Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure, I know my DC. But if neither parents have math/science background, is there a way to determine if DC's math level is sufficient to be successful at TJ? There is plenty discussion here about how TJ kids struggle with mental stress, lack of sleep, play constant catch-up trying to get out of Cs & Ds, etc. If DC is not ready to do regular (not honors/advanced) TJ math with ease, it doesnt make sense to put them through the stress and convince them it's ok to be at the bottom of the class.

Go to a Kumon center and ask them to give DC a placement test in math. Those used to be no cost, but even if there is a modest cost, have DC take that test, and learn where Kumon thinks the student’s math skills really are. That will NOT be a perfect measure, but it would be a reasonably objective metric without any “grade inflation”. (Kumon will teach students at very high math levels, including more advanced Calculus.). Then decide for yourself if TJ is a good fit.

Regardless, please understand that many TJ students (and other FCPS students doing well in math) have had years and years of outside math supplementing (from AoPS, Kumon, Mathnasium, or RSM) to get them prepped for TJ. It is common for this to start by 3rd or 4th grade, and some kids start earlier than that. Supplementing for years is not required, and is not what FCPS wants to hear, but it sure does help.

Yep, here comes the Aops/RMS.. booster. I see a pattern similar to other posts; a sockpuppet poster sets up the question then they swoops in and recommends Aops/RMS/etc afterschool math enrichment classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS has been releasing less information about the level of math of incoming students over time, not sure how FCAG got the numbers for classes of 2020 and 2021, maybe FOIA?

But yeah, there were less-and-less kids admitted with only Algebra 1 in 8th with that downward trend as far back as 2005 at least (when class of 2009 was applying) along with a significant increase in the proportion of kids who are post-Geometry in 8th. I'm not sure how much of this is due to changes in FCPS policies/instruction that enabled kids to reach higher math sooner vs. a shift in culture of parents enabling their kids moving forward in math faster through outside enrichment or summer studies (not taking a position on whether the latter is a good or bad thing, but seems FCPS is attempting to discourage so much emphasis on such practices by not tying that advancement so closely to TJ admission chances).

TJ Admitted students who took Algebra 1 in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 61%
Class of 2009: 56%
Class of 2010: 43%
Class of 2011: 41%
Class of 2012: 26%
Class of 2013: 17%
Class of 2014: 21%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 07%
Class of 2021: 04%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

TJ Admitted students who took math beyond Geometry in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 06%
Class of 2009: 07%
Class of 2010: 08%
Class of 2011: 06%
Class of 2012: 07%
Class of 2013: 09%
Class of 2014: 10%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 29%
Class of 2021: 35%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

I think that dramatic shift toward very far acceleration in ways mainly achievable outside of school or only in a handful of MSs speaks to why the test was scrapped and new process created. I think it’s good that kids can follow the options available throughout FCPS and still qualify.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS has been releasing less information about the level of math of incoming students over time, not sure how FCAG got the numbers for classes of 2020 and 2021, maybe FOIA?

But yeah, there were less-and-less kids admitted with only Algebra 1 in 8th with that downward trend as far back as 2005 at least (when class of 2009 was applying) along with a significant increase in the proportion of kids who are post-Geometry in 8th. I'm not sure how much of this is due to changes in FCPS policies/instruction that enabled kids to reach higher math sooner vs. a shift in culture of parents enabling their kids moving forward in math faster through outside enrichment or summer studies (not taking a position on whether the latter is a good or bad thing, but seems FCPS is attempting to discourage so much emphasis on such practices by not tying that advancement so closely to TJ admission chances).

TJ Admitted students who took Algebra 1 in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 61%
Class of 2009: 56%
Class of 2010: 43%
Class of 2011: 41%
Class of 2012: 26%
Class of 2013: 17%
Class of 2014: 21%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 07%
Class of 2021: 04%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

TJ Admitted students who took math beyond Geometry in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 06%
Class of 2009: 07%
Class of 2010: 08%
Class of 2011: 06%
Class of 2012: 07%
Class of 2013: 09%
Class of 2014: 10%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 29%
Class of 2021: 35%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

I think that dramatic shift toward very far acceleration in ways mainly achievable outside of school or only in a handful of MSs speaks to why the test was scrapped and new process created. I think it’s good that kids can follow the options available throughout FCPS and still qualify.

