Fighting aps math recommendation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the informative posts an especially about the very negative impact of not being able to apply for IB or TJ. Somehow I missed that important nugget despite attending school info sessions and parent teacher conferences. My DC entered APS from a private religious school so SOLs are new to us. If I had known the SOL score determined math placement (rather than another checklist item from APS), I would have insisted DC actually study for it. I figured As in math (without studying or regular homework) would be enough to indicate DC was ready for more challenge and actual homework. My bad. Now I have to pester someone for higher placement, even though I think I’ll be rejected because I was told the middle school has “limited seats “ for pre-Algebra and those seats are saved for the “better” students. Sigh!

A student who doesn’t naturally try their hardest probably shouldn’t be in a math class that covers 3 years of material anyway

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with this whole thread and APS’ policy of parent final say is twofold: (1) the “regular” math classes are too easy for too many kids and (2) too many Arlington parents believe that their kid should make every cut.

+1 there needs to be a third option for 6th grade students who aren’t ready for the pace of pre-algebra but are more advanced than math 6

There was during the pandemic the year my kid was in 6th, it was called Math 6 Extended and it was because they did not offer pre-algebra for 6th that year. But maybe they should bring that back as a third option.

They did offer Pre-Alg in 6th in 20/21- my son was in the class. That year, there were 3 tracks- Pre-Alg, Math 6 Extended, and Math 6. They got rid of Math 6 Extended in 21/22 and collapsed 6th grade math into two tracks.

Which school was this? My kid was in 6th the virtual year, and the only options at his school were Math 6 and Math 6 extended. Then they greatly raised the MI scores required to allow kids to take algebra in 7th grade (to over 100 points above what was usually considered the algebra readiness score).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the informative posts an especially about the very negative impact of not being able to apply for IB or TJ. Somehow I missed that important nugget despite attending school info sessions and parent teacher conferences. My DC entered APS from a private religious school so SOLs are new to us. If I had known the SOL score determined math placement (rather than another checklist item from APS), I would have insisted DC actually study for it. I figured As in math (without studying or regular homework) would be enough to indicate DC was ready for more challenge and actual homework. My bad. Now I have to pester someone for higher placement, even though I think I’ll be rejected because I was told the middle school has “limited seats “ for pre-Algebra and those seats are saved for the “better” students. Sigh!

If your student takes math 6, pre algebra, and algebra 1 in middle school, they can 100% do the full IB classes at WL. Additionally, it would definitely be more challenging to get accepted to TJ with the track listed above, it is not impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the informative posts an especially about the very negative impact of not being able to apply for IB or TJ. Somehow I missed that important nugget despite attending school info sessions and parent teacher conferences. My DC entered APS from a private religious school so SOLs are new to us. If I had known the SOL score determined math placement (rather than another checklist item from APS), I would have insisted DC actually study for it. I figured As in math (without studying or regular homework) would be enough to indicate DC was ready for more challenge and actual homework. My bad. Now I have to pester someone for higher placement, even though I think I’ll be rejected because I was told the middle school has “limited seats “ for pre-Algebra and those seats are saved for the “better” students. Sigh!

If your student takes math 6, pre algebra, and algebra 1 in middle school, they can 100% do the full IB classes at WL. Additionally, it would definitely be more challenging to get accepted to TJ with the track listed above, it is not impossible.

TJ has been turned into a pure lottery— as long as you take algebra in eighth grade and have all A’s/b’s, you have the same chances as someone who took geometry in eighth grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the informative posts an especially about the very negative impact of not being able to apply for IB or TJ. Somehow I missed that important nugget despite attending school info sessions and parent teacher conferences. My DC entered APS from a private religious school so SOLs are new to us. If I had known the SOL score determined math placement (rather than another checklist item from APS), I would have insisted DC actually study for it. I figured As in math (without studying or regular homework) would be enough to indicate DC was ready for more challenge and actual homework. My bad. Now I have to pester someone for higher placement, even though I think I’ll be rejected because I was told the middle school has “limited seats “ for pre-Algebra and those seats are saved for the “better” students. Sigh!

If your student takes math 6, pre algebra, and algebra 1 in middle school, they can 100% do the full IB classes at WL. Additionally, it would definitely be more challenging to get accepted to TJ with the track listed above, it is not impossible.

TJ has been turned into a pure lottery— as long as you take algebra in eighth grade and have all A’s/b’s, you have the same chances as someone who took geometry in eighth grade.

No it’s not pure lottery. They have an entrance exam as well. But it is a written longer form assessment that is part of the entry factors. It is no longer the multiple choice exam that was super high stakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with this whole thread and APS’ policy of parent final say is twofold: (1) the “regular” math classes are too easy for too many kids and (2) too many Arlington parents believe that their kid should make every cut.

+1 there needs to be a third option for 6th grade students who aren’t ready for the pace of pre-algebra but are more advanced than math 6

There was during the pandemic the year my kid was in 6th, it was called Math 6 Extended and it was because they did not offer pre-algebra for 6th that year. But maybe they should bring that back as a third option.

They did offer Pre-Alg in 6th in 20/21- my son was in the class. That year, there were 3 tracks- Pre-Alg, Math 6 Extended, and Math 6. They got rid of Math 6 Extended in 21/22 and collapsed 6th grade math into two tracks.

Pre-algebra was not offered officially in 2020-21, only Math 6 and Math 6E due to covid. Did your son's MS offer differentiated instruction within 6E and call that pre-algebra?

[Anonymous]

Does APS use a 550 SOL score cut-off? FCPS uses pass advanced (500).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the informative posts an especially about the very negative impact of not being able to apply for IB or TJ. Somehow I missed that important nugget despite attending school info sessions and parent teacher conferences. My DC entered APS from a private religious school so SOLs are new to us. If I had known the SOL score determined math placement (rather than another checklist item from APS), I would have insisted DC actually study for it. I figured As in math (without studying or regular homework) would be enough to indicate DC was ready for more challenge and actual homework. My bad. Now I have to pester someone for higher placement, even though I think I’ll be rejected because I was told the middle school has “limited seats “ for pre-Algebra and those seats are saved for the “better” students. Sigh!

If your student takes math 6, pre algebra, and algebra 1 in middle school, they can 100% do the full IB classes at WL. Additionally, it would definitely be more challenging to get accepted to TJ with the track listed above, it is not impossible.

TJ has been turned into a pure lottery— as long as you take algebra in eighth grade and have all A’s/b’s, you have the same chances as someone who took geometry in eighth grade.

No it’s not pure lottery. They have an entrance exam as well. But it is a written longer form assessment that is part of the entry factors. It is no longer the multiple choice exam that was super high stakes.

There is definitely no advantage to taking geometry to get a TJ spot now. At our kid’s MS last year, only one of the spots went to someone in the geometry class. But you do need to be in Alg 1 Intensified to be eligible to even sit for the entrance exam. The 7th graders placed in regular Alg 1 won’t be allowed to apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the informative posts an especially about the very negative impact of not being able to apply for IB or TJ. Somehow I missed that important nugget despite attending school info sessions and parent teacher conferences. My DC entered APS from a private religious school so SOLs are new to us. If I had known the SOL score determined math placement (rather than another checklist item from APS), I would have insisted DC actually study for it. I figured As in math (without studying or regular homework) would be enough to indicate DC was ready for more challenge and actual homework. My bad. Now I have to pester someone for higher placement, even though I think I’ll be rejected because I was told the middle school has “limited seats “ for pre-Algebra and those seats are saved for the “better” students. Sigh!

If your student takes math 6, pre algebra, and algebra 1 in middle school, they can 100% do the full IB classes at WL. Additionally, it would definitely be more challenging to get accepted to TJ with the track listed above, it is not impossible.

TJ has been turned into a pure lottery— as long as you take algebra in eighth grade and have all A’s/b’s, you have the same chances as someone who took geometry in eighth grade.

No it’s not pure lottery. They have an entrance exam as well. But it is a written longer form assessment that is part of the entry factors. It is no longer the multiple choice exam that was super high stakes.

There is definitely no advantage to taking geometry to get a TJ spot now. At our kid’s MS last year, only one of the spots went to someone in the geometry class. But you do need to be in Alg 1 Intensified to be eligible to even sit for the entrance exam. The 7th graders placed in regular Alg 1 won’t be allowed to apply.

APS only offers intensified Alg 1 in 7th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does APS use a 550 SOL score cut-off? FCPS uses pass advanced (500).

Interesting, that's actually helpful context. For rising 6th graders, APS is using 550 this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the informative posts an especially about the very negative impact of not being able to apply for IB or TJ. Somehow I missed that important nugget despite attending school info sessions and parent teacher conferences. My DC entered APS from a private religious school so SOLs are new to us. If I had known the SOL score determined math placement (rather than another checklist item from APS), I would have insisted DC actually study for it. I figured As in math (without studying or regular homework) would be enough to indicate DC was ready for more challenge and actual homework. My bad. Now I have to pester someone for higher placement, even though I think I’ll be rejected because I was told the middle school has “limited seats “ for pre-Algebra and those seats are saved for the “better” students. Sigh!

If your student takes math 6, pre algebra, and algebra 1 in middle school, they can 100% do the full IB classes at WL. Additionally, it would definitely be more challenging to get accepted to TJ with the track listed above, it is not impossible.

TJ has been turned into a pure lottery— as long as you take algebra in eighth grade and have all A’s/b’s, you have the same chances as someone who took geometry in eighth grade.

No it’s not pure lottery. They have an entrance exam as well. But it is a written longer form assessment that is part of the entry factors. It is no longer the multiple choice exam that was super high stakes.

There is definitely no advantage to taking geometry to get a TJ spot now. At our kid’s MS last year, only one of the spots went to someone in the geometry class. But you do need to be in Alg 1 Intensified to be eligible to even sit for the entrance exam. The 7th graders placed in regular Alg 1 won’t be allowed to apply.

APS only offers intensified Alg 1 in 7th grade.

They mean rising 8th graders. A student needs to have taken Alg I Intensified by the end of 8th. It doesn't matter if they take it in 7th or 8th, but they can't have taken regular Alg I.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
A student who doesn’t naturally try their hardest probably shouldn’t be in a math class that covers 3 years of material anyway

PP here. My point is that my son attended class and did the minimal homework assigned (no extra work, no Mathnasium) yet still scored in the 90s on all of his math tests. Class was easy for him so he didn't need to "try hard." His math class was large so I wonder if the teacher was able to fully cover all of the material or rushed to finish it all in final weeks of the school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
A student who doesn’t naturally try their hardest probably shouldn’t be in a math class that covers 3 years of material anyway

PP here. My point is that my son attended class and did the minimal homework assigned (no extra work, no Mathnasium) yet still scored in the 90s on all of his math tests. Class was easy for him so he didn't need to "try hard." His math class was large so I wonder if the teacher was able to fully cover all of the material or rushed to finish it all in final weeks of the school year.

Welcome to Arlington, you’ll fit in great

[Anonymous]

Odd. My son was a few points below on SOL score but got a decent MAP score and he was recommended for pre-algebra. Based on previous posts it appears things are not being done consistently.

[Anonymous]

Win that race to nowhere!!!!!