th grade. So they are dropping like flies.

Distance learning was hard on a lot of kids. Dropping back to regular classes or repeating a course is how some tried to recover from learning loss. Makes it hard to know if they're struggling with acceleration or the fall-out from distance learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

Thanks. Has there been any shift in the split of kids going into Foundations versus Math 6?

Any parent who wants Foundations can have it. They may recommend Math 6 for your child but there is no formal test for Foundations. I’m sure it varies slightly by school of course. My DD said a few weeks into the year a couple kids were moved to Pre Algebra and a couple were moved to Math 6. I think this just underscores the fact that parents and 5th grade teachers are still confused what the county is trying to do.

I agree with a PP that kids who get a high grade in Foundations would be allowed to take Algebra in 7th - however what I’m not sure about is whether they would be encouraged to do so.

I will say, my 9th grader who took Algebra in 7th is one of the few she knows who stayed on the honors path. Very few of her Algebra in 7th cohort are taking Algebra 2 Trig Honors this year. Most dropped out to take plain Algebra 2, and some even repeated Algebra in 8th grade. So they are dropping like flies.

Distance learning was hard on a lot of kids. Dropping back to regular classes or repeating a course is how some tried to recover from learning loss. Makes it hard to know if they're struggling with acceleration or the fall-out from distance learning.

I would argue the kids truly suited for double accelerated math (algebra in 7th) should have been able to cope, or it was too much for them anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

Thanks. Has there been any shift in the split of kids going into Foundations versus Math 6?

Any parent who wants Foundations can have it. They may recommend Math 6 for your child but there is no formal test for Foundations. I’m sure it varies slightly by school of course. My DD said a few weeks into the year a couple kids were moved to Pre Algebra and a couple were moved to Math 6. I think this just underscores the fact that parents and 5th grade teachers are still confused what the county is trying to do.

I agree with a PP that kids who get a high grade in Foundations would be allowed to take Algebra in 7th - however what I’m not sure about is whether they would be encouraged to do so.

I will say, my 9th grader who took Algebra in 7th is one of the few she knows who stayed on the honors path. Very few of her Algebra in 7th cohort are taking Algebra 2 Trig Honors this year. Most dropped out to take plain Algebra 2, and some even repeated Algebra in 8th grade. So they are dropping like flies.

Teachers were only recommending this class for kids who got 95% in geometry in 8th grade. Otherwise they were recommending algebra 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

Thanks. Has there been any shift in the split of kids going into Foundations versus Math 6?

Any parent who wants Foundations can have it. They may recommend Math 6 for your child but there is no formal test for Foundations. I’m sure it varies slightly by school of course. My DD said a few weeks into the year a couple kids were moved to Pre Algebra and a couple were moved to Math 6. I think this just underscores the fact that parents and 5th grade teachers are still confused what the county is trying to do.

I agree with a PP that kids who get a high grade in Foundations would be allowed to take Algebra in 7th - however what I’m not sure about is whether they would be encouraged to do so.

I will say, my 9th grader who took Algebra in 7th is one of the few she knows who stayed on the honors path. Very few of her Algebra in 7th cohort are taking Algebra 2 Trig Honors this year. Most dropped out to take plain Algebra 2, and some even repeated Algebra in 8th grade. So they are dropping like flies.

Distance learning was hard on a lot of kids. Dropping back to regular classes or repeating a course is how some tried to recover from learning loss. Makes it hard to know if they're struggling with acceleration or the fall-out from distance learning.

I would argue the kids truly suited for double accelerated math (algebra in 7th) should have been able to cope, or it was too much for them anyway.

It may depend on the teacher/class. If a teacher skipped content during distance learning, the kids had gaps. If families recognized that, they could fill the gaps on their own. If families didn't recognize it, the kid advanced to the next grade without all the needed background and likely suffered in that next class. Kids who did AoPS outside of school were fine. Kids relying solely on school during distance learning... maybe not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

Thanks. Has there been any shift in the split of kids going into Foundations versus Math 6?