Agreed. You shouldn’t have to have outside enrichment to succeed at TJ. I do think a good number of kids at TJ have some type of outside enrichment. My kid is interested in STEM so he participates in STEM extra curriculars, camps, and math enrichment. He also does rec sports and other activities. He has friends in the math enrichment who are there because their parents don’t think that they are learning enough at school, his friends don’t like it but they don’t have a choice.

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:.

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

Around 30%

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:.

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

Around 30%

This is a lie. It's 9 Algebra 1 kids, and they all returned to base school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:.

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

Around 30%

This is a lie. It's 9 Algebra 1 kids, and they all returned to base school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS has been releasing less information about the level of math of incoming students over time, not sure how FCAG got the numbers for classes of 2020 and 2021, maybe FOIA?

But yeah, there were less-and-less kids admitted with only Algebra 1 in 8th with that downward trend as far back as 2005 at least (when class of 2009 was applying) along with a significant increase in the proportion of kids who are post-Geometry in 8th. I'm not sure how much of this is due to changes in FCPS policies/instruction that enabled kids to reach higher math sooner vs. a shift in culture of parents enabling their kids moving forward in math faster through outside enrichment or summer studies (not taking a position on whether the latter is a good or bad thing, but seems FCPS is attempting to discourage so much emphasis on such practices by not tying that advancement so closely to TJ admission chances).

TJ Admitted students who took Algebra 1 in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 61%
Class of 2009: 56%
Class of 2010: 43%
Class of 2011: 41%
Class of 2012: 26%
Class of 2013: 17%
Class of 2014: 21%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 07%
Class of 2021: 04%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

TJ Admitted students who took math beyond Geometry in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 06%
Class of 2009: 07%
Class of 2010: 08%
Class of 2011: 06%
Class of 2012: 07%
Class of 2013: 09%
Class of 2014: 10%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 29%
Class of 2021: 35%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

I think that dramatic shift toward very far acceleration in ways mainly achievable outside of school or only in a handful of MSs speaks to why the test was scrapped and new process created. I think it’s good that kids can follow the options available throughout FCPS and still qualify.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS has been releasing less information about the level of math of incoming students over time, not sure how FCAG got the numbers for classes of 2020 and 2021, maybe FOIA?

But yeah, there were less-and-less kids admitted with only Algebra 1 in 8th with that downward trend as far back as 2005 at least (when class of 2009 was applying) along with a significant increase in the proportion of kids who are post-Geometry in 8th. I'm not sure how much of this is due to changes in FCPS policies/instruction that enabled kids to reach higher math sooner vs. a shift in culture of parents enabling their kids moving forward in math faster through outside enrichment or summer studies (not taking a position on whether the latter is a good or bad thing, but seems FCPS is attempting to discourage so much emphasis on such practices by not tying that advancement so closely to TJ admission chances).

TJ Admitted students who took Algebra 1 in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 61%
Class of 2009: 56%
Class of 2010: 43%
Class of 2011: 41%
Class of 2012: 26%
Class of 2013: 17%
Class of 2014: 21%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 07%
Class of 2021: 04%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

TJ Admitted students who took math beyond Geometry in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 06%
Class of 2009: 07%
Class of 2010: 08%
Class of 2011: 06%
Class of 2012: 07%
Class of 2013: 09%
Class of 2014: 10%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 29%
Class of 2021: 35%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

I think that dramatic shift toward very far acceleration in ways mainly achievable outside of school or only in a handful of MSs speaks to why the test was scrapped and new process created. I think it’s good that kids can follow the options available throughout FCPS and still qualify.

Agreed. You shouldn’t have to have outside enrichment to succeed at TJ. I do think a good number of kids at TJ have some type of outside enrichment. My kid is interested in STEM so he participates in STEM extra curriculars, camps, and math enrichment. He also does rec sports and other activities. He has friends in the math enrichment who are there because their parents don’t think that they are learning enough at school, his friends don’t like it but they don’t have a choice.

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:.

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

Around 30%

This is a lie. It's 9 Algebra 1 kids, and they all returned to base school.

Cite please?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS has been releasing less information about the level of math of incoming students over time, not sure how FCAG got the numbers for classes of 2020 and 2021, maybe FOIA?

