DS struggling in 8th grade Algebra 1 Honors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I k ow someone who teaches math in MS and it doesn’t sound to me like this is unique to one school. My understanding is the push from higher-ups is to keep these students in higher level math courses. From the beginning of the SY teachers knew the students weren’t ready, but the schools were telling families differently and student course selections were bumped up. There are classes of 8th graders in Algebra who failed the Math 7 SOL. They are failing. Imagine struggling with Math 7 and then skipping Math 8 to take algebra.

My kid's counselor told me Reid has pushed for every 8th grader to take Algebra 1, effective this year. This would include Special Education students.

So, any kid who was in grade level math last year (Math 7) was pushed to Algebra 1 this year. Kids need to be confident in Math, especially Algebra as it lays the foundation for so many years of Math to come. If this was the plan and it was known last year, you'd think they would have worked on the curriculum so that every child in 8th was a little more prepared.

I think it's unfair to everyone, notably teachers and students, if this was the plan. I had never heard about it, and only learned of it during a conference with my kid's counselor.

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/leadership/strategic-plan/goal-3-academic-growth-and-excellence

Teacher here. Starting with the current 4th graders, all 7th graders will be taking Pre Algebra in 7th and Algebra in 8th. Adv math kids will most likely take in 7. This push is ridiculous and parents should be speaking at SB meetings.

[Anonymous]

Yes, 8th graders can take Algebra 1 or Algebra 1 H. Honors has some additional extensions that cause the class to move more quickly through the material. If a kid is struggling with Algebra 1 H in 8th grade, they can look into dropping into Algebra 1.

This is true, and I'm the PP who posted about all 8th graders at our MS taking Algebra 1 this year regardless of their Math last year. My kid's counselor advised against non-Honors Algebra 1 for my kid given the fact some classes would have kids who essentially skipped a math level over the summer. As a result, a lot of parents at our school are hesitant to drop their kid down because you can't pick which class your kid is placed in - i.e. one with kids that were in Math 7 Honors/Pre-Algebra last year yet chose to not go Honors this year or kids that were in Math 7 last year and would be catching up.

It would be really interesting to hear from parents whose kids were in Math 7 last year and now taking Algebra 1. Are they struggling? I would think a teacher would have to really adjust the curriculum given the absence of Pre-Algebra.

Seventh grade Algebra 1 students only have the honors option and then Geometry honors in eight grade.

I didn't know this - interesting. That also seems short sighted - Algebra 1 for any seventh grader is way ahead. Why wouldn't the non-Honors option be available, and I wonder if they can drop down during the year to non-Honors?

[Anonymous]

So I knew this was happening from some friends who teach math. My younger son qualified for Algebra 1 Honors in 7th this year. When we had to make this decision for my older son, we decided to just keep him in Math 7 Honors in 7th and Algebra 1 Honors in 8th. But, with so many kids getting pushed up now, we decided the Algebra 1 Honors was the right place for my younger son. He's doing well so far, but I'm having misgivings anyway as I think about the high school years. He's too young to know if he'll be really interested in high level math. But with the track he's on, if he wants to take 4 years of math in high school, what are his course options? Especially if he isn't interested in taking calculus and beyond.

[Anonymous]

OP here… my son got an 82 on his unit 2 test first try. Will prob get a C for the quarter due to his low quiz grades. He really doesn’t want to switch classes so I am going with it for now and hopeful he can raise his grade moving forward. Thanks for all your replies and will continue to follow the thread for further discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I knew this was happening from some friends who teach math. My younger son qualified for Algebra 1 Honors in 7th this year. When we had to make this decision for my older son, we decided to just keep him in Math 7 Honors in 7th and Algebra 1 Honors in 8th. But, with so many kids getting pushed up now, we decided the Algebra 1 Honors was the right place for my younger son. He's doing well so far, but I'm having misgivings anyway as I think about the high school years. He's too young to know if he'll be really interested in high level math. But with the track he's on, if he wants to take 4 years of math in high school, what are his course options? Especially if he isn't interested in taking calculus and beyond.

AP Stats and other similar classes are available for kids not interested in classes beyond calculus. You can also plan on Calc AB and then see if they want to do BC or AP Stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, 8th graders can take Algebra 1 or Algebra 1 H. Honors has some additional extensions that cause the class to move more quickly through the material. If a kid is struggling with Algebra 1 H in 8th grade, they can look into dropping into Algebra 1.

