Williamsburg Middle School Math - what scores for 6th grade pre-algebra?

[Anonymous]

FCPS lists the tests they give to 6th graders here:
https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests/grade-6

Iowa
ONLY for students enrolled in the Advanced Mathematics 6 course. Content tested – Pre-Algebra
Administered 1/9-1/25

Math Inventory
ONLY for students enrolled at middle schools
Winter and Spring ONLY for students below fall benchmark or in a math intervention course
Administered 8/29-9/30, 12/5-2/3, 5/8-6/9

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS and LCPS use SOL and Iowa data for accelerated math consideration and families know the threshold needed ahead of time. Transparency is good.

IOWA scores are worthless. They aren’t accurate at all. Why does FCPS use them?

FCPS and LCPS have used Iowa for a while so they must find it useful. What don't you like about it?

It scored my kids 2-4 grade levels above their accurate grade level. Multiple times.

Any kid who is a decent guesser will score well. Regardless if he/she understands the content.

Were they given Iowa in APS or somewhere else?

Somewhere else.

It’s odd that FCPS/LCPS use them for placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in 6th this year and in pre-algebra. I was wondering about this last year and got stonewalled by our elementary school when I asked about the decision process and metrics.

I copy/pasted the text from last year’s notification letter:

VA SOL Grade 5 Math SOL 550+
CogAT Quantitative 126+
CogAT Nonverbal 126+
MI Quantile Score 1046

I don’t know if these guidelines are school specific or across APS.

5th grade doesn’t even teach to that level of Math Inventory. It would be almost impossible for a student to be at 1046 without outside help/prep.

Okay, but I literally copy and pasted from my kid’s letter. I thought the 1046 MI guideline was odd, because that was my kid’s exact score (according to the same letter). So maybe it was a typo? But again, it was a direct c/p from the letter in Parentvue from 2022.

I doubt it was a typo. Some kids are really good at math and can intuit or reason through material that they haven't been taught. One of my kids had a ridiculously high MI score in 5th that showed they were non par to skip right to Algebra. We didn't do that, went to pre-Algebra in 6th, but just pointing out this can happen.

So if a student has never divided fractions they can just reason through it? Maybe they cover that the end of 5th?

Dividing fractions was covered when I was in 5th grade, and the curriculum is more advanced now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS and LCPS use SOL and Iowa data for accelerated math consideration and families know the threshold needed ahead of time. Transparency is good.

IOWA scores are worthless. They aren’t accurate at all. Why does FCPS use them?

FCPS and LCPS have used Iowa for a while so they must find it useful. What don't you like about it?

I think LCPS has only used IAAT for one year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in 6th this year and in pre-algebra. I was wondering about this last year and got stonewalled by our elementary school when I asked about the decision process and metrics.

I copy/pasted the text from last year’s notification letter:

VA SOL Grade 5 Math SOL 550+
CogAT Quantitative 126+
CogAT Nonverbal 126+
MI Quantile Score 1046

I don’t know if these guidelines are school specific or across APS.

5th grade doesn’t even teach to that level of Math Inventory. It would be almost impossible for a student to be at 1046 without outside help/prep.

Okay, but I literally copy and pasted from my kid’s letter. I thought the 1046 MI guideline was odd, because that was my kid’s exact score (according to the same letter). So maybe it was a typo? But again, it was a direct c/p from the letter in Parentvue from 2022.

I doubt it was a typo. Some kids are really good at math and can intuit or reason through material that they haven't been taught. One of my kids had a ridiculously high MI score in 5th that showed they were non par to skip right to Algebra. We didn't do that, went to pre-Algebra in 6th, but just pointing out this can happen.

So if a student has never divided fractions they can just reason through it? Maybe they cover that the end of 5th?

Dividing fractions was covered when I was in 5th grade, and the curriculum is more advanced now.

Thanks for sharing - I am still waiting for my APS 5th grader to cover it in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS and LCPS use SOL and Iowa data for accelerated math consideration and families know the threshold needed ahead of time. Transparency is good.

IOWA scores are worthless. They aren’t accurate at all. Why does FCPS use them?

FCPS and LCPS have used Iowa for a while so they must find it useful. What don't you like about it?

I think LCPS has only used IAAT for one year.

