Anonymous
06/04/2025 15:07
Subject: Re:Algebra 1 H Question
My DD got a 570-something on the Math 7 SOL and 98th percentile on the Iowa and she found Algebra I H to be somewhat difficult. She got an A but just barely. We would have expunged and retaken for an A- or below. No need to rush into a HS level class.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 14:44
Subject: Re:Algebra 1 H Question
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would start by understanding why taking algebra is so important to her. Is it that she really loves math and is disappointed to not take the harder class? Is it her friends are taking algebra and she wants to be in class with them? Is it that she feels like she is not doing well if she is not in the highest class available to her?
The last two are ones that you need to walk through with her. She is not going to be in the same classes, physically or level, as her friends at all times. Kids learn at different rates and have different strengths and weaknesses. It is ok to be in a class that moves at a different pace then a friend.
My main worry with the algebra 1 decision in 6th is that there are some kids who will see themselves as failing if they don't take the class and their friends do. There is a type of peer pressure to take the class that is unhealthy. I saw it in my own kids class. He has friends who tested in and probably should have chosen to take M7H. The stress level associated with algebra this year has been huge. The kids did well but they were stressed. I heard their comments to their friends about how hard the class was and how they thought they were not doing well, they have Bs. The kids who were able to say that they didn't care what other kids were doing and took M7H had a better year, but they could say that they were not interested in math and were only taking the class because they had to.
I would not enroll a kid in algebra 1 H in 7th grade without a high IAAT score, 95th percentile, and a pass advanced on the SOL. I know that there are kids who have done fine in the class without one of the two but I also know kids drop back to M7H or expunge the algebra grade and retake the class in 8th grade.
Explore why she is worried about this and unpack that. Then talk to her teacher and find out what the teacher thinks. Then make an informed choice but discuss the possibility of changing classes if algebra is not going well or causing too much stress next year.
From what we understand from her, she is worry that it won’t be challenging enough to do M7H and that would lead to her chatting it up with her friends during class. I do think some of her friends are taking algebra but we already spoke to her about not being in the same class.
Thank you for your reply. It’s def making me feel like I need to discuss further with her
She scored well on the IAAT. She will probably do fine in the class and she can move to M7H if she is struggling at the beginning of the year. If she is worried about being bored in M7H then she is likely to be motivated to do the work in A1H. It sounds like she is interested in the class. Talk to her teacher and see what the teacher says but I would ask for her to be placed in A1H.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 14:09
Subject: Re:Algebra 1 H Question
Anonymous wrote:I would start by understanding why taking algebra is so important to her. Is it that she really loves math and is disappointed to not take the harder class? Is it her friends are taking algebra and she wants to be in class with them? Is it that she feels like she is not doing well if she is not in the highest class available to her?
The last two are ones that you need to walk through with her. She is not going to be in the same classes, physically or level, as her friends at all times. Kids learn at different rates and have different strengths and weaknesses. It is ok to be in a class that moves at a different pace then a friend.
My main worry with the algebra 1 decision in 6th is that there are some kids who will see themselves as failing if they don't take the class and their friends do. There is a type of peer pressure to take the class that is unhealthy. I saw it in my own kids class. He has friends who tested in and probably should have chosen to take M7H. The stress level associated with algebra this year has been huge. The kids did well but they were stressed. I heard their comments to their friends about how hard the class was and how they thought they were not doing well, they have Bs. The kids who were able to say that they didn't care what other kids were doing and took M7H had a better year, but they could say that they were not interested in math and were only taking the class because they had to.
I would not enroll a kid in algebra 1 H in 7th grade without a high IAAT score, 95th percentile, and a pass advanced on the SOL. I know that there are kids who have done fine in the class without one of the two but I also know kids drop back to M7H or expunge the algebra grade and retake the class in 8th grade.