This is true, and I'm the PP who posted about all 8th graders at our MS taking Algebra 1 this year regardless of their Math last year. My kid's counselor advised against non-Honors Algebra 1 for my kid given the fact some classes would have kids who essentially skipped a math level over the summer. As a result, a lot of parents at our school are hesitant to drop their kid down because you can't pick which class your kid is placed in - i.e. one with kids that were in Math 7 Honors/Pre-Algebra last year yet chose to not go Honors this year or kids that were in Math 7 last year and would be catching up.

It would be really interesting to hear from parents whose kids were in Math 7 last year and now taking Algebra 1. Are they struggling? I would think a teacher would have to really adjust the curriculum given the absence of Pre-Algebra.

Seventh grade Algebra 1 students only have the honors option and then Geometry honors in eight grade.

I didn't know this - interesting. That also seems short sighted - Algebra 1 for any seventh grader is way ahead. Why wouldn't the non-Honors option be available, and I wonder if they can drop down during the year to non-Honors?

Kids taking Algebra 1 in 7th grade are ahead enough that they should be able to handle the extensions. Kids can drop back into M7H and take A1H or A1 in 8th grade if they are struggling with A1H in 7th grade. I think it makes sense because there is an easy fall back, in M7H, that should give a kid who needs to slow down the chance to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I k ow someone who teaches math in MS and it doesn’t sound to me like this is unique to one school. My understanding is the push from higher-ups is to keep these students in higher level math courses. From the beginning of the SY teachers knew the students weren’t ready, but the schools were telling families differently and student course selections were bumped up. There are classes of 8th graders in Algebra who failed the Math 7 SOL. They are failing. Imagine struggling with Math 7 and then skipping Math 8 to take algebra.

My kid's counselor told me Reid has pushed for every 8th grader to take Algebra 1, effective this year. This would include Special Education students.

So, any kid who was in grade level math last year (Math 7) was pushed to Algebra 1 this year. Kids need to be confident in Math, especially Algebra as it lays the foundation for so many years of Math to come. If this was the plan and it was known last year, you'd think they would have worked on the curriculum so that every child in 8th was a little more prepared.

I think it's unfair to everyone, notably teachers and students, if this was the plan. I had never heard about it, and only learned of it during a conference with my kid's counselor.

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/leadership/strategic-plan/goal-3-academic-growth-and-excellence

Yes. Take for example IEP students that failed the math 7 SOL and are now taking Algebra in 8th grade. They are struggling and many become more discouraged. They are in a team taught class and the teacher gets called on by the administrators to explain why so many of the students in her section of the class are failing. It can be very frustrating.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why the 6th grade algebra pilot had to be HONORS. I mean they cover one topic in one day and move on. Why couldn’t it be regular algebra, so there is time to cover gaps or give extra time to practice. Our teacher is sending homework home and also bunch of “practice” sheets. I would rather have a nice workbook instead of this mess of papers. And don’t let me start on a textbook…yes, there is mathspace and it’s much better than nothing, but would it kill anyone to just get a damn normal textbook? A normal kid has no chance getting through this class. It really is only for math nerds who look at a problem and just “see it” right away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why the 6th grade algebra pilot had to be HONORS. I mean they cover one topic in one day and move on. Why couldn’t it be regular algebra, so there is time to cover gaps or give extra time to practice. Our teacher is sending homework home and also bunch of “practice” sheets. I would rather have a nice workbook instead of this mess of papers. And don’t let me start on a textbook…yes, there is mathspace and it’s much better than nothing, but would it kill anyone to just get a damn normal textbook? A normal kid has no chance getting through this class. It really is only for math nerds who look at a problem and just “see it” right away.

Shouldn’t have to do this but for those that would like actual textbook, there are good ones for not much on Amazon and they really do help if you as a parent are being asked by your DC to explain something. Kids see screens and videos all day so the hard copy is helpful as different way to explain a concept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why the 6th grade algebra pilot had to be HONORS. I mean they cover one topic in one day and move on. Why couldn’t it be regular algebra, so there is time to cover gaps or give extra time to practice. Our teacher is sending homework home and also bunch of “practice” sheets. I would rather have a nice workbook instead of this mess of papers. And don’t let me start on a textbook…yes, there is mathspace and it’s much better than nothing, but would it kill anyone to just get a damn normal textbook? A normal kid has no chance getting through this class. It really is only for math nerds who look at a problem and just “see it” right away.

