Reply to Algebra I - 7th grade expectations

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
A b+ is a very good grade.  And also, a D is still passing.[/quote]

I’m genuinely curious— why is it so bad to have a B+ in an advanced 7th grade algebra class? Seemingly concerning enough that it requires intervention with tutoring and/or outside classes. No doubt it’s an important subject. I also understand it would be ideal to master all the topics to avoid a cumulative knowledge gap, but I’m curious if there’s more to it (e.g., TJ admission?).

I have an elementary school child who is advanced, so I’m curious for future planning.[/quote]

Seventh grade is the first time most of the students in FCPS will see an actual letter grade that is backed by school work. Up until now, we have seen Teacher assigned 1-4 and everyone is pretty well aware that those numbers could be a bit random. Most of the kids in Algebra 1 in 7th grade will have had solid 4’s through ES, maybe the occasional 3. My child had one 2 back in second grade because his handwriting was horrible. We worked on it, it was less horrible, and he ended up with a 4 at the end of the year in that category. But his core grades in LA, Social Studies, Science, and Math were all 4s.

That first non-A is a bit of a shocker to parents and the kids. I would also guess that this is the first time that some students are having to work for that A, which is a bit of a shock. DS has an A in Algebra 1 as a seventh grader and says that the class is challenging, it is the first time he has described math at school as anything but boring. He doesn’t bring home much homework or seem to need to study much for tests but he is no longer dismissing the class as easy.

So there is that. And there are plenty of people on this site who have been fixated on TJ and Top 10 schools since their kids were born, a B+ is especially panic inducing for those families. People expunge foreign language grades, including As, taken in MS so that they can bump their kids GPAs by a few points because those classes don’t have the weight added from an Honors designation. And now the kid can two extra honors level classes or AP classes to boost their GPA. Yes, these people exist and they do post on the FCPS and this forum. They are a minority and I am not saying these parents are in this group just saying that they exist.

For the families that are less goal oriented, a B+ in a previously easy class with a child working at it is a new experience. A tutor to help the child better understand the material makes sense. I know people whose kids are in RSM so they get some additional reinforcement because math is not their kids strong point. The class and extra material give the kid confidence and help them understand the material better, same as a tutor in many ways.

We have been discussing study skills with DS. His lowest grade on a test is an 85%, nothing panic inducing. Our concern was that he had not bothered to review the test to see what he got wrong and make sure he understands the material for the future. We focus on effort and told him not understanding what he got wrong was an issue with lack of effort. We didn’t make him retake the test, he chose not to, but we did tell him he had to review his mistakes and make sure he understands the material. We want him to learn how to study and approach material that he does not immediately grasp. [/quote]

We know families applying out for high school. They are all trying to get their kids into the same handful of schools. If Suzy and Janie and Debbie have 4.0s and your kid has a 3.5, then you may get concerned. [/quote]

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