Benefits of taking Algebra 1 in 6th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The algebra 2 curriculum is really no more abstract than the algebra 1 curriculum these days. I would not worry about that.

Algebra 1 transforms linear, quadratic, and exponential functions. Algebra 2 transforms cubic, radical, and rational functions. Algebra 2 does laws of exponents with negative powers, algebra 2 introduces fractional exponents. Algebra 1 factors quadratics. Algebra 2 factors higher order polynomials. The only really abstract thing in algebra 2 that isn’t addressed in algebra 1 is imaginary numbers, but we don’t do much of anything with them, just find them.

The bigger struggle is the organizational skills (or lack of) the younger kids display in higher coursework. Can your child realistically manage scheduling and keeping track of assignments/quizzes/retakes in a class at this point? Do they leave their homework folder at school? Are they shocked by a quiz they didn’t know was happening? Do they lose their test before they can do corrections? That might be worth another year of practicing skills before they count.

Absolutely correct! Organizational skills is why I will not enroll my son in 6th grade Algebra. He will take it as a 7th or 8th grade when he starts taking grades A to F seriously.
Currently in elementary he doesn’t care if he gets 4s or 3s and does not prepare for any tests, doesn’t go through the wrong answers and submit the correction.

Looks like your kid is not up for Algebra 1, and in all likelihood will not be admitted. And that's OK.

Meanwhile, hundreds of advanced kids are thriving in 6th grade algebra 1. Thanks to FCPS for offering this choice.

I think most parents are fine with there being actual parameters to enrolling in the class. But now the only parameter is a 400 on 6th grade math. The 6th grade curriculum doesn’t even teach Order of Operations anymore. It teaches 1 step equations. So a 400 baseline isn’t showing an ADV kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The algebra 2 curriculum is really no more abstract than the algebra 1 curriculum these days. I would not worry about that.

Algebra 1 transforms linear, quadratic, and exponential functions. Algebra 2 transforms cubic, radical, and rational functions. Algebra 2 does laws of exponents with negative powers, algebra 2 introduces fractional exponents. Algebra 1 factors quadratics. Algebra 2 factors higher order polynomials. The only really abstract thing in algebra 2 that isn’t addressed in algebra 1 is imaginary numbers, but we don’t do much of anything with them, just find them.

The bigger struggle is the organizational skills (or lack of) the younger kids display in higher coursework. Can your child realistically manage scheduling and keeping track of assignments/quizzes/retakes in a class at this point? Do they leave their homework folder at school? Are they shocked by a quiz they didn’t know was happening? Do they lose their test before they can do corrections? That might be worth another year of practicing skills before they count.

Absolutely correct! Organizational skills is why I will not enroll my son in 6th grade Algebra. He will take it as a 7th or 8th grade when he starts taking grades A to F seriously.
Currently in elementary he doesn’t care if he gets 4s or 3s and does not prepare for any tests, doesn’t go through the wrong answers and submit the correction.

Looks like your kid is not up for Algebra 1, and in all likelihood will not be admitted. And that's OK.

Meanwhile, hundreds of advanced kids are thriving in 6th grade algebra 1. Thanks to FCPS for offering this choice.

Well we shall see next year when a kid can get a 400 and enroll. A 400 won’t even be passing in a few years due to new cut scores.

You are so correct with this statement. This Superintendent has no forward thinking or plan. Instead, all of her decisions are reactionary and in the moment. Where is the devil’s advocate on her staff who can stand up to her and push back?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The algebra 2 curriculum is really no more abstract than the algebra 1 curriculum these days. I would not worry about that.

Algebra 1 transforms linear, quadratic, and exponential functions. Algebra 2 transforms cubic, radical, and rational functions. Algebra 2 does laws of exponents with negative powers, algebra 2 introduces fractional exponents. Algebra 1 factors quadratics. Algebra 2 factors higher order polynomials. The only really abstract thing in algebra 2 that isn’t addressed in algebra 1 is imaginary numbers, but we don’t do much of anything with them, just find them.

The bigger struggle is the organizational skills (or lack of) the younger kids display in higher coursework. Can your child realistically manage scheduling and keeping track of assignments/quizzes/retakes in a class at this point? Do they leave their homework folder at school? Are they shocked by a quiz they didn’t know was happening? Do they lose their test before they can do corrections? That might be worth another year of practicing skills before they count.

Absolutely correct! Organizational skills is why I will not enroll my son in 6th grade Algebra. He will take it as a 7th or 8th grade when he starts taking grades A to F seriously.
Currently in elementary he doesn’t care if he gets 4s or 3s and does not prepare for any tests, doesn’t go through the wrong answers and submit the correction.

