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[quote=Anonymous][quote=pettifogger][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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: --%[/quote]

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. [/quote]

Agreed. [b]You shouldn’t have to have outside enrichment to succeed at TJ.[/b] 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? [/quote]
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.[/quote]

Would the percentage of kids in Algebra 1 in 7th drop? Sure, maybe from 15% to 10%.

We started enrichment in third grade, which was our COVID DL year. We started because the math that year was awful. DS continued because he liked it. We have asked him every year if he wants to continue and he says yes. He likes the pacing and the challenge. I think the kids who are choosing math enrichment are more likely then not kids who would test into Algebra 1 H in 7th grade without the enrichment. They are choosing to do extra math because they enjoy it.

I know that there are kids who are in DSs class at RSM who are there because their parents make them attend. They are able to do the work but they would not choose to be there. I suspect that those kids would be less likely to test into Algebra 1 H in 7th grade. Some would because they are capable of the work, they are handling the honors class at RSM, but some are struggling in the honors class, DS's class has had to push back two assessments to help kids grasp the material.

I suspect that the Algebra in 8th grade requirement is two-fold.

1) Placate the NAACP by making it easier for smart Black kids who are found at ES a bit later and don't have the money for enrichment have a better chance of attending TJ.
2) Decrease the math acceleration rat race to remove pressure from some kids because everyone has noticed the increased mental health concerns of MS and HS kids. [/quote]

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