Reply to MCPS forcing Algebra 1 MCAP retake in 12th grade?

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Reply to "MCPS forcing Algebra 1 MCAP retake in 12th grade?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Seems fair. Your kid failed the test in 9th despite being in algebra 2, suggesting he was being pushed along but not learning adequately. and there wasn't an opportunity to retest until 12th.

https://support.mdassessments.com/resources/reporting/MCAP-Cut%20Scores.pdf

Beware of hyper acceleration, parents. [/quote]

In theory I agree with you.  Where if a student has a firm foundation in something they should be able to pass any sort of test that covers the material.

In reality though curriculum teaches towards the test.

That first year of the MCAP, the proficiency rate for the MCAP was like 50 percent and a lot of people across the state joked that they were going to lose their jobs due to the low numbers.

I think they've since adjusted the test and also the curriculum, which is why the numbers are better than when it first came out.

If the OP's student is a 12th grader now and took the test in 9th grade, that might've been around the time they rolled out the MCAP.  And OP's student took Algebra in 7th grade, so took it two years previously and not sure when during the school year they took the MCAP.  ie if they tested in the winter before they completed Algebra 2 and even then Algebra 2, may not have prepared them for the Algebra 1 test.[/quote]

I would generally agree.  It's easy to forget math skills.  Excpet that as a senior, the kid has surely taken the SAT fairly recently, and that requires all of this material so it should be pretty fresh.  OP--I'd suggest reaching out to the math chair and telling them that you're concerned because you heard that the MCAP tests specific processes for answering questions (a la curriculum 2.0) and could you get a practice test.  With luck, the teacher will see the absurdity of it and find a way to waive it.  (For instance, some of the tests (like US Govt) are waivable with a certain scores on the AP test.  So they may waive if your kid has a certain SAT score or something like that.  If not, have the look through the practice test to make sure they remember all that stuff and just bite the bullet and take it.  It's a requirement.[/quote]

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