Why would you take a child who is advanced in math and place them in the regular class? Honors provides extensions that are important for more advanced math classes. Kids who are taking Algebra early, like in 6th and 7th grades, are kids who should be able to pick up on the concepts quickly and can handle the extensions. If a 6th or 7th grader is struggling with the content or the speed, they can easily move back to the AAP class or M7H and have the time to build up the skills needed for A1H.

If your child is struggling with the class, move to the regular class. It is a class for "math nerds" who pick up concepts quickly. That is the point. It is a HS class for kids ready for a HS class, most 6th graders are not. The way that the county built the list of kids for this class was poor. Kids can have high test scores and not be ready for a class that moves at the pace of a HS class with the demands of a HS class.

There are kids ready for this class but it is a smaller number then the 700 kids in the pilot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why the 6th grade algebra pilot had to be HONORS. I mean they cover one topic in one day and move on. Why couldn’t it be regular algebra, so there is time to cover gaps or give extra time to practice. Our teacher is sending homework home and also bunch of “practice” sheets. I would rather have a nice workbook instead of this mess of papers. And don’t let me start on a textbook…yes, there is mathspace and it’s much better than nothing, but would it kill anyone to just get a damn normal textbook? A normal kid has no chance getting through this class. It really is only for math nerds who look at a problem and just “see it” right away.

Why would you take a child who is advanced in math and place them in the regular class? Honors provides extensions that are important for more advanced math classes. Kids who are taking Algebra early, like in 6th and 7th grades, are kids who should be able to pick up on the concepts quickly and can handle the extensions. If a 6th or 7th grader is struggling with the content or the speed, they can easily move back to the AAP class or M7H and have the time to build up the skills needed for A1H.

If your child is struggling with the class, move to the regular class. It is a class for "math nerds" who pick up concepts quickly. That is the point. It is a HS class for kids ready for a HS class, most 6th graders are not. The way that the county built the list of kids for this class was poor. Kids can have high test scores and not be ready for a class that moves at the pace of a HS class with the demands of a HS class.

There are kids ready for this class but it is a smaller number then the 700 kids in the pilot.

The point is stuff has been skipped, so regular Algebra while filling in gaps would be much better for all the kids involved. After that they can resume honors classes. That’s just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I k ow someone who teaches math in MS and it doesn’t sound to me like this is unique to one school. My understanding is the push from higher-ups is to keep these students in higher level math courses. From the beginning of the SY teachers knew the students weren’t ready, but the schools were telling families differently and student course selections were bumped up. There are classes of 8th graders in Algebra who failed the Math 7 SOL. They are failing. Imagine struggling with Math 7 and then skipping Math 8 to take algebra.

My kid's counselor told me Reid has pushed for every 8th grader to take Algebra 1, effective this year. This would include Special Education students.

So, any kid who was in grade level math last year (Math 7) was pushed to Algebra 1 this year. Kids need to be confident in Math, especially Algebra as it lays the foundation for so many years of Math to come. If this was the plan and it was known last year, you'd think they would have worked on the curriculum so that every child in 8th was a little more prepared.

I think it's unfair to everyone, notably teachers and students, if this was the plan. I had never heard about it, and only learned of it during a conference with my kid's counselor.

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/leadership/strategic-plan/goal-3-academic-growth-and-excellence

Teacher here. Starting with the current 4th graders, all 7th graders will be taking Pre Algebra in 7th and Algebra in 8th. Adv math kids will most likely take in 7. This push is ridiculous and parents should be speaking at SB meetings.

Parents can just say "No thanks" and not have their child take the match class.

The goal is to get FCPS-wide improvements in math, because we need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I k ow someone who teaches math in MS and it doesn’t sound to me like this is unique to one school. My understanding is the push from higher-ups is to keep these students in higher level math courses. From the beginning of the SY teachers knew the students weren’t ready, but the schools were telling families differently and student course selections were bumped up. There are classes of 8th graders in Algebra who failed the Math 7 SOL. They are failing. Imagine struggling with Math 7 and then skipping Math 8 to take algebra.

My kid's counselor told me Reid has pushed for every 8th grader to take Algebra 1, effective this year. This would include Special Education students.

So, any kid who was in grade level math last year (Math 7) was pushed to Algebra 1 this year. Kids need to be confident in Math, especially Algebra as it lays the foundation for so many years of Math to come. If this was the plan and it was known last year, you'd think they would have worked on the curriculum so that every child in 8th was a little more prepared.

