Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing pains at the beginning as a 6th grade elementary teacher adjusted to high school policies, but since October it's been going really well. DC is learning a lot. The "70% summatives" have hurt when the tests are 10 questions right/wrong online, but I teach higher level math courses and he clearly is learning the material so I'm not stressing about the Bs on assessments.

Nope because you will just expunge the grade anyway and have him repeat, right? Then you can practically guarantee an easy A next year and your kid will have an advantage from being exposed to the material already. You’re so transparent. I wish they wouldn’t allow you guys to expunge the grades. They should force you into geometry next year and so forth. Then you can get to Calculus in 10th and then what?!

Why do you want kids to have a poorer education? If you believe that taking algebra 1 a year earlier is worth it even if a student gets a B because it provides a much better foundation for 7th grade algebra than AAP 6th grade prealgebra, shouldn't you be in favor of 6th grade algebra 1 more widely accessible?

So by your logic, your child should also then take Geometry in 7th as well and then just repeat it in 8th so they have a “better” foundation.
That’s an interesting way to go about taking higher level classes. Is it possible your child wasn’t actually ready for real Algebra?

It’s a waste of everyone’s time and resources if you’re just going to repeat it the course anyway. Pre Algebra is sufficient to prepare for Algebra and has been for years.

If it really does give a better foundation, then why not?

How is it a waste of everyone's time and resources to take one class over another? It's the same drain either way.

You still haven't answered my question: If you believe that taking algebra 1 in 6th is worth it even if a student gets a B because it provides a much better foundation for 7th grade algebra than AAP 6th grade prealgebra, why aren't you supportive of 6th grade algebra 1 more widely accessible?

Repeating classes is highly discouraged, there is a reason why schools across the country stopped retaining kids in ES. There are studies showing that holding kids back or retaining kids is damaging to the child and that the outcome is rarely better for the child. A child with a grade they don’t like in a HS class retakes the class in summer school, they rarely retake the class the following year.

I would argue that a B is a good grade in A1H and shouldn’t be expunged. If you expunge a B, you are telling your child that the only acceptable grade in a High School class is an A. That is a lot of pressure and not a good signal for most kids. Pre-Algebra is meant to prepare your child for Algebra. Math 7, which is what AAP kids are taking, teaches most of that pre-Algebra material. Skipping Pre-Algebra, to take Algebra 1 H and then retaking Algebra 1 H is not a great path. You are telling your child that the grade that they earned was not good and having them retake the class. That is damaging to most kids self-confidence. On top of that, you are setting them up to be bored stiff because they will have seen all the material before but know that they didn’t score well enough to make their parents happy. Never-mind the fact that the class next year is still not going to cover the material that was skipped and is probably why your child might earn a B.

If you think you are going to be expunging the grade, drop back to regular 6th grade AAP and let your child follow the already accelerated path into Algebra 1 H in 7th grade. It is easier to say that this is a HS class and that they are doing well but you can see that they missed an entire grades worth of material so it is hard for them to learn the material in this class. You want them to have a strong foundation in math so you think they need to take the class that the school allowed them to skip to really understand the material. Blame yourself, you thought the new program would cover the pre-Algebra material in the first quarter and then start the Algebra but that was not what happened.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing pains at the beginning as a 6th grade elementary teacher adjusted to high school policies, but since October it's been going really well. DC is learning a lot. The "70% summatives" have hurt when the tests are 10 questions right/wrong online, but I teach higher level math courses and he clearly is learning the material so I'm not stressing about the Bs on assessments.

Nope because you will just expunge the grade anyway and have him repeat, right? Then you can practically guarantee an easy A next year and your kid will have an advantage from being exposed to the material already. You’re so transparent. I wish they wouldn’t allow you guys to expunge the grades. They should force you into geometry next year and so forth. Then you can get to Calculus in 10th and then what?!

Why do you want kids to have a poorer education? If you believe that taking algebra 1 a year earlier is worth it even if a student gets a B because it provides a much better foundation for 7th grade algebra than AAP 6th grade prealgebra, shouldn't you be in favor of 6th grade algebra 1 more widely accessible?

