6th grade math placement letters posted

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:(Asking because my kid is borderline and I’m debating whether we should push or not)

6th grade SOL was just below 500, I think the letter said 475 was benchmark for consideration. My student didn’t have any EOY MI score, so I’m wondering if they didn’t take it at the end of year. MOY was in the 700s I think (and was over 800 at end of 5th, so probably didn’t try as hard as they could).

I had planned to request them moved into pre alg in 7th if they hadn’t been placed. Had high A grades all year in math 6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(Asking because my kid is borderline and I’m debating whether we should push or not)

6th grade SOL was just below 500, I think the letter said 475 was benchmark for consideration. My student didn’t have any EOY MI score, so I’m wondering if they didn’t take it at the end of year. MOY was in the 700s I think (and was over 800 at end of 5th, so probably didn’t try as hard as they could).

I had planned to request them moved into pre alg in 7th if they hadn’t been placed. Had high A grades all year in math 6.

Interesting. So was the MI section blank on the letter?

This is helpful. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I had though at some point folks said that the score needed to get into Algebra 1 was 1046. And that pre algebra was in the 900s. MAYBE 940 but I may have made that up.

To get into pre Algebra 7 the you need a 475 on the SOL and a 785 on MI. So it seems weird to me that you need a lower score to get into that when it comes 7/8 grade math.

Where did you get the numbers for Algebra 7, they seem low

DP. Its detailed on the letter to rising 7th grade parents. FWIW there is definitely teacher input. My DD scored very low on the MI which was weird b/c she's an A student. The teacher worked with her to see what was wrong and looks like it had to do with something that one of new 5th grade teachers at the elementary school didn't teach last year (she said she had multiple kids with the same issue and same 5th grade teacher). But then DD score very high on the Math SOL. She was put in Pre-Alg 7.

My kid is the opposite. High MI, just missed the cut off for SOL, and recommended for math 7. Kid goofs off in class so that’s probably why. Debating whether we should push it or not…

I wouldn’t put a kid who goofs off in an accelerated class like this. It’s not fair to them or the other kids.

+1 and sounds like mom is already making excuses for him. (He rushed the SOL…)

Excuses? No, I’m explaining why I think the teacher input factored in - because the kid goofs off and doesn’t take it seriously. Even though kid clearly knows the content.

And pre-alg for 7th really is not all that accelerated. I have older kids who’ve taken more accelerated paths. Part of why kid goofed off is that math 6 is boring AF.

Can’t speak to “Math 6 is boring AF”, since, you know, I’m an adult and not actually in the room.

I know many kids who’ve done math 6 & kids who did pre-alg for 6th (math 6/7/8). Consensus is that math 6 is boring AF. Have you seen the syllabus? Very, very little new material after 5th.

I know kids, too. It’s not like a twelve-year-old to say math is boring! Your kid didn’t get in- because he didn't get in. I think you should trust the process and let him solidify his math skills. He’ll be ok.

Parent of a kid who just finished middle school here. No, do not blindly “trust the process” if you think your kid belongs in the higher math class. They have raised the cutoff scores in recent years in an effort to have fewer kids on the advanced track, for whatever reason. We had to push back to get our kid into the advanced class. He just finished geometry, and had no trouble earning all As all 3 years of MS math. Math ended up his favorite subject, too.

Recent education theories argue that pushing kids into an advance track too early causes them to grow too dislike math. Not saying it's right or wrong but there is an anti acceleration movement out there.

https://robertkaplinsky.com/the-case-against-acceleration/

https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/how-much-math-too-much

wow. I hope APS isn't being guided by her recommendations.

They are, hence the excessively high standard for acceleration

After seeing how many kids end up struggling or miserable, high standards for 2x acceleration are a good thing.

I'm not sure the number who are struggling or miserable is so high that it merits the vastly raised standards for acceleration, but if those numbers really are that high, they should have just reduced the intensity of the advanced track. I don't think it's great to give kids with really high scores on the CoGat, SOL, and MI a curriculum with the same content and pacing as a kid who still struggles with times tables and place value.

I do think there should be a math 6/7 and then prealgebra honors option. Math 6 is boring and Math 6/7/8 is too much for many kids.

