Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?

[Anonymous]

The "standard" gen-ed track is basically remedial classes. No one with plans to go to college should be on the standard track. Honors classes at a minimum and at least Algebra by 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "standard" gen-ed track is basically remedial classes. No one with plans to go to college should be on the standard track. Honors classes at a minimum and at least Algebra by 8th grade.

OP here, this is ridiculous! My daughter and a lot of her friends are in regular (not honors) classes and they are all smart kids who plan to go to college. Will they end up at Harvard or Yale or even UVA? Probably not, but they'll still end up in good schools and with good careers. DCUM is the only place I've heard "regular classes are remedial" and that's not real life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, my kid is in Math 7 (regular, not honors) and has an A (with the help of a tutor, to be honest).

The jump from Math 7 to Algebra is a big one for a lot of kids. The county's policy of saying a C or better in Math 7 is good enough to move on to Algebra is laughable and creating classrooms full of students who are struggling greatly in Algebra and it will spill over to upper level classes.

Their attempt to "fix" this problem is to start having kids skip Math 7 instead and take Pre-Algebra (Math 8) as a 7th grader. The jump will still be big but not as big as the Math 7 to Algebra jump. You and I have kids who were caught in these transition years where this wasn't an option and it's been a challenge for us.

My daughter took regular Math 7 in 7th grade b/c math was a struggle for her and there was no teamed option for Math 7H (basically Pre-Algebra/Math 8 with extensions). When she moved into 8th, we were fully prepared to just have her take Pre-Algebra but the school *finally* got on board with teamed Algebra and was offering it for the first time. Because my daughter had an A in Math 7, she was recommended to move on to Algebra. Let's just say, thank the Lord I know what I'm doing b/c I basically tutor her every night and catch her up on all the skills she missed by skipping over Pre-Algebra. And now we're, unfortunately, on a path where we'll have to figure out advanced math classes for her.

If you're prepared to pay for a tutor to get her through Algebra successfully, then go for it. If you think at all that she'll need a more solid foundation before moving on, then I'd wait and just do Pre-Algebra in 8th. All this changes if for some reason you're at an IB school and need to have Algebra done by 8th.

Algebra in 8th grade has been the standard in FCPS for years, over a decade.

That doesn't mean it is the right choice for every kid. There are plenty of posts about 8th graders struggling with Algebra 1, not honors. Kids need to take a math that makes sense for them and helps them develop a solid base. The push for every kid to take Algebra in 8th grade is going to harm students.

+100
It's already been shown to be a HUGE mistake for many kids who simply weren't ready for Algebra before 9th grade. This constant pushing of kids and rushing them through the basics is a mistake. Certainly, there are some kids who excel in math and have no issues with taking Algebra early. But rushing to have all kids take it before high school shouldn't be the standard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "standard" gen-ed track is basically remedial classes. No one with plans to go to college should be on the standard track. Honors classes at a minimum and at least Algebra by 8th grade.

OP here, this is ridiculous! My daughter and a lot of her friends are in regular (not honors) classes and they are all smart kids who plan to go to college. Will they end up at Harvard or Yale or even UVA? Probably not, but they'll still end up in good schools and with good careers. DCUM is the only place I've heard "regular classes are remedial" and that's not real life.

+1
People like the PP sound ridiculous, spreading their idiotic misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, my kid is in Math 7 (regular, not honors) and has an A (with the help of a tutor, to be honest).

The jump from Math 7 to Algebra is a big one for a lot of kids. The county's policy of saying a C or better in Math 7 is good enough to move on to Algebra is laughable and creating classrooms full of students who are struggling greatly in Algebra and it will spill over to upper level classes.

Their attempt to "fix" this problem is to start having kids skip Math 7 instead and take Pre-Algebra (Math 8) as a 7th grader. The jump will still be big but not as big as the Math 7 to Algebra jump. You and I have kids who were caught in these transition years where this wasn't an option and it's been a challenge for us.

My daughter took regular Math 7 in 7th grade b/c math was a struggle for her and there was no teamed option for Math 7H (basically Pre-Algebra/Math 8 with extensions). When she moved into 8th, we were fully prepared to just have her take Pre-Algebra but the school *finally* got on board with teamed Algebra and was offering it for the first time. Because my daughter had an A in Math 7, she was recommended to move on to Algebra. Let's just say, thank the Lord I know what I'm doing b/c I basically tutor her every night and catch her up on all the skills she missed by skipping over Pre-Algebra. And now we're, unfortunately, on a path where we'll have to figure out advanced math classes for her.

