Reply to Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We got an email at 5:30 today for our rising 6th grader. He can definitely do the math, [b]im more worried about the executive functioning and emotional maturity as years progress[/b]. Can he handle being a freshman in a class with seniors? He won’t drive until senior year, how will that impact his course options junior/senior year?

This is also a year that all SOL math courses are being tied to giving mandatory common assessments within a 2 week window. Our MS algebra teachers are stressing with pacing and content expectations, and they’ve taught the course for decades. To give an elementary teacher this with no resources (because that is the FCPS way), no license to teach algebra (they have until June to complete the praxis), and no colleagues on campus to share the burden (it will be singletons on all campuses) seems like setting things up to fail.

There is an information session at the school next week, I have a lot of questions…[/quote]
This is the issue.  As well as what math classes will he take/are available for his junior and senior year.[/quote]

Most schools have math offerings for kids who take Calculus early, multivariate, linear algebra, AP Stats and the like are found at pretty much every school. The math classes would be the least of my concerns. I suspect that people will expect that these are kids most likely to apply to TJ where there are plenty of classes for them.

The executive function and ability to handle the pace would be my concern, but that is a cocnern I have for kids takign Algebra 1H in 7th grade. There are bright kids who are good in math who qualify for Algebra1 H in7th grade that it turns out to be not a good fit. Some move into Math 7H once they realize there is an issue. Some continue on and expunge the class, retaking it in 8th grade. A decent percentage continue in the class and do fine. We know kids who earned a B and their parents are happy with that, the kid worked hard and earned a B in a class that is meant for kids 2 years older. Would he earn an A if he took it as an 8th grader? No idea. We have another friend whose kid earned an A- and they are happy with that. They know their kid and pointed out that any EF issues in Algebra1 H would appear in Math 7H so why not challenge him.

I would hope that the 6th graders in the program are allowed to return to the regular AAP/Advanced Math class if they are struggling. I don't doubt that the kids selected into the class are advanced in their math skills but they will need a different type of support for a class like this. We know that 6th graders can handle the class. Many of us wish that there had been an option for our own kids but we were never offered it. That said, it is a fine line and you don't want to run a kids love of math or confidence by advancing too quickly.

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