But yeah, there were less-and-less kids admitted with only Algebra 1 in 8th with that downward trend as far back as 2005 at least (when class of 2009 was applying) along with a significant increase in the proportion of kids who are post-Geometry in 8th. I'm not sure how much of this is due to changes in FCPS policies/instruction that enabled kids to reach higher math sooner vs. a shift in culture of parents enabling their kids moving forward in math faster through outside enrichment or summer studies (not taking a position on whether the latter is a good or bad thing, but seems FCPS is attempting to discourage so much emphasis on such practices by not tying that advancement so closely to TJ admission chances).

TJ Admitted students who took Algebra 1 in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 61%
Class of 2009: 56%
Class of 2010: 43%
Class of 2011: 41%
Class of 2012: 26%
Class of 2013: 17%
Class of 2014: 21%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 07%
Class of 2021: 04%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

TJ Admitted students who took math beyond Geometry in 8th
----
Class of 2008: 06%
Class of 2009: 07%
Class of 2010: 08%
Class of 2011: 06%
Class of 2012: 07%
Class of 2013: 09%
Class of 2014: 10%
Class of 2015: 14%
Class of 2016: --%
Class of 2017: --%
Class of 2018: --%
Class of 2019: --%
Class of 2020: 29%
Class of 2021: 35%
Class of 2022: --%
Class of 2023: --%
Class of 2024: --%
Class of 2025: --%
Class of 2026: --%
Class of 2027: --%

I think that dramatic shift toward very far acceleration in ways mainly achievable outside of school or only in a handful of MSs speaks to why the test was scrapped and new process created. I think it’s good that kids can follow the options available throughout FCPS and still qualify.

I agree with respect to the acceleration beyond Geometry in 8th. It should be noted, though, that the algebra in 7th grade track is available throughout FCPS. Even in the lowest SES schools, kids are in AAP or in advanced math and learn all of the material needed to qualify through their regular FCPS math class. My DD's gen ed advanced math class at a Title I school still had 3-4 kids qualify for Algebra in 7th.

For TJ, it's reasonable to let kids in with 8th grade Algebra if they are FARMS kids or kids who have demonstrated some other great STEM achievement. This is different from an Algebra I kid at Longfellow, who had all of the advantages, but just isn't very good at math.

pettifogger wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

But that's exactly the point, one shouldn't have to enrich if everything worked well and actual math was taught in school. There's no easy fix to that other without major changes to the system, and as a result there is no easy fix for parents with money who perceive that their child does not learn and therefore can't compete with others. This is the exact thing with many other things in this area. Consider travel sports, or music. Music in particular is really bad; very few kids can effectively learn an instrument without private lessons. Why is that? Because the schools are barely able to teach them in band or strings class at school. They could do it, but not without more resources, money, and additional music classes each week.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:.

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

Around 30%

This is a lie. It's 9 Algebra 1 kids, and they all returned to base school.

Cite please?

Hard to believe TJ has admitted 100 kids with just Algebra 1 kids. where did you get that number from?

Anonymous wrote:

pettifogger wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

But that's exactly the point, one shouldn't have to enrich if everything worked well and actual math was taught in school. There's no easy fix to that other without major changes to the system, and as a result there is no easy fix for parents with money who perceive that their child does not learn and therefore can't compete with others. This is the exact thing with many other things in this area. Consider travel sports, or music. Music in particular is really bad; very few kids can effectively learn an instrument without private lessons. Why is that? Because the schools are barely able to teach them in band or strings class at school. They could do it, but not without more resources, money, and additional music classes each week.

Most of the demand for enrichment programs leans towards the higher end of the rigor scale, as public schools have restricted accelerated learning opportunities. This has led even poor parents to gather pocket change for programs like Kumon. However, the real concern lies elsewhere. Over 6 full middle schools have students who are not receiving the minimum required grade-level math education of Algebra 1 in 8th grade. The proposed solution of pushing 1 or 2 of those students who have just finished Algebra 1 in 8th grade into TJ does not address the plight of thousands of innocent students who are lacking basic grade-level math education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:.

Do we have an idea about how many kids with Algebra 1 attended TJ the past two years?

Around 30%

This is a lie. It's 9 Algebra 1 kids, and they all returned to base school.

Cite please?

Hard to believe TJ has admitted 100 kids with just Algebra 1 kids. where did you get that number from?

State SOLs show about 100 tenth graders at TJ taking the Geometry SOL. This is well known.