Reply to Minimum math at TJ

Forum Index » Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)

Reply to "Minimum math at TJ"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am assuming the post that said “They said that regular math in FCPS would be enough” was removed because of the racist bit at the front of it but wanted to say this…

I do think kids who have not been taking enrichment in math can do well at TJ. I do think that a kid who tests into Algebra 1 in 7th grade is a kid who has a better understanding of math and is more naturally inclined to pick up math concepts quickly. I don’t think it matters what MS you are at, if you tested into algebra 1 H in 7th grade, 91st percentile on the IAAT and Pass Advanced on SOL, then you probably have the ability to do well at TJ.

I don’t think kids taking Algebra 1 H in 8th grade are in the same boat. I think those are smart kids who are ahead but they most likely are not picking up concepts as quickly and easily as the kids who tested into the class in 7th grade. I think allowing kids with Algebra 1 only into TJ is a mistake. I don’t think it serves those kids well but is in place to increase the number of URMs attending TJ. [b]The SOL numbers I looked at point to at least 6 MS that probably would not have kids eligible for TJ if Geometry is required[/b].

But a decent number of kids did participate in enrichment of some sort. DS is at RSM and really likes it. He is there because he likes math and wants to be challenged. He loves the math competition class and participating in math competitions. I would guess that a good number of the kids who are succeeding at TJ are kids who love math and enjoy the challenge. The kids who can do well but maybe are getting Bs and Cs are kids who are good at math but less passionate about math. They can do the work and figure it out but it feels more like a chore.

I don’t like the quant test because it gave a huge advantage to kids who did participate in enrichment because they were used to taking those type of tests and playing with math. And I don’t think it is fair that kids who have parents with the money and knowledge of the programs hav a huge leg up on a public good. Kids who are strong in math can do well in TJ but it is not a guarantee that it will be easy. [/quote]
Six entire FCPS middle schools are being deprived of basic grade-level math education, yet the proposed solution is to potentially force one or two students into TJ bottom tier, that too hoping less-informed parents would take the bait?

[/quote]

I would guess that the ES feeding into the MS are Title 1 schools. Those are schools that are receiving more money per student then other schools. The classroom size is smaller in K-3. The AAP score requirements are lower.

I would argue that those schools have an issue because the parents do not focus on their kids education. The parents are probably not reading to their kids as infants/toddlers/younger kids. The parents are not playing math games or doing activities that teach numbers, letters, sounds, shapes, colors, and the like. The kids are arriving at school with no academic foundation and are starting behind their peers who come from households where parents are doing all of the things listed above.

The schools can only do so much. If they child goes home with a book to read to the parents or have the parents read to them and the parent doesn’t, that is not the schools fault. Asking the schools to try and make up for 5-6 years of a lack of academic stimulation is asking them to move mountains.

Free pre-K exists for these families but many choose not to participate. After school programs exist for these kids but many choose not to participate. Free summer school and summer programs exist for these kids but many choose not to participate. I am not sure what else you think we can do or should do. That is why there are 6 MS with not enough kids to have kids in Algebra 1 H in 7th grade. Stop blaming the schools and the parents who work with their kids for the failings of the parents of the kids who are behind. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics