Anonymous
08/30/2012 09:58
Subject: Re:6th grade algebra
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Isnt the "no hs credit" the point and problem? Most kids will take 4 years of math in hs--whether they start at Algebra 1 or Algebra 2/Trig or whatevere. Pity the non-STEM hs kid taking crazy off-the -charts math in her junior and senior years of hs. There are tons of other challenging classes she could be taking then that would be more useful and more interesting.
Actually most people complain because those MS classes DO count for HS credit and are on the HS transcript. The colleges are the ones who want to see 4 years of math during the HS years.
I understand the hs transcript part, but do the ms classes count for credit? So it is possible to graduate from hs not having taken a math course during the 4 years of hs (assuming the necessary credits were earned during ms)? If so, we still need to cater to the colleges' wishes, right?
It is probably possible to to not take a math class in HS and meet MCPS graduation requirements (although highly unlikley that a kid who was that accelerated in math would stop taking it after 8th grade). However colleges are focused on what you take in 9th-12th grade. If you are advanced and enter 9th grade doing pre calculus then they want to see you progress from there all the way through 12th grade. So that could mean 7-8 math classes on your transcript.
Frankly the answer for most kids is to start Alg 1 in 7th or 8th grade. You are then on a track to take AP Calc or multivariable in HS. If you want to pursue higher level math that's what college is for.
Anonymous
08/30/2012 09:40
Subject: Re:6th grade algebra
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Isnt the "no hs credit" the point and problem? Most kids will take 4 years of math in hs--whether they start at Algebra 1 or Algebra 2/Trig or whatevere. Pity the non-STEM hs kid taking crazy off-the -charts math in her junior and senior years of hs. There are tons of other challenging classes she could be taking then that would be more useful and more interesting.
Actually most people complain because those MS classes DO count for HS credit and are on the HS transcript. The colleges are the ones who want to see 4 years of math during the HS years.
Yep.
Not to mention, it is developmentally inappropriate to impose the burden/responsibility of doing work for high school credit/a high school grade on an 11yo studying a foreign language, or algebra. It is ludicrous.
Anonymous
08/30/2012 09:27
Subject: 6th grade algebra
I have been told that colleges still want to see 4 years of math in high school regardless of what you did in MS which is why kids end up taking very high levels of math before college basedon early acceleration. OP needs to think about that when making this choice.
Anonymous
08/30/2012 09:17
Subject: Re:6th grade algebra
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Isnt the "no hs credit" the point and problem? Most kids will take 4 years of math in hs--whether they start at Algebra 1 or Algebra 2/Trig or whatevere. Pity the non-STEM hs kid taking crazy off-the -charts math in her junior and senior years of hs. There are tons of other challenging classes she could be taking then that would be more useful and more interesting.
Actually most people complain because those MS classes DO count for HS credit and are on the HS transcript. The colleges are the ones who want to see 4 years of math during the HS years.
I understand the hs transcript part, but do the ms classes count for credit? So it is possible to graduate from hs not having taken a math course during the 4 years of hs (assuming the necessary credits were earned during ms)? If so, we still need to cater to the colleges' wishes, right?
Anonymous
08/30/2012 09:12
Subject: Re:6th grade algebra
Anonymous wrote:Isnt the "no hs credit" the point and problem? Most kids will take 4 years of math in hs--whether they start at Algebra 1 or Algebra 2/Trig or whatevere. Pity the non-STEM hs kid taking crazy off-the -charts math in her junior and senior years of hs. There are tons of other challenging classes she could be taking then that would be more useful and more interesting.
Actually most people complain because those MS classes DO count for HS credit and are on the HS transcript. The colleges are the ones who want to see 4 years of math during the HS years.
Anonymous
08/30/2012 09:06
Subject: 6th grade algebra
Anonymous wrote:I think hs math credit doesn't start until geometry..
Not true, starts with Algebra I.
Anonymous
08/30/2012 08:10
Subject: 6th grade algebra
Don't get me started on the foreign language thing. It's an elective until high school, yet counted on transcript if the kid takes it in MS? Makes no sense.
