6th grade Alebra

[Anonymous]

My 5th grader is currently taking (and getting A's in ) IM at a HGC. He will go back to our neighborhood MS next year. According to the new chart, Algebra is not an option for 6th graders any more. Has anyone been told their child will need to repeat IM net year? I assume (hope) there will be exceptions to the chart?..not sure when I should start asking/complaining.

[Anonymous]

I have a 9th grader who did IM in 6th and said it was useless and a repeat of the previous year's math.
I have a 7th grader was able to jump right in to Algebra I in 6th.

The reason my 7th grader got to do Algebra in 6th is that there was a really good teacher at the ES who made the recommendation for Alg I.

At this time of year, the MS principals often tour the feeder ESs. Usually a PTA meeting. Great question for the MS principal and for the other parents to hear.

No matter what they say about curriculum policy, principals DO have some control to offer an advanced class.

[Anonymous]

Op, did you find out if the neighborhood MS offers Algebra1 at all? If the MS does not offer Algebra 1, even if the principal let your child to take Algebra 1, you will have to drive him to HS really early in the morning, take the math class, then drive him back to MS to take other classes DAILY.
My 5th grader was invited to take IM last Fall and we declined the invitation. We heard IM was useless, and waste of time. We hope DC will get in the MS magnet, skipping IM, and take Algebra1 next year.
With the big threat of 2.0, why didn't you let your child to try for Magnet? What were you thinking?

[Anonymous]

At Takoma Park Magnet, with only a few exceptions, the 6th graders take "Magnet Math"..which is IM with a few extras. Do any MS's not offer algebra? I would think that would be unlikely that a middle school does not have a single class of algebra when it was MCPS's goal to have all 8th graders complete algebra. I know mine has had 6th grade algebra in the past (pre-2.0). The magnets are logistically almost impossible for kids in the western part of the county if you dare to want any outside activities..

[Anonymous]

The movement towards eliminating 6th grade algebra has do with the colleges not really viewing middle school algebra as "true" algebra. Sort in line with AP classes and credits. Is passing the AP bio exam the same as taking an intro bio class at college? Probably not.

[Anonymous]

So colleges would prefer students wait till 9th grade for Algebra?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At Takoma Park Magnet, with only a few exceptions, the 6th graders take "Magnet Math"..which is IM with a few extras. Do any MS's not offer algebra? I would think that would be unlikely that a middle school does not have a single class of algebra when it was MCPS's goal to have all 8th graders complete algebra. I know mine has had 6th grade algebra in the past (pre-2.0). The magnets are logistically almost impossible for kids in the western part of the county if you dare to want any outside activities..

based on the 2.0, non-GT MS are not offering Algebra.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you are using MS for Magnet School rather than Middle School? Or else I think you are mistaken..it is on the progression for 7th grade. My GT Magnet ES does not currently offer Algebra..only as challenges as a PP mentioned with IM.

[Anonymous]

There seems to be a lot of misinformation in just a handful of posts. The goal remains to have all kids take Algebra by 8th Grade, so it certainly seems likely that all MS offer algebra. What they are slowing down on is the super acceleration, something like Algebra in 6th grade. This is obviously something you need to work out because if your child is doing well in IM it would be silly to repeat it next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There seems to be a lot of misinformation in just a handful of posts. The goal remains to have all kids take Algebra by 8th Grade, so it certainly seems likely that all MS offer algebra. What they are slowing down on is the super acceleration, something like Algebra in 6th grade. This is obviously something you need to work out because if your child is doing well in IM it would be silly to repeat it next year.

I'm the PP who stated colleges look down on middle school algebra, and this is essentially what I meant to say. I myself took 8th grade algebra as part of an accelerated MCPS program almost 20 years ago. Sixth grade algebra is a bit of a stretch, in my opinion, and the county would do well to offer some kind of accelerated math class to 6th graders so that they do not have to repeat a course, but save algebra for 7th or 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At Takoma Park Magnet, with only a few exceptions, the 6th graders take "Magnet Math"..which is IM with a few extras. Do any MS's not offer algebra? I would think that would be unlikely that a middle school does not have a single class of algebra when it was MCPS's goal to have all 8th graders complete algebra. I know mine has had 6th grade algebra in the past (pre-2.0). The magnets are logistically almost impossible for kids in the western part of the county if you dare to want any outside activities..

based on the 2.0, non-GT MS are not offering Algebra.

