rumor about compact math true?

[Anonymous]

http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/A7LJZU4C761C/$file/Math%20Plan%20and%20Data%20Review.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/A7LJZU4C761C/$file/Math%20Plan%20and%20Data%20Review.pdf

Is what rumor about compacted math true? If the rumor is that they're going to get rid of the current evaluation process for compacted math in order to allow more students to accelerate in math, then yes, it sounds to me like it's true.

Here is what I read in the report:

"MCPS remains committed to ensuring that at least 80 percent of students are successful in Algebra 1 by Grade 8. Some students may need acceleration to Honors Geometry by Grade 8, or additional support toward Algebra 1 in Grade 9."

"To remove barriers and allow greater access to acceleration in elementary mathematics, the current process used to identify Grades 4 and 5 students for inclusion in compacted mathematics will be eliminated."

"At the elementary level, we will be reviewing the mathematics curriculum, instruction, formative assessments, and monitoring practices, along with the process currently being used to identify students for acceleration in Grades 4 and 5."

[Anonymous]

You can watch live now

[Anonymous]

Does that mean there will be no compacted math next year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/A7LJZU4C761C/$file/Math%20Plan%20and%20Data%20Review.pdf

Is what rumor about compacted math true? If the rumor is that they're going to get rid of the current evaluation process for compacted math in order to allow more students to accelerate in math, then yes, it sounds to me like it's true.

Here is what I read in the report:

"MCPS remains committed to ensuring that at least 80 percent of students are successful in Algebra 1 by Grade 8. Some students may need acceleration to Honors Geometry by Grade 8, or additional support toward Algebra 1 in Grade 9."

"To remove barriers and allow greater access to acceleration in elementary mathematics, the current process used to identify Grades 4 and 5 students for inclusion in compacted mathematics will be eliminated."

"At the elementary level, we will be reviewing the mathematics curriculum, instruction, formative assessments, and monitoring practices, along with the process currently being used to identify students for acceleration in Grades 4 and 5."

Perhaps people are reading the bolded as "we are getting rid of compacted math, and acceleration opportunities will be provided in the home school instead", and those "accelerated opportunities" are seen as "math groups within class with very little differentiation."

I read the last part as they are changing the way they identify kids for compacted math, not that they are getting rid of it. But, I'm more of a math person so maybe my reading comprehension skills are not that great

[Anonymous]

An optimistic reading of it may mean more kids will be in compact math based on the teachers' recommendation without the formal evaluation they are doing now.

[Anonymous]

I wonder, Does this mean anything for current 3rd Graders? They have gone through UCARE already.

[Anonymous]

They just said that MCPS will no longer control the selection for CM. Instead, it will be up to the schools with guidance.

[Anonymous]

I'd really appreciate posters continuing to help clarify. Compacted math is my 4th grader's favorite thing about school.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like from the presentation and document they are replacing the criteria for compact math. Pessimistically one could infer that this is a step to eliminate or water it down so that more kids have access.

There are too many white/asian kids in the top spelling group at my kids school as well. Guess MCPS should consider getting rid of that too....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like from the presentation and document they are replacing the criteria for compact math. Pessimistically one could infer that this is a step to eliminate or water it down so that more kids have access.

There are too many white/asian kids in the top spelling group at my kids school as well. Guess MCPS should consider getting rid of that too....

I honestly don't think it's about race (I'm Asian). I think it's more about the fact that 1. lots of parents complaining about the way they assess for it, and 2. as 2.0 curriculum gets more mature, they have a better understanding of the type of kid who would benefit from more advanced math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like from the presentation and document they are replacing the criteria for compact math. Pessimistically one could infer that this is a step to eliminate or water it down so that more kids have access.

There are too many white/asian kids in the top spelling group at my kids school as well. Guess MCPS should consider getting rid of that too....

I honestly don't think it's about race (I'm Asian). I think it's more about the fact that 1. lots of parents complaining about the way they assess for it, and 2. as 2.0 curriculum gets more mature, they have a better understanding of the type of kid who would benefit from more advanced math.

They said it's about race

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I honestly don't think it's about race (I'm Asian). I think it's more about the fact that 1. lots of parents complaining about the way they assess for it, and 2. as 2.0 curriculum gets more mature, they have a better understanding of the type of kid who would benefit from more advanced math.

Compacted math gets kids to calculus in 11th grade. Not that many kids need to be on that path.

Maybe I am too pessimistic but in middle school at some schools all kids are in "advanced english". I am sorry, if everyone is in the class it is not "advanced". My kid that is reading at 11th grade level is not going to get proper instruction in a class with kids at 3rd grade level. That is not a good situation for anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like from the presentation and document they are replacing the criteria for compact math. Pessimistically one could infer that this is a step to eliminate or water it down so that more kids have access.

There are too many white/asian kids in the top spelling group at my kids school as well. Guess MCPS should consider getting rid of that too....

"Pessimistically"?!

First DCUM complains that not enough kids get accelerated, and then when MCPS says that they will accelerate more kids, DCUM complains about that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Compacted math gets kids to calculus in 11th grade. Not that many kids need to be on that path.

Maybe I am too pessimistic but in middle school at some schools all kids are in "advanced english". I am sorry, if everyone is in the class it is not "advanced". My kid that is reading at 11th grade level is not going to get proper instruction in a class with kids at 3rd grade level. That is not a good situation for anyone.

Discuss this with your school's principal.