Algebra 1 - In 6th Grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I have a 7th grader taking Algebra and I was already worried about high school math options. Even crazier for 6th grade start. Can someone lay out the math class options through high school?

Can do AP AB Calculus, AP BC Calculus and AP Stats.

That is one possibility but I doubt most kids taking A1H in 6th grade are going to go that route. Most of these kids are going to take AP Calc BC, without taking AB. They might take AP Stats but it will be an elective. The parents pushing for their kids to be in this class are pushing for their kids to take the most rigorous class with an eye towards a top 10 school. There could be kids who were strong at math and end up in A1H at 6th grade and decide it is not their thing and step off the accelerated path.

There are kids ready for this path, more than 30 that were allowed it but the 500-700 that I am reading about in the pilot seems to be far too many.

No one is pushing. Our kids were automatically placed in the class. The only pushing is pushing to get them out.

You can only be placed if you qualify - and I bet most of the qualifying applicants do some kind of math enrichment outside of school - think AoPs or RSM. All those teslas.

There are no specific criteria that have to be met to qualify. Many are in and not ready.

MS Teacher

For 6th grade, there absolutely is. Pass advance on M6 SOL in 5th grade, and 1125Q on the Iready. (Except at one school with an inept principal, apparently)

7th grade algebra is admittedly now a free for all, open enrollment opportunity the way 8th grade algebra always has been. I had so many kids in my 8th grade algebra classes who failed the M7 SOL with scores of 380/390 but skipped M8 and took Algebra 1 anyway. We had double blocked sections of algebra 1 in 8th grade to hold them all, because some years there would be 30+ who fit that profile. Pretty soon we'll have to create double blocked algebra 1 in 7th grade.

I have no issue with opening the opportunity earlier (assuming we find ways to support these kids in high level courses in 4-5 years), but I absolutely have an issue with lowering the threshold for entry. If you can't pass the prerequisite course's EOC exam, you shouldn't get to skip more math.

Kindly give a hint as to which school.

It's not a secret. Navy parents have been posting all over DCUM about how parents are complaining to the principal and getting their kids switched into a class they didn't meet the criteria for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I have a 7th grader taking Algebra and I was already worried about high school math options. Even crazier for 6th grade start. Can someone lay out the math class options through high school?

Can do AP AB Calculus, AP BC Calculus and AP Stats.

That is one possibility but I doubt most kids taking A1H in 6th grade are going to go that route. Most of these kids are going to take AP Calc BC, without taking AB. They might take AP Stats but it will be an elective. The parents pushing for their kids to be in this class are pushing for their kids to take the most rigorous class with an eye towards a top 10 school. There could be kids who were strong at math and end up in A1H at 6th grade and decide it is not their thing and step off the accelerated path.

There are kids ready for this path, more than 30 that were allowed it but the 500-700 that I am reading about in the pilot seems to be far too many.

No one is pushing. Our kids were automatically placed in the class. The only pushing is pushing to get them out.

You can only be placed if you qualify - and I bet most of the qualifying applicants do some kind of math enrichment outside of school - think AoPs or RSM. All those teslas.

There are no specific criteria that have to be met to qualify. Many are in and not ready.

MS Teacher

For 6th grade, there absolutely is. Pass advance on M6 SOL in 5th grade, and 1125Q on the Iready. (Except at one school with an inept principal, apparently)

7th grade algebra is admittedly now a free for all, open enrollment opportunity the way 8th grade algebra always has been. I had so many kids in my 8th grade algebra classes who failed the M7 SOL with scores of 380/390 but skipped M8 and took Algebra 1 anyway. We had double blocked sections of algebra 1 in 8th grade to hold them all, because some years there would be 30+ who fit that profile. Pretty soon we'll have to create double blocked algebra 1 in 7th grade.

I have no issue with opening the opportunity earlier (assuming we find ways to support these kids in high level courses in 4-5 years), but I absolutely have an issue with lowering the threshold for entry. If you can't pass the prerequisite course's EOC exam, you shouldn't get to skip more math.

Kindly give a hint as to which school.

It's not a secret. Navy parents have been posting all over DCUM about how parents are complaining to the principal and getting their kids switched into a class they didn't meet the criteria for.