Scanning the FCPS forum, there are references to LCPS IAAT in at least 2013, 2014, & 2016. (The "VA PS other than FCPS" forum is relatively new, so search FCPS.)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/151626.page;jsessionid=BC209E1937873F0A45D5E529CE193BB3.dcum2#3314984
2013 "Yes, in Loudoun the IAAT is taken in 5th, not 6th as in FCPS. So the bar is a little lower. It is for placement in an accelerated 6/7 math, with Algebra I in 7th grade. Only a raw score is given."

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/151626.page;jsessionid=D837B637A4ED2A585A44E58D3EE4DB05.dcum2#4875846
2014 "I have a 5th grader in LCPS. We just got the IAAT raw score. Does anyone know where I can find how to convert to percentile?"

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/585877.page;jsessionid=3E153263910C3A2DCDC4AB020CD62AA8.dcum2#9616622
2016 "Hi My son is in 5th grade in Loudoun school dist. I heard that there is an IOWA test sometime in DEC/Jan."

[Anonymous]

What's remarkable is that FCPS was using the same tests (Iowa and SOL) and same thresholds as far back as at least 2011.

https://web.archive.org/web/20111005061634/http://www.fcps.edu:80/DIS/gt/pdfs/MSHonors_Final.pdf

2011 "Mathematics 7 Honors is open enrollment for all students; however, there are specific requirements for enrollment in Algebra I Honors in 7th grade. Enrollment in Algebra I Honors in 7th grade is based on the following criteria:

Successful completion of Compacted Mathematics 6 or a year-long accelerated mathematics program

Score at or above the 91st percentile on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT)

Score a pass advanced (500 or above) on the grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) test"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's remarkable is that FCPS was using the same tests (Iowa and SOL) and same thresholds as far back as at least 2011.

https://web.archive.org/web/20111005061634/http://www.fcps.edu:80/DIS/gt/pdfs/MSHonors_Final.pdf

2011 "Mathematics 7 Honors is open enrollment for all students; however, there are specific requirements for enrollment in Algebra I Honors in 7th grade. Enrollment in Algebra I Honors in 7th grade is based on the following criteria:

Successful completion of Compacted Mathematics 6 or a year-long accelerated mathematics program

Score at or above the 91st percentile on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT)

Score a pass advanced (500 or above) on the grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) test"

Why is that remarkable? Seems fair and consistent - vs the APS model of how do we feel today?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MI benchmark was 1140 a few years ago. I looked up the email. Why is it so much lower now?

Was that the 3.1 or an earlier MI?

I’m pretty sure it’s the same scale… it used to be 1030, then was raised to 1139, I think, then maybe they went back to using 1030? I think they raised it in an effort to let very few kids take algebra in 7th… for example, fewer than 5 kids at my kid’s school initially qualified that year. Why they want to reduce the numbers, I’m not sure.

What year was the benchmark raised to 1139? VMPI surfaced in 2020-21 and prompted discussions about making classes more heterogenous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS and LCPS use SOL and Iowa data for accelerated math consideration and families know the threshold needed ahead of time. Transparency is good.

IOWA scores are worthless. They aren’t accurate at all. Why does FCPS use them?

FCPS and LCPS have used Iowa for a while so they must find it useful. What don't you like about it?

I think LCPS has only used IAAT for one year.

Scanning the FCPS forum, there are references to LCPS IAAT in at least 2013, 2014, & 2016. (The "VA PS other than FCPS" forum is relatively new, so search FCPS.)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/151626.page;jsessionid=BC209E1937873F0A45D5E529CE193BB3.dcum2#3314984
2013 "Yes, in Loudoun the IAAT is taken in 5th, not 6th as in FCPS. So the bar is a little lower. It is for placement in an accelerated 6/7 math, with Algebra I in 7th grade. Only a raw score is given."

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/151626.page;jsessionid=D837B637A4ED2A585A44E58D3EE4DB05.dcum2#4875846
2014 "I have a 5th grader in LCPS. We just got the IAAT raw score. Does anyone know where I can find how to convert to percentile?"

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/585877.page;jsessionid=3E153263910C3A2DCDC4AB020CD62AA8.dcum2#9616622
2016 "Hi My son is in 5th grade in Loudoun school dist. I heard that there is an IOWA test sometime in DEC/Jan."

