Algebra 1 in high school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

This is a rude and uncalled for comment. There is no need for you to pass judgement on this question.

DP here. It's the truth. Don't be offended. My kid took Algebra 1 in 6th grade in MCPS. I also have a kid with special needs who needed a resource class in middle and high school. There is no shame or guilt or any reason to be offended by the level your child is at. Algebra 1 in high school is now below the standard level. You need to meet your kid where they are and be realistic about it, that's all.

You need to be realistic about the fact that algebra 1 is not below standard level for 9th grade and that your child who took it in grade 6 would not be able to take algebra 1 that is taught in high school. Your child’s 6th grade algebra was watered down. That’s all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

The top cohort doesn’t mean that those in algebra 1 are behind in any way. Additionally, plenty of the “honors” kids should not be in honors and a lot of other students in privates are teaching algebra 1 in grade 9 at a greater level than the kids receiving algebra 1 in grade 8. A lot of those kids would have to retake algebra in 9th grade if they had to take a placement test at privates.

Privates do it for the same reason they also hold back kids. To give them an academic advantage. Truly smart kids do fine on a more fast-paced track. They can then claim higher GPA's but give the track is different you cannot compare them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

"The best students tend to be the best students across the board": based on what, exactly? Yes, there are outliers where the kid is a D1-level athlete who has also founded a nonprofit to recycle all plastics in their county and scored 1600 on the SAT and won the Intel science search and plays first violin in the state youth orchestra, but there is a reason we hear about and celebrate kids like that: they are supremely rare. And even they have to choose a career pathway that does not require all of those things, and even they are better at some of those things than others. Excellence comes in many forms, including in areas that are manifestly not STEM.

We are not talking about outliers here. Based on my own kids' MS experience (as well as knowing families at other MCPS middle schools) I would guess that most MCPS students are taking Algebra I (or a higher level Math) in 8th grade. Kids in Math 8 are likely the outliers. Does MCPS publish this data? I did a google search but couldn't find it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

The top cohort doesn’t mean that those in algebra 1 are behind in any way. Additionally, plenty of the “honors” kids should not be in honors and a lot of other students in privates are teaching algebra 1 in grade 9 at a greater level than the kids receiving algebra 1 in grade 8. A lot of those kids would have to retake algebra in 9th grade if they had to take a placement test at privates.

We aren't talking about private school, we are talking about MCPS. It is apples and oranges. If you have a kid in MCPS, and you are putting them in Math 8 in 8th grade rather than Algebra I just because private schools start kids in Algebra I, you are doing your kid a huge disservice when it comes to college admissions. Algebra in 9th grade is "behind" in terms of MCPS. Ask the counselor at your MS how many 8th graders are taking Math 8 vs. Algebra I, Geometry, or even Algebra II. My kids mediocre MS only offered 1 section of Math 8. All other 8th graders were in Algebra I or higher.

They aren’t learning algebra very well and you admit your child’s ms is mediocre. Cannot rely on the algebra taught being very good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

"The best students tend to be the best students across the board": based on what, exactly? Yes, there are outliers where the kid is a D1-level athlete who has also founded a nonprofit to recycle all plastics in their county and scored 1600 on the SAT and won the Intel science search and plays first violin in the state youth orchestra, but there is a reason we hear about and celebrate kids like that: they are supremely rare. And even they have to choose a career pathway that does not require all of those things, and even they are better at some of those things than others. Excellence comes in many forms, including in areas that are manifestly not STEM.

We are not talking about outliers here. Based on my own kids' MS experience (as well as knowing families at other MCPS middle schools) I would guess that most MCPS students are taking Algebra I (or a higher level Math) in 8th grade. Kids in Math 8 are likely the outliers. Does MCPS publish this data? I did a google search but couldn't find it.

No, typical now for smarter kids is starting in 7th. I only knew a few who took Algebra 1 in 8th (and most I know are private kids). Outliers are those who take Algebra in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

The top cohort doesn’t mean that those in algebra 1 are behind in any way. Additionally, plenty of the “honors” kids should not be in honors and a lot of other students in privates are teaching algebra 1 in grade 9 at a greater level than the kids receiving algebra 1 in grade 8. A lot of those kids would have to retake algebra in 9th grade if they had to take a placement test at privates.

Privates do it for the same reason they also hold back kids. To give them an academic advantage. Truly smart kids do fine on a more fast-paced track. They can then claim higher GPA's but give the track is different you cannot compare them.

They don’t have kids in algebra 1 in high school for academic advantage and is illogical. Mcps kids are not smarter, they are just pushed through with many who could not pass a math placement test to test out of algebra in order to attend private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

"The best students tend to be the best students across the board": based on what, exactly? Yes, there are outliers where the kid is a D1-level athlete who has also founded a nonprofit to recycle all plastics in their county and scored 1600 on the SAT and won the Intel science search and plays first violin in the state youth orchestra, but there is a reason we hear about and celebrate kids like that: they are supremely rare. And even they have to choose a career pathway that does not require all of those things, and even they are better at some of those things than others. Excellence comes in many forms, including in areas that are manifestly not STEM.

