Iowa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who told me about this post so I came to look for it. If you’re reading this, hi, haha.

I have 6th grade AAP kid who is possibly interested in Algebra next year but my spouse is also a middle school math teacher. Our school has NOT mentioned anything about IATT yet. That said I’m not stressing because spouse agrees that if they can’t give the IATT they’ll figure out another way to recommend kids for 7th grade Algebra this year. HTH.

I teach 6th grade. As of today, the plan is to take the IAAT and SOL scores for admission into Algebra. There MAY be an option to to take the IAAT over the summer for those that feel it is unsafe do to it this winter...again, maybe...that is not definite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who told me about this post so I came to look for it. If you’re reading this, hi, haha.

I have 6th grade AAP kid who is possibly interested in Algebra next year but my spouse is also a middle school math teacher. Our school has NOT mentioned anything about IATT yet. That said I’m not stressing because spouse agrees that if they can’t give the IATT they’ll figure out another way to recommend kids for 7th grade Algebra this year. HTH.

I teach 6th grade. As of today, the plan is to take the IAAT and SOL scores for admission into Algebra. There MAY be an option to to take the IAAT over the summer for those that feel it is unsafe do to it this winter...again, maybe...that is not definite.

What is the timeline for the test?

My child will be a 7th grader at Cooper next year and just received a bunch of dates including course selection by February 8. No mention of the IAAT from his 6th grade teacher or the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 6th grader in AAP who has always done well in math and prior to this year I would have wanted him in Algevra for 7th. We don’t do any outside math tutoring.

I am concerned that missing 1/3rd of last year (we were at a school that did not teach new material) and then this year is substandard distance learning has not prepared him well for Algebra. There has to be a large subset of similarly situated kids. Unless everyone is secretly tutoring their kids on the side.

Anyway, I predict fewer kids taking algebra next year in 7th.

Can we skip the test if we aren’t interested in algebra next year?

Everyone is tutoring their kids. And yes, you can skip the test if you're not interested. That said, we didn't think our child was ready but he took the test. He scored a 99 on IAAT and has a 104.3% on Algebra this year so far. So maybe let your son take the test and if he scores 95%+ let him try the class. If he doesn't then don't take the class. The score cutoff is 91%, BTW.

My kids started doing Mathnasium since the pandemic. They did not receive math tutoring prior to the pandemic. I am glad that they are doing it to reinforce their math foundation. I feel confident that my child is ready for Algebra in 7th. I have no idea what is math standing would be with the no new material last spring and the questionable math 4 days per week he is doing virtually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who told me about this post so I came to look for it. If you’re reading this, hi, haha.

I have 6th grade AAP kid who is possibly interested in Algebra next year but my spouse is also a middle school math teacher. Our school has NOT mentioned anything about IATT yet. That said I’m not stressing because spouse agrees that if they can’t give the IATT they’ll figure out another way to recommend kids for 7th grade Algebra this year. HTH.

I teach 6th grade. As of today, the plan is to take the IAAT and SOL scores for admission into Algebra. There MAY be an option to to take the IAAT over the summer for those that feel it is unsafe do to it this winter...again, maybe...that is not definite.

What is the timeline for the test?

My child will be a 7th grader at Cooper next year and just received a bunch of dates including course selection by February 8. No mention of the IAAT from his 6th grade teacher or the school.

The dates for the Iowa go all the way into March. It's school specific so you should follow up with them. Normally (pre-pandemic), they don't allow the parents to select algebra on the course registration form. The middle school goes back and adds it later on based on their IAAT and SOL scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 6th grader in AAP who has always done well in math and prior to this year I would have wanted him in Algevra for 7th. We don’t do any outside math tutoring.

I am concerned that missing 1/3rd of last year (we were at a school that did not teach new material) and then this year is substandard distance learning has not prepared him well for Algebra. There has to be a large subset of similarly situated kids. Unless everyone is secretly tutoring their kids on the side.

Anyway, I predict fewer kids taking algebra next year in 7th.

Can we skip the test if we aren’t interested in algebra next year?

Everyone is tutoring their kids. And yes, you can skip the test if you're not interested. That said, we didn't think our child was ready but he took the test. He scored a 99 on IAAT and has a 104.3% on Algebra this year so far. So maybe let your son take the test and if he scores 95%+ let him try the class. If he doesn't then don't take the class. The score cutoff is 91%, BTW.

how does your kid have a 104.3 in algebra? This is what sucks, teachers. My DC has no chance at extra credit at all. With a rolling grade book your kid is almost guaranteed an A now being halfway thru the year. One of her friends at LB has a 104 as well. DC teacher no nonsense, no extra credit. It is really demoralizing when you are working hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who told me about this post so I came to look for it. If you’re reading this, hi, haha.