I don’t think watering down the material is the answer.

Yeah, that's what I mean by reducing the intensity. make it 6/7 instead of 6/7/8. Really Math 6/7/8 is sort of absurdly accelerated. Nobody needs to take multivariable calculus in high school. It's odd that that track is the only option in 6th for differentiation.

FCPS and LCPS let kids take Math 7 as 6th graders and then go into Algebra 1 as 7th graders. Kids there don't have to cover Math 8 in 6th grade. The latter is APS's choice which makes it harder for APS kids to accelerate.

When do they cover math 8 material? Do they take a more remedial Alg 1?

FCPS and LCPS kids move from Math 7 in 6th grade to rigorous, honors Alg 1 in 7th. Math 8 material is not really critical for students who have mastered math 7 content. Math 8 largely reviews prior concepts and introduces Algebra concepts. It's good for kids who need more time to develop their foundation before moving on to Algebra 1. It also spreads Algebra 1 content out over more than one year which also helps kids who may need more time. But advanced kids who have mastered math 7 don't really need the review and can learn Algebra 1 in one year. They can move from math 7 in 6th grade to Alg 1 honors in 7th grade. Which is what FCPS and LCPS do.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I had though at some point folks said that the score needed to get into Algebra 1 was 1046. And that pre algebra was in the 900s. MAYBE 940 but I may have made that up.

To get into pre Algebra 7 the you need a 475 on the SOL and a 785 on MI. So it seems weird to me that you need a lower score to get into that when it comes 7/8 grade math.

Where did you get the numbers for Algebra 7, they seem low

DP. Its detailed on the letter to rising 7th grade parents. FWIW there is definitely teacher input. My DD scored very low on the MI which was weird b/c she's an A student. The teacher worked with her to see what was wrong and looks like it had to do with something that one of new 5th grade teachers at the elementary school didn't teach last year (she said she had multiple kids with the same issue and same 5th grade teacher). But then DD score very high on the Math SOL. She was put in Pre-Alg 7.

My kid is the opposite. High MI, just missed the cut off for SOL, and recommended for math 7. Kid goofs off in class so that’s probably why. Debating whether we should push it or not…

I wouldn’t put a kid who goofs off in an accelerated class like this. It’s not fair to them or the other kids.

+1 and sounds like mom is already making excuses for him. (He rushed the SOL…)

Excuses? No, I’m explaining why I think the teacher input factored in - because the kid goofs off and doesn’t take it seriously. Even though kid clearly knows the content.

And pre-alg for 7th really is not all that accelerated. I have older kids who’ve taken more accelerated paths. Part of why kid goofed off is that math 6 is boring AF.

Can’t speak to “Math 6 is boring AF”, since, you know, I’m an adult and not actually in the room.

I know many kids who’ve done math 6 & kids who did pre-alg for 6th (math 6/7/8). Consensus is that math 6 is boring AF. Have you seen the syllabus? Very, very little new material after 5th.

I know kids, too. It’s not like a twelve-year-old to say math is boring! Your kid didn’t get in- because he didn't get in. I think you should trust the process and let him solidify his math skills. He’ll be ok.

Parent of a kid who just finished middle school here. No, do not blindly “trust the process” if you think your kid belongs in the higher math class. They have raised the cutoff scores in recent years in an effort to have fewer kids on the advanced track, for whatever reason. We had to push back to get our kid into the advanced class. He just finished geometry, and had no trouble earning all As all 3 years of MS math. Math ended up his favorite subject, too.

Recent education theories argue that pushing kids into an advance track too early causes them to grow too dislike math. Not saying it's right or wrong but there is an anti acceleration movement out there.

https://robertkaplinsky.com/the-case-against-acceleration/

https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/how-much-math-too-much

wow. I hope APS isn't being guided by her recommendations.

They are, hence the excessively high standard for acceleration

After seeing how many kids end up struggling or miserable, high standards for 2x acceleration are a good thing.

I'm not sure the number who are struggling or miserable is so high that it merits the vastly raised standards for acceleration, but if those numbers really are that high, they should have just reduced the intensity of the advanced track. I don't think it's great to give kids with really high scores on the CoGat, SOL, and MI a curriculum with the same content and pacing as a kid who still struggles with times tables and place value.

