We declined this offer mostly because we want him to have a good language foundation and don't want him to miss a year of it.

Anonymous wrote:This is incredibly dumb and makes no sense. These classes build on each other.

Algebra (1 or 2) and geometry can be taken concurrently because they're completely different material.

They are not completely different material, even if the schools ruin the math by trying to separate them.

Good schools teach Integrated math 1/2/3

Common Core Math 8 does not have a lot of new content. If your student excelled in Math 7 and has iReady scores that show Algebra readiness, then Math 8 is not a necessary class.

This is incredibly dumb and makes no sense. These classes build on each other.

Algebra (1 or 2) and geometry can be taken concurrently because they're completely different material.

Deal typically has a policy that students cannot take Algebra I without passing Math 8 through either the school or another accredited program first. In a few cases, such as a kid taking Math 8 through a unaccredited program, they’ve allowed students to take both Math 8 and Algebra I concurrently. The push for PE over foreign language is probably a policy coming from DCPS, not Deal.

I wouldn't want this. It's good to master Math 8 before Algebra. To do it at the same time will mean a lot of extra work to make sure everything is understood correctly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What language is he taking? Is he open to switching?

It does seem weird to me that they would have him double up in 8th grade math and Algebra 1; it’s much more common for them to double up Algebra 1 and Geometry (or Geometry and Algebra 2). I would be concerned that he’s not getting the foundation he needs for success in Algebra 1….

I know of students who have doubled up on Math 8 and Algebra I before, always when they were initially scheduled for Math 8. Again, it has to be a scheduling issue. Students don’t have to take accelerated math. They cannot have free periods.

why do they have to take both

Anonymous wrote:What language is he taking? Is he open to switching?

It does seem weird to me that they would have him double up in 8th grade math and Algebra 1; it’s much more common for them to double up Algebra 1 and Geometry (or Geometry and Algebra 2). I would be concerned that he’s not getting the foundation he needs for success in Algebra 1….

I know of students who have doubled up on Math 8 and Algebra I before, always when they were initially scheduled for Math 8. Again, it has to be a scheduling issue. Students don’t have to take accelerated math. They cannot have free periods.

What language is he taking? Is he open to switching?

It does seem weird to me that they would have him double up in 8th grade math and Algebra 1; it’s much more common for them to double up Algebra 1 and Geometry (or Geometry and Algebra 2). I would be concerned that he’s not getting the foundation he needs for success in Algebra 1….

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they have to take 2 math classes? Why can’t they just take Algebra?

+1

It makes absolutely no sense to take two different levels of math class simultaneously. I would do everything in my power to ensure my child was ONLY enrolled in the higher level math course. It shouldn’t even be up for discussion for them to drop language or choose to not receive the adequate level of instruction.

It’s almost certainly a scheduling issue. If you think language is vital, the kid has to stay in Math 8 and do Algebra I next year, because if he moves to A1 there’s no language class that fits his schedule. (And understandably the school doesn’t want students to have free periods for wandering the halls.)

Anonymous wrote:Why do they have to take 2 math classes? Why can’t they just take Algebra?

+1

It makes absolutely no sense to take two different levels of math class simultaneously. I would do everything in my power to ensure my child was ONLY enrolled in the higher level math course. It shouldn’t even be up for discussion for them to drop language or choose to not receive the adequate level of instruction.

Why do they have to take 2 math classes? Why can’t they just take Algebra?

Anonymous wrote:in prior years kid at deal who took 2 math classes were allowed to skip the PE/Art/Music period, but foreign language was still required. Is that an option?

I wish!!! The note with the invitation said since PE is mandatory, they can't skip the PE/Art/Music. Would def be ideal since my kid does stuff outside of school (but I know not all kids can)

in prior years kid at deal who took 2 math classes were allowed to skip the PE/Art/Music period, but foreign language was still required. Is that an option?

My kid can was offered a chance to take algebra, on top of regular math. But then had to skip their language class :/. And we have to decide in two days. Inclined to keep the language. Kid is very torn. Annoyed at school for lobbing this over without much info or notice. Or figuring out a way to keep language as an option to join the big 8th grade trip on a year. Good problem to have, but still…