Automatically enrolled into Algebra 1 honors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it matter if a kid takes algebra 1 in grade 7 or grade 6 ?
Does it have an impact on college admissions and career?

I think the more widespread question will be: Does it matter if a kid takes Algebra 1 in 7th grade or in 8th grade? If you opt out of 7th and wait until 8th, are you now on a non-advanced path, and have you lost your shot at getting into schools like UVA?

Also, if Algebra in 8th is going to be an expectation for everyone, then are we going to continue to have it be a high-school credit class? Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in AAP 6th grade now, received the same e-mail for Auto-Enrollment.We will probably just Opt Out and do Pre-Algebra Honors in 7th instead.

We even supplement with Mathnasium. They are baffled at Mathnasium and said there is no way my kid is ready. Also, our current math teacher said it was abad idea.

The grade they receive is supposed to count towards the HS GPA. I just think I would want to risk it in 7th grade.

they are auto enrolling current 5th graders for algebra in 6th. it’s bonkers

I was browing some middle school course selection sheets yesterday and both Franklin and Hughes show the base option for 7th graders as prealgebra next year, to take prealgebra (math 8?) SOL at the end of the course. Looks like they're just skipping a year of math for everybody.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are absolutely right, but they are doing the right thing now. Most AAP students are ready for Algebra I in 6th, but it is a good option to be able to opt out if there are any concerns.

This is insane. The AAP curriculum is 1 year ahead. A student being instructed by FCPS in math in an AAP class who hasn't been taught the whole curriculum by Kumon or Chinese Saturday school is not ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade. In 6th grade, they learn 7th grade math. Some are then ready for Algebra 1 in 7th, some are not.

Agree. The only kids ready for algebra 1 in 6th are those whose parents have been sending them to enrichment after school and on wknds to learn it. The math-inclined kids who are strictly following FCPS curriculum are not ready and absolutely will have learning gaps.

So confidently stated and so wrong. There are kids who are ready without enrichment classes. Maybe not the majority but many, including kids I know well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are absolutely right, but they are doing the right thing now. Most AAP students are ready for Algebra I in 6th, but it is a good option to be able to opt out if there are any concerns.

This is insane. The AAP curriculum is 1 year ahead. A student being instructed by FCPS in math in an AAP class who hasn't been taught the whole curriculum by Kumon or Chinese Saturday school is not ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade. In 6th grade, they learn 7th grade math. Some are then ready for Algebra 1 in 7th, some are not.

Agree. The only kids ready for algebra 1 in 6th are those whose parents have been sending them to enrichment after school and on wknds to learn it. The math-inclined kids who are strictly following FCPS curriculum are not ready and absolutely will have learning gaps.

So confidently stated and so wrong. There are kids who are ready without enrichment classes. Maybe not the majority but many, including kids I know well.

How do you have any idea whether these kids you “know well” will or will not have learning gaps down the road? FCPS is skipping an entire year of curriculum and hasn’t bothered to adjust the AAP math curriculum in 5th to cover what they’re now skipping in 6th to take algebra 1.

[Anonymous]

DP. Either you are unaware of what is actually happening at FCPS when it comes to math instruction or deliberately obtuse.

If you are not providing enrichment outside of the school, your student will have substantial gaps in their math foundation. There are exceptionally good teachers out there, but in a majority of cases, math material is not adequately covered. Fast forwarding those who are ready for Algebra I in 6th or 7th grade changes nothing in that sense.

If you feel that your child is not ready, then, by all means, opt out. Those who are opting in have been paying close attention to the instruction and making sure there are no gaps for years now.

FCPS has been watering down math due to the lack of proper instruction for years. For those students who thrived either through natural aptitude or outside enrichment despite of the lower expectations, this is a great move. They don’t need to be held back to play catch up with foundational skills that should have been taught early on.

The issue is with the way too slow and superficial math instruction in the earlier grades (no, showing a YouTube video and easy tests do not cut it for teaching math basics). If this is the way FCPS is going to remedy it all, I am all for it. They just need to keep going to increased expectations all the way to K. Then by 6th, you might get shocked with how many more kids will be ready for Algebra I in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP. Either you are unaware of what is actually happening at FCPS when it comes to math instruction or deliberately obtuse.

