Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s the race to no where. Many students take Calculus 1 at universities—it’s still taught there.Anonymous wrote:I feel like I'm taking crazy pills and I'm not sure if I'm just caught up in the Northern Virginia mindset.
Our child scored well on both the Iowa and the SOL and their teacher recommends they take out for one next year in seventh grade. I'm sitting here wondering why?
I completely understand why it's beneficial for some maybe even the majority of kids to take calculus in their senior year. But how many kids are really going to benefit from taking 2 years of calculus?
So I guess my question is what's the point? Aside for taking an extra year of college math in high school, why do it?
So far I come up with it. Might look better on college applications, make college classes either easier or something you can get credit for while in HS.
I have this underlying fear that they are going to push anyone who scores well into algebra 1, so there are less kids in 7th grade honors. That allows for smaller classes and helps with the goal of Algebra for all by grade 8
+1
IMO, anything beyond 1 year of acceleration (AKA algebra in 8th) should have a high bar of entry.
It did. You used to ahve to pass the SOL advanced and be in the 91st percentile on the IAAT to be considered for Algebra in 7th grade. This year they lowered the bar to passing advanced on the SOL only. That said, that still leaves a little more than 2,100 students eligible for Algebra in 7th grade, based on the last three school years SOL results. That is under half of the kids taking Advanced Math or in AAP. So about 10% of the 7th grade class is eligible to take Algebra. Given that the kids who do take Algebra in 7th grade all pass the SOL with a high percentage passing advanced, I would say that they have found a reasonable bar for entry.
Still way too many kids. It should be extremely rare. Or not offered at all.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s the race to no where. Many students take Calculus 1 at universities—it’s still taught there.Anonymous wrote:I feel like I'm taking crazy pills and I'm not sure if I'm just caught up in the Northern Virginia mindset.
Our child scored well on both the Iowa and the SOL and their teacher recommends they take out for one next year in seventh grade. I'm sitting here wondering why?
I completely understand why it's beneficial for some maybe even the majority of kids to take calculus in their senior year. But how many kids are really going to benefit from taking 2 years of calculus?
So I guess my question is what's the point? Aside for taking an extra year of college math in high school, why do it?
So far I come up with it. Might look better on college applications, make college classes either easier or something you can get credit for while in HS.
I have this underlying fear that they are going to push anyone who scores well into algebra 1, so there are less kids in 7th grade honors. That allows for smaller classes and helps with the goal of Algebra for all by grade 8
+1
IMO, anything beyond 1 year of acceleration (AKA algebra in 8th) should have a high bar of entry.
It did. You used to ahve to pass the SOL advanced and be in the 91st percentile on the IAAT to be considered for Algebra in 7th grade. This year they lowered the bar to passing advanced on the SOL only. That said, that still leaves a little more than 2,100 students eligible for Algebra in 7th grade, based on the last three school years SOL results. That is under half of the kids taking Advanced Math or in AAP. So about 10% of the 7th grade class is eligible to take Algebra. Given that the kids who do take Algebra in 7th grade all pass the SOL with a high percentage passing advanced, I would say that they have found a reasonable bar for entry.
Anonymous wrote:I personally think it’s nuts and that there are far fewer kids truly prepared for that level of advancement than those who get it in this area. Both my kids were on that track, then ds faltered in 7th grade algebra and I had him repeat it in 8th and pulled his younger sister off that track as well. They’re both on track to do calculus as HS seniors and I think that’s fine. They’re not gunning for MIT.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s the race to no where. Many students take Calculus 1 at universities—it’s still taught there.Anonymous wrote:I feel like I'm taking crazy pills and I'm not sure if I'm just caught up in the Northern Virginia mindset.
Our child scored well on both the Iowa and the SOL and their teacher recommends they take out for one next year in seventh grade. I'm sitting here wondering why?
I completely understand why it's beneficial for some maybe even the majority of kids to take calculus in their senior year. But how many kids are really going to benefit from taking 2 years of calculus?
So I guess my question is what's the point? Aside for taking an extra year of college math in high school, why do it?
So far I come up with it. Might look better on college applications, make college classes either easier or something you can get credit for while in HS.
