Yet another math question - algebra 1 in 8th?

[Anonymous]

People, her child is in a math track that will take him up to Calculus. He's fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A bit of struggle can be a good thing, developing an understanding of the need to study/apply themself and with the greater attention brought by the chllenge resulting in a deeper understanding, along the lines of the old adage, "We learn more from our mistakes." A mix of As & Bs shouldn't be seen as a failure, as long as there is the guided review of missed items that engenders that better understanding; though the conundrum of GPA impact would have us all want to see just enough of a tilt towards As to preserve that, the reality is that that isn't going to happen for everyone.

The various PPs have provided good info about paths, and AP Stats is a very valuable course. I'm not sure if college admissions offices see it quite on par with AP Calc BC, as it might not represent as much rigor, but it should be seen that way for most outside of the hard sciences/math/engineering as stats applications apply across a much broader spectrum of majors/careers.

Without the college admissions community broadly publicizing information to that effect, perhaps an applicant's using space on application essays to describe that which they've found interesting in stats, and how that might influence their future studies, would be received well.

I agree with this. My 6th grader is on the advanced math track and I think there is a perception that if it isn’t easy, then the kid is on the wrong track. My child has learned how to study - not just coast - via his math class, which is great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Under curriculum 2.0, Algebra in 8th grade was considered on-level. I don't know if that has changed. Algebra in 8th gives everyone a path to calculus by senior year. Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Cal, Calc.

on-level is agenda in 9th in Common Core. Algebra in 8th was always accelerated, but Jack Smith said he wanted to push as many kids as possible to take it in 8th for equity reasons (so they could get through calc in high school).

Curriculum 2.0 was implemented well before Jack Smith. He had nothing to do with it.

he was the one who pushed for 8th to be on-level for algebra, which goes against the common core.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, the regular pathway puts kids in alg in 8th, geometry in 9th. This is the most common in MCPS. This still puts your child taking Calculus in 12th. Any Ivy or other competitive school will be happy with that course selection.

The accelerated pathway is alg 7th, geometry 8th which brings kids to Calculus in 11th.

Please do NOT believe the bolded. For Ivies:
A. They are a lottery these days.
B. Straight As, dozens of AP courses, perfect test scores are simply to avoid going into the bin during the first pass at an Ivy. To get in, you need a special "pointy" accomplishment. International or national win in a competition (STEM, music, sports), or creating a profitable business or whatever it is, but it has be objectively rare and admirable.
C. In that context, not going at least to AP Calc (BC, not AB, for the STEM oriented) does not bode well for the rest of the application. How many APs will your kid be realistically able to achieve if they can't even be on the advanced track in math is MCPS? If no APs, same deal for the IB diploma track - top scores everywhere are de rigueur, particularly as the high level IB math doesn't go as far as AP Calc BC.

Now extrapolate from this to the next tier down: they still want straight As, dozens of APs/IB, and really high test scores (don't fall for the test optional unless you are Black or Hispanic). But they'll forgo the Sony record and Carnegie Hall solos.

And now descend to third tier of universities: OK, your kid may have a shot. Those will be his reaches. Now go own further for matches and safeties, and you have your college list.

I know this conversation did not start out with college admissions in mind. But sadly this is what parents have come to because entry to university has become so competitive. One major reason for your kid to do well in school is not for his own enjoyment, not for his own brain development... but just to eek out a decent college acceptance.

This is spot on. Not sure if this is helpful (or more depressing), but my kid took Calculus BC in 10th grade and so far UMd is the only non-safety acceptance. Got deferred from the 2nd and 3rd tier schools mentioned above.

[Anonymous]

Hi - a tutor and someone who taught for a year here.

Nothing, I repeat NOTHING, is worse for teachers, parents, students, and tutors than a child who is misplaced in their math course. A child who struggles with negative numbers and/or fractions should not be pushed ahead into a more advanced course. They will consistently find themselves confused, or as the kids like to say "lost in sauce". The single greatest reason students cannot learn algebra 2, precalculus, calculus, etc. is because their skills in the underlying courses are weak.

If you're so worried about your kid getting into a competitive college, HOLD THEM BACK A GRADE in late elementary or middle school. Colleges will not see this. Your students will have an extra year to mature. They'll look like they are on the advanced track as they take algebra 2 in "9th grade". As a BONUS? you receive a free year of education with highly competent teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi - a tutor and someone who taught for a year here.

Nothing, I repeat NOTHING, is worse for teachers, parents, students, and tutors than a child who is misplaced in their math course. A child who struggles with negative numbers and/or fractions should not be pushed ahead into a more advanced course. They will consistently find themselves confused, or as the kids like to say "lost in sauce". The single greatest reason students cannot learn algebra 2, precalculus, calculus, etc. is because their skills in the underlying courses are weak.

