Reply to Algebra 1 - In 6th Grade

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It’s absolutely bonkers to waste valuable resources on algebra in 6th grade when they can just take it in 7th.[/quote]

I think the pilot is including far more students than it should but there have been and will continue to be kids who are ready for Algebra 1 in 6th grade, there should be a way of offering Algebra 1 to kids who are ready across the county, not just at the 20 or so schools that made it work. Does that mean that we need 700 kids in the pilot program? No. But if they set the standard based on SOL scores and iReady and there were 700 kids who meet the set threshold, then you let the parents decide if the kid is ready or not. You don't principal place kids into the class. I would argue that you need to have a threshold for returning a kid to 6th grade AAP math that parents cannot challenge. 
 
[b]What some people miss is that the kids in AoPS and RSM are taking those classes because math at school is slow and they are not challenged. Enrichment is a method for keeping a kid capable of more engaged.[/b] DS moved into RSM in 4th grade because the math at school was not engaging. He ended up in the 5th grade math class at RSM as a 4th grader because he was ready for that material. The Math competition class has been challenging and fun for him. Are there kids at RSM and AoPS whose parents place them there because they want to make sure that their kid is selected for classes like A1H as soon as possible? Sure, but it is not every kid. I would argue that it is actually not even the majority of kids. I doubt that the kids in the regular and middle tier of classes at RSM are taking A1H in 6th grade or even in 7th grade.

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This is what parents like to say but we all know it’s gaming the system. These are the Tesla driving, TJ wannabes. They also want the math competitions bc that looks good for TJ. They don’t allow their kids to have a minute’s rest. At school all day and then onto math enrichment. You should see what they do in the summer. I know a family that has their kid get up at 7:30 am on weekend to start homework.[/quote]

I don't know why parents are still so obsessed with TJ anyways. It does not give your DC an advantage anymore in college admissions. Look at the acceptance rate -- universities are only taking certain percentages from magnet schools. In the 90's TJ was a guarantee admission to VT or UVA and a strong chance at Ivy's, now not so much. It's admittance rate is barely above any other Fairfax County high school, but the amount of work, stress and heartache is unbelievable. Not worth it at all. [/quote]

The classes offered at TJ are amazing and some kids really want to be with other kids who love math and science. They are less worried about what college they go to because the know that they are still going to go to a strong school because of the course load that they have and what they will offer. The TJ presentations are very clear that there will be kids who could attend a higher ranked college if they attend TJ but kids apply and go. I would guess most of them are comfortable that with hard work they will end up with a strong GPA and be able to attend a great school. 
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