Looks like your kid is not up for Algebra 1, and in all likelihood will not be admitted. And that's OK.

Meanwhile, hundreds of advanced kids are thriving in 6th grade algebra 1. Thanks to FCPS for offering this choice.

I think most parents are fine with there being actual parameters to enrolling in the class. But now the only parameter is a 400 on 6th grade math. The 6th grade curriculum doesn’t even teach Order of Operations anymore. It teaches 1 step equations. So a 400 baseline isn’t showing an ADV kid.

6th grade advanced math definitely does teach order of operations. My son has been working on it all year. Maybe gen ed math doesn't? My 5th grader has all the baseline they need to take algebra 1 next year. It doesn't mean its the right decision for him, but that decision is not based on the material, they are teaching all the right blocks for kids who want to go to algebra next.

I had my son take a pre algebra assessment and he knew all of it, said it was exactly what his 5th grade aap class has been learning.

[Anonymous]

There is a thread on this topic on the FCPS Discussion Facebook group. It seems like most of the parents on that site are opting out of 6th grade A1H for a variety of reasons. I don't see anyone posting that they are optin in. So if you are looking for aa place to balance out the opting in is amazing theme that you tend to find on this site, look there.

I have no problem with A1H in 6th grade for the right kids. But those kids need to take the IAAT and score in the 91rst percentile, have strong math grades and need ot be in the 99th percentile on the MAP test. Honestly, the same criteria should exist for 7h grade A1H.

The counties goal is supposed to be more kids taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Why they are pushing for kids to take Algebra 1 earlier and lowering the bar in order to enroll more kids in Algebra 1 early is beyond me. They needed a better process for the kids who are ready for A1H in 6th grade but the answer to that is not allow everyone to enroll. It makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The algebra 2 curriculum is really no more abstract than the algebra 1 curriculum these days. I would not worry about that.

Algebra 1 transforms linear, quadratic, and exponential functions. Algebra 2 transforms cubic, radical, and rational functions. Algebra 2 does laws of exponents with negative powers, algebra 2 introduces fractional exponents. Algebra 1 factors quadratics. Algebra 2 factors higher order polynomials. The only really abstract thing in algebra 2 that isn’t addressed in algebra 1 is imaginary numbers, but we don’t do much of anything with them, just find them.

The bigger struggle is the organizational skills (or lack of) the younger kids display in higher coursework. Can your child realistically manage scheduling and keeping track of assignments/quizzes/retakes in a class at this point? Do they leave their homework folder at school? Are they shocked by a quiz they didn’t know was happening? Do they lose their test before they can do corrections? That might be worth another year of practicing skills before they count.

Absolutely correct! Organizational skills is why I will not enroll my son in 6th grade Algebra. He will take it as a 7th or 8th grade when he starts taking grades A to F seriously.
Currently in elementary he doesn’t care if he gets 4s or 3s and does not prepare for any tests, doesn’t go through the wrong answers and submit the correction.

Looks like your kid is not up for Algebra 1, and in all likelihood will not be admitted. And that's OK.

Meanwhile, hundreds of advanced kids are thriving in 6th grade algebra 1. Thanks to FCPS for offering this choice.

I think most parents are fine with there being actual parameters to enrolling in the class. But now the only parameter is a 400 on 6th grade math. The 6th grade curriculum doesn’t even teach Order of Operations anymore. It teaches 1 step equations. So a 400 baseline isn’t showing an ADV kid.

6th grade advanced math definitely does teach order of operations. My son has been working on it all year. Maybe gen ed math doesn't? My 5th grader has all the baseline they need to take algebra 1 next year. It doesn't mean its the right decision for him, but that decision is not based on the material, they are teaching all the right blocks for kids who want to go to algebra next.

I had my son take a pre algebra assessment and he knew all of it, said it was exactly what his 5th grade aap class has been learning.

6th grade adv math does but not 5th grade advanced which is what was being discussed. 5th grade Adv Math is 6th grade math. 6th grade Adv math is 7th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a thread on this topic on the FCPS Discussion Facebook group. It seems like most of the parents on that site are opting out of 6th grade A1H for a variety of reasons. I don't see anyone posting that they are optin in. So if you are looking for aa place to balance out the opting in is amazing theme that you tend to find on this site, look there.

I have no problem with A1H in 6th grade for the right kids. But those kids need to take the IAAT and score in the 91rst percentile, have strong math grades and need ot be in the 99th percentile on the MAP test. Honestly, the same criteria should exist for 7h grade A1H.

