Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?

[Anonymous]

I wonder what the school board will think that academic decisions by Leadership are being made that truly impact students and the advice/opinions of the experts in the curriculum office are ignored.

[Anonymous]

The math office wants to water down/eliminate advanced math at the elementary level. Having the same pacing in gen Ed and advanced (“Advanced for all”) in 3rd and 4th is a stepping stone to this.

With the new standards, the percentage of 3rd grade kids in advanced math scoring pass advanced dropped significantly this spring. I expect the same to happen with 4th this year. Basically it’s suppressing the ceiling— one reason why the requirements to double accelerate have been SO insane until now. They haven’t wanted to exacerbate the gap between the gen Ed and advanced math students.

Algebra in 6th from Reid had dropped a bomb into this. I’m not a proponent of it being this widespread— half of the sixth advanced kids at my school qualified when maybe a fifth of them should have— but it’s encouraging that they aren’t going to be completely abandoning advanced math.

I think the haphazard rollout and overly generous selection process is intentional on the part of the math office. I think they want this to be a disaster so they can go back to the original plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The math office wants to water down/eliminate advanced math at the elementary level. Having the same pacing in gen Ed and advanced (“Advanced for all”) in 3rd and 4th is a stepping stone to this.

With the new standards, the percentage of 3rd grade kids in advanced math scoring pass advanced dropped significantly this spring. I expect the same to happen with 4th this year. Basically it’s suppressing the ceiling— one reason why the requirements to double accelerate have been SO insane until now. They haven’t wanted to exacerbate the gap between the gen Ed and advanced math students.

Algebra in 6th from Reid had dropped a bomb into this. I’m not a proponent of it being this widespread— half of the sixth advanced kids at my school qualified when maybe a fifth of them should have— but it’s encouraging that they aren’t going to be completely abandoning advanced math.

I think the haphazard rollout and overly generous selection process is intentional on the part of the math office. I think they want this to be a disaster so they can go back to the original plan.

Our school said not everyone selected should take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The math office wants to water down/eliminate advanced math at the elementary level. Having the same pacing in gen Ed and advanced (“Advanced for all”) in 3rd and 4th is a stepping stone to this.

With the new standards, the percentage of 3rd grade kids in advanced math scoring pass advanced dropped significantly this spring. I expect the same to happen with 4th this year. Basically it’s suppressing the ceiling— one reason why the requirements to double accelerate have been SO insane until now. They haven’t wanted to exacerbate the gap between the gen Ed and advanced math students.

Algebra in 6th from Reid had dropped a bomb into this. I’m not a proponent of it being this widespread— half of the sixth advanced kids at my school qualified when maybe a fifth of them should have— but it’s encouraging that they aren’t going to be completely abandoning advanced math.

I think the haphazard rollout and overly generous selection process is intentional on the part of the math office. I think they want this to be a disaster so they can go back to the original plan.

Did they change the 4th grade math standards last year as well? Or did this watered down rollout start with 3rd graders last yr.

[Anonymous]

Why would any kid do algebra in 6th when they could just double up on geometry and algebra 2 in 8th if they are motivated to be three years ahead. That would be a smarter and more traditional way to go about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any first-hand information, but is anyone aware of changes in selection of students who are eligible for Algebra in 6th grade?

If the information I have is true (big IF), FCPS AAP could have significant increase in the number of students taking this path this school year.

Does anyone have a first-hand knowledge about the process and when schools typically notify parents?

Do all 6th grade AAP students qualify or do you have to meet the score criteria?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any first-hand information, but is anyone aware of changes in selection of students who are eligible for Algebra in 6th grade?

If the information I have is true (big IF), FCPS AAP could have significant increase in the number of students taking this path this school year.

Does anyone have a first-hand knowledge about the process and when schools typically notify parents?

Do all 6th grade AAP students qualify or do you have to meet the score criteria?

From the email families received:

Participation in the pilot is based on specific academic criteria. Your child has been identified as a strong candidate for this program because they met the qualifying criteria:

Passed advanced on their Math 6 SOL, indicating a deep understanding of the 6th-grade math standards, including concepts like rational numbers, expressions, and equations, which are all prerequisites for success in Algebra 1.
1125Q quantile on their iReady assessment, suggesting they are ready for more complex content and are showing readiness for Algebra topics.

At my child's center school, the teacher said the 6th grade AAP class was pretty evenly split between qualifying and non qualifying students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The math office wants to water down/eliminate advanced math at the elementary level. Having the same pacing in gen Ed and advanced (“Advanced for all”) in 3rd and 4th is a stepping stone to this.