If you are not providing enrichment outside of the school, your student will have substantial gaps in their math foundation. There are exceptionally good teachers out there, but in a majority of cases, math material is not adequately covered. Fast forwarding those who are ready for Algebra I in 6th or 7th grade changes nothing in that sense.

If you feel that your child is not ready, then, by all means, opt out. Those who are opting in have been paying close attention to the instruction and making sure there are no gaps for years now.

FCPS has been watering down math due to the lack of proper instruction for years. For those students who thrived either through natural aptitude or outside enrichment despite of the lower expectations, this is a great move. They don’t need to be held back to play catch up with foundational skills that should have been taught early on.

The issue is with the way too slow and superficial math instruction in the earlier grades (no, showing a YouTube video and easy tests do not cut it for teaching math basics). If this is the way FCPS is going to remedy it all, I am all for it. They just need to keep going to increased expectations all the way to K. Then by 6th, you might get shocked with how many more kids will be ready for Algebra I in 6th.

Ok. But this thread is discussing FCPS auto-enrolling a large number of kids into Alg I with no thought into whether or not they are actually ready. Seems like opting IN would be the most logical choice here. But no. It's an opt OUT. This thread is more about FCPS tactics...not about whether or not some kids are ready or aren't ready for Alg 1 in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are absolutely right, but they are doing the right thing now. Most AAP students are ready for Algebra I in 6th, but it is a good option to be able to opt out if there are any concerns.

This is insane. The AAP curriculum is 1 year ahead. A student being instructed by FCPS in math in an AAP class who hasn't been taught the whole curriculum by Kumon or Chinese Saturday school is not ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade. In 6th grade, they learn 7th grade math. Some are then ready for Algebra 1 in 7th, some are not.

Agree. The only kids ready for algebra 1 in 6th are those whose parents have been sending them to enrichment after school and on wknds to learn it. The math-inclined kids who are strictly following FCPS curriculum are not ready and absolutely will have learning gaps.

So confidently stated and so wrong. There are kids who are ready without enrichment classes. Maybe not the majority but many, including kids I know well.

How? The FCPS math curriculum doesn't cover all the skills needed for Alg 1 by the end of 5th grade. If no one is teaching these kids outside of school, how do they have the basis for Alg 1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP. Either you are unaware of what is actually happening at FCPS when it comes to math instruction or deliberately obtuse.

If you are not providing enrichment outside of the school, your student will have substantial gaps in their math foundation. There are exceptionally good teachers out there, but in a majority of cases, math material is not adequately covered. Fast forwarding those who are ready for Algebra I in 6th or 7th grade changes nothing in that sense.

If you feel that your child is not ready, then, by all means, opt out. Those who are opting in have been paying close attention to the instruction and making sure there are no gaps for years now.

FCPS has been watering down math due to the lack of proper instruction for years. For those students who thrived either through natural aptitude or outside enrichment despite of the lower expectations, this is a great move. They don’t need to be held back to play catch up with foundational skills that should have been taught early on.

The issue is with the way too slow and superficial math instruction in the earlier grades (no, showing a YouTube video and easy tests do not cut it for teaching math basics). If this is the way FCPS is going to remedy it all, I am all for it. They just need to keep going to increased expectations all the way to K. Then by 6th, you might get shocked with how many more kids will be ready for Algebra I in 6th.

Ok, so what you’re actually saying is that the students who are ready in 6th are receiving enrichment outside of school. Bc you were trying to argue that you know many who are ready w/o it, which is not the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. Either you are unaware of what is actually happening at FCPS when it comes to math instruction or deliberately obtuse.

If you are not providing enrichment outside of the school, your student will have substantial gaps in their math foundation. There are exceptionally good teachers out there, but in a majority of cases, math material is not adequately covered. Fast forwarding those who are ready for Algebra I in 6th or 7th grade changes nothing in that sense.

If you feel that your child is not ready, then, by all means, opt out. Those who are opting in have been paying close attention to the instruction and making sure there are no gaps for years now.

FCPS has been watering down math due to the lack of proper instruction for years. For those students who thrived either through natural aptitude or outside enrichment despite of the lower expectations, this is a great move. They don’t need to be held back to play catch up with foundational skills that should have been taught early on.

