Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When did algebra become the on-level option for 9th? My youngest took algebra in 8th as did his on grade level peers, but he has struggled terribly in math since. The worst part of it was he was stressed daily while being made to feel behind because more than half his grade took geometry +. I wish he had been able to wait until 9th because HS math has been a slog.

It didn't really "become" that. It was the on-level option for 9th from a curricular standard, including under C2.0. Accelerated options (IM, then Compacted Math 4/5 & 5/6 and AIM6 shortly after) were pushed more at that time, making Algebra in 8th or 7th something of a de facto standard.

With the shift to the Eureka (elementary) and Illustrative Math (intermediate) curricula, they kept the acceleration options (thankfully, though it has taken some doing) and added another on-ramp (the pre-packaged AMP6+ & 7+ courses). At the same time, and even before the curricular switch, they were looking to ease the push, as, even pre-pandemic, they were starting to see some younger students not handle the state-mandated Algebra test well. The rhetoric shifted, too.

So, basically, nothing has changed regarding Algebra 1 being the on-grade-level standard for 9th grade, and a majority (or the largest plurality) of MCPS students still get to Algebra 1 at least a year earlier than that (enabling Calculus and beyond for those likely college bound), but the way acceleration is viewed has certainly been tempered.

Well, this isn't entirely true. The majority at the wealthy schools take Algebra in 6th or 7th. It's as if we have 2 different schools systems for rich and poor.

I'm not sure where you draw the conclusion that it "isn't entirely true" based on a majority in some schools taking Algebra early. Re-read the post: "...a majority (or the largest plurality) of MCPS students still get to Algebra 1 at least a year earlier than that." Your valid observation (even if not exclusive to schools in higher-wealth areas) doesn't mean Algebra in 9th isn't the curricular standard. It is and has been. It just means that the exception is more common.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When did algebra become the on-level option for 9th? My youngest took algebra in 8th as did his on grade level peers, but he has struggled terribly in math since. The worst part of it was he was stressed daily while being made to feel behind because more than half his grade took geometry +. I wish he had been able to wait until 9th because HS math has been a slog.

It didn't really "become" that. It was the on-level option for 9th from a curricular standard, including under C2.0. Accelerated options (IM, then Compacted Math 4/5 & 5/6 and AIM6 shortly after) were pushed more at that time, making Algebra in 8th or 7th something of a de facto standard.

With the shift to the Eureka (elementary) and Illustrative Math (intermediate) curricula, they kept the acceleration options (thankfully, though it has taken some doing) and added another on-ramp (the pre-packaged AMP6+ & 7+ courses). At the same time, and even before the curricular switch, they were looking to ease the push, as, even pre-pandemic, they were starting to see some younger students not handle the state-mandated Algebra test well. The rhetoric shifted, too.

So, basically, nothing has changed regarding Algebra 1 being the on-grade-level standard for 9th grade, and a majority (or the largest plurality) of MCPS students still get to Algebra 1 at least a year earlier than that (enabling Calculus and beyond for those likely college bound), but the way acceleration is viewed has certainly been tempered.

Well, this isn't entirely true. The majority at the wealthy schools take Algebra in 6th or 7th. It's as if we have 2 different schools systems for rich and poor.

We were at a poor school and did algebra in 6th. Stop making stuff up. Past post have listed schools.

It's absolutely true that the "majority" placement varies hugely by school. Algebra middle school ranges from under 5% to over 85% depending on school. (6th and 7th are not split out on these reports: )
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/1155447.page

You can debate "opportunity" and "external preparation" and all that, but you can't deny the enrollment stats.

I hear WPES offers algebra 1 in 5th grade!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When did algebra become the on-level option for 9th? My youngest took algebra in 8th as did his on grade level peers, but he has struggled terribly in math since. The worst part of it was he was stressed daily while being made to feel behind because more than half his grade took geometry +. I wish he had been able to wait until 9th because HS math has been a slog.

It didn't really "become" that. It was the on-level option for 9th from a curricular standard, including under C2.0. Accelerated options (IM, then Compacted Math 4/5 & 5/6 and AIM6 shortly after) were pushed more at that time, making Algebra in 8th or 7th something of a de facto standard.

With the shift to the Eureka (elementary) and Illustrative Math (intermediate) curricula, they kept the acceleration options (thankfully, though it has taken some doing) and added another on-ramp (the pre-packaged AMP6+ & 7+ courses). At the same time, and even before the curricular switch, they were looking to ease the push, as, even pre-pandemic, they were starting to see some younger students not handle the state-mandated Algebra test well. The rhetoric shifted, too.

So, basically, nothing has changed regarding Algebra 1 being the on-grade-level standard for 9th grade, and a majority (or the largest plurality) of MCPS students still get to Algebra 1 at least a year earlier than that (enabling Calculus and beyond for those likely college bound), but the way acceleration is viewed has certainly been tempered.

Well, this isn't entirely true. The majority at the wealthy schools take Algebra in 6th or 7th. It's as if we have 2 different schools systems for rich and poor.

We were at a poor school and did algebra in 6th. Stop making stuff up. Past post have listed schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When did algebra become the on-level option for 9th? My youngest took algebra in 8th as did his on grade level peers, but he has struggled terribly in math since. The worst part of it was he was stressed daily while being made to feel behind because more than half his grade took geometry +. I wish he had been able to wait until 9th because HS math has been a slog.

