Placement recommendations for middle school

[Anonymous]

Are you happy with your children's recommended courses for middle school (entering 6th)? We were a little disappointed with our dc's placements in math and reading. We are going to talk to one of his current teachers, and learn more about what the reasoning was behind the recommendations. Right now, we feel like they chose the least challenging option for both. We don't want to overburden him in MS, in case the transition is tough, but we also don't want him not to be challenged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you happy with your children's recommended courses for middle school (entering 6th)? We were a little disappointed with our dc's placements in math and reading. We are going to talk to one of his current teachers, and learn more about what the reasoning was behind the recommendations. Right now, we feel like they chose the least challenging option for both. We don't want to overburden him in MS, in case the transition is tough, but we also don't want him not to be challenged.

I thought they chose based on teacher recommendation and MAP scores. How did your child do on the MAP?

[Anonymous]

Looked over my DC's recommendation this week. Can someone tell me about IM for 6th grade math? What is it?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I don't remember the scores, but he was at the 99th percentile in math and I think 70th for reading. The recommendations were for math 7 and grade level reading. The math rec is the one that I found more concerning--I thought he would be placed in IM, based on what I've heard about numbers moving on to that class. They're not getting letter grades this year, but i would describe him as an A- student in math. He enjoys math, and is diligent about homework. His challenges are disorganization and careless errors.

I don't know what IM stands for, but I think it is essentially pre-algebra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looked over my DC's recommendation this week. Can someone tell me about IM for 6th grade math? What is it?

That's the pre-algebra course. That means s/he's on track to take Algebra in 7th. It's generally the highest match track, but there might be a few kids taking Algebra in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't remember the scores, but he was at the 99th percentile in math and I think 70th for reading. The recommendations were for math 7 and grade level reading. The math rec is the one that I found more concerning--I thought he would be placed in IM, based on what I've heard about numbers moving on to that class. They're not getting letter grades this year, but i would describe him as an A- student in math. He enjoys math, and is diligent about homework. His challenges are disorganization and careless errors.

I don't know what IM stands for, but I think it is essentially pre-algebra.

The math one is strange; a 99% kid should probably be in IM in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't remember the scores, but he was at the 99th percentile in math and I think 70th for reading. The recommendations were for math 7 and grade level reading. The math rec is the one that I found more concerning--I thought he would be placed in IM, based on what I've heard about numbers moving on to that class. They're not getting letter grades this year, but i would describe him as an A- student in math. He enjoys math, and is diligent about homework. His challenges are disorganization and careless errors.

I don't know what IM stands for, but I think it is essentially pre-algebra.

Sadly, the issues parents have raised about the new grading policies seem to be impacting issues like placement. It is "hide the ball" if you can't tell how he's doing by the letter grade and have to guess that he's an A- student. As a parent you deserve to know where he's at - you shouldn't have to guess. The schools should have the transparency of specific grades - not "everyone gets a p" which is happening so often now. As you are seeing, and I empathize, when everyone gets a P and you don't really know how your child compares to the class, it is hard to know if the placement is correct or not. Very frustrating.

[Anonymous]

If your child is reading well (including comprehension, decoding, etc.), I'd be concerned about the reading. I was informed that my IEP special education child would only be taking reading if he wasn't reading on grade level at the end of this year. (In our school, kids with IEPs get their placement later. I won't get it until April). When my oldest went to 6th grade, most kids were starting foreign language in 6th.

[Anonymous]

I thought the ES recommended that all 6th graders take reading (even advanced reading) rather than foreign language. I'm very confused. I would love for my child to begin foreign language but I don't want to rock the boat if they are supposed to enroll in reading.

[Anonymous]

At our ms, anyone on grade level for reading has the option to try a language. Reading classes are not grouped so all reading levels are grouped together. We did racing to avoid he grades in 6th grade and DC was unchallenged.

[Anonymous]

did these get sent home for all 5th graders this week? don't remember seeing anything for ours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't remember the scores, but he was at the 99th percentile in math and I think 70th for reading. The recommendations were for math 7 and grade level reading. The math rec is the one that I found more concerning--I thought he would be placed in IM, based on what I've heard about numbers moving on to that class. They're not getting letter grades this year, but i would describe him as an A- student in math. He enjoys math, and is diligent about homework. His challenges are disorganization and careless errors.

I don't know what IM stands for, but I think it is essentially pre-algebra.

what do you mean by 6th graders "not getting letter grades this year"? My DS is in 6th grade (MCPS) and is getting letter grades.

[Anonymous]

My son is in 5th grade this year. They are getting Ps, ESs, etc.

I also heard that people take reading instead of a language in 6th to avoid a high school grade.

Is it correct that there is only one reading class in 6th? What about English? Does that differentiate at some point? The handbook is not clear.

Our handbook came home a week or two ago. Pyle cluster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't remember the scores, but he was at the 99th percentile in math and I think 70th for reading. The recommendations were for math 7 and grade level reading. The math rec is the one that I found more concerning--I thought he would be placed in IM, based on what I've heard about numbers moving on to that class. They're not getting letter grades this year, but i would describe him as an A- student in math. He enjoys math, and is diligent about homework. His challenges are disorganization and careless errors.

I don't know what IM stands for, but I think it is essentially pre-algebra.

what do you mean by 6th graders "not getting letter grades this year"? My DS is in 6th grade (MCPS) and is getting letter grades.

I think this poster means "rising 6th graders" meaning this year's 5th graders. The 5th graders have the P's and ES's system.

[Anonymous]

English is differentiated within the classroom. SO your child might be in advanced english and mine in regular English in the same room. The assignments/tests/books are different (not that much though)