Can a sixth grader take algebra 1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP who was contacted by the math specialist for more testing at TPMS do you have an update? I don't know why one PP is so stuck on thinking you are confused. I don't think anything you were told is particularly confusing.

I know a student, also DCC but not at TPMS, who was asked to come in for further testing because they were home schooled. It was just so they could make sure they were at the right level in the MCPS curriculum. They had been put in AIM originally but after testing they were put in Alg. 1. This is not a path at our DCC school and Alg. 1 is not "offered" in 6th but this friend was given an exception.

Yep, update:
- yes, they took the test and yes, it was unusual, and they only did it for a small handful (4) kids, so I’m damn close to outing myself. The kids would go into alg 1 with a 7th grade class. I won’t tell the you what we’re doing since there are so few data points. Also, I am not sure if the other kids tested were magnet or not.

Thank you for posting because there are a lot of crazies on this thread and only a few people actually providing real information.

The information they're providing seems suspect. I have a 6th grader at that school, and just wrote the administration about this and was told this wasn't done.

Tpms?

Yes TPMS, and they seemed proud of the fact they don't do this but focus on providing a strong math foundation instead.

You wrote an administrator at TPMS (non magnet) and they told you they absolutely did not take 4 kids out for testing to see if they qualified to skip AIM? Or you wrote them asking whether Alg. 1 is an option for 6th graders and they said it is not?

The year my friend's child was skipped in math we wrote our principal and we were told absolutely no they do not let kids skip to Alg. 1. I know we were not the only ones who asked that year and we were all given the same answer that it is not an option and it's not done. We really pushed the issue too, to the point where they were probably irritated as my child had very high scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP who was contacted by the math specialist for more testing at TPMS do you have an update? I don't know why one PP is so stuck on thinking you are confused. I don't think anything you were told is particularly confusing.

I know a student, also DCC but not at TPMS, who was asked to come in for further testing because they were home schooled. It was just so they could make sure they were at the right level in the MCPS curriculum. They had been put in AIM originally but after testing they were put in Alg. 1. This is not a path at our DCC school and Alg. 1 is not "offered" in 6th but this friend was given an exception.

Yep, update:
- yes, they took the test and yes, it was unusual, and they only did it for a small handful (4) kids, so I’m damn close to outing myself. The kids would go into alg 1 with a 7th grade class. I won’t tell the you what we’re doing since there are so few data points. Also, I am not sure if the other kids tested were magnet or not.

Thank you for posting because there are a lot of crazies on this thread and only a few people actually providing real information.

The information they're providing seems suspect. I have a 6th grader at that school, and just wrote the administration about this and was told this wasn't done.

Tpms?

Yes TPMS, and they seemed proud of the fact they don't do this but focus on providing a strong math foundation instead.

You wrote an administrator at TPMS (non magnet) and they told you they absolutely did not take 4 kids out for testing to see if they qualified to skip AIM? Or you wrote them asking whether Alg. 1 is an option for 6th graders and they said it is not?

The year my friend's child was skipped in math we wrote our principal and we were told absolutely no they do not let kids skip to Alg. 1. I know we were not the only ones who asked that year and we were all given the same answer that it is not an option and it's not done. We really pushed the issue too, to the point where they were probably irritated as my child had very high scores.

Yes, I wrote TPMS about this the other week, and that's what I was told. They even seem to take pride in providing a deep and thorough foundation as opposed to acceleration. Nevertheless, my older child knew a few Cold Spring kids who had Algebra in 6th, and although DC did not, they all took Functions together at Blair so it didn't really matter anyway.

[Anonymous]

You didn't answer the question. What were you told? That Alg. 1 is not an option or that they did not take a few kids aside to do further testing to look at their math level? I would be shocked if they told you the latter because they usually try to keep that stuff hush hush so that parents don't get jealous.

[Anonymous]

OMG can we lock this thread? This has devolved if people are actually calling these schools. This started off as an information request and devolved into something rather else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG can we lock this thread? This has devolved if people are actually calling these schools. This started off as an information request and devolved into something rather else.

Its not unreasonable to inquire at your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG can we lock this thread? This has devolved if people are actually calling these schools. This started off as an information request and devolved into something rather else.