The issue is with the way too slow and superficial math instruction in the earlier grades (no, showing a YouTube video and easy tests do not cut it for teaching math basics). If this is the way FCPS is going to remedy it all, I am all for it. They just need to keep going to increased expectations all the way to K. Then by 6th, you might get shocked with how many more kids will be ready for Algebra I in 6th.

Ok. But this thread is discussing FCPS auto-enrolling a large number of kids into Alg I with no thought into whether or not they are actually ready. Seems like opting IN would be the most logical choice here. But no. It's an opt OUT. This thread is more about FCPS tactics...not about whether or not some kids are ready or aren't ready for Alg 1 in 6th.

This. The default shouldn’t be Algebra 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. Either you are unaware of what is actually happening at FCPS when it comes to math instruction or deliberately obtuse.

If you are not providing enrichment outside of the school, your student will have substantial gaps in their math foundation. There are exceptionally good teachers out there, but in a majority of cases, math material is not adequately covered. Fast forwarding those who are ready for Algebra I in 6th or 7th grade changes nothing in that sense.

If you feel that your child is not ready, then, by all means, opt out. Those who are opting in have been paying close attention to the instruction and making sure there are no gaps for years now.

FCPS has been watering down math due to the lack of proper instruction for years. For those students who thrived either through natural aptitude or outside enrichment despite of the lower expectations, this is a great move. They don’t need to be held back to play catch up with foundational skills that should have been taught early on.

The issue is with the way too slow and superficial math instruction in the earlier grades (no, showing a YouTube video and easy tests do not cut it for teaching math basics). If this is the way FCPS is going to remedy it all, I am all for it. They just need to keep going to increased expectations all the way to K. Then by 6th, you might get shocked with how many more kids will be ready for Algebra I in 6th.

Ok, so what you’re actually saying is that the students who are ready in 6th are receiving enrichment outside of school. Bc you were trying to argue that you know many who are ready w/o it, which is not the case.

I am the PP you responded to, but I think you are also responding to someone else who claimed there are many students who did not have any outside enrichment and are now ready for Algebra I. I am not the same poster.

From my small sample size, I don’t know a single family, AAP or not, that does not do at least some sort of math enrichment. Extent varies, depending on the aptitude and interests of a child. Regardless of the aptitude and at the very minimum, most families provide extra worksheets. The need for this is generic across all grades, AAP or not.

If your child is not ready, that is perfectly fine. My children have very different abilities. I would never push them into an area of weakness or try to accelerate too much if they need a little bit more time to gain stronger foundational skills. If someone opted them in into a program that is too accelerated, I would be appreciative and then politely decline.

Having to make two clicks to opt out should not cause you to be outraged.

[Anonymous]

The county should be making the acceleration Opt In and not Opt Out. The County is well aware that there are parents who are not going to read what is sent home and are not going to go looking for the opt out option.

Acceleration should be the choice. They can send home a notice that your child has been approved to take Algebra 1H in 6th or 7th grade. If you want them to do this then go here, provide the link, and opt in for the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like all current 5th grades who are in AAP, can take algebra 1 in 6th grade. They removed the advanced pass SOL criteria.

The remaining current AAP 6th grades who did not get advanced pass SOL in 5th grade, are automatically enrolled in 7th grade.

Where did you see this?

Log in to parent digital consent. All AAP grade 5 kids are opted in for algebra 1 in grade 6. Parents are given the choice to opt out. There is NO criteria expect that the kid has to be in AAP.

Did you get an email notification? I did not for my 5th grader. But I do see the opt in form due May 15 in the parent digital consent system. That deadline is too soon without any information being given to parents.

I did not get an Email for my 5th grader. The opt in/out is due by 5/8 for us. I only heard about it bc of this thread

You’re right. It’s due May 8. I only looked at the due date at the top listing May 15. But May 8 is specified when you scroll all the way down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. Either you are unaware of what is actually happening at FCPS when it comes to math instruction or deliberately obtuse.

If you are not providing enrichment outside of the school, your student will have substantial gaps in their math foundation. There are exceptionally good teachers out there, but in a majority of cases, math material is not adequately covered. Fast forwarding those who are ready for Algebra I in 6th or 7th grade changes nothing in that sense.

If you feel that your child is not ready, then, by all means, opt out. Those who are opting in have been paying close attention to the instruction and making sure there are no gaps for years now.

