Anonymous wrote:My oldest child in in geometry in 9th (he was in accelerated math in ES but the teacher recommended 6+ in 6th grade because of some learning issues. My current 6th grader is finishing AIM and we’ve made the decision to put him in 7+ next year after seeing too many of older DS’s friends struggling in Algebra this year. Your on level ES kid will have opportunities to get on a more advanced path in MS with 6+. Algebra in 8th used to be the advanced path in MCPS and it still is in most of the country. There’s no reason to push kids into a path that has them taking calculus in 11th grade unless they’re looking to get into very selective STEM programs in college.

News flash: kids are even taking the AP version of Calculus titled AP BC Calc in 10th grade. This IS Montgomery County Public Schools, formerly one of the best now just the largest school district in MD.

How did you find about the results? Have they been announced/posted/mailed for all schools?

As others have indicated there is place for acceleration in MS. Not every kid needs to be accelerate beyond grade level. There is nothing wrong with being on grade level. And being above grade level is not some type of brag. I for one am glad to see MCPS forcing this issue.

Do Khan or Beast Academy at home at a comfortable pace to reach their potential. You can adjust placement every year and sometimes midyear.

We were in a similar boat as you, OP. After 4th, the school said they had room in the class and offered him a spot.

Fwiw, he’s been fine on the accelerated path, but it doesn’t really seem necessary. He’s going into 9th and is taking Algebra 2, which seems crazy to me. I don’t think he’ll study math in college or anything, so not sure what the advanced track really gets him, other than perhaps being flagged as taking a rigorous course load on his college apps.

Yes MCPS is shifting a lot of kids there. It compresses grade 6,7 and 8 math into two years so students take Algebra in eighth grade. That’s one year above grade level and the advanced pathway in many other regions.. Only 1 out of 5 kids in MCPS are passing the Algebra state tests. It’s not a good idea to rush it and then your kid get poor grades in high school or has to repeat a class.

Anonymous wrote:OP here-thank you for the input. Do all middle schools offer 6+?

Yes, I believe all middle schools offer the 6+/7+/Algebra track.

Anonymous wrote:My oldest child in in geometry in 9th (he was in accelerated math in ES but the teacher recommended 6+ in 6th grade because of some learning issues. My current 6th grader is finishing AIM and we’ve made the decision to put him in 7+ next year after seeing too many of older DS’s friends struggling in Algebra this year. Your on level ES kid will have opportunities to get on a more advanced path in MS with 6+. Algebra in 8th used to be the advanced path in MCPS and it still is in most of the country. There’s no reason to push kids into a path that has them taking calculus in 11th grade unless they’re looking to get into very selective STEM programs in college.

I’m the PP who wrote the above. I meant after seeing older DS’s friends struggle in Algebra *2* this year, not in Algebra!

OP here-thank you for the input. Do all middle schools offer 6+?

My oldest child in in geometry in 9th (he was in accelerated math in ES but the teacher recommended 6+ in 6th grade because of some learning issues. My current 6th grader is finishing AIM and we’ve made the decision to put him in 7+ next year after seeing too many of older DS’s friends struggling in Algebra this year. Your on level ES kid will have opportunities to get on a more advanced path in MS with 6+. Algebra in 8th used to be the advanced path in MCPS and it still is in most of the country. There’s no reason to push kids into a path that has them taking calculus in 11th grade unless they’re looking to get into very selective STEM programs in college.

My child just finished AIM after compacted math in ES. It moves so fast. I wish we had stuck with on-level math in ES and started the acceleration in middle school. My kid has now been accelerated two years -- just seems like a lot of foundational skills were missed. They skipped SO MANY Eureka units in ES, and the Curriculum 2.0 AIM course moves fast but also has subpar curricular materials. My kid is doing fine because we supplement outside of class (particularly over the summer, when my kid does Khan, which seems to help with the missing skills from the accereated path).

OP, your child can still be accelerated in MS. There is 6+ and 7+ in middle school -- that will get your child to Algebra 1 in 8th and still be able to get to Calculus in high school. In fact, based on MAP scores and district assessments, a substantial number of students who did compacted math in ES were put in 6+ this year in middle school regardless. I'll bet their parents wish they had stuck with on-grade level math.

Anonymous wrote:4/5 on the district assessment. Overall As in math but not identified for enrichment for whatever reason.

what was the MAP score?

4/5 on the district assessment. Overall As in math but not identified for enrichment for whatever reason.

How high is “high?”

I’m feeling bummed my 3rd grader wasn’t selected for accelerated math. He’s more than capable but he didn’t meet all the metrics based on MAP scores (grades and district assessment were high) and the school won’t budge on the decision. I know this isn’t a huge deal but I do worry about him being in grade level and not having the opportunity to take more challenging classes in MS and high school since this basically locks you in on a certain path now. My DD is 9th and grade level because he has a math LD which is perfect for her but it does feel like a true separation from kids who are on a more accelerated track and you’re basically shut out of that at a young age. Anyone else feeling or has felt this way?