Interesting. At some point they dropped it and used a mock SOL instead. There was not one in 2020-2021, 2019-2020, and in 2021-2022 and now it is just for students who do poorly on the primary SOL test and appeal. This might be why a friend said they used to require a 95 and they later dropped it to 82.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's remarkable is that FCPS was using the same tests (Iowa and SOL) and same thresholds as far back as at least 2011.

https://web.archive.org/web/20111005061634/http://www.fcps.edu:80/DIS/gt/pdfs/MSHonors_Final.pdf

2011 "Mathematics 7 Honors is open enrollment for all students; however, there are specific requirements for enrollment in Algebra I Honors in 7th grade. Enrollment in Algebra I Honors in 7th grade is based on the following criteria:

Successful completion of Compacted Mathematics 6 or a year-long accelerated mathematics program

Score at or above the 91st percentile on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT)

Score a pass advanced (500 or above) on the grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) test"

Using a crappy test for several years is "remarkable"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MI benchmark was 1140 a few years ago. I looked up the email. Why is it so much lower now?

Was that the 3.1 or an earlier MI?

I’m pretty sure it’s the same scale… it used to be 1030, then was raised to 1139, I think, then maybe they went back to using 1030? I think they raised it in an effort to let very few kids take algebra in 7th… for example, fewer than 5 kids at my kid’s school initially qualified that year. Why they want to reduce the numbers, I’m not sure.

What year was the benchmark raised to 1139? VMPI surfaced in 2020-21 and prompted discussions about making classes more heterogenous.

That was the benchmark one current sophomores we’re entering middle school. Boy are things different!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS and LCPS use SOL and Iowa data for accelerated math consideration and families know the threshold needed ahead of time. Transparency is good.

IOWA scores are worthless. They aren’t accurate at all. Why does FCPS use them?

FCPS and LCPS have used Iowa for a while so they must find it useful. What don't you like about it?

I think LCPS has only used IAAT for one year.

Scanning the FCPS forum, there are references to LCPS IAAT in at least 2013, 2014, & 2016. (The "VA PS other than FCPS" forum is relatively new, so search FCPS.)

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/151626.page;jsessionid=BC209E1937873F0A45D5E529CE193BB3.dcum2#3314984
2013 "Yes, in Loudoun the IAAT is taken in 5th, not 6th as in FCPS. So the bar is a little lower. It is for placement in an accelerated 6/7 math, with Algebra I in 7th grade. Only a raw score is given."

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/151626.page;jsessionid=D837B637A4ED2A585A44E58D3EE4DB05.dcum2#4875846
2014 "I have a 5th grader in LCPS. We just got the IAAT raw score. Does anyone know where I can find how to convert to percentile?"

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/585877.page;jsessionid=3E153263910C3A2DCDC4AB020CD62AA8.dcum2#9616622
2016 "Hi My son is in 5th grade in Loudoun school dist. I heard that there is an IOWA test sometime in DEC/Jan."

Interesting. At some point they dropped it and used a mock SOL instead. There was not one in 2020-2021, 2019-2020, and in 2021-2022 and now it is just for students who do poorly on the primary SOL test and appeal. This might be why a friend said they used to require a 95 and they later dropped it to 82.

Were there issues with test administration during covid? Other DCUM posters have a different take on IAAT, saying mock SOL is preliminary screener and if score is high enough, kids qualify to take IAAT as second test.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1060025.page;jsessionid=4196DAC9C17806F2D9BB6A4F1A2B10C7.dcum2#22729586
2022 Anyone who gets 90% on that prealgebra test(mock SOL 7) is given the option of taking a test to get into Algebra, IAAT

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/90/151626.page;jsessionid=D88FAC9D1142D99359B6485B06168D0D.dcum1#23095202
2022 Students do not take IAAT in 5th grade. They take SOL 7, and 82% will make students eligible for prealgebra. This can be appealed.
Students who get at least 90% or request to GTE can take IAAT for placement in algebra 1 in 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Seems like APS is lowering their standards again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like APS is lowering their standards again.

They haven't released this year's criteria so we really don't know. They have been trending toward having fewer students take advanced math so lowering standards would be against their interests.