Equitable access to advanced math

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fcps allows HS graduation with just Algebra 2, works for those that don't get math. But using that as baseline and restricting students from taking advanced above grade math to avoid widening equity gap is where the problem is.

FCPS does not restrict advanced Math, for equity or any other reasons. Fairfax doesn't accelerate quite as much as LoCo does but that's not a bad thing IMO.

why? shouldnt they be encouraging taking on more advanced math similar to what texas does?

LoCo sends more 6th graders to Algebra I than Fairfax does. I don't think that's a good thing. Ymmv

(Texas is not sending large numbers of 6th graders to Algebra I, fyi.)

read the texas article... it appears they are enrolling students into advanced math and giving students a choice to opt-out if they find it too challenging.

"“About three years ago, around 20 to 22 percent of a cohort was enrolling in advanced math from fifth to sixth grade,” he said. “When we went to an opt-out policy, we’ve now increased that to between 35 and 40 percent of a cohort gets automatically enrolled in advanced math.”"

so in FCPS, why not enroll all six graders in algebra 1, and give the students an opt-out to step back. Instead of showing barriers to those who want to do advanced math.

I don't think you understand what "advanced" means. "Advanced", at least nationally and in the Texas case, is the math track that leads to algebra 1 in 8th grade. That's what the top 40% in Texas are placed into.

You're misinformed. 6th grade student already in Algebra 1 class are excelling, while illprepared 8th graders are struggling with same Algebra 1. It makes no sense to compare the two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VA DOE SOL scores show 210 8th graders took the Algebra II SOL, 100% passed. Loudoun County had 167 8th graders take the Algebra II SOL with a 94% pass rate.

Summer geometry after 7th grade. Stone Hill went from under 10 in 6th grade algebra to having two classes of algebra 2 in 8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VA DOE SOL scores show 210 8th graders took the Algebra II SOL, 100% passed. Loudoun County had 167 8th graders take the Algebra II SOL with a 94% pass rate.

Summer geometry after 7th grade. Stone Hill went from under 10 in 6th grade algebra to having two classes of algebra 2 in 8th.

Every one of these students should have been in Algebra 1 in 6 instead of doing a rushed cram summer version of geometry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fcps allows HS graduation with just Algebra 2, works for those that don't get math. But using that as baseline and restricting students from taking advanced above grade math to avoid widening equity gap is where the problem is.

FCPS does not restrict advanced Math, for equity or any other reasons. Fairfax doesn't accelerate quite as much as LoCo does but that's not a bad thing IMO.

why? shouldnt they be encouraging taking on more advanced math similar to what texas does?

LoCo sends more 6th graders to Algebra I than Fairfax does. I don't think that's a good thing. Ymmv

(Texas is not sending large numbers of 6th graders to Algebra I, fyi.)

read the texas article... it appears they are enrolling students into advanced math and giving students a choice to opt-out if they find it too challenging.

"“About three years ago, around 20 to 22 percent of a cohort was enrolling in advanced math from fifth to sixth grade,” he said. “When we went to an opt-out policy, we’ve now increased that to between 35 and 40 percent of a cohort gets automatically enrolled in advanced math.”"

so in FCPS, why not enroll all six graders in algebra 1, and give the students an opt-out to step back. Instead of showing barriers to those who want to do advanced math.

I don't think you understand what "advanced" means. "Advanced", at least nationally and in the Texas case, is the math track that leads to algebra 1 in 8th grade. That's what the top 40% in Texas are placed into.

You're misinformed. 6th grade student already in Algebra 1 class are excelling, while illprepared 8th graders are struggling with same Algebra 1. It makes no sense to compare the two.

Irrelevant to the point being made. Advanced math, means more advanced than the standard track. It does not mean algebra 1 in 6th grade.
Algebra 1 in 6th grade might be appropriate for some kids, but it is ludicrous to put everyone in algebra 1 unless parents opt out. What about those kids who are ill-prepared inn 8th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fcps allows HS graduation with just Algebra 2, works for those that don't get math. But using that as baseline and restricting students from taking advanced above grade math to avoid widening equity gap is where the problem is.