It's nuts. How do you go from having 2 kids being bused to taking algebra last year to ~50 this year? Seems like quite the leap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I have a 7th grader taking Algebra and I was already worried about high school math options. Even crazier for 6th grade start. Can someone lay out the math class options through high school?

Can do AP AB Calculus, AP BC Calculus and AP Stats.

That is one possibility but I doubt most kids taking A1H in 6th grade are going to go that route. Most of these kids are going to take AP Calc BC, without taking AB. They might take AP Stats but it will be an elective. The parents pushing for their kids to be in this class are pushing for their kids to take the most rigorous class with an eye towards a top 10 school. There could be kids who were strong at math and end up in A1H at 6th grade and decide it is not their thing and step off the accelerated path.

There are kids ready for this path, more than 30 that were allowed it but the 500-700 that I am reading about in the pilot seems to be far too many.

No one is pushing. Our kids were automatically placed in the class. The only pushing is pushing to get them out.

You can only be placed if you qualify - and I bet most of the qualifying applicants do some kind of math enrichment outside of school - think AoPs or RSM. All those teslas.

There are no specific criteria that have to be met to qualify. Many are in and not ready.

MS Teacher

For 6th grade, there absolutely is. Pass advance on M6 SOL in 5th grade, and 1125Q on the Iready. (Except at one school with an inept principal, apparently)

7th grade algebra is admittedly now a free for all, open enrollment opportunity the way 8th grade algebra always has been. I had so many kids in my 8th grade algebra classes who failed the M7 SOL with scores of 380/390 but skipped M8 and took Algebra 1 anyway. We had double blocked sections of algebra 1 in 8th grade to hold them all, because some years there would be 30+ who fit that profile. Pretty soon we'll have to create double blocked algebra 1 in 7th grade.

I have no issue with opening the opportunity earlier (assuming we find ways to support these kids in high level courses in 4-5 years), but I absolutely have an issue with lowering the threshold for entry. If you can't pass the prerequisite course's EOC exam, you shouldn't get to skip more math.

Kindly give a hint as to which school.

It's not a secret. Navy parents have been posting all over DCUM about how parents are complaining to the principal and getting their kids switched into a class they didn't meet the criteria for.

It's nuts. How do you go from having 2 kids being bused to taking algebra last year to ~50 this year? Seems like quite the leap.

I’m thinking those parents think it will give them a leg up next year when their kid retakes Algebra HN in 7th. I think many parents are using this algebra in 6th grade as a practice course. I’m guessing it’s not even honors so no benefit to the transcript. They will expunge the grade (is it even on their transcript?) and then have their kid take Algebra 1 HN in 7th. And their kid may do a lot better since it’s not the first time they are doing this kind of math. It’s another way to game the system, sadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I have a 7th grader taking Algebra and I was already worried about high school math options. Even crazier for 6th grade start. Can someone lay out the math class options through high school?

Can do AP AB Calculus, AP BC Calculus and AP Stats.

That is one possibility but I doubt most kids taking A1H in 6th grade are going to go that route. Most of these kids are going to take AP Calc BC, without taking AB. They might take AP Stats but it will be an elective. The parents pushing for their kids to be in this class are pushing for their kids to take the most rigorous class with an eye towards a top 10 school. There could be kids who were strong at math and end up in A1H at 6th grade and decide it is not their thing and step off the accelerated path.

There are kids ready for this path, more than 30 that were allowed it but the 500-700 that I am reading about in the pilot seems to be far too many.

No one is pushing. Our kids were automatically placed in the class. The only pushing is pushing to get them out.

You can only be placed if you qualify - and I bet most of the qualifying applicants do some kind of math enrichment outside of school - think AoPs or RSM. All those teslas.

There are no specific criteria that have to be met to qualify. Many are in and not ready.