This just demonstrates that the folks refusing to name schools were the smart ones. I know for a fact that going to the MS for AIM is an option at my child's Focus School and there is not a single change in h*ll that I'd name the school in this forum because it would lead to the principal and math specialist being harassed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

This is incredibly short sighted. There are better ways to address alleged "boredom" in math. Schools should be pushing depth and problem solving for the advanced kids, not pointless acceleration. And it is pointless, as many discover by senior year or when they start college. But I get it; it is hard for the parents of younger kids to believe the parents who have already been through it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

This is incredibly short sighted. There are better ways to address alleged "boredom" in math. Schools should be pushing depth and problem solving for the advanced kids, not pointless acceleration. And it is pointless, as many discover by senior year or when they start college. But I get it; it is hard for the parents of younger kids to believe the parents who have already been through it.

And according to TPMS, that's exactly what they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

This is incredibly short sighted. There are better ways to address alleged "boredom" in math. Schools should be pushing depth and problem solving for the advanced kids, not pointless acceleration. And it is pointless, as many discover by senior year or when they start college. But I get it; it is hard for the parents of younger kids to believe the parents who have already been through it.

But, they are not so this is the only option for some kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

This is incredibly short sighted. There are better ways to address alleged "boredom" in math. Schools should be pushing depth and problem solving for the advanced kids, not pointless acceleration. And it is pointless, as many discover by senior year or when they start college. But I get it; it is hard for the parents of younger kids to believe the parents who have already been through it.

But, they are not so this is the only option for some kids.

I don't know about other schools, but this is what they're doing at TPMS. Consequently, it's not fair to say they are not when they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

This is incredibly short sighted. There are better ways to address alleged "boredom" in math. Schools should be pushing depth and problem solving for the advanced kids, not pointless acceleration. And it is pointless, as many discover by senior year or when they start college. But I get it; it is hard for the parents of younger kids to believe the parents who have already been through it.

But, they are not so this is the only option for some kids.

I don't know about other schools, but this is what they're doing at TPMS. Consequently, it's not fair to say they are not when they are.

You rambling about TPMS isn't helpful as the majority of MSers are not at TPMS and what they are doing is not relevant to our kids. Its great TPMS does that but how many kids are they serving in magnet vs. how many "need" it. So, because the rest of our kids don't get that, especially at schools, where some parents can afford to leave, they are offering Algebra in 6th to keep us there vs. leave for private or elsewhere. Its all about numbers and test scores. Our kids bring up their test scores so they need a way to keep them there and MCPS is not allowing for any gifted or accelerated classes at other MS's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

This is incredibly short sighted. There are better ways to address alleged "boredom" in math. Schools should be pushing depth and problem solving for the advanced kids, not pointless acceleration. And it is pointless, as many discover by senior year or when they start college. But I get it; it is hard for the parents of younger kids to believe the parents who have already been through it.

But, they are not so this is the only option for some kids.

I don't know about other schools, but this is what they're doing at TPMS. Consequently, it's not fair to say they are not when they are.

You rambling about TPMS isn't helpful as the majority of MSers are not at TPMS and what they are doing is not relevant to our kids. Its great TPMS does that but how many kids are they serving in magnet vs. how many "need" it. So, because the rest of our kids don't get that, especially at schools, where some parents can afford to leave, they are offering Algebra in 6th to keep us there vs. leave for private or elsewhere. Its all about numbers and test scores. Our kids bring up their test scores so they need a way to keep them there and MCPS is not allowing for any gifted or accelerated classes at other MS's.

AIM in 6th grade IS accelerated. Most privates in this area, even the top ones, are not offering Algebra in 6th to anyone. The math pathways in private are not more accelerated than MCPS. This idea that the public needs to keep you there or else is in your head. They don’t care about your test scores. Right now, they really mainly care about providing expanded access and opportunities to traditionally underrepresented populations, and of course helping bring up all underperforming students to grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

This is incredibly short sighted. There are better ways to address alleged "boredom" in math. Schools should be pushing depth and problem solving for the advanced kids, not pointless acceleration. And it is pointless, as many discover by senior year or when they start college. But I get it; it is hard for the parents of younger kids to believe the parents who have already been through it.

But, they are not so this is the only option for some kids.

I don't know about other schools, but this is what they're doing at TPMS. Consequently, it's not fair to say they are not when they are.

