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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is such a poor, haphazard decision by Gatehouse. We are opting out but now my child is thinking if they should be doing it because some of their friends are doing the class. My school also did a Math 7 assessment this week to see if the kids who had qualified based off of SOL scores and iReady have an understanding of the content taught in Math 7. My child’s scored above the (75%) benchmark they were looking for. My child is now confused and I’m so annoyed at Gatehouse for putting the kids in this dilemma for no reason. There is absolutely no advantage of doing algebra 1 in 6th grade even if you want to major and do a Ph.D in math later on. Let the kids enjoy their last year of elementary school without worrying about midterms and finals! [/quote]

Completely agree with all of this. Getting ahead, just for the sake of being ahead, is exactly why some parents are salivating to have this option. It’s absurd. These kids are already ahead with 7th grade algebra, and it’s really only a few kids who “need” algebra in 6th. The majority of those few are already in outside enrichment programs and know the curriculum. They aren’t taking the FCPS A1H class to learn, it’s checking a box on the transcript, as they could pass algebra 1H without a day in class. Those are the 6th graders FCPS is used to enrolling in A1H.

With the new pilot and lowered criteria, and huge increase in 6th graders enrolling, FCPS is going to have to actually teach 6th graders, many of whom haven’t been enrolled in outside enrichment. Most of these kids aren’t ready, and frankly, there’s absolutely no advantage down the road to pushing now. I predict a lot retakes next year, and major gaps in learning after skipping pre-algebra, not to mention academic frustration, feelings of inadequacy in math, and diminished confidence. [/quote]

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