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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]CAPE middle school math scores.  The following schools offer algebra: Wells, Hardy, OA, Brookland, CHML, Browne, Deal, Eliot-Hine, John Francis, Hart, Johnson, Kramer, MacFarland, Kelley Miller, Sousa, Stuart-Hovson, Jefferson, McKinley, CHEC, and Cardozo.

The following had geometry:  Hardy, OA, Deal, Eliot-Hine, Sousa, Jefferson, and CHEC[/quote]

So, no overwhelming majority of schools do not offer geometry.

Here is the other thing.  You can name a course whatever you want but is it really covering what is needed, rigorous, and are the students mastering the subjects.

PP why don’t you give us the CAPE algebra scores of 4 and above for all the schools above.

[/quote]

Algebra I meets/exceeds:
Deal 92%
MacFarland 86%
Hardy 84%
John Francis 75%
Stuart-Hobson 70%
Wells 68%
Eliot-Hine 66%
Oyster-Adams 59%
Jefferson 50%
Kelly Miller 43%

The other half are below 25%

Geometry meets/exceeds:
Deal >95%
Hardy >95%
Eliot-Hine 53%

The others have fewer than 10 students so scores are not reported[/quote]

So Algebra 1 in middle school just gets you to Cal in 12th.  This is the standard track, nothing advance at all.  [/quote]

A lot of shifting goalposts here.

"Basically no DCPS middle schools offer Algebra!"
"Actually all of them do."
"Well it's not rigorous. Show me the standardized test scores!"
"9 schools have more than half of students meeting or exceeding standards."
"Well Algebra isn't advanced math anyway."[/quote]

This. Also the PP who noted that taking AP Calc in 10th is really not necessary for all kids, even those who are academically ambitious. It could be beneficial for a minority of kids who are (1) ready for it, and (2) aiming for STEM majors in college. If your kid is unlikely to be in either of those categories, it's perfectly fine for them to take Geometry in HS. They can still take Calc in 11th and do both AP Calc classes before college, which will prepare the vast majority of kids for college. In terms of college admissions, what will be most important will be actual grades in those classes, as well as standardized test scores. Outside of a handful of majors, taking Calc in 10th grade is simply not necessary.

Also, Algebra I in 8th is still considered accelerated. Standard track means Algebra I in 9th grade. Geometry in 8th should be properly reserved only for kids who are truly advanced in math. That's good! Even at a school with exclusively UMC students and plenty of resources, the idea that ALL kids, or even half of kids, should be taking the most accelerated math track doesn't make sense. Kids have different strengths and interests. That track should be selective.[/quote]

I have an undergraduate degree in math, a graduate degree in applied math, and a good career that involves applied math.

I took Algebra I in 8th, BC Calc in 12th. I did not need additional acceleration.[/quote]

Yes, PP here. My spouse is an engineer who attended an Ivy. He did the same as you and it prepared him for a very tough, competitive engineering program. He also spent two years of elementary school (in a rural district) doing this weird experimental math curriculum where they taught math by converting it to letters? It sounds insane and bad. But he recovered from that dumb idea and is a successful structural engineer.[/quote]

I bet he learned facts in science classes, though. [/quote]

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