Iowa test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does FCPS do this test?

Yes, it's offered to 6th grade AAP students. It's sole purpose is to qualify for 7th grade algebra. Students can opt out of taking the test if that is not a goal. There is no other use for the test data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure, but if you have to worry about this - don't have your kid take Algebra.

Just don't have your 7th grader take algebra, period. I've had more than one HS math teacher bemoan that it's even offered. Kids need another solid year of fundamentals. Your genius will still rise to the top, don't worry. We're opting out our 6th grade AAP student from the Iowa test all together.

My kids have thrived throughout high school math after taking Algebra in or before 7th grade. Holding them back, as you propose, would have been a wasted year with the boredom potentially turning them off of math altogether. It's probably true that *your* kids need another solid year of fundamentals, but many kids who are smarter at math do not.

I have not encountered a single high school math teacher who has bemoaned having my kids accelerated into their class.

Why would the teacher complain to a parent? It's an extremely common complaint that HS math teachers have, but complaining to the parents won't change anything. Your kid is already in the class, the damage has been done.

What damage? My kids have always had easy As and easy 5s on the AP tests. The teachers have gushed over how great they are. You’re literally the only person who thinks they would have benefitted in any way from waiting a year for Algebra.

Sure, gushing teachers.

[Anonymous]

As someone who taught 7th grade algebra for years, I have no issue with it being offered. My only request is that if the teacher reaches out in September and says your kid is having a really hard time, drop them to m7h immediately. The only kids who I saw really struggle were those identified early as in over their heads but parents wanted to them to “try harder”. By the time they agreed algebra in 7th was a poor fit, m7h had already gone through all the prealgebra stuff and dropping down didn’t help build the foundations. When they took the class again in 8th grade they had the same struggles with the basics and never got an opportunity to build up to the honors level work again.

Otherwise, no issues. The 91% cutoff served me well. Vast majority of those kids were fine. If your kid likes math and meets the cutoff, they should be fine.