The counties goal is supposed to be more kids taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Why they are pushing for kids to take Algebra 1 earlier and lowering the bar in order to enroll more kids in Algebra 1 early is beyond me. They needed a better process for the kids who are ready for A1H in 6th grade but the answer to that is not allow everyone to enroll. It makes no sense.

This. If a kid belongs in this class they should be able to meet the parameters. Passing a 6th grade SOL where a calculator is allowed is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Passing more than 400 is the requirement this year. Next year the passing score will be 460? Then they will again change the criteria? This is ridiculously unplanned and makes kids guinea pigs.

[Anonymous]

So my DC’s school is trying to convince parents NOT to enroll their 5th grade AAP kids in A1H next year when in 6th grade. They are gently trying to convey that if your kid does not have at least a 500 on the 6th grade math SOL and at least a 245 on the MAP, then they should not enroll in A1H next year as 6th graders. I guess the school had a lot more kids sign up for A1H than they expected or think wise. LOL. Rich/tiger parents make me laugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So my DC’s school is trying to convince parents NOT to enroll their 5th grade AAP kids in A1H next year when in 6th grade. They are gently trying to convey that if your kid does not have at least a 500 on the 6th grade math SOL and at least a 245 on the MAP, then they should not enroll in A1H next year as 6th graders. I guess the school had a lot more kids sign up for A1H than they expected or think wise. LOL. Rich/tiger parents make me laugh.

Good for the schools. Most principals think this new policy is bogus. I truly don’t get why a parent would enroll their 11 year old in a high school level class if they score a 400, which is not even 60 percent accuracy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The algebra 2 curriculum is really no more abstract than the algebra 1 curriculum these days. I would not worry about that.

Algebra 1 transforms linear, quadratic, and exponential functions. Algebra 2 transforms cubic, radical, and rational functions. Algebra 2 does laws of exponents with negative powers, algebra 2 introduces fractional exponents. Algebra 1 factors quadratics. Algebra 2 factors higher order polynomials. The only really abstract thing in algebra 2 that isn’t addressed in algebra 1 is imaginary numbers, but we don’t do much of anything with them, just find them.

The bigger struggle is the organizational skills (or lack of) the younger kids display in higher coursework. Can your child realistically manage scheduling and keeping track of assignments/quizzes/retakes in a class at this point? Do they leave their homework folder at school? Are they shocked by a quiz they didn’t know was happening? Do they lose their test before they can do corrections? That might be worth another year of practicing skills before they count.

Absolutely correct! Organizational skills is why I will not enroll my son in 6th grade Algebra. He will take it as a 7th or 8th grade when he starts taking grades A to F seriously.
Currently in elementary he doesn’t care if he gets 4s or 3s and does not prepare for any tests, doesn’t go through the wrong answers and submit the correction.

Looks like your kid is not up for Algebra 1, and in all likelihood will not be admitted. And that's OK.

Meanwhile, hundreds of advanced kids are thriving in 6th grade algebra 1. Thanks to FCPS for offering this choice.

I think most parents are fine with there being actual parameters to enrolling in the class. But now the only parameter is a 400 on 6th grade math. The 6th grade curriculum doesn’t even teach Order of Operations anymore. It teaches 1 step equations. So a 400 baseline isn’t showing an ADV kid.

6th grade advanced math definitely does teach order of operations. My son has been working on it all year. Maybe gen ed math doesn't? My 5th grader has all the baseline they need to take algebra 1 next year. It doesn't mean its the right decision for him, but that decision is not based on the material, they are teaching all the right blocks for kids who want to go to algebra next.

I had my son take a pre algebra assessment and he knew all of it, said it was exactly what his 5th grade aap class has been learning.

6th grade adv math does but not 5th grade advanced which is what was being discussed. 5th grade Adv Math is 6th grade math. 6th grade Adv math is 7th grade.

i work in fcps and my 5th graders (gened not AAP) learned order of operations. it’s regular 5th grade material. the only thing they don’t learn in regular 5th is the exponents portion.

[Anonymous]

I’ve spoken to teachers and administrators at multiple schools, and they all said algebra in 6th is a bad idea for all but a very few kids. This included teachers who teach advanced math at various levels. It’s really unclear where this push is coming from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So my DC’s school is trying to convince parents NOT to enroll their 5th grade AAP kids in A1H next year when in 6th grade. They are gently trying to convey that if your kid does not have at least a 500 on the 6th grade math SOL and at least a 245 on the MAP, then they should not enroll in A1H next year as 6th graders. I guess the school had a lot more kids sign up for A1H than they expected or think wise. LOL. Rich/tiger parents make me laugh.