MS Teacher

For 6th grade, there absolutely is. Pass advance on M6 SOL in 5th grade, and 1125Q on the Iready. (Except at one school with an inept principal, apparently)

7th grade algebra is admittedly now a free for all, open enrollment opportunity the way 8th grade algebra always has been. I had so many kids in my 8th grade algebra classes who failed the M7 SOL with scores of 380/390 but skipped M8 and took Algebra 1 anyway. We had double blocked sections of algebra 1 in 8th grade to hold them all, because some years there would be 30+ who fit that profile. Pretty soon we'll have to create double blocked algebra 1 in 7th grade.

I have no issue with opening the opportunity earlier (assuming we find ways to support these kids in high level courses in 4-5 years), but I absolutely have an issue with lowering the threshold for entry. If you can't pass the prerequisite course's EOC exam, you shouldn't get to skip more math.

Kindly give a hint as to which school.

It's not a secret. Navy parents have been posting all over DCUM about how parents are complaining to the principal and getting their kids switched into a class they didn't meet the criteria for.

It's nuts. How do you go from having 2 kids being bused to taking algebra last year to ~50 this year? Seems like quite the leap.

I’m thinking those parents think it will give them a leg up next year when their kid retakes Algebra HN in 7th. I think many parents are using this algebra in 6th grade as a practice course. I’m guessing it’s not even honors so no benefit to the transcript. They will expunge the grade (is it even on their transcript?) and then have their kid take Algebra 1 HN in 7th. And their kid may do a lot better since it’s not the first time they are doing this kind of math. It’s another way to game the system, sadly.

That’s how it was when I was in 6th grade in the bad old days. It was a lot like here - the most advanced established math track was Algebra 1 in 7th grade. But there were a small number of students every year who took it in 6th. I went to a small MS in a small but affluent district. I’d guess it was high single digits of kids who took it in 6th out of around 175-200 students in the grade. Most of them ended up repeating a math class (sometimes Algebra 1 in 6th and 7th, sometimes Geometry in 7th and 8th), or doing an elective class at some point to “wait” a year and then start back up with the rest of the class.

[Anonymous]

It’s absolutely bonkers to waste valuable resources on algebra in 6th grade when they can just take it in 7th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s absolutely bonkers to waste valuable resources on algebra in 6th grade when they can just take it in 7th.

I think the pilot is including far more students than it should but there have been and will continue to be kids who are ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade, there should be a way of offering Algebra 1 to kids who are ready across the county, not just at the 20 or so schools that made it work. Does that mean that we need 700 kids in the pilot program? No. But if they set the standard based on SOL scores and iReady and there were 700 kids who meet the set threshold, then you let the parents decide if the kid is ready or not. You don't principal place kids into the class. I would argue that you need to have a threshold for returning a kid to 6th grade AAP math that parents cannot challenge.

What some people miss is that the kids in AoPS and RSM are taking those classes because math at school is slow and they are not challenged. Enrichment is a method for keeping a kid capable of more engaged. DS moved into RSM in 4th grade because the math at school was not engaging. He ended up in the 5th grade math class at RSM as a 4th grader because he was ready for that material. The Math competition class has been challenging and fun for him. Are there kids at RSM and AoPS whose parents place them there because they want to make sure that their kid is selected for classes like A1H as soon as possible? Sure, but it is not every kid. I would argue that it is actually not even the majority of kids. I doubt that the kids in the regular and middle tier of classes at RSM are taking A1H in 6th grade or even in 7th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s absolutely bonkers to waste valuable resources on algebra in 6th grade when they can just take it in 7th.

I think the pilot is including far more students than it should but there have been and will continue to be kids who are ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade, there should be a way of offering Algebra 1 to kids who are ready across the county, not just at the 20 or so schools that made it work. Does that mean that we need 700 kids in the pilot program? No. But if they set the standard based on SOL scores and iReady and there were 700 kids who meet the set threshold, then you let the parents decide if the kid is ready or not. You don't principal place kids into the class. I would argue that you need to have a threshold for returning a kid to 6th grade AAP math that parents cannot challenge.

What some people miss is that the kids in AoPS and RSM are taking those classes because math at school is slow and they are not challenged. Enrichment is a method for keeping a kid capable of more engaged. DS moved into RSM in 4th grade because the math at school was not engaging. He ended up in the 5th grade math class at RSM as a 4th grader because he was ready for that material. The Math competition class has been challenging and fun for him. Are there kids at RSM and AoPS whose parents place them there because they want to make sure that their kid is selected for classes like A1H as soon as possible? Sure, but it is not every kid. I would argue that it is actually not even the majority of kids. I doubt that the kids in the regular and middle tier of classes at RSM are taking A1H in 6th grade or even in 7th grade.