FCPS has been watering down math due to the lack of proper instruction for years. For those students who thrived either through natural aptitude or outside enrichment despite of the lower expectations, this is a great move. They don’t need to be held back to play catch up with foundational skills that should have been taught early on.

The issue is with the way too slow and superficial math instruction in the earlier grades (no, showing a YouTube video and easy tests do not cut it for teaching math basics). If this is the way FCPS is going to remedy it all, I am all for it. They just need to keep going to increased expectations all the way to K. Then by 6th, you might get shocked with how many more kids will be ready for Algebra I in 6th.

Ok, so what you’re actually saying is that the students who are ready in 6th are receiving enrichment outside of school. Bc you were trying to argue that you know many who are ready w/o it, which is not the case.

I am the PP you responded to, but I think you are also responding to someone else who claimed there are many students who did not have any outside enrichment and are now ready for Algebra I. I am not the same poster.

From my small sample size, I don’t know a single family, AAP or not, that does not do at least some sort of math enrichment. Extent varies, depending on the aptitude and interests of a child. Regardless of the aptitude and at the very minimum, most families provide extra worksheets. The need for this is generic across all grades, AAP or not.

If your child is not ready, that is perfectly fine. My children have very different abilities. I would never push them into an area of weakness or try to accelerate too much if they need a little bit more time to gain stronger foundational skills. If someone opted them in into a program that is too accelerated, I would be appreciative and then politely decline.

Having to make two clicks to opt out should not cause you to be outraged.

Did I say I was outraged? I’m not. I do, however, think FCPS is failing our students by pushing this so widely. There has always been a path to take A1H in 6th for the kids who “need it” and qualify. It’s reckless to remove all qualifying requirements.

My child is math inclined, scores 99% on MAP and abilities testing, and is fully capable and deemed “ready” to take it by FCPS standards, but I won’t allow it in 6th, because there are major gaps in the foundational knowledge with this jump and I see this is a race to nowhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. Either you are unaware of what is actually happening at FCPS when it comes to math instruction or deliberately obtuse.

If you are not providing enrichment outside of the school, your student will have substantial gaps in their math foundation. There are exceptionally good teachers out there, but in a majority of cases, math material is not adequately covered. Fast forwarding those who are ready for Algebra I in 6th or 7th grade changes nothing in that sense.

If you feel that your child is not ready, then, by all means, opt out. Those who are opting in have been paying close attention to the instruction and making sure there are no gaps for years now.

FCPS has been watering down math due to the lack of proper instruction for years. For those students who thrived either through natural aptitude or outside enrichment despite of the lower expectations, this is a great move. They don’t need to be held back to play catch up with foundational skills that should have been taught early on.

The issue is with the way too slow and superficial math instruction in the earlier grades (no, showing a YouTube video and easy tests do not cut it for teaching math basics). If this is the way FCPS is going to remedy it all, I am all for it. They just need to keep going to increased expectations all the way to K. Then by 6th, you might get shocked with how many more kids will be ready for Algebra I in 6th.

Ok, so what you’re actually saying is that the students who are ready in 6th are receiving enrichment outside of school. Bc you were trying to argue that you know many who are ready w/o it, which is not the case.

I am the PP you responded to, but I think you are also responding to someone else who claimed there are many students who did not have any outside enrichment and are now ready for Algebra I. I am not the same poster.

From my small sample size, I don’t know a single family, AAP or not, that does not do at least some sort of math enrichment. Extent varies, depending on the aptitude and interests of a child. Regardless of the aptitude and at the very minimum, most families provide extra worksheets. The need for this is generic across all grades, AAP or not.

If your child is not ready, that is perfectly fine. My children have very different abilities. I would never push them into an area of weakness or try to accelerate too much if they need a little bit more time to gain stronger foundational skills. If someone opted them in into a program that is too accelerated, I would be appreciative and then politely decline.

Having to make two clicks to opt out should not cause you to be outraged.

Did I say I was outraged? I’m not. I do, however, think FCPS is failing our students by pushing this so widely. There has always been a path to take A1H in 6th for the kids who “need it” and qualify. It’s reckless to remove all qualifying requirements.