I have this underlying fear that they are going to push anyone who scores well into algebra 1, so there are less kids in 7th grade honors. That allows for smaller classes and helps with the goal of Algebra for all by grade 8
+1
IMO, anything beyond 1 year of acceleration (AKA algebra in 8th) should have a high bar of entry.
Impacts low-income families negatively. Others generally find ways to accelerate
+1 It makes little sense that both Grade 7 and Grade 7H both funnel directly to Algebra1 or Algebra1H. The Grade 7H kids have both Grade 7 and Grade 8 topics under their belts. They are better prepared. There is no way around this.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh it gets worse. 27 schools are piloting algebra 1 in 6th grade next year. Multiple middle schools are doing honors math for all (no more math 7, math 7 honors is the lowest option in 7th grade).
As an Algebra teacher to 8th graders who are incredibly ill prepared when coming straight from Math 7, I fully support Math 7H as being the only option in 7th grade. If you're going to push kids into Algebra in 8th, you've got to shift every grade below it to build up to that. This is where FCPS has failed in their Algebra for All initiative. They have simply told the middle schools "get your numbers up" but not done anything to actually support the kids being READY to take Algebra by 8th.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s the race to no where. Many students take Calculus 1 at universities—it’s still taught there.Anonymous wrote:I feel like I'm taking crazy pills and I'm not sure if I'm just caught up in the Northern Virginia mindset.
Our child scored well on both the Iowa and the SOL and their teacher recommends they take out for one next year in seventh grade. I'm sitting here wondering why?
I completely understand why it's beneficial for some maybe even the majority of kids to take calculus in their senior year. But how many kids are really going to benefit from taking 2 years of calculus?
So I guess my question is what's the point? Aside for taking an extra year of college math in high school, why do it?
So far I come up with it. Might look better on college applications, make college classes either easier or something you can get credit for while in HS.
I have this underlying fear that they are going to push anyone who scores well into algebra 1, so there are less kids in 7th grade honors. That allows for smaller classes and helps with the goal of Algebra for all by grade 8
+1
IMO, anything beyond 1 year of acceleration (AKA algebra in 8th) should have a high bar of entry.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh it gets worse. 27 schools are piloting algebra 1 in 6th grade next year. Multiple middle schools are doing honors math for all (no more math 7, math 7 honors is the lowest option in 7th grade).
As an Algebra teacher to 8th graders who are incredibly ill prepared when coming straight from Math 7, I fully support Math 7H as being the only option in 7th grade. If you're going to push kids into Algebra in 8th, you've got to shift every grade below it to build up to that. This is where FCPS has failed in their Algebra for All initiative. They have simply told the middle schools "get your numbers up" but not done anything to actually support the kids being READY to take Algebra by 8th.
Anonymous wrote:You are missing a critical piece of info in your quick to display statistics. There are many kids who start out in Algebra 1 and begin to falter and fail. These kids are yanked after Q1 or Q2, and so on and placed in Math 7 H midstream in the year. They weed out any faltering kids in Algebra 1 in 7th grade long before the final SOL. That’s how they achieve those high pass rates. There are many ‘outside’ trained, supplemented, and tutored kids in that subset of the student population, so this isn’t a true reflection of FCPS education at all.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh it gets worse. 27 schools are piloting algebra 1 in 6th grade next year. Multiple middle schools are doing honors math for all (no more math 7, math 7 honors is the lowest option in 7th grade).
Bummed that this is just happening now. DS was ready for Algebra in 6th grade but we didn't push it because we didn't want him to take classes at the MS.
OP: Some kids are just good at math and enjoy it. Take a look at the SOL scores below for Algebra 1. My kid catches on to math concepts quickly and easily. We found math competitions in 4th grade and he has been happily taking math competition classes and working problems for them in his spare time. He loves the activity. Math is easy for him. Some kids love to read, my kids loves to do math. (shrugs)
The kids who are naturally strong at math tend to do well in math and find ES math to be boring. Advancing them in math at their ability level means that they are learning at their pace and not forced to just wait for more negaging math at an older age. They are able to handle a faster speed. Not all of them will continue on an accelerated path. Some will drop off in HS and take classes like Calc AB stats instead of more advanced math. And that is fine. Some might take 4 years of math, including their 2 in MS, and then use the extra periods for electives. Some go on and take the DE classes in high school.
I posted this in the Algebra 1 SOL topic in FCPS.
The average SOL score for Algebra 1 H in 7th grade for the past few years:
2023-2024: Pass Rate was 100%, Passed Advanced rate 68%, Average score 526, Number of students 1,829
2022-2023: Pass Rate was 100%, Passed Advanced rate 69%, Average score 521, Number of students 1,680
2021-2022: Pass Rate was 100%, Passed Advanced rate 70%, Average score 527, Number of students 1,503
The average SOL score for Algebra 1 in 8th grade for the past few years:
2023-2024: Pass Rate was 95%, Passed Advanced rate 21%, Average score 466, Number of students 6,766
2022-2023: Pass Rate was 93%, Passed Advanced rate 23%, Average score 462, Number of students 6,635
2021-2022: Pass Rate was 94%, Passed Advanced rate 22%, Average score 461, Number of students 6,045
Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s the race to no where. Many students take Calculus 1 at universities—it’s still taught there.Anonymous wrote:I feel like I'm taking crazy pills and I'm not sure if I'm just caught up in the Northern Virginia mindset.
Our child scored well on both the Iowa and the SOL and their teacher recommends they take out for one next year in seventh grade. I'm sitting here wondering why?
I completely understand why it's beneficial for some maybe even the majority of kids to take calculus in their senior year. But how many kids are really going to benefit from taking 2 years of calculus?
So I guess my question is what's the point? Aside for taking an extra year of college math in high school, why do it?
So far I come up with it. Might look better on college applications, make college classes either easier or something you can get credit for while in HS.
I have this underlying fear that they are going to push anyone who scores well into algebra 1, so there are less kids in 7th grade honors. That allows for smaller classes and helps with the goal of Algebra for all by grade 8
Anonymous wrote:You are missing a critical piece of info in your quick to display statistics. There are many kids who start out in Algebra 1 and begin to falter and fail. These kids are yanked after Q1 or Q2, and so on and placed in Math 7 H midstream in the year. They weed out any faltering kids in Algebra 1 in 7th grade long before the final SOL. That’s how they achieve those high pass rates. There are many ‘outside’ trained, supplemented, and tutored kids in that subset of the student population, so this isn’t a true reflection of FCPS education at all.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh it gets worse. 27 schools are piloting algebra 1 in 6th grade next year. Multiple middle schools are doing honors math for all (no more math 7, math 7 honors is the lowest option in 7th grade).
Bummed that this is just happening now. DS was ready for Algebra in 6th grade but we didn't push it because we didn't want him to take classes at the MS.
OP: Some kids are just good at math and enjoy it. Take a look at the SOL scores below for Algebra 1. My kid catches on to math concepts quickly and easily. We found math competitions in 4th grade and he has been happily taking math competition classes and working problems for them in his spare time. He loves the activity. Math is easy for him. Some kids love to read, my kids loves to do math. (shrugs)
The kids who are naturally strong at math tend to do well in math and find ES math to be boring. Advancing them in math at their ability level means that they are learning at their pace and not forced to just wait for more negaging math at an older age. They are able to handle a faster speed. Not all of them will continue on an accelerated path. Some will drop off in HS and take classes like Calc AB stats instead of more advanced math. And that is fine. Some might take 4 years of math, including their 2 in MS, and then use the extra periods for electives. Some go on and take the DE classes in high school.
I posted this in the Algebra 1 SOL topic in FCPS.
The average SOL score for Algebra 1 H in 7th grade for the past few years:
2023-2024: Pass Rate was 100%, Passed Advanced rate 68%, Average score 526, Number of students 1,829
2022-2023: Pass Rate was 100%, Passed Advanced rate 69%, Average score 521, Number of students 1,680
2021-2022: Pass Rate was 100%, Passed Advanced rate 70%, Average score 527, Number of students 1,503
The average SOL score for Algebra 1 in 8th grade for the past few years:
2023-2024: Pass Rate was 95%, Passed Advanced rate 21%, Average score 466, Number of students 6,766
2022-2023: Pass Rate was 93%, Passed Advanced rate 23%, Average score 462, Number of students 6,635
2021-2022: Pass Rate was 94%, Passed Advanced rate 22%, Average score 461, Number of students 6,045
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s the race to no where. Many students take Calculus 1 at universities—it’s still taught there.Anonymous wrote:I feel like I'm taking crazy pills and I'm not sure if I'm just caught up in the Northern Virginia mindset.
