Equitable access to advanced math
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Anonymous
FCPS may not be using the results correctly, but the test is the same. I have score reports saying that my kid is at whatever grade level. The data is there, even if FCPS ignores it. FCPS does not have a special question bank different from the general question banks for each grade level. |
Anonymous
As discussed as nauseum in this thread and elsewhere, the public schools are failing to reach kids by design, so the private supplements enable teachers to reach students. |
Anonymous
you appear to be on an equity crusade to lower everyone's level of math enrollment. It is not working. Advanced math means Algebra 1 in 6th grades, and Algebra 2 in 8th grades, with very high success rate as statewide SOL data shows. For the very last time, URM kids are excluded from this advanced path. |
Anonymous
Please link to one such proposal (not anonymous forum comment). The national leader in "equity" math is Jo Boaler's "advanced math for no one" proposal. |
Anonymous
At first I was frustrated by this thread because the OP was so preposterous. Then I thought OP was trolling. Now I find it hilarious. So thanks for the entertainment, OP. Good job. |
Anonymous
You are making a case against those who sat acceleration is bad and all the math teachers agree kids are being accelerated too much. You are making a case that Fairfax could let some more kids into Algebra 1 earlier. You are not making a case that all 6th graders or all black 6th graders, should be enrolled in algebra 1 or given the option to enroll. |
Anonymous
https://e3alliance.org/2022/08/29/call-for-advanced-math-policy-during-texas-88th-legislature/ "E3 Alliance research indicates that taking more advanced math courses in high school highly correlates with students enrolling in a higher education institution, persisting in their studies, and ultimately completing a postsecondary credential" "we believe the time is now to amplify all students across the state, scaling these tested and refined practices into state policy during the upcoming Texas 88th Legislative Session." "Our state-level policy priorities include: *Opt-Out Policy for high-performing students enrolling in accelerated math starting in 6th grade. *Math All Four Years for high school students." 
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Anonymous
How do you know they are excluded? Do you know the 40 kids taking algebra 1 in 6th grade, and the 100 the past few years? |
Anonymous
DP. Actually, I think those numbers show that FCPS does a good job of picking who should be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade and that there is no reason to expand those numbers. FCPS knows what it is doing and the small number of triple accelerated kids are successful - there is no reason to increase the number of triple accelerated kids so that teachers complaint about too-accelerated kids will be more evident. (I think teachers are mostly complaining about double-accelerated kids being too-accelerated in their high school math classes, fwiw, not the triple-accelerated kids.) |
Anonymous
The data shows that kids at MC and UMC schools have the Algebra 1 in 6th grade hidden from them. The decision to have those discussions lies with the administration at each school. My kids decidedly MC/UMC school, less then 10% FARMS, plenty of SAHP living in homes that are worth $500,00-$800,000 no apartments or condos in the area school does not offer the option of Algebra 1 in 6th grade to kids who meet the threshold used at other schools. Overall, FCPS has no interest in trying to identify students across the county that would do well in Algebra 1 in 6th grade. This isn't a SES thing, it is a County wide determination that they don't think it is a good idea except for a few Principals at a few schools. Algebra 1 H is available as a known path to all students. Lower SES families are less likely to have kids who meet the criteria. That has nothing to do with the schools and everything to do with parents who are not teaching kids their numbers and basic math at home well before they enter K. The Title 1 schools are teaching things that parents at other schools teach to their kids early on. My kids favorite book was the Richard Scary counting book. He asked to play Zingo (math based bingo) as a 3 year old. Why? Because we read to him, we counted with him, and we played math based games with him. We also taught him his colors and sounds and shapes. The kids attending Title 1 schools are far less likely to have the same experience. The Title 1 and near Title 1 schools have more money spent on each kid then the UMC schools do because they have smaller class sizes and more resource specialists who push intot he classrooms. Why? To try and counter the fact that the kids show up at school not knowing their letters, sounds, numbrs, colors, and shapes. Fewer will qualify for Algebra 1 in 7th grade because they are starting school a year to two years behind MC and UMC kids. Young Scholars is meant to help identify kids who could do well in AAP and provide them with oppertunities to build on those skills. Tutoring is offered across the school. Summer school is offered for free. All of which would help more kids at the poor schools reach the bar for Algebra 1 in 7th grade but parents don't send their kids to the free tutors or the free summer school. No one is hiding anything, parents have to say yes to what is handed to them on a platter. Start there. |
Anonymous
You are probably right Loudoun has some schools with majority taking algebra in 7th and some of the summer geometry kids are not good in 8th grade algebra 2. Fairfax can double its numbers, perhaps picking up some black kids, to match Loudoun's percentage of 6th graders, who are doing well. Given the advanced math in elementary in Fairfax, there are probably even more kids capable of this level. |
Anonymous
See the chart at this link to see what VMPI was REALLY about, including: “Not all college majors need calculus !” (direct quote). Obviously, calculus can and should be de-emphasized or mostly eliminated, through VMPI. 
Here is the source: WTOP: https://wtop.com/virginia/2021/04/virginia-plans-to-improve-equity-and-learning-opportunities-through-high-school-mathematics/ |
Anonymous
The kids who are allowed into Algebra 1 in 6th grade do well because the screening process works, yes. Too bad the screening process is not used across the County because there are kids who are not given the opportunity. The SOL pass rate for Algebra 1 in 7th grade does show that the screening process works because the vast majrity of the kids pass the SOL, and a pretty high percentage are passing it with scores above 500. The same goes for Geometry in 7th and 8th grade and Algebra 2 in 8th grade. The kids who are in those classes are successful. It would be interesting to know how many kids in Algebra 1 drop back to 7th H because they are struggling with the class or who have the grade expunged because the kid struggled. We cannot look those numbers up but we know kids drop back to 7th H and we know kids have the grade expunged. |
Anonymous
Another VMPI enhancement to math education would have been to switch the focus to these 5 crucial math skills: - Citizenship skills - collaboration skills - creative thinking skills (remember: it’s “STEAM” not “stem.” The is for “Arts!” ) - communication skills, and - critical thinking skills |
Anonymous
for the privileged it may be hilarious and entertainment, but for us URMs it's our advancement. You might prefer that URMs remain as needing remedial assistance forever, but many of us have the skills to take on advanced math too, if not for the barriers to access. Frankly, in that state-wide SOL data indicating successful pass rates of 6th graders in Algebra 1, how many students are URM? How many URMs are being presented with these advanced math options? It is judgemental to imply URM students cannot take on advanced math, by saying everyone should slow down. Work on removing barriers, make advanced math default enrollment, and let students opt out. |