Center School, 90% of AAP Class Opted into Algebra 1
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Anonymous
| At our Madison Pyramid grade school (not a center, but has Advanced Math with plenty of Level 4 kids) 30 opted out, 4 opted in. |
Anonymous
If more than 15 kids opt in, there is an elementary school teacher with an algebra endorsement to teach it. Every elementary school has to have at least one staff member credentialed. Under 15, it will be taught through online Edmentum lessons. Classes will be grouped—this year half of them were taught by a lady in Texas and half in Ohio. There are no materials or curriculum given to middle and high school teachers. They are given a list of standards and a mathspace login. Elementary teachers will have access to mathspace. |
Anonymous
Correction: elementary school teachers will have a login for mathspace IF that is the resource used next year. They still haven’t signed a contract for next year’s basal resource. |
Anonymous
| This is the thing. My kid would have qualified to take A1H in 6th under the “old” standards, so of course we are moving forward with algebra in 6th. My DC’s school has always had a cohort that was ready for that level, so this is not a big deal from my perspective. There just may be a few more kids next year since FCPS dropped the gatekeeping. |
Anonymous
| Different students are different. Di whichever is best for your student. |
Anonymous
| The people opting out are thinking holistically. Kids need 4 years of math in high school. Many don’t see the point in rushing and having their kid take Calculus as a sophomore and then even higher math afterwards. Teachers in high school already are saying freshman taking Algebra 2 are struggling even with getting A’s in Algebra 1 in 7th. It was also stated that PARENTS would be responsible for closing gaps. There is a very small number of kids that should do this hyper acceleration. The number of 6th graders requesting Algebra 1 tutors skyrocketed this year. |
Anonymous
+1. All in the name of keeping up with the Joneses and obtaining the "most rigorous" checkmark. But if the kid ends up unable to make A's the whole way through, wouldn't that negate any potential benefit? Talk about pressure... |
Anonymous
Our middle school held a come-to-Jesus meeting with potential 7th-graders and parents who opted in. They did not sugarcoat it. It's going to be hard and you might not have an A. Or a B. It may also be very difficult to switch to Pre-Algebra if you're struggling. I believe in challenging kids but this seems ill-advised. |
Anonymous
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People saying accelerated kids will struggle in Algebra 2 or Calculus are right, but what you are missing is those kids would struggle in higher level math classes regardless of acceleration. You either get math or you don’t.
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Anonymous
| Isn’t Edmentum the platform used for students at risk of failing? Like credit recovery, not a real standalone course? |
Anonymous
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A lot of kids will likely be successful in this accelerated track. More kids are taking classes through AoPS, RSM, Curie, Chinese school, etc. than people might imagine. FCPS will use these kids as proof that their program is successful, when really FCPS hasn't done anything to prepare these kids for Algebra.
It's another case where FCPS will look better than it by rights ought to look, thanks to involved parents and supplementation. |
Anonymous
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How are you even finding out this information?
We're at a center school and opted out. I don't really care what others have decided at our school. I personally see no reason to put my 11yo under additional pressure. You have to do what is right for your child but it seems like Algebra I in 6th is best for that smaller population that really needs that level of math acceleration. |
Anonymous
Just because you struggled with algebra doesnt mean the current kids thriving in A1H would. If calculus in 10th grade was hard for you, has it ever occurred to you that it's your own personal limitation? Have you consulted a therapist? |
Anonymous
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Can't kids who struggle in 6th grade algebra 1 repeat it in 7th and expunge the previous grade?
If a kid does do algebra in 6th, they don't need to go past calc. Their high school path can be precalc, calc ab, stats, calc bc |
Anonymous
Funny enumeration of math courses you have there. DC who just finished calc in 10th, btw, and his peers all agree that actually Geometry in 7th was the hardest. I say that's because it was taught by a competent teacher and the other courses could have used a bit more rigor. It is problematic that for many US students preuniversity training ends with calculus when other countries customarily include linear algebra, 3D vector geometry, stochastics (not "AP Stats"), and for instance proof techniques such as induction in their required curriculum. |