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Folks, hate to break it to you, but on-level Math is pretty well defined, and it isn't any of those that have been termed "normal" in this thread:
Grade level Math through 8th. Grade 1 Math in 1st through Grade 5 Math in 5th for Elementary. Math 6, Math 7 & Math 8 (all progressions of pre-Algebra) in Middle. This would be followed by Algebra I in 9th, which is a required High School course. Then Geometry (also a graduation requirement) in 10th, Algebra II in 11th and either Pre-Calculus or Statistics in 12th. MCPS wants every student to get at least through Algebra II, and Maryland requires one Math class in each year of High School. Think about it. Calculus is an Advanced Placement, college-level course. "Normal" High School-level courses end with Pre-Calc. There are many, many MCPS students who are capable of mastering more than that, though, and that is why the advanced pathways are available. It's a good thing, too -- far too many children in our society are turned off from Math early in their academic lives because it is not presented in an enriched, challenging way, and acceleration helps keep them engaged until they reach subject matter that is more naturally challenging. Taking Algebra I and higher in Middle is available and heavily utilized, perhaps even typical by 8th grade. Math 4/5 & Math 5/6 in Elementary, along with AIM in 6th, accelerates by 2 years, with Algebra I in 7th. AMP 6+ & AMP 7+ accelerates by 1 year, with Algebra I in 8th. Students demonstrating early mastery and need, either due to natural genius (rare, even here) or because of reasonable capability supplemented by outside enrichment (far more common), can be shifted up a level, as well. In High School, there are some courses or special programs (e.g., Magnet Functions) that can allow a jump, as well, and one can take Geometry and Algebra II concurrently if it becomes clear that a heavy Math focus with a number of APs is the right path. Summer classes can achieve something similar. However, pressing a student to such acceleration in the face of disinterest or a need to is not always advisable. There are a lot of folks in OP's DC's situation due to learning loss, which will continue to have an impact for many (not all, especialy those with resources and the willingness to employ them), though less as time goes by. There is a silver lining for younger students, as there is repetition of concepts (with greater complexity/depth) through the pre-Algebra courses, and young minds are best able to catch up rapidly. What I fear is that MCPS will look at the difficulty that current High School students are experiencing and draw a conclusion (possibly convenient for some who campaign against acceleration) that the whole systen needs to slow down. There was one other thing, here. Math learning certainly benefits from some level of repetition, but much more so from robust portrayal of concepts. Too much repetition -- after mastery -- turns a learner's mind off to the subject, and we still have a dearth of teachers who really can provide that kind of instruction. That said, a lack of homework at all would be a shame, and the lack of MCPS-provided textbooks or similar tools stifles independent investigation of concepts with greater completeness than the simple workbooks/parent tools that are made available. |
| Pp it already is very slow. Not sure how they can slow it down. My kid has read one book this year. |
"Our goal is for students to complete Algebra 1 by grade 8 and be prepared for higher level math in high school, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Some students may need extra time and support to build a deep understanding of math. A few students may demonstrate exceptional understanding and be ready for a compacted curriculum." https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/math/ |
What does that have to do with Algebra? |
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Our School sends this out every week:
TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES All MCPS students have access to free, virtual tutoring services through FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education. Both companies offer two services: Free on-demand tutoring for homework help, no scheduling needed. Free, scheduled tutoring for on-going support, scheduling required. Both companies record sessions, take session notes, and communicate directly with families. The difference between the two companies: FEV Tutor - no camera for tutor or student - ideal for grades 3-12 students for whom the camera is a barrier to learning. Tutor Me Education - camera for tutor and student Students access tutoring through using their MCPS Clever account. For families who would like to set up scheduled, on-going sessions, please share: To set up tutoring sessions with FEV Tutor: mcps@fevtutor.com To set up tutoring sessions with Tutor Me Education: MCPS@tutormeeducation.com or 240-618-2549 OR Fill out their request form ** best way. Do not pay attention to the way they show to log in. All students log in through Clever. |
That's a goal, as is the aim to meet the requirements for admission to the University System of Maryland by completing Algebra II prior to graduation. The state of MD graduation requirements for Math include: A credit of math taken in each year of High School (excepting students repeating a grade). A High School class taken prior to High School does not count towards the requirement, so those accelerating either have to slow down (e.g., 2-year Algebra II), step to the side (e.g., Stats) or take college-level courses (more than one if hitting Calc prior to senior year). Three credis of Math (I know, redundant with the above), including one in Algebra or a course for which Algebra is a prerequisite, and one in Geometry. Passing the end-of-year Algebra MCAP (taken whenever Algebra is taken, whether in High School or before) or completing a bridge project if the MCAP is failed twice. The expectation for many of those who are college-bound is to take AP Calc (A/B or B/C, or both, though many go for B/C), and a good number, having completed B/C by 11th grade, take more advanced courses like Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations. Some go beyond that. Some opt for AP Statistics, instead. Not everyone who accelerates in Elementary and/or Middle goes that way, though, and not all need this for entry to selective colleges/universities. Excepting aspiring majors in Mathematics or certain sciences/engineering (Physics, perhaps, or EE), achieving Math beyond Calculus doesn't really move the needle, other than, possibly, buffing a GPA with the additional AP point. |
| My kid just tried the no camera tutoring and it felt like it was a bot on the other side. |
Isn't the normal track (without compaction): Algebra 1 9th Geometry 10th Algebray 2 11th Precalculus 12th? |
Join an RSM class. They do a ton of practice. |
That's a super accelerated track, for kids who do compacted 4/5/6 and AIM (which is compacted 7/8), which puts them on track for algebra 2. The accelerated track is now doing 6+ and 7+ (which covers 6-8 over two years), then albegra in 8th. The normal track is algebra in 9th. (Just doing math 6, math 7, and math 8 with no compaction). |
That seems weird to me. Tutor Me is better. |
No, Super Accelerated is Compacted Math to Algebra and skipping AIM and doing Algebra in 6th (or doing AIM in 5th but it sounds like that is only offered at 1-2 ES as ours didn't offer it). |
When we grew up and in some privates, yes. Now, its Algebra in 7th or 8th. |
That isn't a path so much as an exception. See the middle paragraph of the long post at the top of the page. |
It's a path at 5-6 schools that I know of. Maybe more. |