Algebra in private schools

[Anonymous]

8th or 9th grade for the majority...do you get it...or do you need further clarification

Are you satisfied now. You wanted the info for the majority and did not specify the minority or tail ends.

Q.E.D.

Let's move on now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We transferred out of a DC private that only offered Algebra for 8th graders into another private school (outside of DC this time) that tracks for math and offers classes beyond calculus. I don't have a problem with 8th grade algebra as long as it is challenging but our first small DC private did not have very strong math instruction in the lower grades either.
In general, I think that the privates could do a much better job of math instruction, particularly in the lower grades.

I see you're not about to miss the boat.

I began my formal study of algebra and geometry at the age of 10 in school in the bushes of an undeveloped country last century. In that system one took algebra, geometry (simultaneously) and higher maths during each year of secondary school for up to 5 years [0 levels -- the British system)]. Of course, when I came to this country as a teenager I was light years ahead of my classmates in math in the public and later private systems.

By these normal standards, many decades ago, a 13 and 14-year today, just beginning the study of Algebra, will be at a global disadvantage in mathematics education.

And now? What do you do? How was this help you being a successful person?

[Anonymous]

And now? What do you do? How was this help you being a successful person?

If you actually think and/or believe this did not give me a tremendous advantage here then there is really no basis for a discussion.

This would be akin to veternary medicine ... try getting an accurate history from your pet!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And now? What do you do? How was this help you being a successful person?

If you actually think and/or believe this did not give me a tremendous advantage here then there is really no basis for a discussion.

This would be akin to veternary medicine ... try getting an accurate history from your pet!

I took algebra in 9th. I have a degree in Math and a Masters in Computer Science.

Is your belief, which is based on 1 sample size, real or imagined?

[Anonymous]

I took algebra in 9th. I have a degree in Math and a Masters in Computer Science.

Is your belief, which is based on 1 sample size, real or imagined?

Let's check out a sample of 3 schools in the area (e.g., Takoma Park Magnet, Blair Magnet and TJ) where the sample size of students that are 2 standard deviations from the norm in their mathematics performance (achievement, acceleration, accomplishment in mathematics) is >1. Most were done with Algebra and even Geometry by 9th grade.
In other words, they are head and shoulders and light years ahead than most in mathematics (check out their SAT stats, AP stats, NMF stats, Mathcounts, Math olympiaid, Physics olympiaid stats, Siemens awards for confirmation that I am not lying to you).


Since you are a mathematician you will understand the sample size just shot up from 1 to 1000 just in the DC area.

Do you actually think these graduates from TJ, Takoma and Blair magnet are failures [compared to you] because of their deep expertise and understanding of mathematics?

[Anonymous]

My friend from "the bushes of an undeveloped country last century,"

First of all, the O levels were replaced by the General Certificate of Secondary Education back in 1988 in the UK. You're arguing for a curriculum that was declared out of date more than a quarter century ago by the people who created it.

Second, the curricula for the remaining parts of the British Empire that still use the O level terminology (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei) is not more advanced than the typical college prep track in US high schools. In Singapore, the O level test in math is approximate to Algebra II/Trig. I'm sure you might have been exposed to simple equations like x+3=5 at age 10, but that's not what Americans expect in an algebra class. Yes, the typical O-level student in Singapore knows more math than a typical American high schooler (thanks former Confederate states and underfunded urban school districts) but they are certainly not more advanced than typical college bound students, let alone those at selective private schools.

[Anonymous]

My friend from "the bushes of an undeveloped country last century,"

First of all, the O levels were replaced by the General Certificate of Secondary Education back in 1988 in the UK. You're arguing for a curriculum that was declared out of date more than a quarter century ago by the people who created it.

Second, the curricula for the remaining parts of the British Empire that still use the O level terminology (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei) is not more advanced than the typical college prep track in US high schools. In Singapore, the O level test in math is approximate to Algebra II/Trig. I'm sure you might have been exposed to simple equations like x+3=5 at age 10, but that's not what Americans expect in an algebra class. Yes, the typical O-level student in Singapore knows more math than a typical American high schooler (thanks former Confederate states and underfunded urban school districts) but they are certainly not more advanced than typical college bound students, let alone those at selective private schools.

Are you trying to brag because you have heard about O levels?

Why do American students perform poorly on Math in the PISA exams year in and year out?

Why do the students in the public magnet schools perform at a higher level in math than kids in local private schools?

Why do the kids in the local private schools who perform highly in math resemble the kids in the local public magnet schools?

[Anonymous]

I took algebra in 9th. I have a degree in Math and a Masters in Computer Science.

Is your belief, which is based on 1 sample size, real or imagined?