Explore why she is worried about this and unpack that. Then talk to her teacher and find out what the teacher thinks. Then make an informed choice but discuss the possibility of changing classes if algebra is not going well or causing too much stress next year.
From what we understand from her, she is worry that it won’t be challenging enough to do M7H and that would lead to her chatting it up with her friends during class. I do think some of her friends are taking algebra but we already spoke to her about not being in the same class.
Thank you for your reply. It’s def making me feel like I need to discuss further with her
Anonymous
06/04/2025 14:01
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
Anonymous wrote:What was her Iowa score?
96
Anonymous
06/04/2025 10:55
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
The SOL was pretty easy, according to my two very different kids (one who will take algebra in 7th, one who didn't). I would be concerned about algebra if she didn't get pass advanced.
If she loves math, and you are willing to get a tutor if necessary, then I would talk to her teacher first (do you think my kid could hack algebra next year) and then contact the MS.
If she loves math, and you are willing to get a tutor if necessary, then I would talk to her teacher first (do you think my kid could hack algebra next year) and then contact the MS.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 10:06
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:IOWA is no longer required for taking Algebra 1 HN. FCPS changed that rule.
It’s not required but that does not mean it’s a good idea to ignore the score as parents decide if Algebra 1 H will be a good choice for their specific kid. OP asked for advice after missing the main cut off level. If their kid has a very high Iowa score then it’s a better bet to push to get it reconsidered. If they have an Iowa score near 9 or below though then my personal advice is not to do Alg 1 H.
This. FCPS has been clear for years that the old method (IOWA + pass advanced) successfully predicted success in Algebra 1 H. The SOL results bear that out. If the IOWA is good and the 6th grade teacher thinks she can handle it, then she can handle it. If the IOWA isn't above the old cut score and/or the teacher discourages it, I wouldn't push it.
Fallacious. Having the current process select successful students does not mean that the process is selecting all the would-be successful students.
And the old system didn't prevent kids from struggling even when they meet the bar. Welcome tot he world of education where the measures are imperfect. But they were right more frequently then not.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 10:02
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:IOWA is no longer required for taking Algebra 1 HN. FCPS changed that rule.
It’s not required but that does not mean it’s a good idea to ignore the score as parents decide if Algebra 1 H will be a good choice for their specific kid. OP asked for advice after missing the main cut off level. If their kid has a very high Iowa score then it’s a better bet to push to get it reconsidered. If they have an Iowa score near 9 or below though then my personal advice is not to do Alg 1 H.
This. FCPS has been clear for years that the old method (IOWA + pass advanced) successfully predicted success in Algebra 1 H. The SOL results bear that out. If the IOWA is good and the 6th grade teacher thinks she can handle it, then she can handle it. If the IOWA isn't above the old cut score and/or the teacher discourages it, I wouldn't push it.
Fallacious. Having the current process select successful students does not mean that the process is selecting all the would-be successful students.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 10:00
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
The kids want to go due to peer and parent pressure and then they lie about their grades to each other.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 09:05
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:IOWA is no longer required for taking Algebra 1 HN. FCPS changed that rule.
It’s not required but that does not mean it’s a good idea to ignore the score as parents decide if Algebra 1 H will be a good choice for their specific kid. OP asked for advice after missing the main cut off level. If their kid has a very high Iowa score then it’s a better bet to push to get it reconsidered. If they have an Iowa score near 9 or below though then my personal advice is not to do Alg 1 H.
This. FCPS has been clear for years that the old method (IOWA + pass advanced) successfully predicted success in Algebra 1 H. The SOL results bear that out. If the IOWA is good and the 6th grade teacher thinks she can handle it, then she can handle it. If the IOWA isn't above the old cut score and/or the teacher discourages it, I wouldn't push it.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 07:54
Subject: Re:Algebra 1 H Question
I would start by understanding why taking algebra is so important to her. Is it that she really loves math and is disappointed to not take the harder class? Is it her friends are taking algebra and she wants to be in class with them? Is it that she feels like she is not doing well if she is not in the highest class available to her?
