Pre Algebra

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t heard this, but as a current Pre Algebra teacher in MCPS, the pacing is SO FAST. It’s the 4th day of school and we are already behind where we should be. There is absolutely no room to slow down, review or reteach lessons.

That is exactly what she said. Why is it that way? Why did mcps switch from AMP 7+ to pre algebra. This is the first year they are teaching this. What was wrong with AMP 7+?

I thinks she wants a smaller class for her not the kids. Mine skipped aim and it was fine.

People need to stop assuming that because it worked out for their kid that it will work out for all students. Algebra1 MCAP scores, plus higher math district exams and teacher feedback prove that it isn’t.

Going from 5/6 to AMP 7+ requires that the teacher account for the missed content or that the student be able to someone easily grasp what was skipped. Math is a subject that builds upon itself.

Also, I can totally understand teachers wanting smaller classes. My kids AMP8+ class had 36 students.

I assume you mean AMP 7+.

[Anonymous]

Our school is trying to weed out students from pre algebra and move them down to AMP 6+. The teachers claim that too many students are pushed into pre algebra and they will evaluate using map m, mcap and class performance and move a bunch down. Acc to them they won’t even ask the parents, just notify them after their child has been moved down. This is at a W feeder middle school. Anyone else experiencing this? If it helps, acc to the teacher, there are 8 pre algebra classes this year. She said the class moves really fast, with no time to review. Its not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school is trying to weed out students from pre algebra and move them down to AMP 6+. The teachers claim that too many students are pushed into pre algebra and they will evaluate using map m, mcap and class performance and move a bunch down. Acc to them they won’t even ask the parents, just notify them after their child has been moved down. This is at a W feeder middle school. Anyone else experiencing this? If it helps, acc to the teacher, there are 8 pre algebra classes this year. She said the class moves really fast, with no time to review. Its not for everyone.

Not at this school but the teacher isn’t wrong. It isn’t for everyone and the race to make it so is definitely a contributing factor to the number of students ill prepared at higher levels of math and the number that need tutors in HS. People will have you believe having a tutor should be treated expectation instead of the additional support that it is. Yes, there will be some teachers that truly just don’t teach math well and so their students do need support, but that is not true for most.


That said, I would gather more information to determine what they are using as the cutoff. A B student shouldn’t be pushed out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school is trying to weed out students from pre algebra and move them down to AMP 6+. The teachers claim that too many students are pushed into pre algebra and they will evaluate using map m, mcap and class performance and move a bunch down. Acc to them they won’t even ask the parents, just notify them after their child has been moved down. This is at a W feeder middle school. Anyone else experiencing this? If it helps, acc to the teacher, there are 8 pre algebra classes this year. She said the class moves really fast, with no time to review. Its not for everyone.

Not at this school but the teacher isn’t wrong. It isn’t for everyone and the race to make it so is definitely a contributing factor to the number of students ill prepared at higher levels of math and the number that need tutors in HS. People will have you believe having a tutor should be treated expectation instead of the additional support that it is. Yes, there will be some teachers that truly just don’t teach math well and so their students do need support, but that is not true for most.


That said, I would gather more information to determine what they are using as the cutoff. A B student shouldn’t be pushed out.

I’d also add that many a teacher/parents have lower expectations and don’t push kids to do more and think more critically which I think is badly needed.

[Anonymous]

Why did they get rid of AMP 7+

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did they get rid of AMP 7+

They didn't. It still follows AMP6+ for those taking it.

It was used as a stop-gap in place of AIM, which no longer conformed and left out concepts expected to have been covered by the new, conforming Algebra curriculum (that curriculum provider did not have a similar 2-years-in-1 offering). Going to 7+ directly from 5/6 also left some things out, of course. Some schools let that be. Other schools stuck with AIM for a while. Some tried to back-fill either 7+ or AIM to cover everything. Some termed the modified 7+ "AIM" in an attempt to keep the branding.

The MCPS math curriculum office finally got the breathing room to create a proper course to bridge from 5/6 to Algebra as the standard supported for higher acceleration, based on the newer curriculum, and have termed it "PreAlgebra."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did they get rid of AMP 7+

They didn't. It still follows AMP6+ for those taking it.

It was used as a stop-gap in place of AIM, which no longer conformed and left out concepts expected to have been covered by the new, conforming Algebra curriculum (that curriculum provider did not have a similar 2-years-in-1 offering). Going to 7+ directly from 5/6 also left some things out, of course. Some schools let that be. Other schools stuck with AIM for a while. Some tried to back-fill either 7+ or AIM to cover everything. Some termed the modified 7+ "AIM" in an attempt to keep the branding.

The MCPS math curriculum office finally got the breathing room to create a proper course to bridge from 5/6 to Algebra as the standard supported for higher acceleration, based on the newer curriculum, and have termed it "PreAlgebra."

Thanks for the detailed explanation!

[Anonymous]

Just wondering how this class is going for teachers and students. Since our teacher made it sound it would be too fast and not everyone will be ready for it, just wanted to check in how it was going. Thanks