We are not talking about outliers here. Based on my own kids' MS experience (as well as knowing families at other MCPS middle schools) I would guess that most MCPS students are taking Algebra I (or a higher level Math) in 8th grade. Kids in Math 8 are likely the outliers. Does MCPS publish this data? I did a google search but couldn't find it.

No, typical now for smarter kids is starting in 7th. I only knew a few who took Algebra 1 in 8th (and most I know are private kids). Outliers are those who take Algebra in 6th.

That’s because it lower level algebra. This is to the level of what is should be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

This is a rude and uncalled for comment. There is no need for you to pass judgement on this question.

DP here. It's the truth. Don't be offended. My kid took Algebra 1 in 6th grade in MCPS. I also have a kid with special needs who needed a resource class in middle and high school. There is no shame or guilt or any reason to be offended by the level your child is at. Algebra 1 in high school is now below the standard level. You need to meet your kid where they are and be realistic about it, that's all.

You need to be realistic about the fact that algebra 1 is not below standard level for 9th grade and that your child who took it in grade 6 would not be able to take algebra 1 that is taught in high school. Your child’s 6th grade algebra was watered down. That’s all.

I doubt the PP cares whether you think their genius taking algebra I in 6th grade took a watered down class. Kid was probably prepping in Kumon or RSM since pre school and had mastered algebra I by the 3rd grade. My non-prepped snowflakes varied between Algebra II - Geometry in 8th grade. If you think that your 9th grader taking Algebra I in an MCPS HS is some kind of nirvana, take a look at MCPS pass rates for 9th graders taking the state algebra test. Pass rates are very low for that cohort. There is a reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

The top cohort doesn’t mean that those in algebra 1 are behind in any way. Additionally, plenty of the “honors” kids should not be in honors and a lot of other students in privates are teaching algebra 1 in grade 9 at a greater level than the kids receiving algebra 1 in grade 8. A lot of those kids would have to retake algebra in 9th grade if they had to take a placement test at privates.

We aren't talking about private school, we are talking about MCPS. It is apples and oranges. If you have a kid in MCPS, and you are putting them in Math 8 in 8th grade rather than Algebra I just because private schools start kids in Algebra I, you are doing your kid a huge disservice when it comes to college admissions. Algebra in 9th grade is "behind" in terms of MCPS. Ask the counselor at your MS how many 8th graders are taking Math 8 vs. Algebra I, Geometry, or even Algebra II. My kids mediocre MS only offered 1 section of Math 8. All other 8th graders were in Algebra I or higher.

They aren’t learning algebra very well and you admit your child’s ms is mediocre. Cannot rely on the algebra taught being very good.

And, what are you basing that opinion on? Our Algebra teacher was very good. It depends on the teacher, not school. You can pretend privates are better, but they aren't for most kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

This is a rude and uncalled for comment. There is no need for you to pass judgement on this question.

DP here. It's the truth. Don't be offended. My kid took Algebra 1 in 6th grade in MCPS. I also have a kid with special needs who needed a resource class in middle and high school. There is no shame or guilt or any reason to be offended by the level your child is at. Algebra 1 in high school is now below the standard level. You need to meet your kid where they are and be realistic about it, that's all.

You need to be realistic about the fact that algebra 1 is not below standard level for 9th grade and that your child who took it in grade 6 would not be able to take algebra 1 that is taught in high school. Your child’s 6th grade algebra was watered down. That’s all.

I doubt the PP cares whether you think their genius taking algebra I in 6th grade took a watered down class. Kid was probably prepping in Kumon or RSM since pre school and had mastered algebra I by the 3rd grade. My non-prepped snowflakes varied between Algebra II - Geometry in 8th grade. If you think that your 9th grader taking Algebra I in an MCPS HS is some kind of nirvana, take a look at MCPS pass rates for 9th graders taking the state algebra test. Pass rates are very low for that cohort. There is a reason.

Supplementing isn't prepping and regardless of the school it's a good idea. It's not watered down. Did you even look at the curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

This is a rude and uncalled for comment. There is no need for you to pass judgement on this question.

DP here. It's the truth. Don't be offended. My kid took Algebra 1 in 6th grade in MCPS. I also have a kid with special needs who needed a resource class in middle and high school. There is no shame or guilt or any reason to be offended by the level your child is at. Algebra 1 in high school is now below the standard level. You need to meet your kid where they are and be realistic about it, that's all.

You need to be realistic about the fact that algebra 1 is not below standard level for 9th grade and that your child who took it in grade 6 would not be able to take algebra 1 that is taught in high school. Your child’s 6th grade algebra was watered down. That’s all.

I doubt the PP cares whether you think their genius taking algebra I in 6th grade took a watered down class. Kid was probably prepping in Kumon or RSM since pre school and had mastered algebra I by the 3rd grade. My non-prepped snowflakes varied between Algebra II - Geometry in 8th grade. If you think that your 9th grader taking Algebra I in an MCPS HS is some kind of nirvana, take a look at MCPS pass rates for 9th graders taking the state algebra test. Pass rates are very low for that cohort. There is a reason.

