Reply to **IAAT Results- post here (2020)

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Well, I can post, not sure what difference it makes - it's an anonymous forum:

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The bigger question is what is the best placement for my child (not any child or your child.) My son is headed to ward engineering, most likely. He has specific and deep interests in software engineering, uses production level coding (not just a generic Python), and pursues his engineering activity outside school. He is good at math but not particularly passionate about it. He didn't prep, in fact I forgot the date for the exam, and when he reminded me the night before I felt like a gigantic failure, but in hindsight  I have no idea how I would have prepped him. He does math enrichment outside school (AoPS) as the school AAP program is not exactly challenging.

He is not interested in TJ.
He will be headed to an IB school.

I am unclear as to:
 - What benefit Algebra I in 7th provides, other than seemingly Math 7 Honors may be easy for him. I would want him to take math in a rising progression up until and including his senior year in HS, so he can start college with calculus fresh in his mind - the IB schools now offer IB Comp Sci or IB Econ as a math course but that will do kids a disservice, in my opinion. Even if he did take Multivar Calc, he would have to retake that in college - no reputable engineering program will accept those credits from HS or GMU. So what are we getting for Algebra I, if the kid isn't headed to TJ, even if the level is right for him? And what's the right thing to do here? [/quote]

If he is ready, it buys him a continuation of challenging and fun math appropriate for his age and interests. At any point, he can decide to scale back but I think he should not take a break because “what will he do as a senior” - it will become obvious as your son grows. [/quote]

Thank you, I myself am coming around to this perspective. I will have a call with the HS math department to see what they think of the options, but I was so put off by the enormous effort the MS teachers made to make sure no one signs up for Algebra I Honors in 7th. I can see how they have been burned by the TJ striving crowd (I myself am allergic to those), and I do want to make sure the peer group is good for my son. He will continue with AoPS as the level of instruction and challenge there is so much superior to that in the public school, and the next level there is Algebra I (there is nothing between Pre-Algebra, and Algebra I, and as I read the Math 7 H description online, it just is more pre-algebra.) The fact he showed up for the IAAT having totally forgotten about it, and got this score tells me whatever knowledge he has is solid and lasting.

Apologies for my stream of consciousness...[/quote]

Your DS should definitely take the Honors Algebra next year.  If he's going to take AoPS Algebra next year, then he will have no trouble with FCPS Honors Algebra I.  Yes, you are most likely correct that strong engineering programs will not accept the Multivariable Calc or Linear Algebra credits.  Still, those classes in college are generally very challenging, and getting early exposure to the concepts will make the college classes much easier than going in without prior background.

My take is that if your kid is genuinely ready for the more advanced class, there's no downside in taking it.  Unfortunately, there isn't a great way to determine whether your kid is genuinely ready or whether he qualified by FCPS metrics without being ready.  [/quote]

I am the PP you are responding to, and that’s exactly how my thinking is evolving. We looked last night at the curriculum for Math 7 H vs Algebra I, and he has already covered a lot of the topics in Algebra I through AoPS, so together with the IAAT I would say he is ready. One conversation with the HS math department away from making it a final decision.

To the PP who asked if you have to pay for AoPS - yes, one math class costs ~$1,500/year. Best investment you can make if the kid’s focus is math/engineering. I spend more than that on year-round swimming, sadly.[/quote]

Can I ask what AoPS stands for?  Thanks[/quote]

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