I have 6th grade AAP kid who is possibly interested in Algebra next year but my spouse is also a middle school math teacher. Our school has NOT mentioned anything about IATT yet. That said I’m not stressing because spouse agrees that if they can’t give the IATT they’ll figure out another way to recommend kids for 7th grade Algebra this year. HTH.

I teach 6th grade. As of today, the plan is to take the IAAT and SOL scores for admission into Algebra. There MAY be an option to to take the IAAT over the summer for those that feel it is unsafe do to it this winter...again, maybe...that is not definite.

What is the timeline for the test?

My child will be a 7th grader at Cooper next year and just received a bunch of dates including course selection by February 8. No mention of the IAAT from his 6th grade teacher or the school.

Our school (kids will go to Longfellow) says EITHER SOL OR IAAT can be used to determine the eligibility for Algebra 1 at 7th grade. If families are not comfortable to let their kids take IAAT (must be in-person), SOL will suffice. If for COVID restrictions SOL will not happen in spring, then the kids who do not have the IAAT on file will be offered another opportunity to take IAAT in spring or summer. Bottom line is kids who would like to consider Algebra 1 will not miss the opportunity. I hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

What? Everyone tutors their kids in AAP? Really? I don't know anyone who does (6th and 4th grade in AAP). Unless they keep it on the DL so everyone thinks their kids is natural genius.

My 4th graders class is about a year behind the normal curriculum though. Virtual learning is not going well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What? Everyone tutors their kids in AAP? Really? I don't know anyone who does (6th and 4th grade in AAP). Unless they keep it on the DL so everyone thinks their kids is natural genius.

My 4th graders class is about a year behind the normal curriculum though. Virtual learning is not going well.

Yep. This is what they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What? Everyone tutors their kids in AAP? Really? I don't know anyone who does (6th and 4th grade in AAP). Unless they keep it on the DL so everyone thinks their kids is natural genius.

My 4th graders class is about a year behind the normal curriculum though. Virtual learning is not going well.

Yep. This is what they do.

I have 4th and 6th graders in AAP. We moved to McLean last year and my kids were probably average within AAP. There were so many advanced kids within AAP. Our kids have received tutoring in writing and math since pandemic and now they are also advanced. I don’t broadcast it but I think anyone with means would have supplemented during this covid time. We will probably continue the tutoring, especially in writing.

[Anonymous]

My 6th grader just got instructions for an in person IAAT test in early February.

Can SOLs be taken virtually? If so, why didn’t students take them last spring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 6th grader just got instructions for an in person IAAT test in early February.

Can SOLs be taken virtually? If so, why didn’t students take them last spring?

It’s not a fcps rule. The Sol mandate is a state rule. No they can’t be taken virtually. They didn’t take them in the spring bc the entire commonwealth of va had the Sol requirement waived for 2020. That requirement isn’t waived for 2021 for some classes.

[Anonymous]

What if my DS does not score enough to get into Algebra 1 in 7th grade? Is there a second chance or another way to get into maths honors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if my DS does not score enough to get into Algebra 1 in 7th grade? Is there a second chance or another way to get into maths honors?

They take Math Honors and live life as if nothing happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if my DS does not score enough to get into Algebra 1 in 7th grade? Is there a second chance or another way to get into maths honors?

With 7th grade Algebra I:
7th: Alg I. 8th: Geometry, 9th:Algebra II, 10th: pre-calc, 11th: calc, 12th: multivariable calc/linear Alg.

Kids who don't earn high enough scores for Algebra I in 7th:
7th: Math 7 Honors, 8th: Algebra I, 9th: Geometry, 10th: Algebra II, 11th: precalc, 12th: calc

I guess kids on this track could take summer geometry between 8th and 9th. If a kid isn't smart/advanced enough to place into 7th grade Algebra, then having that kid cram geometry into a summer is a very bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there going to be IOWA test for 6th grader this year?

Back to the original topic of this post...my kid's principal just emailed that they will have in-person IOWA testing at the school at the end of February, with no virtual option. I'm choosing to send my kid in for the test.