Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like kids can return to the regula class at the end of the first quarter if you identify issues with completing homework and understanding concepts.

I don’t think that’s enough. Because the metrical does get more challenging as the year progresses. The course starts off with easier concepts so the first quarter is not a good indicator of whether the kid will do well during the second half of the year.

[Anonymous]

This is a fit for a kid who is so painfully bored in regular math they are losing interest. If they enjoyed math last year and learned new things, then the same will probably happen in M7 this year. If they came home complaining that they'd already done all of this before (since it spirals so much), then maybe skipping ahead will help maintain interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such a poor, haphazard decision by Gatehouse. We are opting out but now my child is thinking if they should be doing it because some of their friends are doing the class. My school also did a Math 7 assessment this week to see if the kids who had qualified based off of SOL scores and iReady have an understanding of the content taught in Math 7. My child’s scored above the (75%) benchmark they were looking for. My child is now confused and I’m so annoyed at Gatehouse for putting the kids in this dilemma for no reason. There is absolutely no advantage of doing algebra 1 in 6th grade even if you want to major and do a Ph.D in math later on. Let the kids enjoy their last year of elementary school without worrying about midterms and finals!

Completely agree with all of this. Getting ahead, just for the sake of being ahead, is exactly why some parents are salivating to have this option. It’s absurd. These kids are already ahead with 7th grade algebra, and it’s really only a few kids who “need” algebra in 6th. The majority of those few are already in outside enrichment programs and know the curriculum. They aren’t taking the FCPS A1H class to learn, it’s checking a box on the transcript, as they could pass algebra 1H without a day in class. Those are the 6th graders FCPS is used to enrolling in A1H.

With the new pilot and lowered criteria, and huge increase in 6th graders enrolling, FCPS is going to have to actually teach 6th graders, many of whom haven’t been enrolled in outside enrichment. Most of these kids aren’t ready, and frankly, there’s absolutely no advantage down the road to pushing now. I predict a lot retakes next year, and major gaps in learning after skipping pre-algebra, not to mention academic frustration, feelings of inadequacy in math, and diminished confidence.

[Anonymous]

DC's teacher just provided DC's 7th grade math content assessment -- 50/100. Doesn't seem that advanced. DC says he doesn't really like math, but he's asked to be enrolled. I am leaning toward declining to enroll DC in 6th grade Algebra 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC's teacher just provided DC's 7th grade math content assessment -- 50/100. Doesn't seem that advanced. DC says he doesn't really like math, but he's asked to be enrolled. I am leaning toward declining to enroll DC in 6th grade Algebra 1.

I received the following from DC’s math teacher:

Late last week, students took an assessment to determine how well they have already mastered the content of Math 7 (the curriculum taught as “Math 6AAP”), but it has given us only a rough set of numbers, and not a breakdown of the specific skills student might struggle with or have not yet learned. FCPS has not provided guidance on how to interpret or translate the scores. Nevertheless, FCPS has communicated that success in Algebra 1 Honors is generally associated with a score of 75% or higher.

[Anonymous]

Kid brought home a 77% on the M7 skills test. I wonder if it was an old M7 SOL? DC said it was 44 questions so that would be about right.

A 75% threshold seems like a low cutoff, but without seeing the test I have no clue if it’s focusing on M7 skills that lead into algebra or all M7 skills (I’m not concerned if the child doesn’t correctly find probability or volume of pyramids or whatever—they’ll get that in later courses and pick it up quickly)

[Anonymous]

It seems like some schools are providing how the kids did on the assessment. Haycock isn't even providing that information to the parents or kids. I have no idea how my daughter did and the administration made it clear during Back to School Night that they had zero intention of providing the assessment to parents. (That it was to be used solely by the math teachers to evaluate where kids stand.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like some schools are providing how the kids did on the assessment. Haycock isn't even providing that information to the parents or kids. I have no idea how my daughter did and the administration made it clear during Back to School Night that they had zero intention of providing the assessment to parents. (That it was to be used solely by the math teachers to evaluate where kids stand.)

You can most definitely ask to see that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like some schools are providing how the kids did on the assessment. Haycock isn't even providing that information to the parents or kids. I have no idea how my daughter did and the administration made it clear during Back to School Night that they had zero intention of providing the assessment to parents. (That it was to be used solely by the math teachers to evaluate where kids stand.)

FCPS has to provide any records on your child if you request it. You have a right to access those records.

[Anonymous]

Are any ES in IB regions giving Alg in 6th? If so, what are they telling parents kids will do in 12th grade? IB schools are already not set up to support accelerated math, let alone if advance another year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are any ES in IB regions giving Alg in 6th? If so, what are they telling parents kids will do in 12th grade? IB schools are already not set up to support accelerated math, let alone if advance another year

Laurel ridge which is not an AAP center has a full class of Algebra 1. And typically almost all of these kids go to Robinson save for a few to TJ, Woodson and Lake Braddock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are any ES in IB regions giving Alg in 6th? If so, what are they telling parents kids will do in 12th grade? IB schools are already not set up to support accelerated math, let alone if advance another year

Theoretically a kid could do all of IB apps followed by all of IB analysis. They could also do IB analysis (just not take the test) and then do online campus or nova/mason classes.

It’s definitely messier though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like some schools are providing how the kids did on the assessment. Haycock isn't even providing that information to the parents or kids. I have no idea how my daughter did and the administration made it clear during Back to School Night that they had zero intention of providing the assessment to parents. (That it was to be used solely by the math teachers to evaluate where kids stand.)

FCPS has to provide any records on your child if you request it. You have a right to access those records.

Does record = score or does record = copy of the test they took?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like some schools are providing how the kids did on the assessment. Haycock isn't even providing that information to the parents or kids. I have no idea how my daughter did and the administration made it clear during Back to School Night that they had zero intention of providing the assessment to parents. (That it was to be used solely by the math teachers to evaluate where kids stand.)

FCPS has to provide any records on your child if you request it. You have a right to access those records.

Does record = score or does record = copy of the test they took?

The test. But they aren't required to give you a copy. You can come in and look at it in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid brought home a 77% on the M7 skills test. I wonder if it was an old M7 SOL? DC said it was 44 questions so that would be about right.

A 75% threshold seems like a low cutoff, but without seeing the test I have no clue if it’s focusing on M7 skills that lead into algebra or all M7 skills (I’m not concerned if the child doesn’t correctly find probability or volume of pyramids or whatever—they’ll get that in later courses and pick it up quickly)

That’s a strange prediction. The hypothetical child failed to pick it up the first time, but you’d assume they will pick it up quickly the second time, after a year of geometry learning loss?