Reply to Can someone explain the "behind in math" thing?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I've seen numerous posts here that the kids coming out of privates in middle school are behind in math compared to their public school counterparts. But what does that mean? What level should graduating 8th graders be? Algebra 1? Geometry? Algebra 2?[/quote]

I feel the issue is not that private schools are behind. Do they practice enough fundamental skills? [/quote]

Obviously it depends on the private, but I think for the most part private schools focus on mastering fundamental skills vs. arms racing to complete calculus by high school.[/quote]

I agree with this, but it also depends on the specific private. Obviously there are more math/science focused privates. And Catholic schools - very generally speaking - have a reputation in being weaker in math and stronger at English. Our private has a lot of repetition (Saxon Math in elementary) and focuses on mastery of fundamental math, not on speeding through to get to Algebra by 7th. A lot of public school kids around me are doing 2x/week tutoring in 2nd-5th to try to get into advanced math whenever it is offered at the public. [/quote]

Saxon Math is one of the best curricula. Students who do that whole sequence end up with great conceptual understanding and great computational ability.

Which privates are using it?
[/quote]

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