This is what parents like to say but we all know it’s gaming the system. These are the Tesla driving, TJ wannabes. They also want the math competitions bc that looks good for TJ. They don’t allow their kids to have a minute’s rest. At school all day and then onto math enrichment. You should see what they do in the summer. I know a family that has their kid get up at 7:30 am on weekend to start homework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s absolutely bonkers to waste valuable resources on algebra in 6th grade when they can just take it in 7th.

I think the pilot is including far more students than it should but there have been and will continue to be kids who are ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade, there should be a way of offering Algebra 1 to kids who are ready across the county, not just at the 20 or so schools that made it work. Does that mean that we need 700 kids in the pilot program? No. But if they set the standard based on SOL scores and iReady and there were 700 kids who meet the set threshold, then you let the parents decide if the kid is ready or not. You don't principal place kids into the class. I would argue that you need to have a threshold for returning a kid to 6th grade AAP math that parents cannot challenge.

What some people miss is that the kids in AoPS and RSM are taking those classes because math at school is slow and they are not challenged. Enrichment is a method for keeping a kid capable of more engaged. DS moved into RSM in 4th grade because the math at school was not engaging. He ended up in the 5th grade math class at RSM as a 4th grader because he was ready for that material. The Math competition class has been challenging and fun for him. Are there kids at RSM and AoPS whose parents place them there because they want to make sure that their kid is selected for classes like A1H as soon as possible? Sure, but it is not every kid. I would argue that it is actually not even the majority of kids. I doubt that the kids in the regular and middle tier of classes at RSM are taking A1H in 6th grade or even in 7th grade.

This is what parents like to say but we all know it’s gaming the system. These are the Tesla driving, TJ wannabes. They also want the math competitions bc that looks good for TJ. They don’t allow their kids to have a minute’s rest. At school all day and then onto math enrichment. You should see what they do in the summer. I know a family that has their kid get up at 7:30 am on weekend to start homework.

I don't know why parents are still so obsessed with TJ anyways. It does not give your DC an advantage anymore in college admissions. Look at the acceptance rate -- universities are only taking certain percentages from magnet schools. In the 90's TJ was a guarantee admission to VT or UVA and a strong chance at Ivy's, now not so much. It's admittance rate is barely above any other Fairfax County high school, but the amount of work, stress and heartache is unbelievable. Not worth it at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s absolutely bonkers to waste valuable resources on algebra in 6th grade when they can just take it in 7th.

I think the pilot is including far more students than it should but there have been and will continue to be kids who are ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade, there should be a way of offering Algebra 1 to kids who are ready across the county, not just at the 20 or so schools that made it work. Does that mean that we need 700 kids in the pilot program? No. But if they set the standard based on SOL scores and iReady and there were 700 kids who meet the set threshold, then you let the parents decide if the kid is ready or not. You don't principal place kids into the class. I would argue that you need to have a threshold for returning a kid to 6th grade AAP math that parents cannot challenge.

What some people miss is that the kids in AoPS and RSM are taking those classes because math at school is slow and they are not challenged. Enrichment is a method for keeping a kid capable of more engaged. DS moved into RSM in 4th grade because the math at school was not engaging. He ended up in the 5th grade math class at RSM as a 4th grader because he was ready for that material. The Math competition class has been challenging and fun for him. Are there kids at RSM and AoPS whose parents place them there because they want to make sure that their kid is selected for classes like A1H as soon as possible? Sure, but it is not every kid. I would argue that it is actually not even the majority of kids. I doubt that the kids in the regular and middle tier of classes at RSM are taking A1H in 6th grade or even in 7th grade.

This is what parents like to say but we all know it’s gaming the system. These are the Tesla driving, TJ wannabes. They also want the math competitions bc that looks good for TJ. They don’t allow their kids to have a minute’s rest. At school all day and then onto math enrichment. You should see what they do in the summer. I know a family that has their kid get up at 7:30 am on weekend to start homework.