Any parent who wants Foundations can have it. They may recommend Math 6 for your child but there is no formal test for Foundations. I’m sure it varies slightly by school of course. My DD said a few weeks into the year a couple kids were moved to Pre Algebra and a couple were moved to Math 6. I think this just underscores the fact that parents and 5th grade teachers are still confused what the county is trying to do.

I agree with a PP that kids who get a high grade in Foundations would be allowed to take Algebra in 7th - however what I’m not sure about is whether they would be encouraged to do so.

I will say, my 9th grader who took Algebra in 7th is one of the few she knows who stayed on the honors path. Very few of her Algebra in 7th cohort are taking Algebra 2 Trig Honors this year. Most dropped out to take plain Algebra 2, and some even repeated Algebra in 8th grade. So they are dropping like flies.

Teachers were only recommending this class for kids who got 95% in geometry in 8th grade. Otherwise they were recommending algebra 2.

I know, but they still let people push in if they insist. Also, their Algebra 1 class was more than a year ago so you really needed a good understanding of it that stuck.

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Anonymous wrote:Why have both prealgebra and Foundations of Algebra? If a kid can go to Algebra 1 in 7th from either class, it seems like both are providing prealgebra skills. Does prealgebra cover additional material or is it the same material as Foundations but it goes deeper into the topics?

Good question. Perhaps they are similar classes with prealgebra being an honors prealgebra, as it is a new course. It used to be about half the kids would be in algebra by 7th grade, and it is still somewhat close to that now.

Fewer are in 7th grade Algebra than used to be.

Yes. If you look at SOL data, it shows that 28% of 7th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 39%. Similarly, 28% of 8th graders took the Algebra 1 SOL last year; prior year it was 36%.

And it will be even less this year.

Any sense on how much less?

Well, it’s anecdotal, but I have a 6th grader (and an older child who went through before) and pretty much everyone she knows including her is in Foundations. Literally maybe 3-4 kids from her ES went to Pre. The pre kids will likely go to algebra next year and maybe a few foundations kids too but probably only if their parents push. Most of her class will take Pre next year.

FWIW, my older child took Algebra in 7th and although she did fine and has continued to do fine, I’m just not sure what the rush is for. She’s not looking be an engineer or anything like that. Maybe if you are it matters more. I don’t think I will accelerate my 6th grader further. She will likely take Algebra in 8th, which means AB Calc in 12th. Just my 2 cents.

Any risk that the number of kids going into 8th grade algebra will be pared back too? Many of the same arguments used to justify slowing kids down from 7th grade algebra could also apply to 8th grade algebra.

The throttle is in 6th. After that the path is the path. All 7th graders in Pre will take Algebra in 8th, unless they repeat because they did poorly (some do this every year.)

Thanks. Has there been any shift in the split of kids going into Foundations versus Math 6?

Any parent who wants Foundations can have it. They may recommend Math 6 for your child but there is no formal test for Foundations. I’m sure it varies slightly by school of course. My DD said a few weeks into the year a couple kids were moved to Pre Algebra and a couple were moved to Math 6. I think this just underscores the fact that parents and 5th grade teachers are still confused what the county is trying to do.

I agree with a PP that kids who get a high grade in Foundations would be allowed to take Algebra in 7th - however what I’m not sure about is whether they would be encouraged to do so.

I will say, my 9th grader who took Algebra in 7th is one of the few she knows who stayed on the honors path. Very few of her Algebra in 7th cohort are taking Algebra 2 Trig Honors this year. Most dropped out to take plain Algebra 2, and some even repeated Algebra in 8th grade. So they are dropping like flies.

Teachers were only recommending this class for kids who got 95% in geometry in 8th grade. Otherwise they were recommending algebra 2.

I know, but they still let people push in if they insist. Also, their Algebra 1 class was more than a year ago so you really needed a good understanding of it that stuck.

I noticed the geometry class had spirals that covered basic trigonometry, and would use algebra as well. For example, an isosceles triangle has sides of 3x-4 and 4x+7.