I think it's unfair to everyone, notably teachers and students, if this was the plan. I had never heard about it, and only learned of it during a conference with my kid's counselor.

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/leadership/strategic-plan/goal-3-academic-growth-and-excellence

Yes. Take for example IEP students that failed the math 7 SOL and are now taking Algebra in 8th grade. They are struggling and many become more discouraged. They are in a team taught class and the teacher gets called on by the administrators to explain why so many of the students in her section of the class are failing. It can be very frustrating.

Why did the parents of IEP students allow their child to be in the math level that's not best for their kid? FCPS isn't making anyone do anything, they can't force you to take these suggested/pushed math classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why the 6th grade algebra pilot had to be HONORS. I mean they cover one topic in one day and move on. Why couldn’t it be regular algebra, so there is time to cover gaps or give extra time to practice. Our teacher is sending homework home and also bunch of “practice” sheets. I would rather have a nice workbook instead of this mess of papers. And don’t let me start on a textbook…yes, there is mathspace and it’s much better than nothing, but would it kill anyone to just get a damn normal textbook? A normal kid has no chance getting through this class. It really is only for math nerds who look at a problem and just “see it” right away.

Why would you take a child who is advanced in math and place them in the regular class? Honors provides extensions that are important for more advanced math classes. Kids who are taking Algebra early, like in 6th and 7th grades, are kids who should be able to pick up on the concepts quickly and can handle the extensions. If a 6th or 7th grader is struggling with the content or the speed, they can easily move back to the AAP class or M7H and have the time to build up the skills needed for A1H.

If your child is struggling with the class, move to the regular class. It is a class for "math nerds" who pick up concepts quickly. That is the point. It is a HS class for kids ready for a HS class, most 6th graders are not. The way that the county built the list of kids for this class was poor. Kids can have high test scores and not be ready for a class that moves at the pace of a HS class with the demands of a HS class.

There are kids ready for this class but it is a smaller number then the 700 kids in the pilot.

The point is stuff has been skipped, so regular Algebra while filling in gaps would be much better for all the kids involved. After that they can resume honors classes. That’s just my two cents.

What has been skipped? Pre-Algebra? That is essentially what the kids in 6th grade AAP are doing. You agreed to skipping that class by allowing your child to stay in the 6th grade A1H class. If you don't want to skip that class, then ask to move your kid back to the 6th grade AAP. The kids who are in A1H and are not struggling are the kids who didn't need the pre-algebra or need that material touched on quickly before moving into the A1H material.

I promise you that there are kids in 6th grade A1H who are having no issues.

They should have the kids take the IAAT for 6th grade A1H and not allow kids in without a 91st percentile score, maybe higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I k ow someone who teaches math in MS and it doesn’t sound to me like this is unique to one school. My understanding is the push from higher-ups is to keep these students in higher level math courses. From the beginning of the SY teachers knew the students weren’t ready, but the schools were telling families differently and student course selections were bumped up. There are classes of 8th graders in Algebra who failed the Math 7 SOL. They are failing. Imagine struggling with Math 7 and then skipping Math 8 to take algebra.

My kid's counselor told me Reid has pushed for every 8th grader to take Algebra 1, effective this year. This would include Special Education students.

So, any kid who was in grade level math last year (Math 7) was pushed to Algebra 1 this year. Kids need to be confident in Math, especially Algebra as it lays the foundation for so many years of Math to come. If this was the plan and it was known last year, you'd think they would have worked on the curriculum so that every child in 8th was a little more prepared.

I think it's unfair to everyone, notably teachers and students, if this was the plan. I had never heard about it, and only learned of it during a conference with my kid's counselor.

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/leadership/strategic-plan/goal-3-academic-growth-and-excellence

Yes. Take for example IEP students that failed the math 7 SOL and are now taking Algebra in 8th grade. They are struggling and many become more discouraged. They are in a team taught class and the teacher gets called on by the administrators to explain why so many of the students in her section of the class are failing. It can be very frustrating.

Why did the parents of IEP students allow their child to be in the math level that's not best for their kid? FCPS isn't making anyone do anything, they can't force you to take these suggested/pushed math classes.

FCPS should have contacted parents and asked about moving kids into a more advanced math class and not moved the kids and required parents opt kids out.