We are a white, mini-van driving family whose kid has been in RSM since fourth grade. He loves math competitions and rarely has homework. He chose not to take Geometry in the summer because he likes vacation, it would have been an easy A for him, but he wasn't going to give up summer camps with friends in the name of math acceleration. I am sure that there are kids who are in the classes because TJ is the goal and that they are struggling with their classes and who don't want to be there but I know plenty of kids who are there because they love math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s absolutely bonkers to waste valuable resources on algebra in 6th grade when they can just take it in 7th.

I think the pilot is including far more students than it should but there have been and will continue to be kids who are ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade, there should be a way of offering Algebra 1 to kids who are ready across the county, not just at the 20 or so schools that made it work. Does that mean that we need 700 kids in the pilot program? No. But if they set the standard based on SOL scores and iReady and there were 700 kids who meet the set threshold, then you let the parents decide if the kid is ready or not. You don't principal place kids into the class. I would argue that you need to have a threshold for returning a kid to 6th grade AAP math that parents cannot challenge.

What some people miss is that the kids in AoPS and RSM are taking those classes because math at school is slow and they are not challenged. Enrichment is a method for keeping a kid capable of more engaged. DS moved into RSM in 4th grade because the math at school was not engaging. He ended up in the 5th grade math class at RSM as a 4th grader because he was ready for that material. The Math competition class has been challenging and fun for him. Are there kids at RSM and AoPS whose parents place them there because they want to make sure that their kid is selected for classes like A1H as soon as possible? Sure, but it is not every kid. I would argue that it is actually not even the majority of kids. I doubt that the kids in the regular and middle tier of classes at RSM are taking A1H in 6th grade or even in 7th grade.

This is what parents like to say but we all know it’s gaming the system. These are the Tesla driving, TJ wannabes. They also want the math competitions bc that looks good for TJ. They don’t allow their kids to have a minute’s rest. At school all day and then onto math enrichment. You should see what they do in the summer. I know a family that has their kid get up at 7:30 am on weekend to start homework.

I don't know why parents are still so obsessed with TJ anyways. It does not give your DC an advantage anymore in college admissions. Look at the acceptance rate -- universities are only taking certain percentages from magnet schools. In the 90's TJ was a guarantee admission to VT or UVA and a strong chance at Ivy's, now not so much. It's admittance rate is barely above any other Fairfax County high school, but the amount of work, stress and heartache is unbelievable. Not worth it at all.

The classes offered at TJ are amazing and some kids really want to be with other kids who love math and science. They are less worried about what college they go to because the know that they are still going to go to a strong school because of the course load that they have and what they will offer. The TJ presentations are very clear that there will be kids who could attend a higher ranked college if they attend TJ but kids apply and go. I would guess most of them are comfortable that with hard work they will end up with a strong GPA and be able to attend a great school.

[Anonymous]

It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

It's no different than travel soccer or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s absolutely bonkers to waste valuable resources on algebra in 6th grade when they can just take it in 7th.

I think the pilot is including far more students than it should but there have been and will continue to be kids who are ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade, there should be a way of offering Algebra 1 to kids who are ready across the county, not just at the 20 or so schools that made it work. Does that mean that we need 700 kids in the pilot program? No. But if they set the standard based on SOL scores and iReady and there were 700 kids who meet the set threshold, then you let the parents decide if the kid is ready or not. You don't principal place kids into the class. I would argue that you need to have a threshold for returning a kid to 6th grade AAP math that parents cannot challenge.

What some people miss is that the kids in AoPS and RSM are taking those classes because math at school is slow and they are not challenged. Enrichment is a method for keeping a kid capable of more engaged. DS moved into RSM in 4th grade because the math at school was not engaging. He ended up in the 5th grade math class at RSM as a 4th grader because he was ready for that material. The Math competition class has been challenging and fun for him. Are there kids at RSM and AoPS whose parents place them there because they want to make sure that their kid is selected for classes like A1H as soon as possible? Sure, but it is not every kid. I would argue that it is actually not even the majority of kids. I doubt that the kids in the regular and middle tier of classes at RSM are taking A1H in 6th grade or even in 7th grade.

