pros & cons of "advanced math"

[Anonymous]

My incoming 5th grader received a letter that she is eligible for advanced math curriculum at her FCPS elementary school. What should I know about this program? What should I consider? On the surface, I'm inclined to just let her do it (she wants to) but just don't know what I don't know.

[Anonymous]

OP here - and on a related note, I can't figure out why if she is eligible for advanced math, and gets perfect SOL scores in English and Social Studies - how the hell isn't she eligible for AAP???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - and on a related note, I can't figure out why if she is eligible for advanced math, and gets perfect SOL scores in English and Social Studies - how the hell isn't she eligible for AAP???

Have you applied for AAP? The pool is only created for rising third graders. After that initial pool parents have to apply for their children.

[Anonymous]

The 5th grade advanced math will be similar to the 6th grade math sequence found here.

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/sixth-grade

[Anonymous]

Advanced math is for kids that love math and walk into class excited about what they are going to be learning that day, and they have to be willing to do homework. The pace is quick, so they have to be able to pay attention and stay focused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - and on a related note, I can't figure out why if she is eligible for advanced math, and gets perfect SOL scores in English and Social Studies - how the hell isn't she eligible for AAP???

sol testing is supposed to test what was already taught. Doesn't show any higher level thinking. Also, very hard to belief your child has perfect scoreS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - and on a related note, I can't figure out why if she is eligible for advanced math, and gets perfect SOL scores in English and Social Studies - how the hell isn't she eligible for AAP???

sol testing is supposed to test what was already taught. Doesn't show any higher level thinking. Also, very hard to belief your child has perfect scoreS.

Not the PP, but why is that hard to believe? My children also both had perfect scores on their English and Social Studies SOLs. I guess your kids did not?

[Anonymous]

No offense, but everyone gets a 600 on the 4th grade VA History SOL.

[Anonymous]

Definitely let her do the advanced math. It will make it easier in high school to meet the rigor necessary for college apps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - and on a related note, I can't figure out why if she is eligible for advanced math, and gets perfect SOL scores in English and Social Studies - how the hell isn't she eligible for AAP???

sol testing is supposed to test what was already taught. Doesn't show any higher level thinking. Also, very hard to belief your child has perfect scoreS.

Perfect scores on elementary SOLs are fairly easy to get.

[Anonymous]

Right? How is that hard to believe? My kid also got perfect scores and said the tests were easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My incoming 5th grader received a letter that she is eligible for advanced math curriculum at her FCPS elementary school. What should I know about this program? What should I consider? On the surface, I'm inclined to just let her do it (she wants to) but just don't know what I don't know.

I do not have any cons. Both my DCs went into advanced math in 5th grade. They each needed some extra time to acquire the foundational math facts but by the end of 4th grade it was evident that they should be in the advanced math as they understood the more complex math much better and faster.

One scored well one Alegbra readiness test give in in 6th grade, but we ended up putting him in 7th grade Honor's to give him more foundation. He progressed thought he Honor's math curriculum taking BC Calculus and AP stats his senior year (scoring 5s on both). He is now in his sophomore year at a top ten engineering college and was extremely well prepared for college - made Dean's list both freshman semesters.

Our second child scored very high on the Agebra readiness test and he took Algebra Honor's in 7th grade. He is now a senior in HS and will take the Multi variable Calculus and matrix algebra classes. He has received high A's the entire time. He will most likely major in math in college or a math aspect of another science.

Go for it. Let her shine. We need more females in the upper math classes.

[Anonymous]

OP, hope she kicks some AAP butt!

[Anonymous]

Just be grateful FCPS offers that. Some counties don't even offer advanced anything until middle school,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My incoming 5th grader received a letter that she is eligible for advanced math curriculum at her FCPS elementary school. What should I know about this program? What should I consider? On the surface, I'm inclined to just let her do it (she wants to) but just don't know what I don't know.

I do not have any cons. Both my DCs went into advanced math in 5th grade. They each needed some extra time to acquire the foundational math facts but by the end of 4th grade it was evident that they should be in the advanced math as they understood the more complex math much better and faster.

One scored well one Alegbra readiness test give in in 6th grade, but we ended up putting him in 7th grade Honor's to give him more foundation. He progressed thought he Honor's math curriculum taking BC Calculus and AP stats his senior year (scoring 5s on both). He is now in his sophomore year at a top ten engineering college and was extremely well prepared for college - made Dean's list both freshman semesters.

Our second child scored very high on the Agebra readiness test and he took Algebra Honor's in 7th grade. He is now a senior in HS and will take the Multi variable Calculus and matrix algebra classes. He has received high A's the entire time. He will most likely major in math in college or a math aspect of another science.

Go for it. Let her shine. We need more females in the upper math classes.

OP here again - thanks for this too!