Advice Needed - 1st Grader in MCPS

[Anonymous]

Our DC is in first grade at an ES in MCPS. This is DC's first year at this school, as previously DC was at a private preschool for several years. DC has transitioned very well to the MCPS ES, especially socially. But I am very concerned DC is taking a significant step backwards when it comes to certain subjects, particularly math. The work DC currently is doing (based on the work I see coming home, talking to DC and homework) is stuff DC did 1-2 years prior. Our child is telling us math is too easy. We have spoken with DC's teacher about this, and the teacher's response has been that DC's doing fine and is working in the most accelerated group in the class. The teacher also suggested to my husband and I to find work for DC that will be more challenging.

As I review her completed homework assignments and talk to DC about the school day, this whole situation is making me more and more frustrated.

Is there a way to get an MCPS first grader assessed? Would getting a private assessment help and, if so, how? What's the best way to be an effective advocate for my child when I'm not truly knowledgeable where DC compares to peers in the class (or even children a grade below or above)?

Thanks for any input and advice. We don't necessarily want to get DC skipped up a grade, but do want DC to continue to love to learn and be challenged.

[Anonymous]

Was your child in Montessori?

[Anonymous]

I don't understand what you want to get your DC assessed for? That your DC is way ahead in math? That seems to be clear already. What do you hope to gain by getting your DC assessed? MCPS won't allow your 1st grader to skip to 3rd grade math at such a young age.

[Anonymous]

What's your goal here? If you think that your daughter is not challenged in math at school, and you want your daughter to be challenged in math, then you should follow the teacher's advice and find your daughter some math challenges at home.

[Anonymous]

MCPS gifted and talented programs start in 4th grade (the kids get tested in 3rd). In the meantime, you could ask the school whether your child can go to the next grade's math class, but I've never heard of a case where they agreed to do this.

I completely agree with you that early elementary in MCPS is extremely frustrating!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
MCPS gifted and talented programs start in 4th grade (the kids get tested in 3rd). In the meantime, you could ask the school whether your child can go to the next grade's math class, but I've never heard of a case where they agreed to do this.

I completely agree with you that early elementary in MCPS is extremely frustrating!

HGC is not the same as compacted math. A kid can be in HGC but not in compacted math. But they do both start in 4th grade.

Early elementary years are meant for foundations. The teaching is supposed to be slow and repetitive. Yes, it can be frustrating for kids that grasp the concepts a lot faster, but it's public school (and most likely, the class size is huge), so individual instruction might be very difficult.

That said, my DC's 1st grade class had math groups based on ability. The higher group got "accelerated" instruction, ie, a bit more challenging worksheets.

[Anonymous]

My goal is to make sure my child is being challenged and is learning at school. This child is extremely good at math, and the current work is too easy. (That would not be the case for my other DC, btw.) Yes, I can and will do my best to supplement the work/homework at home during evenings/weekends. But I do not have experience with this, and I feel like I'll basically be home-schooling my kid in math. I'm also frustrated because I believe this is the responsibility of her ES. Moreover, the more DC studies higher-level/challenging math work at home, the easier and easier the work will become at school.

From what I've heard, MCPS will not allow students to participate in a higher level class (i.e., second grade math class), which was allowed prior to MCPS curriculum 2.0.

The reason I am asking about an assessment is: 1) this hopefully will let us (parents, teacher) know whether DC is truly accelerated in math (or other subjects) or on par with peers; and 2) if the answer is yes, help me persuade the school (teacher, principal) to offer DC a level of learning that's more suitable.

Lastly, DC is in the "highest accelerated" group in the class. Still, the teacher must teach to the lowest common denominator, even in that accelerated group. I'm not saying my DC is a genius, but if as an example you *knew* that your kid was proficient at a 2nd or 3rd grade level in math, would you really want your DC to sludge through an entire year doing 1st grade math?

[Anonymous]

PP, that is the way it is done at MCPS. They will tell you that they are building a strong theoretical foundation, and mere computational skills do not demonstrate the kind of deep understanding they are cultivating.

I suggest logic puzzles or other sorts of fun math challenges at home to avoid pre-teaching the material and just creating more boredom. First grade was an awful year for us, I hope you work it out.