Anonymous
08/30/2012 08:07
Subject: Re:6th grade algebra
Isnt the "no hs credit" the point and problem? Most kids will take 4 years of math in hs--whether they start at Algebra 1 or Algebra 2/Trig or whatevere. Pity the non-STEM hs kid taking crazy off-the -charts math in her junior and senior years of hs. There are tons of other challenging classes she could be taking then that would be more useful and more interesting.
Anonymous
08/30/2012 07:43
Subject: 6th grade algebra
I think hs math credit doesn't start until geometry..
Anonymous
08/30/2012 07:18
Subject: 6th grade algebra
Anonymous wrote:The idea of algebra in 6th grade just blows my mind. When I was in middle school (in MCPS, graduated HS in 1998), I was part of an advanced class that took algebra in 8th grade, and it was allowed to be counted as a high school credit. How times have changed...
It is still counted as a high school credit, even if taken in sixth grade. So is foreign language.
Don't get me started on that because I'll rant for quite awhile.
Anonymous
08/29/2012 23:39
Subject: 6th grade algebra
The idea of algebra in 6th grade just blows my mind. When I was in middle school (in MCPS, graduated HS in 1998), I was part of an advanced class that took algebra in 8th grade, and it was allowed to be counted as a high school credit. How times have changed...
Anonymous
08/29/2012 21:30
Subject: Re:6th grade algebra
We had the option (at TPMS) and said no. Everything I have read says that developmentally speaking, most kids just aren't ready for algebra at this age, however bright or math-y they may be. We didn't see the point of pushing it.
Our child is in high school now, doing very well - good at math, strong foundation. No regrets here.
Our child is in high school now, doing very well - good at math, strong foundation. No regrets here.
Anonymous
08/29/2012 21:26
Subject: Re:6th grade algebra
As PP said, few high schools offer courses beyond multivariable calculus (a few have linear algebra) which is a problem for super accelerated kids who take algebra in 6th grade. Giving your kid another year before Algebra I is probably ideal. A strong foundation in the basics is so important in math.
Some kids choose to take Calculus, then AP BC Calc, then multivariable to avoid that problem but it's not an ideal solution.
Anonymous wrote:My child didn't do it but has several friends that did. The problem is that you run out of HS math to take. At our school that puts them on the path to AP Calculus BC in 10th grade, Multivariable in 11th (not an AP FWIW), and for most an independent study through MIT in 12th. Some take AP Stat in 12th but most of the kids on the high track actually take AP Stat plus another math. It might be different if your DC goes on to Blair magnet and presumably has more math options. We are at a regular, although very competitive, HS. My sense of the kids who are on this track is that they are truly gifted at math. The kids who are just really good at math tended to take algebra in 7th, AP Calc in 11th and Multivariable in 12th. Keep in mind that colleges want 4 years of math in HS (not just 4 years of HS math). So stopping after AP Calc isn't really an option.
Some kids choose to take Calculus, then AP BC Calc, then multivariable to avoid that problem but it's not an ideal solution.
Anonymous
08/29/2012 21:17
Subject: Re:6th grade algebra
My child didn't do it but has several friends that did. The problem is that you run out of HS math to take. At our school that puts them on the path to AP Calculus BC in 10th grade, Multivariable in 11th (not an AP FWIW), and for most an independent study through MIT in 12th. Some take AP Stat in 12th but most of the kids on the high track actually take AP Stat plus another math. It might be different if your DC goes on to Blair magnet and presumably has more math options. We are at a regular, although very competitive, HS. My sense of the kids who are on this track is that they are truly gifted at math. The kids who are just really good at math tended to take algebra in 7th, AP Calc in 11th and Multivariable in 12th. Keep in mind that colleges want 4 years of math in HS (not just 4 years of HS math). So stopping after AP Calc isn't really an option.
Anonymous
08/29/2012 19:54
Subject: 6th grade algebra
We have been given the option of putting our child in 6th grade algebra coming from GT magnet. Would like some feedback from those whose child has done it. Our child is not particularly "mathy" though who knows what direction life will take. Challenge but by the time he is finished with HS..what level will he be at..probably more math than I ever had..maybe my future poet (kidding) doesn't need that challenge??