Experience with grades in 6th Algebra pilot?

[Anonymous]

What about 600 on sol score and 98% iready? Or would 500 sol and 99% iready get in over that? My child has always gotten in the 90's in iready, never 99% but has scored 600 on two sols.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about 600 on sol score and 98% iready? Or would 500 sol and 99% iready get in over that? My child has always gotten in the 90's in iready, never 99% but has scored 600 on two sols.

Probably not in, they set a threshold that seems to be a hard line, and that is good. Kids in AAP math/Advanced Math are moving at a faster pace, they should be passing advanced on the SOL, which measures grade level learning. The iReady/MAP is supposed to measure, as I understand it, an overall level of knowledge and proficiency that goes past the grade level material. A child scoring in the 90th percentile is above grade level and doing great but might not have the skills needed to move into a HS level class. They might be strong in 7th grade math but not as strong in pre-algebra concepts which would make Algebra a challenge for them.

The pass advanced on the SOL is shifting as well, I think it is moving to a 540 to be a pass advanced. I think this is a good thing because it will likely be closer to the iReady/MAP type proficiency in a subject.

They need to set a bar some place, some kids will fall short of that bar and that is ok. I will guess that some schools will principal place if a parent complains enough, Navy seems to have done that this year, but I think that a hard bar for a class that is traditionally offered in 8th and 9th grade is not a bad thing. They just need to be clear what that bar is and make it available to everyone in the County, not just at schools where Principals are willing to offer it as a path forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: In England all kids start algebra at 11 years old by default, so at our 6 grade level. This shouldn’t be considered an advanced track. It’s normal by international standards.

They also start math early in the equivalent US grade of preschool. So it's accelerated from the get go. You can't slow walk math in early elementary then rush though/skip upper elementary content like they are doing here and then expect things to go well.

This - they were dragging and kids thought it’s all super easy and suddenly they were dropped into algebra without proper foundation.