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Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)
Reply to "Minimum math at TJ"
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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=pettifogger][quote=Anonymous] 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] 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.[/quote] The education gap in all subjects starts at birth. Parents who read to their kids, play games with their kids, teach colors/shapes/letters/numbers to their kids start their kids off on a strong foot in K. Many of those kids pick up reading and writing in K. They are ahead in math. These kids tend to be middle class and upper middle class and rich. The parents in these groups tend to be educated and understand the importance of reading to their kids and doing other fun things that teach their kids as toddlers and in Pre-K. These families can also afford preschools that reinforce these lessons and/or Nannies/Au Pairs that work on these skills. Kids from families were the parents do not have an education or have only a high school degree tend not to read to to heir kids and do the other academic activities that prepare their kids for school. They also are less likely to be able to afford or send their kids to preschools that can help prepare their kids for school. The kids show up at K with less time spent in an academic environment and less exposure to academics. They are behind from day 1. The schools are doing what they can but they are not going to be able to fill that gap because the parents are unable to help their kids with school work at home while the higher SES families are able to support at home or hire tutors if their kids need help. 9th grade used to be the norm for Algebra 1 and a good percentage of kids in higher SES families will end up in Algebra 1 in 9th grade. If kids from Title 1 schools are ending up in Algebra 1 by 9th grade then they are on track. The kids getting there in 8th grade are ahead of the game. We have to stop expecting that schools can magically fill the gaps because they cannot. Title 1 schools have smaller classes, more Teachers, more specialists, and free summer school. I am not sure what else you think they can do. And the answer is not to hold back the kids whose parents read to them and introduced them to academics at a younger age. [/quote]
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