With the new standards, the percentage of 3rd grade kids in advanced math scoring pass advanced dropped significantly this spring. I expect the same to happen with 4th this year. Basically it’s suppressing the ceiling— one reason why the requirements to double accelerate have been SO insane until now. They haven’t wanted to exacerbate the gap between the gen Ed and advanced math students.

Algebra in 6th from Reid had dropped a bomb into this. I’m not a proponent of it being this widespread— half of the sixth advanced kids at my school qualified when maybe a fifth of them should have— but it’s encouraging that they aren’t going to be completely abandoning advanced math.

I think the haphazard rollout and overly generous selection process is intentional on the part of the math office. I think they want this to be a disaster so they can go back to the original plan.

Did they change the 4th grade math standards last year as well? Or did this watered down rollout start with 3rd graders last yr.

NP. They changed 4th grade standards for this year, or at least the pacing. I haven’t drilled down to see exactly what, if anything, is missing between the two but you can find the old pacing & standards on wayback website.

FWIW, my kid said the teacher told the class they will be doing 5th grade math this year. I'm curious if that is really the case or if she is unfamiliar that things have changed since last year. I'm leaning towards the latter as she is giving 12x12 multiplication table quizzes, but they only covered 10x10 last year so there is already a gap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The math office wants to water down/eliminate advanced math at the elementary level. Having the same pacing in gen Ed and advanced (“Advanced for all”) in 3rd and 4th is a stepping stone to this.

With the new standards, the percentage of 3rd grade kids in advanced math scoring pass advanced dropped significantly this spring. I expect the same to happen with 4th this year. Basically it’s suppressing the ceiling— one reason why the requirements to double accelerate have been SO insane until now. They haven’t wanted to exacerbate the gap between the gen Ed and advanced math students.

Algebra in 6th from Reid had dropped a bomb into this. I’m not a proponent of it being this widespread— half of the sixth advanced kids at my school qualified when maybe a fifth of them should have— but it’s encouraging that they aren’t going to be completely abandoning advanced math.

I think the haphazard rollout and overly generous selection process is intentional on the part of the math office. I think they want this to be a disaster so they can go back to the original plan.

Did they change the 4th grade math standards last year as well? Or did this watered down rollout start with 3rd graders last yr.

NP. They changed 4th grade standards for this year, or at least the pacing. I haven’t drilled down to see exactly what, if anything, is missing between the two but you can find the old pacing & standards on wayback website.

FWIW, my kid said the teacher told the class they will be doing 5th grade math this year. I'm curious if that is really the case or if she is unfamiliar that things have changed since last year. I'm leaning towards the latter as she is giving 12x12 multiplication table quizzes, but they only covered 10x10 last year so there is already a gap.

Pp here- for clarification my kid is in 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The math office wants to water down/eliminate advanced math at the elementary level. Having the same pacing in gen Ed and advanced (“Advanced for all”) in 3rd and 4th is a stepping stone to this.

With the new standards, the percentage of 3rd grade kids in advanced math scoring pass advanced dropped significantly this spring. I expect the same to happen with 4th this year. Basically it’s suppressing the ceiling— one reason why the requirements to double accelerate have been SO insane until now. They haven’t wanted to exacerbate the gap between the gen Ed and advanced math students.

Algebra in 6th from Reid had dropped a bomb into this. I’m not a proponent of it being this widespread— half of the sixth advanced kids at my school qualified when maybe a fifth of them should have— but it’s encouraging that they aren’t going to be completely abandoning advanced math.

I think the haphazard rollout and overly generous selection process is intentional on the part of the math office. I think they want this to be a disaster so they can go back to the original plan.

Did they change the 4th grade math standards last year as well? Or did this watered down rollout start with 3rd graders last yr.

NP. They changed 4th grade standards for this year, or at least the pacing. I haven’t drilled down to see exactly what, if anything, is missing between the two but you can find the old pacing & standards on wayback website.

FWIW, my kid said the teacher told the class they will be doing 5th grade math this year. I'm curious if that is really the case or if she is unfamiliar that things have changed since last year. I'm leaning towards the latter as she is giving 12x12 multiplication table quizzes, but they only covered 10x10 last year so there is already a gap.

Pp here- for clarification my kid is in 4th grade.

PP here again. I just went back to wayback machine and what is listed as "Grade 4 Advanced Math Curriculum" for last year appears to be identical to the current year "Grade 5 Math Curriculum". And none of that is what is showing for the current Grade 4 Advanced Math Curriculum.

