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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is speculation, but maybe compacted math is being changed in some way due to curriculum issues.

Compacted math, covering 4th-6th grade math in elementary school, used to lead to AIM, covering 7th and 8th grade math in 6th grade, and then to algebra in 7th.  AIM was created by MCPS, and many middle schools seem to be getting rid of it in favor of the options available from the current MS curriculum provider (LearnZillion/Imagine Learning Classroom).  LearnZillion options include "6+", which covers 6th and half of 7th grade math, and "7+", which covers the rest of 7th and 8th grade math.  So if you're trying to get to Algebra in 7th grade using these options, you end up doing compacted math and then 7+, missing part of the 7th grade math curriculum.

I could see MCPS trying to adjust the elementary school compacted classes to address this, but I don't know if that's really happening.[/quote]

That’s fine, but if they eliminate ES acceleration and start at 6+ for advanced 6th graders, no one will get to Algebra until 8th, [b]which is out of step with a lot of the rest of the country and will have consequences for students in high school and college[/b].

Back in the 90s, in a different Maryland jurisdiction, we had everyone in 4th grade math together, advanced kids did both 5th and 6th grade math in 5th, in 6th grade we did pre-algebra and then Algebra 1 in 7th. Advanced kids was probably the top 15-20 percent, but I don’t actually know. It wasn’t most kids. [/quote]

No, no it won't. The amount of hand-wringing that parents of 4th graders do on this Board about the need for their child to take Algebra in 7th grade or whatever is always hilarious. Your kid will be just fine and, contrary to popular belief, the impact that their inability to take multivariable calculus by 10th grade or whatever makes you feel happy on what they will be able to take in college is nonexistent. [/quote]

I generally find DCUM's obsession with math acceleration frustrating, but you are wrong here. The only way that any kids in MCPS get to M/V Calculus is by allowing some of them to take Algebra I in 7th grade at the latest. If MCPS indeed pushes that to 8th grade (which I actually think is unlikely and believe the OP's teacher friend was wrong about), it would mean that zero kids would be able to take M/V Calculus without either doing a math class outside of school, coming in from a private school, [b]or doubling up on math in HS. 
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A lot of places offer doubling up on math (specifically algebra 2 and geometry) to their most advanced 9th graders.  It makes a lot more sense to offer it there then to push a bunch of kids into algebra 1 in 7th grade. 
By 9th grade, kids are more mature and it's easier to understand who would really benefit from the most advanced (and largely unnecessary) math track compared to making guesses in 4th grade.[/quote]

This is the advanced path my niece took in a private school (not MD). That said, she didn’t need to fit in a year of health A and B in her schedule, the tech credit, or PE at all (sports requirement). I think expecting kids to double up in math and also fit in all these other pesky requirements is really too much. [/quote]

+1  I understand that the State wants HS graduates to be prepared for a healthy and successful life, but it would be better if there was more of a wheel of options rather than you must do everything approach.[/quote]

Kids have plenty of time in their HS schedule for options.[/quote]

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