FCPS does not restrict advanced Math, for equity or any other reasons. Fairfax doesn't accelerate quite as much as LoCo does but that's not a bad thing IMO.

why? shouldnt they be encouraging taking on more advanced math similar to what texas does?

LoCo sends more 6th graders to Algebra I than Fairfax does. I don't think that's a good thing. Ymmv

(Texas is not sending large numbers of 6th graders to Algebra I, fyi.)

read the texas article... it appears they are enrolling students into advanced math and giving students a choice to opt-out if they find it too challenging.

"“About three years ago, around 20 to 22 percent of a cohort was enrolling in advanced math from fifth to sixth grade,” he said. “When we went to an opt-out policy, we’ve now increased that to between 35 and 40 percent of a cohort gets automatically enrolled in advanced math.”"

so in FCPS, why not enroll all six graders in algebra 1, and give the students an opt-out to step back. Instead of showing barriers to those who want to do advanced math.

Algebra I in 6th grade isn't advanced math, it's super advanced, triple advanced math. Not appropriate for 99% of kids.

you seem to be misinformed. Many counties across US have kids completing algebra 1 comfortably in 6th grade. multiple sections across many middle schools in LoCo.

That still doesn't make it the standard advanced math track anywhere in the US. It means plenty of kids can handle it, not that everyone should be pushed into it.

The standard advanced track is 7th grade math, one year before pre-Algebra. Still. Everywhere.

thousand of kids across america are completing algebra 1 in 6th grade, and no one is pushing them. Every kid always has a choice to opt down. But URM kids dont know what their choices are, unless they have an educated parent. I am an URM parent by the way, and educated. When students are restricted from enrolling in above grade math, that also restricts them from discovering their basic potential. What texas is doing is making the option available as default, which benefits the poorly informed URM kids, and letting them opt out if they find it challenging.

from article:
"We have seen our advanced math enrollment numbers for all demographics increase," McDaniel said. "But specifically with students of poverty and students of color, we have seen an increase in the number of students in advanced math tracks."

Just because you keep quoting the article saying advanced math is going up does not mean that in that Texas district they enrolled everyone is Algebra 1 in 6th grade.

I have a kid who is good at math. She's in Math 7 in 6th grade with the rest of the AAP class at our AAP center school. In her grade there is no one in Algebra 1, though she has friends who wish they were (they didn't meet the stringent FCPS qualifications). Of those, about half will go on to take Algebra 1 Honors in 7th grade and the rest will take Math 7 Honors. This is the standard US advanced math track. That's all people keep trying to tell you. And you keep saying that FCPS should enroll all 6th graders in Algebra 1 (honors or no you do not specify, but it would be a disservice to enroll a kid in a credit bearing class early if they weren't ready for honors).

they can always drop back. that's the lesson from texas. Dont restrict, given kids choice, and let them decide if they want to take it on or step back.

McDaniel said. "But specifically with students of poverty and students of color, we have seen an increase in the number of students in advanced math tracks."

I can understand there is a long held belief out there that students of poverty and students of color wont be successful in advanced classes. But McDaniel says, given them a choice and see. I say, give everyone a choice and see.

Race aside, if many more 6th grade kids are pushed into the Advanced Class, it stands to reason there will be MORE of them with an opt-out policy. What I would want to know is whether they excel, get by, or fail. "Opt-out" is necessarily stickier, and may burden the teacher and students if they are not well prepared.

To ensure equity in math education, it's essential to enroll underrepresented students in accelerated math programs and provide them with the option to opt-out if they prefer. Often, parents from underrepresented minority backgrounds lack the knowledge or awareness about available math options compared to more privileged parents. Default enrollment in lower-level math courses perpetuates the belief that these students cannot aspire to achieve what other advanced students are already accomplishing. Many students across the nation are indeed learning Algebra 1 in 6th grade successfully. While wealthier families may make this acceleration through outside enrichment, it's imperative to offer URM students the same opportunities within public schools.

May be you should spend some time learning about the contributions of the likes of Benjamin Banneker, Elbert Frank Cox, etc., who were all accelerated learners.

