Reply to APS Middle School Math Pathways

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]From the class size report...

1 class of Linear Algebra/Vector Calculus at W-L with 12 students

1 class each of Multivariable Calculus at
Wakefield - 13 students
Yorktown- 24
H-B - 21

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Shit.  These schools have over 2500 students and 12-24?!?!!! That tells you all you need to know only 12 out of over 600 kids.

[/quote]

Well, the size of the senior class is the only thing that's relevant, about 500 at W-L this year and of that 12 taking the offered post-calculus class.  It seems like, regardless of how well the students are doing in 9th-10th on the accelerated pathway, the math teachers are encouraging a slower path for calculus.  I was surprised when they told me their most common path is AB in 11th / BC in 12th.  Even with DS getting a high A in Pre-Calc, that's what they recommended although said he could take BC if he really wanted to but definitely discouraged it.  [/quote]

[b]So about 2%-3% of the students stay on track for advanced[/b] math senior year.  Most of you parents (especially NA parents) are crazy...no wonder all of the Drinking and Drug use at Williamsburg/Yorktown.  This really is a race to nowhere....poor Larla and Larlo.[/quote]

Maybe that's more like what it should be. Or maybe it [i]would[/i] be a little higher [b]naturally if APS didn't push it too early on so many kids.  It will be interesting to see how many seniors are still on it in 6 years - when this year's 6th graders are seniors, since they are the first class with fewer pushed into Math 678 in 6th.[/b]

I'm the PP who kept asking about going from Math 6 to pre-algebra in 7th.  I still have a number of questions for APS; but after talking with my child last night, I've started leaning the other way back to staying with Math 7.  I think there's something to be said when the student doesn't think they're ready despite APS' criteria indicating they are, and when a discussion about math and math options brings the student to tears.  If just discussing it causes that much upset, geez! It's not worth that! Yet after our discussion, I do believe my child is more capable and better prepared than they think they are.  But maybe just not ready to be pushed or to prove it to themself? Funny, the only factor NOT a part of the placement recommendation seems to be the student's perspective.[/quote]

I'm curious how Yorktown and Wakefield teachers approach the math pathway in 11th-12th, knowing that W-L teachers are discouraging the fastest path (Calc BC - post calc math).  The middle schools can push it down as much as they want but if the HS teachers don't want to go along with it (which it seems they don't) you will still end up with a very small group in those classes.[/quote]

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