Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?

[Anonymous]

The SOL results for the math classes are shocking. The 7th graders in A1H are almost all passed advanced with hardly any pass proficient and a handful of failures. The pass advanced and pass proficient almost swap in 8th grade with the failures growing. 9th grade results are just ugly. It makes sense, the kids who are stronger in math take the class in 7th grade, kids good at math take it in 8th, and kids struggling with math take it in 9th but the differences in results is always surprising to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he had high rigor in other areas of the curriculum. How many AP classes did he take? And maybe a lot of volunteer hours or a job or a high level sport? My kid isn’t going to have a hook so needs more rigor in classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real problem with Reid's decision to have all 8th graders taking Algebra is the Math 7 Honors curriculum. It does not adequately prepare the kids for Algebra 1 in 8th grade (at least not the Honors track). At least half of the kids in my kid's Honors Algebra have dropped down to non-Honors because they are not understanding the Honors curriculum. Algebra is way too important for future math to have kids not get it.

Really? 50% + left the Honors class? I find that hard to believe. Then you would have an Honors class that is very small and still allowed to exist with small numbers AND the school was able to find seats in existing non-Honors classrooms for 15-20 students on the fly. Just very hard to believe.

Ugh, this happens EVERY year. 50% is an exaggeration, for sure, but it is so common everywhere I've taught. So far my school has lost around 10-15% of the honors kids to regular. By and large, they are kids that weren't recommended. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take the recommendations of the prior year teacher seriously (reach out if you want an explanation/clarification). Right now my gen ed classes are at 33 and 34 because so many honors kids have dropped down. It's not fair to anyone to have a class size that big, but staffing is based on what kids register for in March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he had high rigor in other areas of the curriculum. How many AP classes did he take? And maybe a lot of volunteer hours or a job or a high level sport? My kid isn’t going to have a hook so needs more rigor in classes.

Yes, he had high rigor in all other academic classes, was a varsity athlete for four years, and had high SAT and ACT scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The SOL results for the math classes are shocking. The 7th graders in A1H are almost all passed advanced with hardly any pass proficient and a handful of failures. The pass advanced and pass proficient almost swap in 8th grade with the failures growing. 9th grade results are just ugly. It makes sense, the kids who are stronger in math take the class in 7th grade, kids good at math take it in 8th, and kids struggling with math take it in 9th but the differences in results is always surprising to me.

8th and 9th did their formative math online via math games with zero paper instruction during the 2-3 covid instruction years.

2nd/3rd/4th/5th grades are foundational grades in math. The 8th and 9th graders have a math (and reading) foundation built on sand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he had high rigor in other areas of the curriculum. How many AP classes did he take? And maybe a lot of volunteer hours or a job or a high level sport? My kid isn’t going to have a hook so needs more rigor in classes.

NP - My older daughter is a wonderful, kind, intelligent, but full transparency completely average student. She never took calculus in high school. She got into VTech undecided. Went from algebra 2 (regular) to AP Statistics. No hook--no sports, no music, decent but not great sat score (13 something). Wrote her main admissions essay on how autotech saved her passion for learning. She's now a junior, doing great, looking forward to graduating a semester early.

My younger daughter is a junior in high school and is on track to take precalc as a senior.

The anxiety coming through the screen from some of y'all is nuts. It's going to be okay, truly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The SOL results for the math classes are shocking. The 7th graders in A1H are almost all passed advanced with hardly any pass proficient and a handful of failures. The pass advanced and pass proficient almost swap in 8th grade with the failures growing. 9th grade results are just ugly. It makes sense, the kids who are stronger in math take the class in 7th grade, kids good at math take it in 8th, and kids struggling with math take it in 9th but the differences in results is always surprising to me.

8th and 9th did their formative math online via math games with zero paper instruction during the 2-3 covid instruction years.

2nd/3rd/4th/5th grades are foundational grades in math. The 8th and 9th graders have a math (and reading) foundation built on sand.