It didn't really "become" that. It was the on-level option for 9th from a curricular standard, including under C2.0. Accelerated options (IM, then Compacted Math 4/5 & 5/6 and AIM6 shortly after) were pushed more at that time, making Algebra in 8th or 7th something of a de facto standard.

With the shift to the Eureka (elementary) and Illustrative Math (intermediate) curricula, they kept the acceleration options (thankfully, though it has taken some doing) and added another on-ramp (the pre-packaged AMP6+ & 7+ courses). At the same time, and even before the curricular switch, they were looking to ease the push, as, even pre-pandemic, they were starting to see some younger students not handle the state-mandated Algebra test well. The rhetoric shifted, too.

So, basically, nothing has changed regarding Algebra 1 being the on-grade-level standard for 9th grade, and a majority (or the largest plurality) of MCPS students still get to Algebra 1 at least a year earlier than that (enabling Calculus and beyond for those likely college bound), but the way acceleration is viewed has certainly been tempered.

Well, this isn't entirely true. The majority at the wealthy schools take Algebra in 6th or 7th. It's as if we have 2 different schools systems for rich and poor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When did algebra become the on-level option for 9th? My youngest took algebra in 8th as did his on grade level peers, but he has struggled terribly in math since. The worst part of it was he was stressed daily while being made to feel behind because more than half his grade took geometry +. I wish he had been able to wait until 9th because HS math has been a slog.

It didn't really "become" that. It was the on-level option for 9th from a curricular standard, including under C2.0. Accelerated options (IM, then Compacted Math 4/5 & 5/6 and AIM6 shortly after) were pushed more at that time, making Algebra in 8th or 7th something of a de facto standard.

With the shift to the Eureka (elementary) and Illustrative Math (intermediate) curricula, they kept the acceleration options (thankfully, though it has taken some doing) and added another on-ramp (the pre-packaged AMP6+ & 7+ courses). At the same time, and even before the curricular switch, they were looking to ease the push, as, even pre-pandemic, they were starting to see some younger students not handle the state-mandated Algebra test well. The rhetoric shifted, too.

So, basically, nothing has changed regarding Algebra 1 being the on-grade-level standard for 9th grade, and a majority (or the largest plurality) of MCPS students still get to Algebra 1 at least a year earlier than that (enabling Calculus and beyond for those likely college bound), but the way acceleration is viewed has certainly been tempered.

This is correct.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

"Regular" is a very wide range. Algebra in 8th is in Common Core, via compacted middle school.
The vast majority of students who attend 4-year college (26% of students) will take Algebra by 8th and Calculus in highschool (20% of students).

Those numbers are surely higher in MCPS, which still promotes Algebra in 8th as the "successful" pathway.

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/CourseLists/Index/234

Regular is the default option offered to kids who don’t accelerate. Contrary to DCUM myth, most kids on MCPS follow the regular track. And that is for algebra 1 in 9th grade, following common core standrds. Algebra in 8th is accelerated, and in 7th even more so. MCPS under Jack Smith pushed for the regular track to be for algebra 1 in 8th, and many kids really struggled. That’s why regular is in 9th.

Anonymous wrote:When did algebra become the on-level option for 9th? My youngest took algebra in 8th as did his on grade level peers, but he has struggled terribly in math since. The worst part of it was he was stressed daily while being made to feel behind because more than half his grade took geometry +. I wish he had been able to wait until 9th because HS math has been a slog.

It didn't really "become" that. It was the on-level option for 9th from a curricular standard, including under C2.0. Accelerated options (IM, then Compacted Math 4/5 & 5/6 and AIM6 shortly after) were pushed more at that time, making Algebra in 8th or 7th something of a de facto standard.

With the shift to the Eureka (elementary) and Illustrative Math (intermediate) curricula, they kept the acceleration options (thankfully, though it has taken some doing) and added another on-ramp (the pre-packaged AMP6+ & 7+ courses). At the same time, and even before the curricular switch, they were looking to ease the push, as, even pre-pandemic, they were starting to see some younger students not handle the state-mandated Algebra test well. The rhetoric shifted, too.

So, basically, nothing has changed regarding Algebra 1 being the on-grade-level standard for 9th grade, and a majority (or the largest plurality) of MCPS students still get to Algebra 1 at least a year earlier than that (enabling Calculus and beyond for those likely college bound), but the way acceleration is viewed has certainly been tempered.

When did algebra become the on-level option for 9th? My youngest took algebra in 8th as did his on grade level peers, but he has struggled terribly in math since. The worst part of it was he was stressed daily while being made to feel behind because more than half his grade took geometry +. I wish he had been able to wait until 9th because HS math has been a slog.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

"Regular" is a very wide range. Algebra in 8th is in Common Core, via compacted middle school.
The vast majority of students who attend 4-year college (26% of students) will take Algebra by 8th and Calculus in highschool (20% of students).

Those numbers are surely higher in MCPS, which still promotes Algebra in 8th as the "successful" pathway.

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/CourseLists/Index/234

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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.[/quote]
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. [/quote]

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.[/quote]

"Regular" is a very wide range. Algebra in 8th is in Common Core, via compacted middle school.
The vast majority of students who attend 4-year college (26% of students) will take Algebra by 8th and Calculus in highschool (20% of students).

Those numbers are surely higher in MCPS, which still promotes Algebra in 8th as the "successful" pathway.

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/CourseLists/Index/234