Supplementing isn't prepping and regardless of the school it's a good idea. It's not watered down. Did you even look at the curriculum.

Of course I looked at it and I am also aware that many students are being pushed through. Supplementing is prepping. What else is it if it’s not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

The top cohort doesn’t mean that those in algebra 1 are behind in any way. Additionally, plenty of the “honors” kids should not be in honors and a lot of other students in privates are teaching algebra 1 in grade 9 at a greater level than the kids receiving algebra 1 in grade 8. A lot of those kids would have to retake algebra in 9th grade if they had to take a placement test at privates.

We aren't talking about private school, we are talking about MCPS. It is apples and oranges. If you have a kid in MCPS, and you are putting them in Math 8 in 8th grade rather than Algebra I just because private schools start kids in Algebra I, you are doing your kid a huge disservice when it comes to college admissions. Algebra in 9th grade is "behind" in terms of MCPS. Ask the counselor at your MS how many 8th graders are taking Math 8 vs. Algebra I, Geometry, or even Algebra II. My kids mediocre MS only offered 1 section of Math 8. All other 8th graders were in Algebra I or higher.

They aren’t learning algebra very well and you admit your child’s ms is mediocre. Cannot rely on the algebra taught being very good.

And, what are you basing that opinion on? Our Algebra teacher was very good. It depends on the teacher, not school. You can pretend privates are better, but they aren't for most kids.

You can pretend public is better, but we know how it’s failing.
Your algebra teacher may be very good but doesn’t mean all are. And you haven’t had your child take a placement test for math admittance into private so you have no knowledge of how rigorous it is. Your child wouldn’t do as well as you wish they would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

The top cohort doesn’t mean that those in algebra 1 are behind in any way. Additionally, plenty of the “honors” kids should not be in honors and a lot of other students in privates are teaching algebra 1 in grade 9 at a greater level than the kids receiving algebra 1 in grade 8. A lot of those kids would have to retake algebra in 9th grade if they had to take a placement test at privates.

Privates do it for the same reason they also hold back kids. To give them an academic advantage. Truly smart kids do fine on a more fast-paced track. They can then claim higher GPA's but give the track is different you cannot compare them.

They don’t have kids in algebra 1 in high school for academic advantage and is illogical. Mcps kids are not smarter, they are just pushed through with many who could not pass a math placement test to test out of algebra in order to attend private.

Is this what you need to tell yourself to justify your position? We've done both public and private school MS and HS math. I can tell you there is no difference and the difference is in the quality of the teachers. The private school math teachers were horrific to meh, the public were meh to great. It is the same exact material.

[Anonymous]

Algebra I in 9th grade is considered on level. The evaluation path is to take and pass Alg2 by end of 11th grade.

Some kids will take Alg1 in 8th, some in 7th, and a few in 6th.

The goal is take Alg1 when the student is prepared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All MCPS schools offer Algebra I in high school. It is basically remedial math.

It is not remedial math.

Doing Algebra I in 8th grade is considered on-level for MCPS. At many (most) MCPS schools the advanced kids will come into HS taking Algebra II in 9th (or even higher for a small percentage). While the content for 9th grade Algebra I is not remedial, the reality is, most of the students who are taking it are considered "behind" and not the best students.

They could be "the best students" in areas like writing, languages, fine and performing arts, or media, and rather than being "behind" be prioritizing what matters for them and _their_ careers. "The best" students don't all go into STEM, nor should they.

The best students tend to be the best students across the board. Algebra in 9th puts them two years behind the top cohort (ignoring the few how are even further ahead) and one year behind the normal honors kids

The top cohort doesn’t mean that those in algebra 1 are behind in any way. Additionally, plenty of the “honors” kids should not be in honors and a lot of other students in privates are teaching algebra 1 in grade 9 at a greater level than the kids receiving algebra 1 in grade 8. A lot of those kids would have to retake algebra in 9th grade if they had to take a placement test at privates.

We aren't talking about private school, we are talking about MCPS. It is apples and oranges. If you have a kid in MCPS, and you are putting them in Math 8 in 8th grade rather than Algebra I just because private schools start kids in Algebra I, you are doing your kid a huge disservice when it comes to college admissions. Algebra in 9th grade is "behind" in terms of MCPS. Ask the counselor at your MS how many 8th graders are taking Math 8 vs. Algebra I, Geometry, or even Algebra II. My kids mediocre MS only offered 1 section of Math 8. All other 8th graders were in Algebra I or higher.

They aren’t learning algebra very well and you admit your child’s ms is mediocre. Cannot rely on the algebra taught being very good.

And, what are you basing that opinion on? Our Algebra teacher was very good. It depends on the teacher, not school. You can pretend privates are better, but they aren't for most kids.

You can pretend public is better, but we know how it’s failing.
Your algebra teacher may be very good but doesn’t mean all are. And you haven’t had your child take a placement test for math admittance into private so you have no knowledge of how rigorous it is. Your child wouldn’t do as well as you wish they would.

My kids have done classes in privates with math so YES I do know. One was shockingly bad that we had to hire a tutor. MCPS math has been far better. We wasted thousands at a private doing their math classes.