Reply to Compact Math in 4/5 vs Middle School Math

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[quote=Anonymous]Under the current practice, MCPS evaluates all 5th grade students for placement in the MS Math magnet pool, which also confers a guarantee, more or less, of placement in the most advanced [i]standard[/i] math track in middle school.  (I use "standard" because there are a few kids who end up accelerating yet more, but getting into that would derail this thread, as it has so many others.)  That would be AIM (old) or AMP7+ (newer) in 6th grade, followed by Algebra in 7th and Honors Geometry in 8th.

A student doesn't have to have been in "Compacted" Math 4/5 & 5/6 in 4th & 5th grade to be placed in the pool, but it helps with the exposure to additional concepts that leads to higher MAP scores, which are part of MCPS' criteria, along with grades and reading level.  Those criteria cover only the beginning of 5th grade (1st quarter report card & Fall MAP-M, with a look-back to the end of 4th Spring MAP-M), though, and those in Math 4/5 & 5/6 are only about a half year ahead at that point.

A student also doesn't have to be placed in the pool to be placed by the local MS into that track -- the MS Math lead should be reviewing student profiles with elementary teachers to assist them with placement decisions.  However, one might guess that that is relatively rare, and it would involve skipping 6th grade Math and possibly half of 7th (summer study may help with that).

Further, initial placement in ES accelerated Math can be changed based on classroom observation.  Teachers can recommend a shift up or down mid-year, and schools might do the same between 4th & 5th grade.

There also is an acceleration beginning in 6th available.  The AMP6+/AMP7+ courses cover 6th, 7th & 8th grade curricula in 2 years, leading to Algebra in 8th grade.  This is the path an MS Math lead most likely might choose/suggest for a succeeding Math student not having accelerated in ES, as it provides curricular continuity.

There are other possibilities, but I think this covers the issue as presented.  Remember, though many MCPS students get to Algebra or Geometry in MS, these are HS courses carrying HS credit, go on the transcript and determine the year in which the MSDE-graduation-required Algebra assessment is taken.[/quote]

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