Benjamin Banneker didn't even go to school! He learned on his own!

It's not about wealth, or acceleration, it's about putting an extra 1-2hrs/day into doing math. The school provides IXL and Khan. Anyone, including Poverty and URM/POC, can put that time in to learn more math sooner.

All the best math students are homeschooled. (Really self-schooled.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VA DOE SOL scores show 210 8th graders took the Algebra II SOL, 100% passed. Loudoun County had 167 8th graders take the Algebra II SOL with a 94% pass rate.

Is 210 the entire amount of 8th graders in fcps that took algebra II?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We need more equitable breeding. Anyone who can’t score a 500 on the math SAT (i.e. half the country) should have voluntary, free access to embryo selection for cognitive ability.

Why embryo selection? Why not sperm selection?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What FCPS needs is a policy similar to what texas has implemented to encourage students to take on advanced math in middle school. The texas state law now requires school districts and charter schools to automatically enroll fifth graders who score in the top 40% on the state standardized math test in advanced math in sixth grade. Families can opt their children out of the advanced class if they choose.

"research has found that students who take four years of math in high school are twice as likely to get a postsecondary credential, such as a certificate, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Students whose fourth year of math is a college-aligned course are six times as likely to get a postsecondary credential."

https://www.kut.org/education/2023-06-28/kids-are-probably-better-at-math-than-they-think-a-new-texas-law-could-help-them-realize-it

Reminder that this whole stupid thread is based on a persistent, ignorant OP who refuses to understand that prealgebra in 7th grade is not the same as Algebra 1 in 6th grade, and FCPS already does what is being " proposed" .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What FCPS needs is a policy similar to what texas has implemented to encourage students to take on advanced math in middle school. The texas state law now requires school districts and charter schools to automatically enroll fifth graders who score in the top 40% on the state standardized math test in advanced math in sixth grade. Families can opt their children out of the advanced class if they choose.

"research has found that students who take four years of math in high school are twice as likely to get a postsecondary credential, such as a certificate, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Students whose fourth year of math is a college-aligned course are six times as likely to get a postsecondary credential."

https://www.kut.org/education/2023-06-28/kids-are-probably-better-at-math-than-they-think-a-new-texas-law-could-help-them-realize-it

Reminder that this whole stupid thread is based on a persistent, ignorant OP who refuses to understand that prealgebra in 7th grade is not the same as Algebra 1 in 6th grade, and FCPS already does what is being " proposed" .

It seems like you're the one fervently arguing that 6th graders cannot grasp Algebra 1, despite the fact that our immediate neighboring school system consistently enrolls qualified 6th graders in Algebra 1 with flawless learning outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What FCPS needs is a policy similar to what texas has implemented to encourage students to take on advanced math in middle school. The texas state law now requires school districts and charter schools to automatically enroll fifth graders who score in the top 40% on the state standardized math test in advanced math in sixth grade. Families can opt their children out of the advanced class if they choose.

"research has found that students who take four years of math in high school are twice as likely to get a postsecondary credential, such as a certificate, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Students whose fourth year of math is a college-aligned course are six times as likely to get a postsecondary credential."

https://www.kut.org/education/2023-06-28/kids-are-probably-better-at-math-than-they-think-a-new-texas-law-could-help-them-realize-it

Reminder that this whole stupid thread is based on a persistent, ignorant OP who refuses to understand that prealgebra in 7th grade is not the same as Algebra 1 in 6th grade, and FCPS already does what is being " proposed" .

It seems like you're the one fervently arguing that 6th graders cannot grasp Algebra 1, despite the fact that our immediate neighboring school system consistently enrolls qualified 6th graders in Algebra 1 with flawless learning outcomes.

There is a difference between enrolling 1% of 6th graders in algebra 1 and enrolling 100% of 6th graders in algebra 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need more equitable breeding. Anyone who can’t score a 500 on the math SAT (i.e. half the country) should have voluntary, free access to embryo selection for cognitive ability.

Why embryo selection? Why not sperm selection?