Nah. The ones who took algebra online were the ones who struggled. Every year since that batch the high school math kids have been stronger and stronger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he had high rigor in other areas of the curriculum. How many AP classes did he take? And maybe a lot of volunteer hours or a job or a high level sport? My kid isn’t going to have a hook so needs more rigor in classes.

NP - My older daughter is a wonderful, kind, intelligent, but full transparency completely average student. She never took calculus in high school. She got into VTech undecided. Went from algebra 2 (regular) to AP Statistics. No hook--no sports, no music, decent but not great sat score (13 something). Wrote her main admissions essay on how autotech saved her passion for learning. She's now a junior, doing great, looking forward to graduating a semester early.

My younger daughter is a junior in high school and is on track to take precalc as a senior.

The anxiety coming through the screen from some of y'all is nuts. It's going to be okay, truly.

There’s no anxiety on my end. I just don’t want my kid going to Radford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he had high rigor in other areas of the curriculum. How many AP classes did he take? And maybe a lot of volunteer hours or a job or a high level sport? My kid isn’t going to have a hook so needs more rigor in classes.

NP - My older daughter is a wonderful, kind, intelligent, but full transparency completely average student. She never took calculus in high school. She got into VTech undecided. Went from algebra 2 (regular) to AP Statistics. No hook--no sports, no music, decent but not great sat score (13 something). Wrote her main admissions essay on how autotech saved her passion for learning. She's now a junior, doing great, looking forward to graduating a semester early.

My younger daughter is a junior in high school and is on track to take precalc as a senior.

The anxiety coming through the screen from some of y'all is nuts. It's going to be okay, truly.

There’s no anxiety on my end. I just don’t want my kid going to Radford.

DP
Ok. No Radford. Are you the one who only wants VT, UVA, William & Mary or JMU and there's no possibility of (for whatever reason) an OOS school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he had high rigor in other areas of the curriculum. How many AP classes did he take? And maybe a lot of volunteer hours or a job or a high level sport? My kid isn’t going to have a hook so needs more rigor in classes.

NP - My older daughter is a wonderful, kind, intelligent, but full transparency completely average student. She never took calculus in high school. She got into VTech undecided. Went from algebra 2 (regular) to AP Statistics. No hook--no sports, no music, decent but not great sat score (13 something). Wrote her main admissions essay on how autotech saved her passion for learning. She's now a junior, doing great, looking forward to graduating a semester early.

My younger daughter is a junior in high school and is on track to take precalc as a senior.

The anxiety coming through the screen from some of y'all is nuts. It's going to be okay, truly.

There’s no anxiety on my end. I just don’t want my kid going to Radford.

Wow! That thinking is the reason too many students are taking more AP, DE and H classes than they can handle and end up with serious health and emotional issues. It really is so sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he had high rigor in other areas of the curriculum. How many AP classes did he take? And maybe a lot of volunteer hours or a job or a high level sport? My kid isn’t going to have a hook so needs more rigor in classes.

NP - My older daughter is a wonderful, kind, intelligent, but full transparency completely average student. She never took calculus in high school. She got into VTech undecided. Went from algebra 2 (regular) to AP Statistics. No hook--no sports, no music, decent but not great sat score (13 something). Wrote her main admissions essay on how autotech saved her passion for learning. She's now a junior, doing great, looking forward to graduating a semester early.

My younger daughter is a junior in high school and is on track to take precalc as a senior.

The anxiety coming through the screen from some of y'all is nuts. It's going to be okay, truly.

There’s no anxiety on my end. I just don’t want my kid going to Radford.

Then plan B can be 2 years at NVCC and transferring to an in state school. Many kids do it.

Or is that not good enough either?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he had high rigor in other areas of the curriculum. How many AP classes did he take? And maybe a lot of volunteer hours or a job or a high level sport? My kid isn’t going to have a hook so needs more rigor in classes.

NP - My older daughter is a wonderful, kind, intelligent, but full transparency completely average student. She never took calculus in high school. She got into VTech undecided. Went from algebra 2 (regular) to AP Statistics. No hook--no sports, no music, decent but not great sat score (13 something). Wrote her main admissions essay on how autotech saved her passion for learning. She's now a junior, doing great, looking forward to graduating a semester early.

