Reply to Is your principal allowing math acceleration and grouping?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Under Math Pathways, the standard was Algebra 1 in 9th grade. Under Curriculum 2.0, the standard is Algebra 1 in 8th grade. How is this not "bringing up those at the bottom"?

I agree that there was a big implementation problem with Curriculum 2.0 with this year's third graders. [/quote]

Because many kids were actually doing better than the "standard".  Many kids were taking Algebra I in 7th grade and doing well.  Now only a select "few" will get to do the compacted 4/5/6 pathway which will get them to Algebra in 7th grade.  My older child had this opportunity, but my younger (actually more talented at math) will not.

If you look closely, although Algebra I is the "standard," there will still also be a remedial or lower track on which some kids will not get to Algebra until 9th grade.  see http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/math/  and look at fine print under the "courses that lead to college and career readiness" box.

MCPS has already taken many kids off the Algebra I in 7th grade pathway.

MCPS says, that by including all kids together in elementary school in the same classroom, those who were formerly at the bottom will be brought up.  But, the pathways MCPS has planned acknowledge that they will not be bringing everyone "up" to Algebra I in 8th grade.

The real question is will MCPS succeed at bringing enough kids up onto the Algebra I in 8th grade pathway (which is really college ready minimum) to justify the number of kids who have been taken off the Algebra I in 7th grade pathway.  And, will they use what is likely to be the lower achievement of these Algebra I/7th grade kids to justify that MCPS has "closed the gap"?

Stay tuned. [/quote]

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