I do think there should be a math 6/7 and then prealgebra honors option. Math 6 is boring and Math 6/7/8 is too much for many kids.

I don’t think watering down the material is the answer.

Yeah, that's what I mean by reducing the intensity. make it 6/7 instead of 6/7/8. Really Math 6/7/8 is sort of absurdly accelerated. Nobody needs to take multivariable calculus in high school. It's odd that that track is the only option in 6th for differentiation.

FCPS and LCPS let kids take Math 7 as 6th graders and then go into Algebra 1 as 7th graders. Kids there don't have to cover Math 8 in 6th grade. The latter is APS's choice which makes it harder for APS kids to accelerate.

When do they cover math 8 material? Do they take a more remedial Alg 1?

FCPS and LCPS kids move from Math 7 in 6th grade to rigorous, honors Alg 1 in 7th. Math 8 material is not really critical for students who have mastered math 7 content. Math 8 largely reviews prior concepts and introduces Algebra concepts. It's good for kids who need more time to develop their foundation before moving on to Algebra 1. It also spreads Algebra 1 content out over more than one year which also helps kids who may need more time. But advanced kids who have mastered math 7 don't really need the review and can learn Algebra 1 in one year. They can move from math 7 in 6th grade to Alg 1 honors in 7th grade. Which is what FCPS and LCPS do.

So then math 6/7/8 shouldn’t really be any harder than math 6/7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had though at some point folks said that the score needed to get into Algebra 1 was 1046. And that pre algebra was in the 900s. MAYBE 940 but I may have made that up.

To get into pre Algebra 7 the you need a 475 on the SOL and a 785 on MI. So it seems weird to me that you need a lower score to get into that when it comes 7/8 grade math.

Where did you get the numbers for Algebra 7, they seem low

DP. Its detailed on the letter to rising 7th grade parents. FWIW there is definitely teacher input. My DD scored very low on the MI which was weird b/c she's an A student. The teacher worked with her to see what was wrong and looks like it had to do with something that one of new 5th grade teachers at the elementary school didn't teach last year (she said she had multiple kids with the same issue and same 5th grade teacher). But then DD score very high on the Math SOL. She was put in Pre-Alg 7.

My kid is the opposite. High MI, just missed the cut off for SOL, and recommended for math 7. Kid goofs off in class so that’s probably why. Debating whether we should push it or not…

I wouldn’t put a kid who goofs off in an accelerated class like this. It’s not fair to them or the other kids.

+1 and sounds like mom is already making excuses for him. (He rushed the SOL…)

Excuses? No, I’m explaining why I think the teacher input factored in - because the kid goofs off and doesn’t take it seriously. Even though kid clearly knows the content.

And pre-alg for 7th really is not all that accelerated. I have older kids who’ve taken more accelerated paths. Part of why kid goofed off is that math 6 is boring AF.

Can’t speak to “Math 6 is boring AF”, since, you know, I’m an adult and not actually in the room.

I know many kids who’ve done math 6 & kids who did pre-alg for 6th (math 6/7/8). Consensus is that math 6 is boring AF. Have you seen the syllabus? Very, very little new material after 5th.

I know kids, too. It’s not like a twelve-year-old to say math is boring! Your kid didn’t get in- because he didn't get in. I think you should trust the process and let him solidify his math skills. He’ll be ok.

Parent of a kid who just finished middle school here. No, do not blindly “trust the process” if you think your kid belongs in the higher math class. They have raised the cutoff scores in recent years in an effort to have fewer kids on the advanced track, for whatever reason. We had to push back to get our kid into the advanced class. He just finished geometry, and had no trouble earning all As all 3 years of MS math. Math ended up his favorite subject, too.

Recent education theories argue that pushing kids into an advance track too early causes them to grow too dislike math. Not saying it's right or wrong but there is an anti acceleration movement out there.

https://robertkaplinsky.com/the-case-against-acceleration/

https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/how-much-math-too-much

wow. I hope APS isn't being guided by her recommendations.