This is what parents like to say but we all know it’s gaming the system. These are the Tesla driving, TJ wannabes. They also want the math competitions bc that looks good for TJ. They don’t allow their kids to have a minute’s rest. At school all day and then onto math enrichment. You should see what they do in the summer. I know a family that has their kid get up at 7:30 am on weekend to start homework.

I don't know why parents are still so obsessed with TJ anyways. It does not give your DC an advantage anymore in college admissions. Look at the acceptance rate -- universities are only taking certain percentages from magnet schools. In the 90's TJ was a guarantee admission to VT or UVA and a strong chance at Ivy's, now not so much. It's admittance rate is barely above any other Fairfax County high school, but the amount of work, stress and heartache is unbelievable. Not worth it at all.

The classes offered at TJ are amazing and some kids really want to be with other kids who love math and science. They are less worried about what college they go to because the know that they are still going to go to a strong school because of the course load that they have and what they will offer. The TJ presentations are very clear that there will be kids who could attend a higher ranked college if they attend TJ but kids apply and go. I would guess most of them are comfortable that with hard work they will end up with a strong GPA and be able to attend a great school.

Mental health at TJ is a major problem. Not sure I agree with the “most of them are comfortable with hard work” rhetoric. A lot of the kids are stressed beyond belief for little benefit or advantage in the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s absolutely bonkers to waste valuable resources on algebra in 6th grade when they can just take it in 7th.

I think the pilot is including far more students than it should but there have been and will continue to be kids who are ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade, there should be a way of offering Algebra 1 to kids who are ready across the county, not just at the 20 or so schools that made it work. Does that mean that we need 700 kids in the pilot program? No. But if they set the standard based on SOL scores and iReady and there were 700 kids who meet the set threshold, then you let the parents decide if the kid is ready or not. You don't principal place kids into the class. I would argue that you need to have a threshold for returning a kid to 6th grade AAP math that parents cannot challenge.

What some people miss is that the kids in AoPS and RSM are taking those classes because math at school is slow and they are not challenged. Enrichment is a method for keeping a kid capable of more engaged. DS moved into RSM in 4th grade because the math at school was not engaging. He ended up in the 5th grade math class at RSM as a 4th grader because he was ready for that material. The Math competition class has been challenging and fun for him. Are there kids at RSM and AoPS whose parents place them there because they want to make sure that their kid is selected for classes like A1H as soon as possible? Sure, but it is not every kid. I would argue that it is actually not even the majority of kids. I doubt that the kids in the regular and middle tier of classes at RSM are taking A1H in 6th grade or even in 7th grade.

This is what parents like to say but we all know it’s gaming the system. These are the Tesla driving, TJ wannabes. They also want the math competitions bc that looks good for TJ. They don’t allow their kids to have a minute’s rest. At school all day and then onto math enrichment. You should see what they do in the summer. I know a family that has their kid get up at 7:30 am on weekend to start homework.

I don't know why parents are still so obsessed with TJ anyways. It does not give your DC an advantage anymore in college admissions. Look at the acceptance rate -- universities are only taking certain percentages from magnet schools. In the 90's TJ was a guarantee admission to VT or UVA and a strong chance at Ivy's, now not so much. It's admittance rate is barely above any other Fairfax County high school, but the amount of work, stress and heartache is unbelievable. Not worth it at all.

Because in certain cultures such things are the path to success, even if those same things don't apply to college admissions in the USA.

In China it's the gaokao, which also determines your major, but here you need more than that to get into a topnschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.

#1. Totally agree about TJ - not sure what the advantages actually are, and the downsides are very obvious.
#2. If a kid really loves math, then it's a great hobby and there's no reason to hold the child back. You wouldn't say that if a kid was doing extremely well in violin, we should put them in a math class instead of having them study the Brahms Concerto in order to balance them out. That said, I'd bet that the number of kids who really love math enough to pursue it as a hobby is pretty small. The schools should find a way to accommodate the relatively small number of kids who are really ready to move forward in the curriculum without setting up a large-scale Algebra in Sixth Grade program.