Reply to New APS Middle School Math Pathways

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]So, with the elimination of Math 7 for 6th graders, the only 2 options now for the rising 6th graders are Math 6, or Pre-Algebra for 6th Graders (SOL 6-7-8), with only the latter leading into Algebra I (intensified).

Does  anyone know -- approximately what percentage of kids are getting placed in Pre-Algebra?  My son was recommended for  Math 6.   He is strong in math and was identified as GT in 5th, but I'm sure a lot of his peers were too.   I know I can reach out to the county to learn more about why he was placed as he was, but I wondered if anyone here has more information about how many kids are in this new Pre-Algebra track.  If it is truly only for the super-gifted math superstars, then I probably won't worry about it, but if we are talking 20-25% of the class, that is a different story and I would like to dig deeper into the recommendation.

Appreciate any insights people might have.[/quote]

The math pathways you are describing have been in existence for at least 4-5 years now, based on my our family's experience.  My DD took Pre-Algebra for 6th Graders and  just finished intensified geometry as an 8th grader. Her older brothers had more options when they were in middle school and took Math 7 for 6th graders in 6th grade, with intensified algebra in 8th.

My guess is at least 20% of her classmates were also on the math track she was on.  Back in my sons' days, this track was more for the super gifted math students but no longer is this so.  If you are not happy with your son's placement you can tell his middle school counselor to switch him to the other track.  You, not the school, have the ultimate say.  Ironically, the only one of my kids identified as GT in math was put in math 6 for 6th graders.  The school was very reluctant to move him up to math 7 and we had to finally just flat out demand it.  He was bored to tears for the 3 months he took math 6.

By 8th grade it's clear that some of the kids the middle schools have put on this "fast track" don't belong on it.  My DD had more than half a dozen friends at Swanson and Williamsburg who had tutors this past year, some of them being tutored twice a week and barely earning a B in the class (not that a B is a bad grade but just that it took hours of tutoring every week to earn it).  Although my DD's teacher was reluctant to discuss in detail, s/he disclosed that there is also much more cheating going on now with this "new track." The kids don't want to look stupid compared to their peers and perhaps parents are putting too much pressure on them since their 7th and 8th grade math classes count for high school credit.

My DD was recommended to continue on this path in HS but we've requested that she step back a little.  She was upset with us for making this decision because all of her friends remain on this track but we felt like by 10th or 11th grade this math track would be too much for her when she'd start taking AP classes. She will still be able to take at least one, possibly two years of calculus in high school, if she wants.
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Me again.   Just to clarify, when my DD was a 6th grader, there no longer was math 7 for 6th graders.[/quote]

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