But did you qualify for AIME or USAMO? Did you win the Putnam? (Check out the graduates from the public magnet schools in the area).

Were you simply an ordinary graduate with a major in math and a masters degree in CS ... but no other distinguishing features? There are thousands of folk like you in our community colleges throughout the land. So you completed Algebra in 9th grade. Whoopi.

What do you have against those who completed Algebra in 7th grade? Let the middle schoolers be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I took algebra in 9th. I have a degree in Math and a Masters in Computer Science.

Is your belief, which is based on 1 sample size, real or imagined?

Let's check out a sample of 3 schools in the area (e.g., Takoma Park Magnet, Blair Magnet and TJ) where the sample size of students that are 2 standard deviations from the norm in their mathematics performance (achievement, acceleration, accomplishment in mathematics) is >1. Most were done with Algebra and even Geometry by 9th grade.
In other words, they are head and shoulders and light years ahead than most in mathematics (check out their SAT stats, AP stats, NMF stats, Mathcounts, Math olympiaid, Physics olympiaid stats, Siemens awards for confirmation that I am not lying to you).


Since you are a mathematician you will understand the sample size just shot up from 1 to 1000 just in the DC area.

Do you actually think these graduates from TJ, Takoma and Blair magnet are failures [compared to you] because of their deep expertise and understanding of mathematics?

Unclench!

I not say they are failures. Yes. I designed surveys and worked as a statistician in my 20's so I understand the sample size. Do you have as similar sample size of kids that took Algebra in 9th grade that shows they are failures?

I am not saying kids are failure if they take Algebra in 8th, or 7th, or 6th ... I am saying there is NO proof that NOT accelerating affects their ability to be successful in the future.

There is a link to the study above.

The study actually show (if you care about test scores, which I don't but you seem to think they define a person) a negative affect for 87% who take Algebra too early.

My is not that people who accelerate are failures. My point is that kids who take Algebra in 8th or 9th are not doomed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I took algebra in 9th. I have a degree in Math and a Masters in Computer Science.

Is your belief, which is based on 1 sample size, real or imagined?

But did you qualify for AIME or USAMO? Did you win the Putnam? (Check out the graduates from the public magnet schools in the area).

Were you simply an ordinary graduate with a major in math and a masters degree in CS ... but no other distinguishing features? There are thousands of folk like you in our community colleges throughout the land. So you completed Algebra in 9th grade. Whoopi.

What do you have against those who completed Algebra in 7th grade? Let the middle schoolers be.

Wow! You have children? While I did not go to community college, your contempt for them is disgusting. I would be proud to work side by side with somebody who went to community college. I would be fine if my kids went to community college and then went on to do great things with your life. I mentor graduates from all over ... From Princeton to Computer Learning Center and I have an immense respect for anybody that does their job, works hard and treats others respect, and that is not always the a Princeton graduate.

I am always the first chosen for every project at my job, I am extremely accomplished, but I am not part of the trophy generation so I did not seek trophy along the way.

[Anonymous]

There are math majors at distinguished and UN-distinguished math majors at community colleges and regular universities.

No one has suggested doom for those taking Algebra 1 in 9th grade. Or course, it depends on your definition of doom. Never to have taken Algebra 1 does not spell certain doom. That to depends on your definition of doom.

Most pupils taking Algebra 1 in the 9th grade for the first time in the 21st century in our region will be in the less advanced track in our school system -- public or private. That's the trend from my perch.

This state does not necessarily doom a child but if your goals are MIT/Stanford/Princeton math or engineering you may be at a slight disadvantage without acceleration in the high school years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Are you trying to brag because you have heard about O levels?

Why do American students perform poorly on Math in the PISA exams year in and year out?

Why do the students in the public magnet schools perform at a higher level in math than kids in local private schools?

Why do the kids in the local private schools who perform highly in math resemble the kids in the local public magnet schools?

Well, one reason is that we're a rich country with a lot of poor kids. But that doesn't really fit into your argument about O levels.

[Anonymous]

Well, one reason is that we're a rich country with a lot of poor kids

. But that doesn't really fit into your argument about O levels.

Is that an oxymoron? Pity the poor countries and there poorer kids. But wait, doesn't Vietnam beat our kids on this exam?

[Anonymous]

Is that an oxymoron? Pity the poor countries and there poorer kids. But wait, doesn't Vietnam beat our kids on this exam?

I do know the Vietnam kids beat us on the English language and grammar portion of the PISA.

[Anonymous]

Re: community college - started there, ended up #1 in my undergrad and grad school classes of several 100 students. So community college is not all dumb people -- and I did not take Algebra until 9th grade. But my DCs took in 7th grade and understand more about math (and technology, and probably life) at the age of 12 than I ever did.