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I think this is off too.  Going from 260s to 290s while they are at home doing normal 3-5th grade homework and maybe some supplement just wouldn’t happen.  I can’t imagine the type of out school work a kid would be doing to have these gains.  My child has ranged from high 250s-low 260s in 3,4, and now 5th grade.  So it is clear he has a high level of math skill but also hasn’t been learning anything new in a long time.  We try at home, but we our best at home, it isn’t enough.  I think ultimately he would benefit from being in an actual math class at school that is teaching him new material, which is why I’m considering alg I in 6th grade.  I expect it to be a mix of some review and some new material. [/quote]

From my experience: our child scored 275 on NWEA MAP 2-5 in 4th grade (due to Covid acceleration), got a raw 60/60 on the IAAT in 5th grade, perfect SOL - they're now completing Algebra I in sixth grade.
Although only about 2.5% of their cohort was admitted to Algebra in 6th grade, it's clear that some of the other kids shouldn't be there and a dragging down the level of instruction compared to what could be done. (They score 80-90% on tests that allow Desmos...)

Unfortunately, if I were you, I'd still be pushing for Algebra in 6th grade for the alternative of more school-level prealgebra is worse and a waste of time.

But I would have my child go deeper in prep: make sure they're at the mastery level of all Alcumus Prealgebra subjects, and potentially pay for them to take the online version of Prealgebra 1 + 2 at AoPS (or the in-person version if you can afford the money and logistics). We also did their Algebra A course when our child was in 5th grade. Then school-level Algebra I will indeed be mostly review and they can focus on working ahead on the Geometry and Intermediate Algebra, which we're addressing now.

Also make sure they participate in AMC-8, Math Kangaroo, and Mathcounts and engage in regular practice there.
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It seems you essentially homeschool your child. Not sure why he’s taking 6th grade Algebra at this point, maybe for credit or because it’s the most accelerated path available at the school.

What is really rubbing me the wrong way is how you claim the other kids scoring in the 80-90% don’t belong to that class, when in fact it’s your own child that doesn’t belong there having already completed the material. You have the expectation that 6th grade algebra should somehow be modified to match your child’s level and not the level of the other students in the class that were placed appropriately.

Kudos to the kids that work hard, but sometimes the parents of these children are so insufferable and disparage other kids when most likely there are equally as bright, but just don’t have the early exposure to accelerate them along the math pathway.
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The 6th graders in algebra should do better than that, and are elsewhere the top students in the class.[/quote]

Meanwhile, at title one schools students are denied these opportunities despite being the top students in their class[/quote]

No they are not.  Title one schools all offer algebra I, typically to 8th graders, where there is low participation anyhow.  The amount of 6th graders that could qualify to take it are very very few, probably one every few yrs. There are few 6th graders doing this even in the best districts. Majority of schools would have zero issue putting a 6th grader in it since there is so little demand and it is an easy accommodation.  [/quote]

Oh really? That is NOT TRUE. Please name a single title-1 school that offers Pre-Algebra to 5th graders like the wealthy elemenataries. Some wealthy MS offer Algebra 1 to any 6th graders who score over 250 on their 5th grade MAP-M. Well, DC scored over 250 on the same test in 3rd grade. I remember asking the principal of our title-1 school if there was anything they could offer them since they were not challenged. They said sorry we don't offer that here.[/quote]

Why are you so stuck on the principle not recognizing you child’s greatness from the 3rd grade MAP test taken years ago? You seem to make it your purpose in life to bring up how you were wronged on every DCUM algebra thread. I honestly feel sorry for you, even more so for your child. Quit the victim mentality and move on with your life for the sake of your child.[/quote]

Not the PP but what's it to you? Why does this seem to bother you so much? Feel guilty for opportunity hoarding?[/quote]

I genuinely feel bad for her child, and she needs to hear from someone. Victim mentality is a terrible thing to model for a child. Even if the child could have handled it, it’s not the end of the world the school didn’t accommodate Algebra 1 in 6th. Brooding over this perceived missed opportunity for years is just toxic for the child.[/quote]

I think they're lucky their parent would fight this injustice and stand up to privilege to ensure others have equal opportunity! [b]By your logic, MLK had a victim mentality and you'd shame him for fighting for equal rights[/b].[/quote]

Burned en good! LOL but hard to sympathize with posters advocating for opportunity awarding and keeping down the poor[/quote]

It is difficult to comprehend why this mean-spirited poster would criticize a low-income parent at a Title 1 school who is doing their best to support their gifted child. From my perspective, their efforts are truly admirable. The comparison to MLK was accurate, and it is misguided to shame for standing up for equal opportunity and downright fairness![/quote]

It is disgusting how they're so desperate to keep others down especially a parent trying to do the best they can for their kids under difficult circumstances.[/quote]

Who is trying to keep the poor down? You’re so incoherent. Are you proposing something along the lines if a student scores 250 on MAP they are automatically enrolled in Algebra 1? First of all, it depends on the version, according to NWEA, 235 on MAP 6+ indicates Algebra readiness and tests pre-Algebra concepts. Spend some time figuring out what tests your school uses for placement and do your research. If you have a test result in hand you can even call NWEA to give you an explanation of the results. Then the school looks at multiple measures, the student doesn’t just show up in 6th with a map score to sign up for algebra, he needs to show mastery of pre-algebra. Districts have public math placement policies, start there. Individual schools may have some room to implement their own policies depending on teacher qualifications, the demographics of the students they serve etc. Most schools, even Title 1, do have something in place for the gifted students.

If you don’t like the current state of affairs, and how the school is satisfying the needs of your child education, I suggest you petition the district and the school board. It doesn’t really help being hysterical on anonymous forums, does it?[/quote]

Oh good God, I’m a different poster but your post couldn’t be more patronizing. What you are missing is that in MCPS some schools - like the magnet middle schools - WILL NOT accelerate a student without having taken AIM (pre algebra). We clearly understand MAP better than you do and it doesn’t matter. They WILL NOT allow it. For kids in the magnet program the ethos is that you go deeper rather than speed up the process. No one is taking 6th grade MAP in 5th grade , it simply doesn’t happen so your patronizing lecture is completely unnecessary and off base.[/quote]

Oh good... you understand that the magnet program is a choice and it's not actually deeper despite you pretending it is.  The MAP changes when kids hit Algebra.  If you prefer your child to do Algebra in 6th you can always keep them at their home school or lottery into a school that has it.  Problem solved.  How do you really think they are going deeper?  Its all the same - a one year course in AIM.[/quote]

I’ve had two kids in the magnet. It is certainly deeper than the regular advanced curriculum. Given that I have actual experience with it and you clearly don’t, go ahead and believe what you want.[/quote]

My 12-year-old in magnet Algebra is studying rings and fields. These topics don't normally come up in MS math so I believe it goes deeper.[/quote]

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