My child is math inclined, scores 99% on MAP and abilities testing, and is fully capable and deemed “ready” to take it by FCPS standards, but I won’t allow it in 6th, because there are major gaps in the foundational knowledge with this jump and I see this is a race to nowhere.

Maybe I am not understanding what is happening (last PP you responded to).

Isn’t it the case that the current 5th grade AAP students have to “opt in” and are not automatically enrolled in Algebra I? You claim your child is in the 5th grade right now. Did you get a notification they were automatically enrolled?

I think for 26-27, only current 6th grade AAP students (who are all taking Math 7 as it is), are automatically enrolled in Algebra I and would have to opt out?


It is not that a huge of a jump from Math 7 AAP to Algebra I, and many AAP students followed that path in the past. The only difference having to pass IOWA test and/or get advanced pass on SOL, of have the parents petition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. Either you are unaware of what is actually happening at FCPS when it comes to math instruction or deliberately obtuse.

If you are not providing enrichment outside of the school, your student will have substantial gaps in their math foundation. There are exceptionally good teachers out there, but in a majority of cases, math material is not adequately covered. Fast forwarding those who are ready for Algebra I in 6th or 7th grade changes nothing in that sense.

If you feel that your child is not ready, then, by all means, opt out. Those who are opting in have been paying close attention to the instruction and making sure there are no gaps for years now.

FCPS has been watering down math due to the lack of proper instruction for years. For those students who thrived either through natural aptitude or outside enrichment despite of the lower expectations, this is a great move. They don’t need to be held back to play catch up with foundational skills that should have been taught early on.

The issue is with the way too slow and superficial math instruction in the earlier grades (no, showing a YouTube video and easy tests do not cut it for teaching math basics). If this is the way FCPS is going to remedy it all, I am all for it. They just need to keep going to increased expectations all the way to K. Then by 6th, you might get shocked with how many more kids will be ready for Algebra I in 6th.

Ok, so what you’re actually saying is that the students who are ready in 6th are receiving enrichment outside of school. Bc you were trying to argue that you know many who are ready w/o it, which is not the case.

I am the PP you responded to, but I think you are also responding to someone else who claimed there are many students who did not have any outside enrichment and are now ready for Algebra I. I am not the same poster.

From my small sample size, I don’t know a single family, AAP or not, that does not do at least some sort of math enrichment. Extent varies, depending on the aptitude and interests of a child. Regardless of the aptitude and at the very minimum, most families provide extra worksheets. The need for this is generic across all grades, AAP or not.

If your child is not ready, that is perfectly fine. My children have very different abilities. I would never push them into an area of weakness or try to accelerate too much if they need a little bit more time to gain stronger foundational skills. If someone opted them in into a program that is too accelerated, I would be appreciative and then politely decline.

Having to make two clicks to opt out should not cause you to be outraged.

Did I say I was outraged? I’m not. I do, however, think FCPS is failing our students by pushing this so widely. There has always been a path to take A1H in 6th for the kids who “need it” and qualify. It’s reckless to remove all qualifying requirements.

My child is math inclined, scores 99% on MAP and abilities testing, and is fully capable and deemed “ready” to take it by FCPS standards, but I won’t allow it in 6th, because there are major gaps in the foundational knowledge with this jump and I see this is a race to nowhere.

Maybe I am not understanding what is happening (last PP you responded to).

Isn’t it the case that the current 5th grade AAP students have to “opt in” and are not automatically enrolled in Algebra I? You claim your child is in the 5th grade right now. Did you get a notification they were automatically enrolled?

I think for 26-27, only current 6th grade AAP students (who are all taking Math 7 as it is), are automatically enrolled in Algebra I and would have to opt out?


It is not that a huge of a jump from Math 7 AAP to Algebra I, and many AAP students followed that path in the past. The only difference having to pass IOWA test and/or get advanced pass on SOL, of have the parents petition.

Yes, I know it’s not a huge jump from math 7 AAP to A1H, my older DC did that 2 yrs ago and was well-prepared. I have no idea what’s happening for my 5th grader, as I haven’t received a email from the school yet, but was responding to an earlier post on this thread that said they are now auto-enrolling 5th graders into A1H and requiring an opt-out. I saw the form on digital consent and the date for opt out is 5/8. I’m really surprised they would enroll rising AAP 6th graders in A1H automatically (with no testing requirements) since they’re skipping math 7 entirely.