They are, hence the excessively high standard for acceleration

After seeing how many kids end up struggling or miserable, high standards for 2x acceleration are a good thing.

I'm not sure the number who are struggling or miserable is so high that it merits the vastly raised standards for acceleration, but if those numbers really are that high, they should have just reduced the intensity of the advanced track. I don't think it's great to give kids with really high scores on the CoGat, SOL, and MI a curriculum with the same content and pacing as a kid who still struggles with times tables and place value.

I do think there should be a math 6/7 and then prealgebra honors option. Math 6 is boring and Math 6/7/8 is too much for many kids.

I don’t think watering down the material is the answer.

Yeah, that's what I mean by reducing the intensity. make it 6/7 instead of 6/7/8. Really Math 6/7/8 is sort of absurdly accelerated. Nobody needs to take multivariable calculus in high school. It's odd that that track is the only option in 6th for differentiation.

FCPS and LCPS let kids take Math 7 as 6th graders and then go into Algebra 1 as 7th graders. Kids there don't have to cover Math 8 in 6th grade. The latter is APS's choice which makes it harder for APS kids to accelerate.

When do they cover math 8 material? Do they take a more remedial Alg 1?

FCPS and LCPS kids move from Math 7 in 6th grade to rigorous, honors Alg 1 in 7th. Math 8 material is not really critical for students who have mastered math 7 content. Math 8 largely reviews prior concepts and introduces Algebra concepts. It's good for kids who need more time to develop their foundation before moving on to Algebra 1. It also spreads Algebra 1 content out over more than one year which also helps kids who may need more time. But advanced kids who have mastered math 7 don't really need the review and can learn Algebra 1 in one year. They can move from math 7 in 6th grade to Alg 1 honors in 7th grade. Which is what FCPS and LCPS do.

So then math 6/7/8 shouldn’t really be any harder than math 6/7.

6/7/8 includes more algebra content than 6/7, which is why it is harder to master 6/7/8. But kids don't need to learn algebra content the year before taking algebra itself; 6/7/8 is meant to be a pre-algebra class. Advanced kids can learn algebra content in a one-year algebra course following 6/7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had though at some point folks said that the score needed to get into Algebra 1 was 1046. And that pre algebra was in the 900s. MAYBE 940 but I may have made that up.

To get into pre Algebra 7 the you need a 475 on the SOL and a 785 on MI. So it seems weird to me that you need a lower score to get into that when it comes 7/8 grade math.

Where did you get the numbers for Algebra 7, they seem low

DP. Its detailed on the letter to rising 7th grade parents. FWIW there is definitely teacher input. My DD scored very low on the MI which was weird b/c she's an A student. The teacher worked with her to see what was wrong and looks like it had to do with something that one of new 5th grade teachers at the elementary school didn't teach last year (she said she had multiple kids with the same issue and same 5th grade teacher). But then DD score very high on the Math SOL. She was put in Pre-Alg 7.

My kid is the opposite. High MI, just missed the cut off for SOL, and recommended for math 7. Kid goofs off in class so that’s probably why. Debating whether we should push it or not…

I wouldn’t put a kid who goofs off in an accelerated class like this. It’s not fair to them or the other kids.

+1 and sounds like mom is already making excuses for him. (He rushed the SOL…)

Excuses? No, I’m explaining why I think the teacher input factored in - because the kid goofs off and doesn’t take it seriously. Even though kid clearly knows the content.

And pre-alg for 7th really is not all that accelerated. I have older kids who’ve taken more accelerated paths. Part of why kid goofed off is that math 6 is boring AF.

Can’t speak to “Math 6 is boring AF”, since, you know, I’m an adult and not actually in the room.

I know many kids who’ve done math 6 & kids who did pre-alg for 6th (math 6/7/8). Consensus is that math 6 is boring AF. Have you seen the syllabus? Very, very little new material after 5th.

I know kids, too. It’s not like a twelve-year-old to say math is boring! Your kid didn’t get in- because he didn't get in. I think you should trust the process and let him solidify his math skills. He’ll be ok.

