Can a sixth grader take algebra 1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

Yes, some kids can handle algebra in 6th. But it’s not necessarily a good idea. Some things I wish we’d asked in advance:

1) Does your school have a cohorted algebra class for kids who were in AIM? If so, will 6th graders be in the cohorted class? If there is one and your child would not be placed in it as a 6th grader, they might be more challenged in AIM & cohorted algebra, where the teacher can move faster and introduce extra material and projects. If your 6th grader is in with 8th graders, who are in the standard MCPS track, the algebra class will likely move too slowly & not be sufficiently challenging for a kid who is very good at math.

2) Are there enough 6th graders taking algebra 1 at your school for the MS to offer algebra 2? If not, what is the plan for your child in 8th grade? Will ghey take algebra 2 at the HS? Will MCPS provide transportation, or will you need to provide it yourself?

3) What classes are offered at the HS? If your child takes PreCalc in 9th and BC Calc in 10th, what’s left for them in 11th/12th? AP Stats is a good choice and is offered broadly. What about MV Calc / Linear Algebra? Does your HS have enough students to offer these, or would your child need to go to Montgomery College for math? If they do that, what are the implications for the rest of their schedule? (You’ll need to ask the HS math chair these questions. Your MS won’t know.)

Good luck making the best choice for your child.

No one cares about your anonymous opinion. You can use it for your kids. Parents will fight for what is good for their children

This is literally a board devoted to seeking anonymous opinions. 🤣

My thought exactly!!!! 😂

[Anonymous]

I regret taking Algebra 1 in sixth grade (a ver long time ago) because even though I easily tested into the class, I didn’t have the soft skills and executive functioning to succeed in a high school class yet and I started out my high school transcript with a B.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some schools really discourage it, some welcome it. Your kid can take a placement test. I had to do all sorts of things so that my kid could get into that track, coming from a CES and compacted math, with a 280 on her MAP-M. That plus an advanced orchestra class keeps her not entirely miserable in her home school.

This is what happens when MCPS does a stupid lottery for magnets: gifted kids end up not having anything to do at their level at their home school. At what point my kid wrote “I want to kill myself” in her notebook.

If your child wants to die because they didn't get picked in a random lottery then you have a much more serious thing to worry about. I think you should be talking about that with a counselor.

Don't make judgements about someone who you have not met. This is bullying

Not the PP, but suggesting a counselor for a child with suicidal ideation is hardly bullying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some schools really discourage it, some welcome it. Your kid can take a placement test. I had to do all sorts of things so that my kid could get into that track, coming from a CES and compacted math, with a 280 on her MAP-M. That plus an advanced orchestra class keeps her not entirely miserable in her home school.

This is what happens when MCPS does a stupid lottery for magnets: gifted kids end up not having anything to do at their level at their home school. At what point my kid wrote “I want to kill myself” in her notebook.

Agree 100%. System is dragging down the highly abled students with these political theatrics

Really? I get the impression these kids are harmed because they're humoring these extreme tiger parents at some schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

Yes, some kids can handle algebra in 6th. But it’s not necessarily a good idea. Some things I wish we’d asked in advance:

1) Does your school have a cohorted algebra class for kids who were in AIM? If so, will 6th graders be in the cohorted class? If there is one and your child would not be placed in it as a 6th grader, they might be more challenged in AIM & cohorted algebra, where the teacher can move faster and introduce extra material and projects. If your 6th grader is in with 8th graders, who are in the standard MCPS track, the algebra class will likely move too slowly & not be sufficiently challenging for a kid who is very good at math.

2) Are there enough 6th graders taking algebra 1 at your school for the MS to offer algebra 2? If not, what is the plan for your child in 8th grade? Will ghey take algebra 2 at the HS? Will MCPS provide transportation, or will you need to provide it yourself?

3) What classes are offered at the HS? If your child takes PreCalc in 9th and BC Calc in 10th, what’s left for them in 11th/12th? AP Stats is a good choice and is offered broadly. What about MV Calc / Linear Algebra? Does your HS have enough students to offer these, or would your child need to go to Montgomery College for math? If they do that, what are the implications for the rest of their schedule? (You’ll need to ask the HS math chair these questions. Your MS won’t know.)

Good luck making the best choice for your child.

No one cares about your anonymous opinion. You can use it for your kids. Parents will fight for what is good for their children

This is literally a board devoted to seeking anonymous opinions. 🤣

This is the same tactics MCPS PR uses to distract and divert helpful conversation. They jump in with their opinion piece and drag the discussion away from the intent

Enough with your mcps pr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC, arising sixth grader found out today that her classmate is registered to take Algebra 1 as a rising sixth grader. My DC and the classmate were in the same elementary school math program and class last school year (compacted math). So can my child also take algebra 1 and if so how to talk with the counselor to make the change (she is currently registered for AIM6)?

They only allow this at a few affluent schools. Usually it requires exceeding a specific mapm score. A kid with a much higher score at a different MS doesn't even have this option.

It's common in the wealthy schools where the tigers demand this. One of my children was scoring in the 290s on their map-m in the 5th and high 280s in 6th who was at a regular DCC school did not get this option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I regret taking Algebra 1 in sixth grade (a ver long time ago) because even though I easily tested into the class, I didn’t have the soft skills and executive functioning to succeed in a high school class yet and I started out my high school transcript with a B.

Thank you for sharing the experience. Your situation is different from other students. Now a days, students have exposure to many social events and media that they are doing much better socially and academically as well as extracurricular activities. They are not living in 19th century.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some schools really discourage it, some welcome it. Your kid can take a placement test. I had to do all sorts of things so that my kid could get into that track, coming from a CES and compacted math, with a 280 on her MAP-M. That plus an advanced orchestra class keeps her not entirely miserable in her home school.