If you're so worried about your kid getting into a competitive college, HOLD THEM BACK A GRADE in late elementary or middle school. Colleges will not see this. Your students will have an extra year to mature. They'll look like they are on the advanced track as they take algebra 2 in "9th grade". As a BONUS? you receive a free year of education with highly competent teachers.

Ridiculous. You've forgotten about the sometimes very profound social and psychological effects of being held back. How do you think it makes the child feel, seeing their friends go to the next grade and not them? Maybe they've mastered the material in every other subject, and now they have to do the same darn work as last year? They'll start acting out in class just out of boredom, PP.

If a child is struggling in math, you get them a good tutor. That's what tutors are paid to do - explain their subject. Developmentally speaking, there is NO typical progression in math. Different countries teach different concepts at different ages, so don't give me crap about a child being too young for any particular math topic. I know, I did my schooling in various countries around the world, and every time I moved, I had to catch up on something, or got to relearn a topic, taught differently.

You must be a lousy tutor. Adapt to your students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi - a tutor and someone who taught for a year here.

Nothing, I repeat NOTHING, is worse for teachers, parents, students, and tutors than a child who is misplaced in their math course. A child who struggles with negative numbers and/or fractions should not be pushed ahead into a more advanced course. They will consistently find themselves confused, or as the kids like to say "lost in sauce". The single greatest reason students cannot learn algebra 2, precalculus, calculus, etc. is because their skills in the underlying courses are weak.

If you're so worried about your kid getting into a competitive college, HOLD THEM BACK A GRADE in late elementary or middle school. Colleges will not see this. Your students will have an extra year to mature. They'll look like they are on the advanced track as they take algebra 2 in "9th grade". As a BONUS? you receive a free year of education with highly competent teachers.

I thought that already was the advanced track. "Normal" track would be Algebra 2 in 10th.

[Anonymous]

There are several advanced tracks. The publicly-available one is Algebra 1 in 7th. But some 6th graders test into Algebra 1 if they request it and do well on the test (contrary to what one poster always likes to say, not just confined to wealthy districts). However only do this if the high school has offerings beyond AP Calc and AP Stats, because kids need math every year of high school. My son did Algebra 1 in 7th and ended up slowing down in high school by doing AP Calc AB in 11th and AP Calc BC in 12th, because of the pandemic. My daughter did Algebra 1 in 6th and will probably take multivariable calculus or something like that after AP Calc BC.

[Anonymous]

There is no way to hold a kid back a grade unless they are ridiculously behind in all aspects or went abroad. I have tried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are several advanced tracks. The publicly-available one is Algebra 1 in 7th. But some 6th graders test into Algebra 1 if they request it and do well on the test (contrary to what one poster always likes to say, not just confined to wealthy districts). However only do this if the high school has offerings beyond AP Calc and AP Stats, because kids need math every year of high school. My son did Algebra 1 in 7th and ended up slowing down in high school by doing AP Calc AB in 11th and AP Calc BC in 12th, because of the pandemic. My daughter did Algebra 1 in 6th and will probably take multivariable calculus or something like that after AP Calc BC.

I don't doubt it or that it was appropriate, but please let us know the school that made the accommodation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are several advanced tracks. The publicly-available one is Algebra 1 in 7th. But some 6th graders test into Algebra 1 if they request it and do well on the test (contrary to what one poster always likes to say, not just confined to wealthy districts). However only do this if the high school has offerings beyond AP Calc and AP Stats, because kids need math every year of high school. My son did Algebra 1 in 7th and ended up slowing down in high school by doing AP Calc AB in 11th and AP Calc BC in 12th, because of the pandemic. My daughter did Algebra 1 in 6th and will probably take multivariable calculus or something like that after AP Calc BC.

I don't doubt it or that it was appropriate, but please let us know the school that made the accommodation.

Only 1/2 the county schools offer Multivariable. For the schools that don’t, those kids usually go to MC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are several advanced tracks. The publicly-available one is Algebra 1 in 7th. But some 6th graders test into Algebra 1 if they request it and do well on the test (contrary to what one poster always likes to say, not just confined to wealthy districts). However only do this if the high school has offerings beyond AP Calc and AP Stats, because kids need math every year of high school. My son did Algebra 1 in 7th and ended up slowing down in high school by doing AP Calc AB in 11th and AP Calc BC in 12th, because of the pandemic. My daughter did Algebra 1 in 6th and will probably take multivariable calculus or something like that after AP Calc BC.

I don't doubt it or that it was appropriate, but please let us know the school that made the accommodation.

Only 1/2 the county schools offer Multivariable. For the schools that don’t, those kids usually go to MC.

