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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]They used to have the advanced option be math 7 for 6th graders- so the advanced students were accelerated 1 year and then went on to Algebra in 7th. However between my first and 2nd kid they changed the advanced class to 2 years accelerated and now those kids take the math 8 SOL. I believe they realized that there was more content needed before algebra that made the math 8 SOL a better predictor of Algebra success. However there has always been just the 2 options for at least 8 years.

I agree that a “mid” option would be nice- perhaps math 6, math 7 for 6th, and pre-Alg for 6th. An issue with that is that if you didn’t get into the mid option as a 6th grader can you do pre-Alg in 7th? Or are you then tracked in 6th grade that you can’t get to Algebra in 8th? And in that case would the math 6 class become the default “drop out prevention” type class.

I think the idea of most kids starting with math 6 leaves the options for many of these students to make it to Algebra in 8th- you can do math 7 to algebra 1 or pre-Alg/math 8 for 7th graders and go to Alg 1 Intensified. Also staffing wise having 3 classes makes it more difficult with the team model APS middle schools use.

I’m a parent of 2 kids who have been through both the regular and advanced pathways (one did Alg 1 intensified in 8th grade and took Calculus AB as a senior because they aren’t looking to do high STEM, heading to a top 15 ranked SLAC, the other is still in HS and taking Calc BC as a junior). Both of these kids got a perfect 600 on their 5th grade math SOL,  neither was identified gifted in math. I don’t remember MI scores though.

I also have a current middle schooler who took math 6, and will take pre-Alg for 7th. Each kid was correctly placed IMO and I think what is honestly the most important thing is to start Algebra by 8th grade now that I’ve been through the college application process. It keeps many options open.
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LCPS kids can take Foundations of Algebra in 6th grade (which covers math 7 content) and if they do well, they can take Algebra 1 in 7th grade. This progression has worked well for a number of LCPS kids. APS could offer the same option, if they wanted to. [/quote]

How does that differ from pre-algebra for 6th graders? [/quote]

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