I wonder just how low some of the scores for the kids being pushed into A1H as sixth graders are. What are parents thinking enrolling a kid with a MAP score in the 80th or 70th (or even lower) percentile? Do they think they will just tutor their kids to success? Poor kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve spoken to teachers and administrators at multiple schools, and they all said algebra in 6th is a bad idea for all but a very few kids. This included teachers who teach advanced math at various levels. It’s really unclear where this push is coming from.

It's very clear where it's coming from, though. Dr Reid has made it her stated goal that Algebra 1 by 8th should be the norm at FCPS. But if that's the norm, then AAP kids taking it in 7th are only a year ahead, not the intended two years ahead of the norm. So, clearly, the only right answer is to push all the AAP kids into Algebra 1 in 6th grade regardless of their readiness so that they'll be two years ahead of the new normal. Who cares if is developmentally appropriate for them or if there is any evidence whatsoever that they are ready for it? That's not the priority. The priority is a system that looks good on the outside so long as you don't poke it very hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The algebra 2 curriculum is really no more abstract than the algebra 1 curriculum these days. I would not worry about that.

Algebra 1 transforms linear, quadratic, and exponential functions. Algebra 2 transforms cubic, radical, and rational functions. Algebra 2 does laws of exponents with negative powers, algebra 2 introduces fractional exponents. Algebra 1 factors quadratics. Algebra 2 factors higher order polynomials. The only really abstract thing in algebra 2 that isn’t addressed in algebra 1 is imaginary numbers, but we don’t do much of anything with them, just find them.

The bigger struggle is the organizational skills (or lack of) the younger kids display in higher coursework. Can your child realistically manage scheduling and keeping track of assignments/quizzes/retakes in a class at this point? Do they leave their homework folder at school? Are they shocked by a quiz they didn’t know was happening? Do they lose their test before they can do corrections? That might be worth another year of practicing skills before they count.

Absolutely correct! Organizational skills is why I will not enroll my son in 6th grade Algebra. He will take it as a 7th or 8th grade when he starts taking grades A to F seriously.
Currently in elementary he doesn’t care if he gets 4s or 3s and does not prepare for any tests, doesn’t go through the wrong answers and submit the correction.

Looks like your kid is not up for Algebra 1, and in all likelihood will not be admitted. And that's OK.

Meanwhile, hundreds of advanced kids are thriving in 6th grade algebra 1. Thanks to FCPS for offering this choice.

I think most parents are fine with there being actual parameters to enrolling in the class. But now the only parameter is a 400 on 6th grade math. The 6th grade curriculum doesn’t even teach Order of Operations anymore. It teaches 1 step equations. So a 400 baseline isn’t showing an ADV kid.

6th grade advanced math definitely does teach order of operations. My son has been working on it all year. Maybe gen ed math doesn't? My 5th grader has all the baseline they need to take algebra 1 next year. It doesn't mean its the right decision for him, but that decision is not based on the material, they are teaching all the right blocks for kids who want to go to algebra next.

I had my son take a pre algebra assessment and he knew all of it, said it was exactly what his 5th grade aap class has been learning.

6th grade adv math does but not 5th grade advanced which is what was being discussed. 5th grade Adv Math is 6th grade math. 6th grade Adv math is 7th grade.

i work in fcps and my 5th graders (gened not AAP) learned order of operations. it’s regular 5th grade material. the only thing they don’t learn in regular 5th is the exponents portion.

6th Adv Math teacher here. They do learn it in 5th but it is basic. 7th grade adds way more complexity such as square roots, fractions, absolute value, etc. which is needed to evaluate complex algebraic expressions. Operations with negatives is taught in 6th grade math. I have tons of kids who struggle with this concept(even my really high kids because they want to do things in their head and make careless errors).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So my DC’s school is trying to convince parents NOT to enroll their 5th grade AAP kids in A1H next year when in 6th grade. They are gently trying to convey that if your kid does not have at least a 500 on the 6th grade math SOL and at least a 245 on the MAP, then they should not enroll in A1H next year as 6th graders. I guess the school had a lot more kids sign up for A1H than they expected or think wise. LOL. Rich/tiger parents make me laugh.

I wonder just how low some of the scores for the kids being pushed into A1H as sixth graders are. What are parents thinking enrolling a kid with a MAP score in the 80th or 70th (or even lower) percentile? Do they think they will just tutor their kids to success? Poor kids.

There are kids getting advanced math with 70th percentile or liwery map scores????