Reply to Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]6th AAP teacher here. Some schools are piloting this. Some are doing virtual and some are making teachers teach it and they have a year to get certified. It is a mix of all school types doing this. I teach AAP math and am certified in Algebra 1 but our school is not a pilot.

Personally, I don’t agree with this pilot. Are there kids ready to tackle Algebra 1 as a 6th grader? Yes, but the percentage is very small. Not enough to warrant this full blown pilot in 15-20 schools. [/quote]

I posted my kids scores, he should have had the chance to take Algebra in 6th grade but it wasn’t an option. I think that having the class as an option at Center schools where there are enough kids to make a class is appropriate. My concern is that parents will push to get their kid in the class when they are not ready. I wish this had been an option for my kid. [/quote]

I don't think most parents view it this way.  I certainly am not viewing it as a "push".  My kid got selected (Haycock) and I'm looking to opt out.  However, I've also made it clear to my kid that my expectation is that she will get an A in the course and if the teaching is poor or she's struggling, not to sweat it.  We will withdraw and expunge the grade.  It's not that big of a deal.  If they do great, fine.  If they don't, they get a taste of what 7th grade Alg 1 HN will be like.  [/quote]

Did they share the name of the teacher? Are they bringing some from Longfellow?
[/quote]

I've asked and I think more Haycock parents should ask.  As many noted on this thread, parents need to opt out by next Friday and in order to make an informed decision, we need much more info than what has been provided.  (1) Is the teacher certified to teach Alg I HN?  (2) Has the teacher ever taught Alg I HN?  (3) Does the teacher intend to use the county's pre-designed testing protocol for all summative grades or develop his/her own testing?  (4) Are high school level retesting policy in place?  (5) Will Haycock's teacher provide a briefing for parents prior to the opt out date.

And many more...[/quote]

I do not have a 6th grader in FCPS.  A couple of weeks ago, I happened to be at an event where Dr. Reid was present and a group of us were talking to her about boundaries and programs at the high school level.  During the conversation, she mentioned trying to bring Algebra to 6th graders and the challenges she's facing.  I got the impression that she is the one pushing for this.  If you've been following the boundary issue, she wants 6-8 middle schools and not 7-8 with a major driver giving 6th graders access to Algebra.  She did say they were going to be piloting Algebra in several elementary schools and they were lucky to have at least one teacher who was certified and experienced at teaching Algebra 1.  But that this teacher was definitely a "unicorn" - she used that exact word.  She didn't say what school.

In a nutshell, I think its Dr. Reid pushing this.[/quote]

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