Accelerated math in middle school in Arlington
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Anonymous
| Assume the kid aced the 5th grade assessment. APS still doesn't appear to recommend 6th graders for Algebra I on a regular basis but does appear to allow them on an ad-hoc basis. Does anyone here know the process for getting a 6th grader approved for Algebra I? |
Anonymous
You won't. The vast majority of 5th graders get assigned to Math 6. A few get Math 7. They won't let a sixth grader take Algebra. And why would you want that, anyway? It seems sort of pointless. There's a pretty clear math track you can follow. Look it up. |
Anonymous
Obtain 98% on IAAT and over 580 on Math 8 SOL. Alternatively, take Algebra I on-line through CTY and get Excellent/A teacher evaluation. |
Anonymous
The question was not "what are the qualifications." (I'm not the PP at 13:28 but am generally fed up with the lack of reading comprehension on DCUM/everyone answering the question they know the answer to, not the question that was asked.) |
Anonymous
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I know there was a 6th grader at my kid's Arlington middle school who was taking algebra. Or maybe a 7th grader taking geometry. Anyway, a year ahead of the most advanced standard track.
If your kid is this advanced, I think you would be better served talking to the principal and the head of the math department to see what they recommend, because in 8th grade you're going to need to figure out what to do about math. Form the partnership now. |
Anonymous
Stop being so nasty. The "process" will be different for different counties/cities and even different schools depending on the principal. I am suggesting she obtain these and use them to talk to the principal/other school officials. I did this for my son but it wasn't APS so there is a possibility it might work for a school in APS as well. If the child gets very high score on both IAAT and MATH 8 SOL (not just adequate) that should be enough to convince the school. If your child cannot take the Math 8 SOL, then the alternative is to get Excellent/A in Algebra I through CTY on-line course (if the kid can finish by August) and use that to convince the principal/school official. Does that meet with your approval? |
Anonymous
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OP, think about where you want your child to be senior year of HS and work backwards. The various math tracks in APS from 6 -12 are on page 55 and 56 of the program of studies, which can be found here.
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Domain/73/FINAL%20Middle%20School%20POS%20CWS%2011_19_12.pdf The track in the top level of page 56 is basically for the most advanced math students (like the MIT/Caltech bound types). Most strong students will be competitive in college admissions by completing the second hardest track, which results in taking BC Calculus in 12th grade. Anything outside of these established tracks will be a one-off and I agree that you should speak directly with the school about this. I will note that the very, very talented 6th grade math students in my son's MS this year were taking Math 7 for 6th graders. This was a small number of kids, and if they stay on this track they will be taking Geometry in 8th grade and so on. I'm not trying to imply that your son isn't exceptional, but is he really so exceptional that he should be on track to take Multivariable Calculus in 11th grade and then some upperclass college level math as a senior? This is the track for kids who are truly math prodigies. Is this your kid? Maybe, maybe not but why not just keep him on the normal "hard" track and let that be his easier class. He might need something to balance out the work in AP Government or Latin or whatever. |
Anonymous
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I think you are in a tough situation. If you kid is ready and interested in taking algebra, I would sign him up because nothing crushes a kid's math interest faster than having to repeat the same problems over several years.
But you should be aware that you are working outside of the normal Arlington track, and it may cause work for your. I had to fight to have my kid work independently with teacher in 8th grade to learn Algebra 2. The teacher would assign work and grade tests, but my kid just sat in the back of another class. The middle school would not allow my kid not to take a math class in eighth grade and they balked at my original plan to have my kid take algebra 2 through the Johns Hopkins CTY program. Also, there are very limited electives available to eighth graders. Also, as previously mentioned, my kid will run out of math classes to take in high school, but we are looking into evening classes at George Mason. |
Anonymous
| A small group of kids took Algebra II at Williamsburg MS last year. If that's your school OP they might be willing to let your child take an accelerated curriculum, but I'd talk to the counselor and/or gifted resource teacher now, during the summer. |