[Anonymous]

Ask for her MAP-P scores. This should give you some data at least.

Unfortunately there isn't much that can be done in my experience unless you really want to go above the teacher and possibly get the MCSP AEI office involved. There is NOTHING for kids like this until 4th grade.

My son learned almost nothing in math for 4 years. His MAP-P scores in first grade were at 99% for a few grades up yet the school did nothing for him. We supplemented with puzzle books and other stuff at home. You could also look into Johns hopkins CTY.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]My goal is to make sure my child is being challenged and is learning at school.[/b] This child is extremely good at math, and the current work is too easy. (That would not be the case for my other DC, btw.) Yes, I can and will do my best to supplement the work/homework at home during evenings/weekends. But I do not have experience with this, and I feel like I'll basically be home-schooling my kid in math. I'm also frustrated because I believe this is the responsibility of her ES. Moreover, the more DC studies higher-level/challenging math work at home, the easier and easier the work will become at school.

From what I've heard, MCPS will not allow students to participate in a higher level class (i.e., second grade math class), which was allowed prior to MCPS curriculum 2.0.

The reason I am asking about an assessment is: 1) this hopefully will let us (parents, teacher) know whether DC is truly accelerated in math (or other subjects) or on par with peers; and 2) if the answer is yes, help me persuade the school (teacher, principal) to offer DC a level of learning that's more suitable.

Lastly, DC is in the "highest accelerated" group in the class. Still, the teacher must teach to the lowest common denominator, even in that accelerated group. I'm not saying my DC is a genius, but if as an example you *knew* that your kid was proficient at a 2nd or 3rd grade level in math, would you really want your DC to sludge through an entire year doing 1st grade math?

Then you need to go back to private. Public school teaches to the masses in high ration. Since your child is smart, there is a lot of easy work and busy time in public. That is just the way it is. If kids were given enrichment and time with the teacher, than there would be no need for private schools. That is why parents pay for them. The job of public school teachers is not to make the smarter kids smart. It is to make the weaker kids pass the standardized testing. Sad but true

[Anonymous]

Ugh. Struggling with same concern as OP and my dc is in 2nd. I do not dislike 2.0 in terms of how they ate teaching concepts but I hate its pacing. I recall being impressed in K when dc was working on bar charts to graph concepts. But they just spent weeks (!!!) reviewing this concept again this year. It seems SO many people have issues with the lack of ability for kids to move at a quicker pace in math now - it is really frustrating that there is no real formal structure to help with this until the very small HGC program in 4th and compacted math that year. 4 years is a long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Then you need to go back to private. Public school teaches to the masses in high ration. Since your child is smart, there is a lot of easy work and busy time in public. That is just the way it is. If kids were given enrichment and time with the teacher, than there would be no need for private schools. That is why parents pay for them. The job of public school teachers is not to make the smarter kids smart. It is to make the weaker kids pass the standardized testing. Sad but true

No, it's not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask for her MAP-P scores. This should give you some data at least.

Unfortunately there isn't much that can be done in my experience unless you really want to go above the teacher and possibly get the MCSP AEI office involved. There is NOTHING for kids like this until 4th grade.

My son learned almost nothing in math for 4 years. His MAP-P scores in first grade were at 99% for a few grades up yet the school did nothing for him. We supplemented with puzzle books and other stuff at home. You could also look into Johns hopkins CTY.

Where did he learn all of this math that he didn't learn in school?

[Anonymous]

This is why we need smaller class sizes in k-2. Until that happens there cannot be more meaningful change. Research the candidates and vote for less testing and smaller class size in early elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Then you need to go back to private. Public school teaches to the masses in high ration. Since your child is smart, there is a lot of easy work and busy time in public. That is just the way it is. If kids were given enrichment and time with the teacher, than there would be no need for private schools. That is why parents pay for them. The job of public school teachers is not to make the smarter kids smart. It is to make the weaker kids pass the standardized testing. Sad but true

No, it's not true.

I agree this is not true, but I agree on going back to private. I teach for MCPS. DD attends private. Math is her favorite subject. Her friends from private K who attend MCPS are far, far behind her now.