[Anonymous]

How many kids are participating in this program in your school? We are at a center school and I have no idea how many are qualified or how they will run this. They didn't even specify if the instruction is going to be in-person or virtual. My kid likes math and has won multiple awards in math competitions (Moem, Math Kangaroo, and Noetic) in the school math team but we have not done much enrichment. I think he knows some algebraic concepts but don't know if he is ready for this. I am leaning toward not doing it because I don't really see the need for this but my kid wants to try it out because he finds school math "too easy". Is this a bad choice for kids who are good at math but has not yet taken pre-algebra classes outside of school? We have to make a decision soon but I am very much torn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many kids are participating in this program in your school? We are at a center school and I have no idea how many are qualified or how they will run this. They didn't even specify if the instruction is going to be in-person or virtual. My kid likes math and has won multiple awards in math competitions (Moem, Math Kangaroo, and Noetic) in the school math team but we have not done much enrichment. I think he knows some algebraic concepts but don't know if he is ready for this. I am leaning toward not doing it because I don't really see the need for this but my kid wants to try it out because he finds school math "too easy". Is this a bad choice for kids who are good at math but has not yet taken pre-algebra classes outside of school? We have to make a decision soon but I am very much torn.

If <15 kids at your school: virtual
If >15 kids at your school: dedicated teacher

A center should have an in person class. My center had 47 qualify (not sure how many will actually do it though)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The math office wants to water down/eliminate advanced math at the elementary level. Having the same pacing in gen Ed and advanced (“Advanced for all”) in 3rd and 4th is a stepping stone to this.

With the new standards, the percentage of 3rd grade kids in advanced math scoring pass advanced dropped significantly this spring. I expect the same to happen with 4th this year. Basically it’s suppressing the ceiling— one reason why the requirements to double accelerate have been SO insane until now. They haven’t wanted to exacerbate the gap between the gen Ed and advanced math students.

Algebra in 6th from Reid had dropped a bomb into this. I’m not a proponent of it being this widespread— half of the sixth advanced kids at my school qualified when maybe a fifth of them should have— but it’s encouraging that they aren’t going to be completely abandoning advanced math.

I think the haphazard rollout and overly generous selection process is intentional on the part of the math office. I think they want this to be a disaster so they can go back to the original plan.

Did they change the 4th grade math standards last year as well? Or did this watered down rollout start with 3rd graders last yr.

NP. They changed 4th grade standards for this year, or at least the pacing. I haven’t drilled down to see exactly what, if anything, is missing between the two but you can find the old pacing & standards on wayback website.

FWIW, my kid said the teacher told the class they will be doing 5th grade math this year. I'm curious if that is really the case or if she is unfamiliar that things have changed since last year. I'm leaning towards the latter as she is giving 12x12 multiplication table quizzes, but they only covered 10x10 last year so there is already a gap.

That's interesting - my kid's 3rd grade AAP class did through the 12 times table by February last year. They were doing 3x2 digit multiplication and long division by the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The math office wants to water down/eliminate advanced math at the elementary level. Having the same pacing in gen Ed and advanced (“Advanced for all”) in 3rd and 4th is a stepping stone to this.

With the new standards, the percentage of 3rd grade kids in advanced math scoring pass advanced dropped significantly this spring. I expect the same to happen with 4th this year. Basically it’s suppressing the ceiling— one reason why the requirements to double accelerate have been SO insane until now. They haven’t wanted to exacerbate the gap between the gen Ed and advanced math students.

Algebra in 6th from Reid had dropped a bomb into this. I’m not a proponent of it being this widespread— half of the sixth advanced kids at my school qualified when maybe a fifth of them should have— but it’s encouraging that they aren’t going to be completely abandoning advanced math.

I think the haphazard rollout and overly generous selection process is intentional on the part of the math office. I think they want this to be a disaster so they can go back to the original plan.

Did they change the 4th grade math standards last year as well? Or did this watered down rollout start with 3rd graders last yr.

NP. They changed 4th grade standards for this year, or at least the pacing. I haven’t drilled down to see exactly what, if anything, is missing between the two but you can find the old pacing & standards on wayback website.

FWIW, my kid said the teacher told the class they will be doing 5th grade math this year. I'm curious if that is really the case or if she is unfamiliar that things have changed since last year. I'm leaning towards the latter as she is giving 12x12 multiplication table quizzes, but they only covered 10x10 last year so there is already a gap.

The state changed the standards last year. They have not changed this year. FCPS may have reordered things over the summer, but the new pacing guides/standards were released last year. If there are gaps, I'd suspect things that should have been taught last year, weren't.

4th grade: "The student will estimate, represent, solve, and justify solutions to single-step and multistep problems, including those in context, using multiplication with whole numbers, and single-step problems, including those in context, using division with whole numbers; and recall with automaticity the multiplication facts through 12 × 12 and the corresponding division facts."

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/48926/638603401650470000

[Anonymous]

Is algebra placement in 7th grade guaranteed if you decide to expunge the grade? If a kid gets an A- or Bs can we expunge? Are you allowed to expunge an A- and retake or is it discretionary?