Not the question. Which middle school accommodated Algebra 1 in 6th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are several advanced tracks. The publicly-available one is Algebra 1 in 7th. But some 6th graders test into Algebra 1 if they request it and do well on the test (contrary to what one poster always likes to say, not just confined to wealthy districts). However only do this if the high school has offerings beyond AP Calc and AP Stats, because kids need math every year of high school. My son did Algebra 1 in 7th and ended up slowing down in high school by doing AP Calc AB in 11th and AP Calc BC in 12th, because of the pandemic. My daughter did Algebra 1 in 6th and will probably take multivariable calculus or something like that after AP Calc BC.

I don't doubt it or that it was appropriate, but please let us know the school that made the accommodation.

Only 1/2 the county schools offer Multivariable. For the schools that don’t, those kids usually go to MC.

Not the question. Which middle school accommodated Algebra 1 in 6th?

Most do, PP, but you have to ask for a test (like they do with languages if the student is already familiar with a language and they need to find the right level). The math coordinator will make the final decision. I can tell you from personal experience that the BCC cluster in Bethesda is very much against letting students do this, but they can’t really argue when a kid shows up and gets every Algebra question right. And that’s with the Westland MS math coordinator making the test extra difficult! I’ve heard of some upcounty middle schools being a little more open to letting kids test into Algebra 1 in 6th. Bottom line - it’s very school and cluster dependent and your kid needs to prove he or she masters the basics of algebra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are several advanced tracks. The publicly-available one is Algebra 1 in 7th. But some 6th graders test into Algebra 1 if they request it and do well on the test (contrary to what one poster always likes to say, not just confined to wealthy districts). However only do this if the high school has offerings beyond AP Calc and AP Stats, because kids need math every year of high school. My son did Algebra 1 in 7th and ended up slowing down in high school by doing AP Calc AB in 11th and AP Calc BC in 12th, because of the pandemic. My daughter did Algebra 1 in 6th and will probably take multivariable calculus or something like that after AP Calc BC.

I don't doubt it or that it was appropriate, but please let us know the school that made the accommodation.

Only 1/2 the county schools offer Multivariable. For the schools that don’t, those kids usually go to MC.

Not the question. Which middle school accommodated Algebra 1 in 6th?

Most do, PP, but you have to ask for a test (like they do with languages if the student is already familiar with a language and they need to find the right level). The math coordinator will make the final decision. I can tell you from personal experience that the BCC cluster in Bethesda is very much against letting students do this, but they can’t really argue when a kid shows up and gets every Algebra question right. And that’s with the Westland MS math coordinator making the test extra difficult! I’ve heard of some upcounty middle schools being a little more open to letting kids test into Algebra 1 in 6th. Bottom line - it’s very school and cluster dependent and your kid needs to prove he or she masters the basics of algebra.

It depends on the school. It was on my child's 6th grade registration form. We choose Algebra, ES math teacher signed off on it and that was it. I asked the guidance counselor in MS and they say grades and MAP scores. They reach out to qualified students as well. We are downcountry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are several advanced tracks. The publicly-available one is Algebra 1 in 7th. But some 6th graders test into Algebra 1 if they request it and do well on the test (contrary to what one poster always likes to say, not just confined to wealthy districts). However only do this if the high school has offerings beyond AP Calc and AP Stats, because kids need math every year of high school. My son did Algebra 1 in 7th and ended up slowing down in high school by doing AP Calc AB in 11th and AP Calc BC in 12th, because of the pandemic. My daughter did Algebra 1 in 6th and will probably take multivariable calculus or something like that after AP Calc BC.

I don't doubt it or that it was appropriate, but please let us know the school that made the accommodation.

Only 1/2 the county schools offer Multivariable. For the schools that don’t, those kids usually go to MC.

Not the question. Which middle school accommodated Algebra 1 in 6th?

Most do, PP, but you have to ask for a test (like they do with languages if the student is already familiar with a language and they need to find the right level). The math coordinator will make the final decision. I can tell you from personal experience that the BCC cluster in Bethesda is very much against letting students do this, but they can’t really argue when a kid shows up and gets every Algebra question right. And that’s with the Westland MS math coordinator making the test extra difficult! I’ve heard of some upcounty middle schools being a little more open to letting kids test into Algebra 1 in 6th. Bottom line - it’s very school and cluster dependent and your kid needs to prove he or she masters the basics of algebra.

It depends on the school. It was on my child's 6th grade registration form. We choose Algebra, ES math teacher signed off on it and that was it. I asked the guidance counselor in MS and they say grades and MAP scores. They reach out to qualified students as well. We are downcountry.

PP you replied to. Thank you for correcting me. It’s important we’re all well-informed.