IQ comes from the mother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What FCPS needs is a policy similar to what texas has implemented to encourage students to take on advanced math in middle school. The texas state law now requires school districts and charter schools to automatically enroll fifth graders who score in the top 40% on the state standardized math test in advanced math in sixth grade. Families can opt their children out of the advanced class if they choose.

"research has found that students who take four years of math in high school are twice as likely to get a postsecondary credential, such as a certificate, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Students whose fourth year of math is a college-aligned course are six times as likely to get a postsecondary credential."

https://www.kut.org/education/2023-06-28/kids-are-probably-better-at-math-than-they-think-a-new-texas-law-could-help-them-realize-it

Reminder that this whole stupid thread is based on a persistent, ignorant OP who refuses to understand that prealgebra in 7th grade is not the same as Algebra 1 in 6th grade, and FCPS already does what is being " proposed" .

It seems like you're the one fervently arguing that 6th graders cannot grasp Algebra 1, despite the fact that our immediate neighboring school system consistently enrolls qualified 6th graders in Algebra 1 with flawless learning outcomes.

There is a difference between enrolling 1% of 6th graders in algebra 1 and enrolling 100% of 6th graders in algebra 1.

granting top 1 or 1.5% with opportunity to advanced math of algebra 1 in 6th grade across all schools, is equitable. isn't it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VA DOE SOL scores show 210 8th graders took the Algebra II SOL, 100% passed. Loudoun County had 167 8th graders take the Algebra II SOL with a 94% pass rate.

Is 210 the entire amount of 8th graders in fcps that took algebra II?

There were 210 8th graders who took the Algebra II SOL, there may be kids who took the class and not the SOL. Still, not that many and a large percentage of those will be kids who took summer Geometry because only 30 kids had Algebra 1 in 6th grade. I am a bit surprised that that many kids take summer geometry but it looks like at least 180 kids across the County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:VA DOE SOL scores show 210 8th graders took the Algebra II SOL, 100% passed. Loudoun County had 167 8th graders take the Algebra II SOL with a 94% pass rate.

Is 210 the entire amount of 8th graders in fcps that took algebra II?

There were 210 8th graders who took the Algebra II SOL, there may be kids who took the class and not the SOL. Still, not that many and a large percentage of those will be kids who took summer Geometry because only 30 kids had Algebra 1 in 6th grade. I am a bit surprised that that many kids take summer geometry but it looks like at least 180 kids across the County.

it is ironic that FCPS provides summer geometry for acceleration but not Algebra 1 for 6th graders. So instead of providing the progression of Algebra 1 in 7th, Geometry in summer, Algebra 2 in 8th, it would be better if FCPS students were allowed to take full year of each math level, as in Algebra 1 in 6th, Geometry in 7th, and Algebra 2 in 8th, which is what LoCo provides as an option and it has been quite successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What FCPS needs is a policy similar to what texas has implemented to encourage students to take on advanced math in middle school. The texas state law now requires school districts and charter schools to automatically enroll fifth graders who score in the top 40% on the state standardized math test in advanced math in sixth grade. Families can opt their children out of the advanced class if they choose.

"research has found that students who take four years of math in high school are twice as likely to get a postsecondary credential, such as a certificate, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Students whose fourth year of math is a college-aligned course are six times as likely to get a postsecondary credential."

https://www.kut.org/education/2023-06-28/kids-are-probably-better-at-math-than-they-think-a-new-texas-law-could-help-them-realize-it

Reminder that this whole stupid thread is based on a persistent, ignorant OP who refuses to understand that prealgebra in 7th grade is not the same as Algebra 1 in 6th grade, and FCPS already does what is being " proposed" .

It seems like you're the one fervently arguing that 6th graders cannot grasp Algebra 1, despite the fact that our immediate neighboring school system consistently enrolls qualified 6th graders in Algebra 1 with flawless learning outcomes.

There is a difference between enrolling 1% of 6th graders in algebra 1 and enrolling 100% of 6th graders in algebra 1.

granting top 1 or 1.5% with opportunity to advanced math of algebra 1 in 6th grade across all schools, is equitable. isn't it?

Equity has been weaponized to the point where it is destroying authentic education.