Parent of a kid who just finished middle school here. No, do not blindly “trust the process” if you think your kid belongs in the higher math class. They have raised the cutoff scores in recent years in an effort to have fewer kids on the advanced track, for whatever reason. We had to push back to get our kid into the advanced class. He just finished geometry, and had no trouble earning all As all 3 years of MS math. Math ended up his favorite subject, too.

Recent education theories argue that pushing kids into an advance track too early causes them to grow too dislike math. Not saying it's right or wrong but there is an anti acceleration movement out there.

https://robertkaplinsky.com/the-case-against-acceleration/

https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/how-much-math-too-much

wow. I hope APS isn't being guided by her recommendations.

They are, hence the excessively high standard for acceleration

After seeing how many kids end up struggling or miserable, high standards for 2x acceleration are a good thing.

I'm not sure the number who are struggling or miserable is so high that it merits the vastly raised standards for acceleration, but if those numbers really are that high, they should have just reduced the intensity of the advanced track. I don't think it's great to give kids with really high scores on the CoGat, SOL, and MI a curriculum with the same content and pacing as a kid who still struggles with times tables and place value.

I do think there should be a math 6/7 and then prealgebra honors option. Math 6 is boring and Math 6/7/8 is too much for many kids.

I don’t think watering down the material is the answer.

Yeah, that's what I mean by reducing the intensity. make it 6/7 instead of 6/7/8. Really Math 6/7/8 is sort of absurdly accelerated. Nobody needs to take multivariable calculus in high school. It's odd that that track is the only option in 6th for differentiation.

FCPS and LCPS let kids take Math 7 as 6th graders and then go into Algebra 1 as 7th graders. Kids there don't have to cover Math 8 in 6th grade. The latter is APS's choice which makes it harder for APS kids to accelerate.

When do they cover math 8 material? Do they take a more remedial Alg 1?

FCPS and LCPS kids move from Math 7 in 6th grade to rigorous, honors Alg 1 in 7th. Math 8 material is not really critical for students who have mastered math 7 content. Math 8 largely reviews prior concepts and introduces Algebra concepts. It's good for kids who need more time to develop their foundation before moving on to Algebra 1. It also spreads Algebra 1 content out over more than one year which also helps kids who may need more time. But advanced kids who have mastered math 7 don't really need the review and can learn Algebra 1 in one year. They can move from math 7 in 6th grade to Alg 1 honors in 7th grade. Which is what FCPS and LCPS do.

So then math 6/7/8 shouldn’t really be any harder than math 6/7.

6/7/8 includes more algebra content than 6/7, which is why it is harder to master 6/7/8. But kids don't need to learn algebra content the year before taking algebra itself; 6/7/8 is meant to be a pre-algebra class. Advanced kids can learn algebra content in a one-year algebra course following 6/7.

So they cover the non-review portions of math 8 as part of Alg 1. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(Asking because my kid is borderline and I’m debating whether we should push or not)

6th grade SOL was just below 500, I think the letter said 475 was benchmark for consideration. My student didn’t have any EOY MI score, so I’m wondering if they didn’t take it at the end of year. MOY was in the 700s I think (and was over 800 at end of 5th, so probably didn’t try as hard as they could).

I had planned to request them moved into pre alg in 7th if they hadn’t been placed. Had high A grades all year in math 6.

Interesting. So was the MI section blank on the letter?

This is helpful. Thanks.

Yes just said “Q” where the score should be on EOY score report and was blank on the placement letter and wasn’t due to an absence.

[Anonymous]

LCPS A standard pathway that does not require testing in 5th grade to qualify is Foundations in 6th, followed by Prealgera, then Algebra 1.
LCPS allows kids who take Foundations of Algebra to go to Algebra 1 without taking Prealgebra.

[Anonymous]

All kids in LCPS take Algebra 1 in 8th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All kids in LCPS take Algebra 1 in 8th?

Pre-covid, 75% of LCPS 8th graders were taking algebra 1 or higher (2018-19). Post-covid, this share came off as families dealt with learning loss by slowing down acceleration. In 2021-22, 60% of LCPS 8th graders were taking algebra 1 or higher.

If you look at LCPS 7th graders, 35% were taking algebra 1 or higher in 2018-19. Post-covid (2021-22), 30% of 7th graders were taking algebra 1 or higher.