If you're prepared to pay for a tutor to get her through Algebra successfully, then go for it. If you think at all that she'll need a more solid foundation before moving on, then I'd wait and just do Pre-Algebra in 8th. All this changes if for some reason you're at an IB school and need to have Algebra done by 8th.

Algebra in 8th grade has been the standard in FCPS for years, over a decade.

Incorrect. Algebra in 8th has been AVAILABLE for years. It's only since Dr. Reid became superintendent the she decided Algebra should be what ALL 8th graders take. Her push for Algebra for all will have a long and detrimental effect on math education in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "standard" gen-ed track is basically remedial classes. No one with plans to go to college should be on the standard track. Honors classes at a minimum and at least Algebra by 8th grade.

OP here, this is ridiculous! My daughter and a lot of her friends are in regular (not honors) classes and they are all smart kids who plan to go to college. Will they end up at Harvard or Yale or even UVA? Probably not, but they'll still end up in good schools and with good careers. DCUM is the only place I've heard "regular classes are remedial" and that's not real life.

Our very good friends whose kid struggled in school tried to take gen-ed versions of all his classes at middle school. The counselor told him exactly this, that the gen-ed classes were basically remedial and that he should at least take honors courses. Maybe that isn't as true in high school?
No one is saying doing the gen-ed minimum means you won't have a good career or get into college. It does limit your options and lower your chances of having a high ceiling though. I just don't see how you get into any of Virginia's highly competitive state schools if you are taking the bare minimum to graduate high school. Most likely will end up having to overpay for an expensive private liberal arts college that is less selective.

[Anonymous]

Incorrect. Algebra in 8th has been AVAILABLE for years. It's only since Dr. Reid became superintendent the she decided Algebra should be what ALL 8th graders take. Her push for Algebra for all will have a long and detrimental effect on math education in FCPS.


So true!!! What is disturbing though is that there are people in FCPS Leadership Positions (and the School Board) who know this is a wrong path to take, yet they do nothing about it.

[Anonymous]

Success taking Algebra in 8th grade is a very attainable goal for most students. You people are why the US is falling behind globally in STEM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "standard" gen-ed track is basically remedial classes. No one with plans to go to college should be on the standard track. Honors classes at a minimum and at least Algebra by 8th grade.

OP here, this is ridiculous! My daughter and a lot of her friends are in regular (not honors) classes and they are all smart kids who plan to go to college. Will they end up at Harvard or Yale or even UVA? Probably not, but they'll still end up in good schools and with good careers. DCUM is the only place I've heard "regular classes are remedial" and that's not real life.

I have a junior in high school and also a freshman. Algebra in 9th you are lowest in rigor. I learned this when my kids entered high school.

Depends on what you consider good colleges. You will have zero shot at any school in the top 50 or any decent STEM school. Don’t shoot the messenger.

[Anonymous]

I teach algebra 2. Last year I had a handful of seniors in my class (meaning algebra 1 in 9th, geometry 10th, AFDA 11th, and algebra 2 12th). One is now a freshman at George Mason, one is at JMU, one is at VCU. A fourth is down in Norfolk area doing a mechanics training for some fancy car (maybe Porsche? I forget, I remember we joked that he’d never be working on my cars since I drive a Kia)

This year I have a larger group of seniors. 1 got accepted early to university of Kentucky to study marketing, 1 has been missing class all quarter to audition for elite music programs, two have every intention of NVCC and transfer, and 4 are still waiting to hear.

The ones who take algebra on 9th and go to AP precalc or AP stats as seniors? I can’t even begin to list the amazing schools they end up at. Sure, not MIT, but that doesn’t mean you fail!! An engineer from university of South Carolina or nc state or Mason or Penn state is still an engineer! A career in nursing depends way less on the school you attended and more on the student. I’ve had kids leave my room with full rides to nursing school after taking algebra 2 as juniors and a less strenuous math class senior year.

You can have a fine future, collegiate or otherwise, with algebra in 9th. While you obviously have more options the higher the math you take, it’s not a death sentence to slow down and be confident!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.[b]

+1
Fail 7th grade math and put the student in Algebra the next year. Makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

It’s whatever your kid is ready for

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.