You rambling about TPMS isn't helpful as the majority of MSers are not at TPMS and what they are doing is not relevant to our kids. Its great TPMS does that but how many kids are they serving in magnet vs. how many "need" it. So, because the rest of our kids don't get that, especially at schools, where some parents can afford to leave, they are offering Algebra in 6th to keep us there vs. leave for private or elsewhere. Its all about numbers and test scores. Our kids bring up their test scores so they need a way to keep them there and MCPS is not allowing for any gifted or accelerated classes at other MS's.

AIM in 6th grade IS accelerated. Most privates in this area, even the top ones, are not offering Algebra in 6th to anyone. The math pathways in private are not more accelerated than MCPS. This idea that the public needs to keep you there or else is in your head. They don’t care about your test scores. Right now, they really mainly care about providing expanded access and opportunities to traditionally underrepresented populations, and of course helping bring up all underperforming students to grade level.

Comparing private to public is not relevant nor is comparing TMPS Magnet to any other MS. Smart kids have a right to have access to acceleration and yes, these schools care about their test scores which is why they are trying to bring them up with kids like ours doing algebra in 6th. We've done private school math classes to supplement and I can tell you they are not any better than MCPS and the last one was far worse than anything we've had in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

This is incredibly short sighted. There are better ways to address alleged "boredom" in math. Schools should be pushing depth and problem solving for the advanced kids, not pointless acceleration. And it is pointless, as many discover by senior year or when they start college. But I get it; it is hard for the parents of younger kids to believe the parents who have already been through it.

But, they are not so this is the only option for some kids.

I don't know about other schools, but this is what they're doing at TPMS. Consequently, it's not fair to say they are not when they are.

if only more schools were like TPMS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the rush?

What's the rush? These kids are not average joes in the classroom who struggle with adding two three digit numbers. They get bored easily and lose interest if not challenged at appropriate level. Yes some groups in MoCo does not like others to progress because they cannot compete

This is incredibly short sighted. There are better ways to address alleged "boredom" in math. Schools should be pushing depth and problem solving for the advanced kids, not pointless acceleration. And it is pointless, as many discover by senior year or when they start college. But I get it; it is hard for the parents of younger kids to believe the parents who have already been through it.

But, they are not so this is the only option for some kids.

I don't know about other schools, but this is what they're doing at TPMS. Consequently, it's not fair to say they are not when they are.

You rambling about TPMS isn't helpful as the majority of MSers are not at TPMS and what they are doing is not relevant to our kids. Its great TPMS does that but how many kids are they serving in magnet vs. how many "need" it. So, because the rest of our kids don't get that, especially at schools, where some parents can afford to leave, they are offering Algebra in 6th to keep us there vs. leave for private or elsewhere. Its all about numbers and test scores. Our kids bring up their test scores so they need a way to keep them there and MCPS is not allowing for any gifted or accelerated classes at other MS's.

AIM in 6th grade IS accelerated. Most privates in this area, even the top ones, are not offering Algebra in 6th to anyone. The math pathways in private are not more accelerated than MCPS. This idea that the public needs to keep you there or else is in your head. They don’t care about your test scores. Right now, they really mainly care about providing expanded access and opportunities to traditionally underrepresented populations, and of course helping bring up all underperforming students to grade level.

Comparing private to public is not relevant nor is comparing TMPS Magnet to any other MS. Smart kids have a right to have access to acceleration and yes, these schools care about their test scores which is why they are trying to bring them up with kids like ours doing algebra in 6th. We've done private school math classes to supplement and I can tell you they are not any better than MCPS and the last one was far worse than anything we've had in MCPS.

You sound incredibly confused.
1) I was referencing private because the post I was responding to (yours?) said you’d leave for private if mcps doesn’t do what you want. My point was that you might not find a private that will accelerate to your specifications either and mcps isn’t trying to dangle acceleration carrots to retain you
2) “smart kids” do not have a “right” to anything other than a public education in line with state standards in all core subjects
3) they are not trying to “bring up” test scores with kids like yours. If anything, they are trying to close the achievement gap. They break out all test score data by SES and FARMS and quite frankly they expect yours will be fine so they can focus on others. They don’t average your child’s scores with underperforming students and say, oh great, all’s well.