Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child has not done pre-algebra then you probaby want to switch to Math 8, which is the final course before Algebra. The "regular" track in MCPS, per common core, is to take Algebra in 9th. Algebra in 8th requires compacting three years of math into two.

No. The regular track (majority of students) is Algebra in 8th. Advanced students compact math in elementary to hit Algebra in 7th.

OP. My suggestion is to discuss your daughter’s placement with her math teacher or the math resource teacher. If she has some gaps, you can supplement with Khan Academy. If she really is misplaced, the teacher will know.

You are incorrect. That was what they did under 2.0. When they switched curriculums, they changed it so that it follows common core. Regular track is algebra 1 in 9th and math 8 in 8th.

The advanced track (AMP 6+/7+) has kids take algebra 1 in 8th.

The very advanced track (AIM) has kids take algebra 1 in 7th.

But the regular track is definitely algebra 1 in 9th, which is where is should be in alignment with common core.

Consider that Algebra goes on the HS transcript and the state Algebra exam is required to be passed (more or less) the same year it is taken. If your DD is ready for it (having completed pre-Algebra or feeling confident given the suggested readiness evaluation options the helpful poster provided), it should be fine. The course is standard no matter when taken (no accelerated/honors version), because of its importance as a foundation for life skills. There's no harm in waiting until 9th, unless she is aiming to complete an AP (e.g., Calculus) by graduation, which might be difficult to do without being accelerated or doubling up/taking a summer course.

Anonymous wrote:What is the standard 8th grade math option in MS? DD was placed in "Algebra" but I have a feeling it's above her level. We are new to the district. Is there a pre-algebra option?

This is the wrong question to ask. 8th graders range from self-contained intervention class to Precalculus at the nearby high school. "Normal" doesn't matter for your kid, you aren't trying to win a bet by guessing her class.
Measure your kid's ability with the resources mentioned above, and then you can ask what class other kids of similar ability are taking.

Anonymous wrote:What is the standard 8th grade math option in MS? DD was placed in "Algebra" but I have a feeling it's above her level. We are new to the district. Is there a pre-algebra option?

Do you have MAP scores? If not you will by end of October. 235-245 is normal for entering Algebra. (There is a bit of awkwardness because if a student is weak in math, it's hard to decide if it's better to muddle through mediocre performance in high math classes, or middle through slightly better not great performance in lower math. The problem with math class placement is, if your kid is good at geometry but bad at fractions, do you want to hold back a year and do 3 months of geometry you already understand, just to fail to understand fractions again because they are taught the same way the next year?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child has not done pre-algebra then you probaby want to switch to Math 8, which is the final course before Algebra. The "regular" track in MCPS, per common core, is to take Algebra in 9th. Algebra in 8th requires compacting three years of math into two.

No. The regular track (majority of students) is Algebra in 8th. Advanced students compact math in elementary to hit Algebra in 7th.

OP. My suggestion is to discuss your daughter’s placement with her math teacher or the math resource teacher. If she has some gaps, you can supplement with Khan Academy. If she really is misplaced, the teacher will know.

Go do the Khan Academy "course challenges" now and see what the results are.

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 1 is pretty typical for 8th grade; more advanced kids take Geometry in 8th. A level below Algebra 1 would be either AMP 7+ or Math 8.

How could an 8th grader be in 7+?

Anonymous wrote:What is the standard 8th grade math option in MS? DD was placed in "Algebra" but I have a feeling it's above her level. We are new to the district. Is there a pre-algebra option?

This isn't her first time around the Sun..what math did DD study last year?

Anonymous wrote:If your child has not done pre-algebra then you probaby want to switch to Math 8, which is the final course before Algebra. The "regular" track in MCPS, per common core, is to take Algebra in 9th. Algebra in 8th requires compacting three years of math into two.

No. The regular track (majority of students) is Algebra in 8th. Advanced students compact math in elementary to hit Algebra in 7th.

OP. My suggestion is to discuss your daughter’s placement with her math teacher or the math resource teacher. If she has some gaps, you can supplement with Khan Academy. If she really is misplaced, the teacher will know.

My 8th grade DS is taking Geometry. He’s been in advanced math classes when he started middle school; i.e. Pre-Algebra in 6th, Algebra in 7th, and Geometry now in 8th.

If your child has not done pre-algebra then you probaby want to switch to Math 8, which is the final course before Algebra. The "regular" track in MCPS, per common core, is to take Algebra in 9th. Algebra in 8th requires compacting three years of math into two.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 1 is pretty typical for 8th grade; more advanced kids take Geometry in 8th. A level below Algebra 1 would be either AMP 7+ or Math 8.

Thanks! I tried looking it up on MCPS site and the link is broken. I would love to see the actual curriculum.

This page has overviews of the courses:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mfGdYIfFUyP_0o7FOXDDHRq7PQOyQf0Ivq9p2Z8Dvko/edit?usp=sharing

That's very helpful. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 1 is pretty typical for 8th grade; more advanced kids take Geometry in 8th. A level below Algebra 1 would be either AMP 7+ or Math 8.

Thanks! I tried looking it up on MCPS site and the link is broken. I would love to see the actual curriculum.

This page has overviews of the courses:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mfGdYIfFUyP_0o7FOXDDHRq7PQOyQf0Ivq9p2Z8Dvko/edit?usp=sharing

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 1 is pretty typical for 8th grade; more advanced kids take Geometry in 8th. A level below Algebra 1 would be either AMP 7+ or Math 8.

Thanks! I tried looking it up on MCPS site and the link is broken. I would love to see the actual curriculum.

Algebra 1 is pretty typical for 8th grade; more advanced kids take Geometry in 8th. A level below Algebra 1 would be either AMP 7+ or Math 8.

What is the standard 8th grade math option in MS? DD was placed in "Algebra" but I have a feeling it's above her level. We are new to the district. Is there a pre-algebra option?