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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have to think that MCPS has conceived of a world in which not all current compacted math students are interested in taking calculus and has other options available short of dropping out of school. So, when we got the letter for DD to take compacted math, we signed her up even though she is only "very good" at math and not fantastic at it. I trust that the school will work it out if a different route is better for her in the future. [/quote]

I am in the school system and you are not correct. As things stand now and as is clearly explained in the information sheet that was given with the decision letter, the children entering compacted math are expected to take 2 AP classes to complete their math requirement in high school. That will be fine for some of the kids, but it is really hard to know that 3rd graders will be ready for that when they reach 11th grade. In addition, teachers are not allowed to hold a child back from taking the class or continuing the class progression unless the parent chooses. Similar to the way that children would move from a 9th grade English class to a 10th grade even if they fail, that is the same with math.

I encourage all parents to accept the placement if their child gets recommended but to really watch their child through elementary to make sure that the path is correct. The easiest "Exit" place is repeating 6th grade math in middle school- but again, it is a parent decision and not a school decision. Do not expect to hear from a teacher that your child should really consider that option. [/quote]

Our decision letter didn't discuss high school requirements.  It said that after 4/5 math comes 5/6 math, and then Algebra 1 would start in grade 7. The letter is totally silent on the high school requirement. It doesn't even make sense that there would be no bail out short of dropping out of school. That would be a totally absurd policy and I don't believe they are just refusing to let bright but struggling math students fail out of high school. [/quote]

That last sentence is confusing. I mean, letting bright kids fail out. This would be an absurd way to handle kids who can't quite hack calculus. [/quote]

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