Our child scored well on both the Iowa and the SOL and their teacher recommends they take out for one next year in seventh grade. I'm sitting here wondering why?
I completely understand why it's beneficial for some maybe even the majority of kids to take calculus in their senior year. But how many kids are really going to benefit from taking 2 years of calculus?
So I guess my question is what's the point? Aside for taking an extra year of college math in high school, why do it?
So far I come up with it. Might look better on college applications, make college classes either easier or something you can get credit for while in HS.
I have this underlying fear that they are going to push anyone who scores well into algebra 1, so there are less kids in 7th grade honors. That allows for smaller classes and helps with the goal of Algebra for all by grade 8
+1
IMO, anything beyond 1 year of acceleration (AKA algebra in 8th) should have a high bar of entry.
Anonymous wrote:You are missing a critical piece of info in your quick to display statistics. There are many kids who start out in Algebra 1 and begin to falter and fail. These kids are yanked after Q1 or Q2, and so on and placed in Math 7 H midstream in the year. They weed out any faltering kids in Algebra 1 in 7th grade long before the final SOL. That’s how they achieve those high pass rates. There are many ‘outside’ trained, supplemented, and tutored kids in that subset of the student population, so this isn’t a true reflection of FCPS education at all.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh it gets worse. 27 schools are piloting algebra 1 in 6th grade next year. Multiple middle schools are doing honors math for all (no more math 7, math 7 honors is the lowest option in 7th grade).
Bummed that this is just happening now. DS was ready for Algebra in 6th grade but we didn't push it because we didn't want him to take classes at the MS.
OP: Some kids are just good at math and enjoy it. Take a look at the SOL scores below for Algebra 1. My kid catches on to math concepts quickly and easily. We found math competitions in 4th grade and he has been happily taking math competition classes and working problems for them in his spare time. He loves the activity. Math is easy for him. Some kids love to read, my kids loves to do math. (shrugs)
The kids who are naturally strong at math tend to do well in math and find ES math to be boring. Advancing them in math at their ability level means that they are learning at their pace and not forced to just wait for more negaging math at an older age. They are able to handle a faster speed. Not all of them will continue on an accelerated path. Some will drop off in HS and take classes like Calc AB stats instead of more advanced math. And that is fine. Some might take 4 years of math, including their 2 in MS, and then use the extra periods for electives. Some go on and take the DE classes in high school.
I posted this in the Algebra 1 SOL topic in FCPS.
The average SOL score for Algebra 1 H in 7th grade for the past few years:
2023-2024: Pass Rate was 100%, Passed Advanced rate 68%, Average score 526, Number of students 1,829
2022-2023: Pass Rate was 100%, Passed Advanced rate 69%, Average score 521, Number of students 1,680
2021-2022: Pass Rate was 100%, Passed Advanced rate 70%, Average score 527, Number of students 1,503
The average SOL score for Algebra 1 in 8th grade for the past few years:
2023-2024: Pass Rate was 95%, Passed Advanced rate 21%, Average score 466, Number of students 6,766
2022-2023: Pass Rate was 93%, Passed Advanced rate 23%, Average score 462, Number of students 6,635
2021-2022: Pass Rate was 94%, Passed Advanced rate 22%, Average score 461, Number of students 6,045
Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s the race to no where. Many students take Calculus 1 at universities—it’s still taught there.Anonymous wrote:I feel like I'm taking crazy pills and I'm not sure if I'm just caught up in the Northern Virginia mindset.
Our child scored well on both the Iowa and the SOL and their teacher recommends they take out for one next year in seventh grade. I'm sitting here wondering why?
I completely understand why it's beneficial for some maybe even the majority of kids to take calculus in their senior year. But how many kids are really going to benefit from taking 2 years of calculus?
So I guess my question is what's the point? Aside for taking an extra year of college math in high school, why do it?
So far I come up with it. Might look better on college applications, make college classes either easier or something you can get credit for while in HS.
I have this underlying fear that they are going to push anyone who scores well into algebra 1, so there are less kids in 7th grade honors. That allows for smaller classes and helps with the goal of Algebra for all by grade 8