Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 22:19     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
How do the regular sixth grade math class handle learning differences? My DD is very strong in Math. Some of her friends not. How does the teacher teach to all of them?
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 18:56     Subject: Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
No, because the highly cumulative nature of math suggests that if you are marginal for a math course, then you shouldn't take it. And this is especially the case if there are any kinds of special needs in play. Give your kid stronger foundations; Algebra in 8th is still an advanced track.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 18:36     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What tests are you talking about OP? I don't remember one placement test but it's been a few years.


IIRC they use SOL and Math Inventory scores plus 5th grade math teacher recommendation.


that's my recollection too. So what is OP talking about when her kid took THE test?


OP here. It was the math inventory. I don’t remember what was going through my brain when I used a definite article.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 17:52     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What tests are you talking about OP? I don't remember one placement test but it's been a few years.


IIRC they use SOL and Math Inventory scores plus 5th grade math teacher recommendation.


This. I have a 6th grader in pre-algebra this year. Mainly based on the test scores, at least coming out of our elementary.


I don't think it is necessarily mainly based on test scores. It is a mix of test scores and teacher input.

My 2E kiddo occasionally bombs tests. One of those test scores in 5th was weirdly low but kid still got recommended for pre-algebra which is how I know it is actually a holistic look, and not just based on test scores.

Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 17:50     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What tests are you talking about OP? I don't remember one placement test but it's been a few years.


IIRC they use SOL and Math Inventory scores plus 5th grade math teacher recommendation.


that's my recollection too. So what is OP talking about when her kid took THE test?
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 17:45     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You can select but I strongly recommend talking to your child’s 5th grade math teacher and the math coach at their middle school to help make that decision. Plus perhaps their case carrier at the elementary school? Understand the reasons for their recommended placement and don’t push your child just because.

Pre Algebra covers three years of middle school math in one year. It’s not easy and moves fast. We self selected after the initial recommendation of Math 6, and DC squeaked out an A but worked very very hard for it. Math 6 would have been too slow, but pre algebra was definitely a stretch. Pre-COVID there was a Math 6 Intensified but they’ve done away with that which I think is unfortunate.


In APS? Which school offered that?

I think that was the first year of covid, kids who would have taken pre-algebra took math 6 extended since they didn't finish 5th grade.


Oh my goodness I am so grateful for this comment, I will stop telling people that my middle school offered a math 6 accelerated!
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 14:31     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You can select but I strongly recommend talking to your child’s 5th grade math teacher and the math coach at their middle school to help make that decision. Plus perhaps their case carrier at the elementary school? Understand the reasons for their recommended placement and don’t push your child just because.

Pre Algebra covers three years of middle school math in one year. It’s not easy and moves fast. We self selected after the initial recommendation of Math 6, and DC squeaked out an A but worked very very hard for it. Math 6 would have been too slow, but pre algebra was definitely a stretch. Pre-COVID there was a Math 6 Intensified but they’ve done away with that which I think is unfortunate.


In APS? Which school offered that?

I think that was the first year of covid, kids who would have taken pre-algebra took math 6 extended since they didn't finish 5th grade.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 09:34     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Anonymous wrote:You can select but I strongly recommend talking to your child’s 5th grade math teacher and the math coach at their middle school to help make that decision. Plus perhaps their case carrier at the elementary school? Understand the reasons for their recommended placement and don’t push your child just because.

Pre Algebra covers three years of middle school math in one year. It’s not easy and moves fast. We self selected after the initial recommendation of Math 6, and DC squeaked out an A but worked very very hard for it. Math 6 would have been too slow, but pre algebra was definitely a stretch. Pre-COVID there was a Math 6 Intensified but they’ve done away with that which I think is unfortunate.


In APS? Which school offered that?
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 09:31     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What tests are you talking about OP? I don't remember one placement test but it's been a few years.


IIRC they use SOL and Math Inventory scores plus 5th grade math teacher recommendation.


This. I have a 6th grader in pre-algebra this year. Mainly based on the test scores, at least coming out of our elementary.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 09:28     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Anonymous wrote:What tests are you talking about OP? I don't remember one placement test but it's been a few years.


IIRC they use SOL and Math Inventory scores plus 5th grade math teacher recommendation.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 09:13     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
What tests are you talking about OP? I don't remember one placement test but it's been a few years.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 09:05     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Anonymous wrote:You can select but I strongly recommend talking to your child’s 5th grade math teacher and the math coach at their middle school to help make that decision. Plus perhaps their case carrier at the elementary school? Understand the reasons for their recommended placement and don’t push your child just because.

Pre Algebra covers three years of middle school math in one year. It’s not easy and moves fast. We self selected after the initial recommendation of Math 6, and DC squeaked out an A but worked very very hard for it. Math 6 would have been too slow, but pre algebra was definitely a stretch. Pre-COVID there was a Math 6 Intensified but they’ve done away with that which I think is unfortunate.


Yeah I agree, I have already spoken to DS’s teacher who said she would recommend him for pre-algebra.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 08:53     Subject: Re:Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
You can select but I strongly recommend talking to your child’s 5th grade math teacher and the math coach at their middle school to help make that decision. Plus perhaps their case carrier at the elementary school? Understand the reasons for their recommended placement and don’t push your child just because.

Pre Algebra covers three years of middle school math in one year. It’s not easy and moves fast. We self selected after the initial recommendation of Math 6, and DC squeaked out an A but worked very very hard for it. Math 6 would have been too slow, but pre algebra was definitely a stretch. Pre-COVID there was a Math 6 Intensified but they’ve done away with that which I think is unfortunate.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 08:31     Subject: Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
Oh, sorry, this is APS.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2023 08:30     Subject: Parent choose pre-algebra for 6th?
I think I saw somewhere that a parent can opt for a child to take pre-algebra in sixth even if the county doesn't place them in pre-algebra. Is that correct?

(I ask because DS has a 504 accommodation that states that parents should get advanced notice of assessments so that we can give DS his ADHD meds that day, but I did not get notice before DS took the test. If he didn't get a high enough score for pre-algebra I would look into asking for him to get tested again. But obviously I don't have to worry about that if I can just ask for him to be placed into pre-algebra anyway).