Actually, based on 2.0 non-GT middle schools will have to offer Algebra. On the "regular" track for C2.0 all kids will be taking Algebra in 8th grade. On the "remedial" track, some kids will take Algebra later than 8th grade (i.e. not until 9th grade/HS).

There will be a compacted C2.0 4/5/6 grade math that some kids in 4th and 5th can take, thus getting these kids one year ahead of the "regular" C2.0 track, and these kids will progress to take Algebra in 7th grade. It is unclear whether any kids other than the ones in a Highly Gifted Center, will have access to this math track. It is also unclear if a kid at the HGC does this math path but then doesn't go on to a middle school magnet, whether that kid will have access to Algebra in 7th grade in their home middle school or whether they will be stuck repeating a year. Seems like they should have access since all middle schools will be doing Algebra for 8th graders under c2.0

Algebra for 6th graders seems to have been eliminated under C2.0. It's unclear whether this means no 6th grade Algebra even for TPMS magnet students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Algebra for 6th graders seems to have been eliminated under C2.0. It's unclear whether this means no 6th grade Algebra even for TPMS magnet students.

This information is not completely accurate. It is correct that C2.0 path does not show Algebra in 6th grade as an option. However based on information provided by the MC C2.0 Math forum yesterday night and my discussion with Math team at a local middle school Algebra in 6th grade is possible. C2.0 curriculum folks mentioned that all the kids who are in the accelerated path will follow the path until they reach Algebra. They acknowledged that some kids will reach Algebra in 6th grade and they will take Algebra in 6th grade. The local middle school Math team said the same thing. So, do not worry, your kid will be allowed to take Algebra in 6th grade, if they come prepared. What you might want to consider though in that path when they reach High School, the local high school might not be able to offer higher Math classes (due to student population and resources) than Algebra II and they might have to go to Montgomery College or Online for Math continuity till 12th grade to qualify for UMD (UMD is changing its requirement).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Algebra for 6th graders seems to have been eliminated under C2.0. It's unclear whether this means no 6th grade Algebra even for TPMS magnet students.

This information is not completely accurate. It is correct that C2.0 path does not show Algebra in 6th grade as an option. However based on information provided by the MC C2.0 Math forum yesterday night and my discussion with Math team at a local middle school Algebra in 6th grade is possible. C2.0 curriculum folks mentioned that all the kids who are in the accelerated path will follow the path until they reach Algebra. They acknowledged that some kids will reach Algebra in 6th grade and they will take Algebra in 6th grade. The local middle school Math team said the same thing. So, do not worry, your kid will be allowed to take Algebra in 6th grade, if they come prepared. What you might want to consider though in that path when they reach High School, the local high school might not be able to offer higher Math classes (due to student population and resources) than Algebra II and they might have to go to Montgomery College or Online for Math continuity till 12th grade to qualify for UMD (UMD is changing its requirement).

This is what we were told and so far our school has honored this. I know some schools got rid of differentiation and acceleration for those who had previously received it, but they were not required to do so. So many decisions are made at the school level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At Takoma Park Magnet, with only a few exceptions, the 6th graders take "Magnet Math"..which is IM with a few extras. Do any MS's not offer algebra? I would think that would be unlikely that a middle school does not have a single class of algebra when it was MCPS's goal to have all 8th graders complete algebra. I know mine has had 6th grade algebra in the past (pre-2.0). The magnets are logistically almost impossible for kids in the western part of the county if you dare to want any outside activities..

I know! So IMHO if the science and MATH magnet middle school program think all 6th graders should take IM before algebra, the class must be a good precursor to Algebra.

[Anonymous]

The math that most 6th graders take at TPMS magnet isn't IM. It is called Magnet Math 6...a combo of pre-algebra, algebra, & a smattering of pre-calc concepts. Magnet Algebra 1 is a combo of Algebra 1, Algebra 2, & pre calc. They need to combine these b/c at the Blair magnet there is no Algebra 2. Kids go straight into pre calc after Algebra 2.