My younger daughter is a junior in high school and is on track to take precalc as a senior.

The anxiety coming through the screen from some of y'all is nuts. It's going to be okay, truly.

There’s no anxiety on my end. I just don’t want my kid going to Radford.

Then plan B can be 2 years at NVCC and transferring to an in state school. Many kids do it.

Or is that not good enough either?

That is also an option as that would save a lot of money. But not ideal because you don’t form friendships with freshman hallmates which last a lifetime. And it would be tough to go to NOVA after working so hard in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.

This will put you at the bottom half of your school, maybe even lower than that. Algebra in 9th is not for kids who want to attend a competitive college.

Both my boys took algebra in 7th and algebra 2 in 9th. This is the normal advanced track.

I took Algebra in 9th and only had 3 years of math. I went to a four year college and then completed my PhD. I even taught statistics as a Professor. Kids who struggle in math in HS can do great things and attend college. Not every kid needs to go to a top 25 college and you caan attend a to 100 or even 50 college with Algebra in 9th, you just won’t be able to start in some programs.

Reid is pushing for everyone to take Algebra in 8th grade and that is a mistake. The normal path has been to complete Algebra by 8th grade but a decent number of kids take it in 9th grade,, you can look at the SOL scores by grade and see this. Not every child is ready for Algebra by 8th grade and that is fine.

It probably depends on the pyramid. We live in McLean. I personally don’t know any kids who took/take Algebra in 9th. Both my kids were in the AAP track. The smarter kids actually take algebra 2 and AP Precalc as freshmen. My junior taking AP Calc doesn’t even seem advanced.

I know kids who took Algebra in 9th grade, they had known learning issues and it was appropriate for them to take Algebra in 9th grade. I have not looked at the SOL numbers but I would imagine that the largest number of 9th grade Algebra SOL scores will be at higher FARMs schools with lower FARMs schools having very few. Algebra by 8th grade is the norm in FCPS, although not the country if you google nationwide stats. About 15% of kids will have Algebra 1 before 8th grade, that number might be going up with the 6th grade Algebra 1 program, it depends on how many kids actually do well in A1H as 6th graders.

My stepson took Algebra I in 9th grade because his MS counselor told us that as a "non-AAP student," he was ineligible to take Algebra I in 8th grade despite having straight-As in Math 7 and a pass-advanced on his Math 7 SOL. We didn't know any better than to listen to the counselor. He then took Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calc in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

He graduated from HS in 2024 and is now a second-year student at UVA, where he is doing great. He obviously wasn't held back by not taking Algebra in MS.

(We learned, as parents, not to trust that MS counselor.)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he had high rigor in other areas of the curriculum. How many AP classes did he take? And maybe a lot of volunteer hours or a job or a high level sport? My kid isn’t going to have a hook so needs more rigor in classes.

NP - My older daughter is a wonderful, kind, intelligent, but full transparency completely average student. She never took calculus in high school. She got into VTech undecided. Went from algebra 2 (regular) to AP Statistics. No hook--no sports, no music, decent but not great sat score (13 something). Wrote her main admissions essay on how autotech saved her passion for learning. She's now a junior, doing great, looking forward to graduating a semester early.

My younger daughter is a junior in high school and is on track to take precalc as a senior.

The anxiety coming through the screen from some of y'all is nuts. It's going to be okay, truly.

There’s no anxiety on my end. I just don’t want my kid going to Radford.

DP
Ok. No Radford. Are you the one who only wants VT, UVA, William & Mary or JMU and there's no possibility of (for whatever reason) an OOS school?

I am not the one who wrote that, but I did agree with it.

[Anonymous]

This thread is so weird! But also so believable because parents in fairfax are so absurd.

Neither my husband nor I went to a VA college, although all of our siblings each did. We both grew up in VA and ended up back here. I hope our kids look at schools outside of the state if they wish; so much opportunity for so many paths. Its not always financially worse either, you have no idea.