The last two are ones that you need to walk through with her. She is not going to be in the same classes, physically or level, as her friends at all times. Kids learn at different rates and have different strengths and weaknesses. It is ok to be in a class that moves at a different pace then a friend.
My main worry with the algebra 1 decision in 6th is that there are some kids who will see themselves as failing if they don't take the class and their friends do. There is a type of peer pressure to take the class that is unhealthy. I saw it in my own kids class. He has friends who tested in and probably should have chosen to take M7H. The stress level associated with algebra this year has been huge. The kids did well but they were stressed. I heard their comments to their friends about how hard the class was and how they thought they were not doing well, they have Bs. The kids who were able to say that they didn't care what other kids were doing and took M7H had a better year, but they could say that they were not interested in math and were only taking the class because they had to.
I would not enroll a kid in algebra 1 H in 7th grade without a high IAAT score, 95th percentile, and a pass advanced on the SOL. I know that there are kids who have done fine in the class without one of the two but I also know kids drop back to M7H or expunge the algebra grade and retake the class in 8th grade.
Explore why she is worried about this and unpack that. Then talk to her teacher and find out what the teacher thinks. Then make an informed choice but discuss the possibility of changing classes if algebra is not going well or causing too much stress next year.
The last two are ones that you need to walk through with her. She is not going to be in the same classes, physically or level, as her friends at all times. Kids learn at different rates and have different strengths and weaknesses. It is ok to be in a class that moves at a different pace then a friend.
My main worry with the algebra 1 decision in 6th is that there are some kids who will see themselves as failing if they don't take the class and their friends do. There is a type of peer pressure to take the class that is unhealthy. I saw it in my own kids class. He has friends who tested in and probably should have chosen to take M7H. The stress level associated with algebra this year has been huge. The kids did well but they were stressed. I heard their comments to their friends about how hard the class was and how they thought they were not doing well, they have Bs. The kids who were able to say that they didn't care what other kids were doing and took M7H had a better year, but they could say that they were not interested in math and were only taking the class because they had to.
I would not enroll a kid in algebra 1 H in 7th grade without a high IAAT score, 95th percentile, and a pass advanced on the SOL. I know that there are kids who have done fine in the class without one of the two but I also know kids drop back to M7H or expunge the algebra grade and retake the class in 8th grade.
Explore why she is worried about this and unpack that. Then talk to her teacher and find out what the teacher thinks. Then make an informed choice but discuss the possibility of changing classes if algebra is not going well or causing too much stress next year.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 07:12
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
^ 90
Anonymous
06/04/2025 07:12
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
Anonymous wrote:IOWA is no longer required for taking Algebra 1 HN. FCPS changed that rule.
It’s not required but that does not mean it’s a good idea to ignore the score as parents decide if Algebra 1 H will be a good choice for their specific kid. OP asked for advice after missing the main cut off level. If their kid has a very high Iowa score then it’s a better bet to push to get it reconsidered. If they have an Iowa score near 9 or below though then my personal advice is not to do Alg 1 H.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 06:52
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
IOWA is no longer required for taking Algebra 1 HN. FCPS changed that rule.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 05:57
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
What was her Iowa score?
Anonymous
06/03/2025 21:52
Subject: Algebra 1 H Question
My kid really wants to take Algebra 1 H; however, she missed passing her SOL advanced by a few points. This is really stressing her out.
Has anyone successfully managed to get their kids into Algebra 1 H? I don’t even know where to start. I know she’ll be fine either way but I want to support her in any way I can.
Any advice/guidance would be appreciated. She’ll be going to LB for AAP center.
Has anyone successfully managed to get their kids into Algebra 1 H? I don’t even know where to start. I know she’ll be fine either way but I want to support her in any way I can.
Any advice/guidance would be appreciated. She’ll be going to LB for AAP center.