Reply to Coalition4TJ’s request to block TJ admissions process DENIED 6-3 by Supreme Court

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Reply to "Coalition4TJ’s request to block TJ admissions process DENIED 6-3 by Supreme Court"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]I do think the bar should be raised and that kids should need to have Geometry and Algebra 1 in MS to apply, I don't think that is unreasonable.[/quote]

You mean at least Geometry in 8th? 
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Yes. I think it is fair to ask for a higher level of math at TJ, given the nature of the school. I don't think that taking Algebra 2 or other classes is reasonable. The kids who have those classes are more likely families that have done some type of supplementation and who either knew how to get their kid into Algebra 1 in 6th grade, which is not easy, or whose kids took Geometry in the summer which is less doable for Lower SES families were kids might need to work or watch siblings. The kids who have higher math when they start TJ will be able to move into different math classes more quickly. [/quote]

Geometry in 8th is reasonable if Algebra in 7th is open to anyone who elects to take it. [/quote]

+1000. And this is definitely not the case in all middle schools, and access is very limited in Prince William County.[/quote]

My kid graduated from TJ as a PWC student and had no problem taking Algebra I in the 7th grade and Geometry in the 8th grade and that was several years ago and I would assume it is easier now.[/quote]

It is some of restricted in FCPS. The kid needs get passed 'advanced' 7th grade math SOL (which is pre-algebra) and score at least 91 percentile on IOWA test (which is also pre-algebra). However, only kids in AAP or Advanced Math are allowed to take either the required SOL or IOWA test, which makes it somewhat restricted. FCPS could remove these test requirements, but I can honestly say that if the kid doesn't understand pre-algebra well enough, Algebra I HN is going to be very difficult and Geo HN even more difficult in 8th grade. My kid scored almost perfect score in Algebra I, but is barely managing an A in Geometry HN and saying its significantly more difficult than Algebra I which was a cake walk for him. However, I would still think FCPS should make Algebra I HN open to all and let the kids decide if they can handle it.

[/quote]

I believe US education system is undermining or restricting STEM education more than necessary. I am sure 13yr olds are more than capable of handling algebra provided pre-algebra is taught as default to all the 6th graders. My 4th grader is able to go all the way pre-algebra in Kumon in a span of 1.5 yrs - we only started kumon because she wasn't really doing that great at math in school and thought kumon would help. If my kid can do it, I am sure many kids could do as well. The kid needs to trust the self and teachers need to guide accordingly and we shouldn't really need Kumon or something else to realize the kids potential.

Most asian countries introduce algebra for all the 6th graders and more concepts each year after. But the big difference is, they spend the entire year on Algebra i.e., a lot of the concepts are slowly introduced and go deeper in the grades above and not dump everything in one year and expect kids to absorb all. When I was in school, we all had to learn trig, calculus (integration/differentials) , matrix algebra, transformations, statistics etc by 10th grade - I mean all the kids, no screening tests etc. [/quote]

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