This is what happens when MCPS does a stupid lottery for magnets: gifted kids end up not having anything to do at their level at their home school. At what point my kid wrote “I want to kill myself” in her notebook.

Agree 100%. System is dragging down the highly abled students with these political theatrics

Really? I get the impression these kids are harmed because they're humoring these extreme tiger parents at some schools.

You are comparing your average joe with high performing kids. That is why you feel that way. Stop comparing and you will feel better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC, arising sixth grader found out today that her classmate is registered to take Algebra 1 as a rising sixth grader. My DC and the classmate were in the same elementary school math program and class last school year (compacted math). So can my child also take algebra 1 and if so how to talk with the counselor to make the change (she is currently registered for AIM6)?

They only allow this at a few affluent schools. Usually it requires exceeding a specific mapm score. A kid with a much higher score at a different MS doesn't even have this option.

It's common in the wealthy schools where the tigers demand this. One of my children was scoring in the 290s on their map-m in the 5th and high 280s in 6th who was at a regular DCC school did not get this option.

Did you stand up and ask for opportunity for your child's bright future? I guess not. Do not expect other parents to follow your don't care attitude

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC, arising sixth grader found out today that her classmate is registered to take Algebra 1 as a rising sixth grader. My DC and the classmate were in the same elementary school math program and class last school year (compacted math). So can my child also take algebra 1 and if so how to talk with the counselor to make the change (she is currently registered for AIM6)?

Write to principal, vice principal, counselor and if they do not assist, write to BOE. Also speak with news reporters about your situation and how MCPS is discriminating against your child by not providing opportunities that they provide to select students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some schools really discourage it, some welcome it. Your kid can take a placement test. I had to do all sorts of things so that my kid could get into that track, coming from a CES and compacted math, with a 280 on her MAP-M. That plus an advanced orchestra class keeps her not entirely miserable in her home school.

This is what happens when MCPS does a stupid lottery for magnets: gifted kids end up not having anything to do at their level at their home school. At what point my kid wrote “I want to kill myself” in her notebook.

If your child wants to die because they didn't get picked in a random lottery then you have a much more serious thing to worry about. I think you should be talking about that with a counselor.

NP. She never said that. Why can't you recognize that different kids have different needs? I truly believe the vast majority of gifted kids can have their needs met at their home school but there are others - social needs, their temperament, life goals or other reasons - cannot and it can be really devastating for them. I don't think it's always correlated with level of giftedness. I know a PG kid who was quite happy at the neighborhood school and I know a child who is "only" highly gifted who is miserable at that same school.

To the PP with the distressed child - I am really sorry and hope she finds a better place for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC, arising sixth grader found out today that her classmate is registered to take Algebra 1 as a rising sixth grader. My DC and the classmate were in the same elementary school math program and class last school year (compacted math). So can my child also take algebra 1 and if so how to talk with the counselor to make the change (she is currently registered for AIM6)?

They only allow this at a few affluent schools. Usually it requires exceeding a specific mapm score. A kid with a much higher score at a different MS doesn't even have this option.

It's common in the wealthy schools where the tigers demand this. One of my children was scoring in the 290s on their map-m in the 5th and high 280s in 6th who was at a regular DCC school did not get this option.

There is one bitter poster who keeps posting this same nonsense.
There are DCC schools that allow it on a case by case basis. It's possible your child's school did not consider your child mature enough to handle it or felt your child would disrupt the class or it could be you just had a very stubborn administrator. Map scores are not everything. My child's W school does not allow acceleration either. We know multiple kids with scores higher than yours who had to take AIM in 6th and they survived and I don't think their parents are going crazy like you posting misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC, arising sixth grader found out today that her classmate is registered to take Algebra 1 as a rising sixth grader. My DC and the classmate were in the same elementary school math program and class last school year (compacted math). So can my child also take algebra 1 and if so how to talk with the counselor to make the change (she is currently registered for AIM6)?

They only allow this at a few affluent schools. Usually it requires exceeding a specific mapm score. A kid with a much higher score at a different MS doesn't even have this option.

It's common in the wealthy schools where the tigers demand this. One of my children was scoring in the 290s on their map-m in the 5th and high 280s in 6th who was at a regular DCC school did not get this option.

This is absolutely NOT true. Several other schools offer it that are in the not so desirable areas, which is where we did it. DCC absolutely has that option at some schools. Stop making stuff up. It is very school specific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CES prepared the kids with pre-algebra. Why not give them exposure to Algebra and let them explore the world of mathematics? Why do you want to hold them back because average joes cannot catch up?

Not all kids are offered CES who are smart. What makes you think the other kids haven't had exposure? Parents can work with their kids, which we did. We also did a summer prep class knowing that our child skipped pre-algebra to make sure they were ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I regret taking Algebra 1 in sixth grade (a ver long time ago) because even though I easily tested into the class, I didn’t have the soft skills and executive functioning to succeed in a high school class yet and I started out my high school transcript with a B.

Thank you for sharing the experience. Your situation is different from other students. Now a days, students have exposure to many social events and media that they are doing much better socially and academically as well as extracurricular activities. They are not living in 19th century.

How is this responsive to the post it quotes? In my opinion, this is the biggest risk of letting your sixth grader take Algebra 1. Even if they are ready for the math, they may not be ready for the homework load or the pressure to get a good grade since it will show on their high school transcript. On the other hand, if they've got adequate executive functioning skills and they'd be bored out of their mind in another class, then Algebra 1 is a great option and by no means hold them back.