So by your logic, your child should also then take Geometry in 7th as well and then just repeat it in 8th so they have a “better” foundation.
That’s an interesting way to go about taking higher level classes. Is it possible your child wasn’t actually ready for real Algebra?

It’s a waste of everyone’s time and resources if you’re just going to repeat it the course anyway. Pre Algebra is sufficient to prepare for Algebra and has been for years.

If it really does give a better foundation, then why not?

How is it a waste of everyone's time and resources to take one class over another? It's the same drain either way.

You still haven't answered my question: If you believe that taking algebra 1 in 6th is worth it even if a student gets a B because it provides a much better foundation for 7th grade algebra than AAP 6th grade prealgebra, why aren't you supportive of 6th grade algebra 1 more widely accessible?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing pains at the beginning as a 6th grade elementary teacher adjusted to high school policies, but since October it's been going really well. DC is learning a lot. The "70% summatives" have hurt when the tests are 10 questions right/wrong online, but I teach higher level math courses and he clearly is learning the material so I'm not stressing about the Bs on assessments.

Nope because you will just expunge the grade anyway and have him repeat, right? Then you can practically guarantee an easy A next year and your kid will have an advantage from being exposed to the material already. You’re so transparent. I wish they wouldn’t allow you guys to expunge the grades. They should force you into geometry next year and so forth. Then you can get to Calculus in 10th and then what?!

Why do you want kids to have a poorer education? If you believe that taking algebra 1 a year earlier is worth it even if a student gets a B because it provides a much better foundation for 7th grade algebra than AAP 6th grade prealgebra, shouldn't you be in favor of 6th grade algebra 1 more widely accessible?

So by your logic, your child should also then take Geometry in 7th as well and then just repeat it in 8th so they have a “better” foundation. That’s an interesting way to go about taking higher level classes. Is it possible your child wasn’t actually ready for real Algebra?

It’s a waste of everyone’s time and resources if you’re just going to repeat it the course anyway. Pre Algebra is sufficient to prepare for Algebra and has been for years.

You do realize that many of the kids who are accelerated in school math have been doing exactly what you are talking about. They have been in enrichment and have been exposed to the material so it is easier for them when they see it in school. DS has been taking a math competition class since 4th grade, he had been exposed to algebra and geometry since he was in 4th grade. He has not struggled with algebra or geometry in MS. He was ready for that material in 4th grade, he never struggled with the math competition class and has always scored in the 99th percentile for grade level math competitions. He would have been fine in algebra in 6th grade because of his previous exposure.

The various math studios in the area have summer programs that introduce kids to the upcoming math concepts so that math is easier/less stressful/more manageable for kids during the school year. Some kids in math enrichment are a grade level ahead at their program which makes math at school easy.

I don’t think that taking a class at school, getting a B and expunging it is the best approach but it really isn’t that different then what some people have been doing for a while.

I don’t want my tax dollars funding that. If you want to have your 4th grader take algebra do it on your own dime. But don’t waste resources at our public schools taking a course only to expunge it and retake it the next year for an advantage. That’s bs.

I doubt people are doing it intentionally but it happens regularly in 7t grade and 8th grade Algebra/geometry/foreign languages. Kids don’t do as well as their parents think they should so they expunge the grade and retake the class. I had friends who expunged 8th grade Spanish when their kid had a C. Some parents choose to expunge a B. Some parents move their kid into the next class with a C. The option is there to allow ES/MS kids challenge themselves with a degree of safety. Fewer kids would take these classes in ES/MS without the expunging option, which is not a bad thing, but it is there and people use it how they want to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing pains at the beginning as a 6th grade elementary teacher adjusted to high school policies, but since October it's been going really well. DC is learning a lot. The "70% summatives" have hurt when the tests are 10 questions right/wrong online, but I teach higher level math courses and he clearly is learning the material so I'm not stressing about the Bs on assessments.

Nope because you will just expunge the grade anyway and have him repeat, right? Then you can practically guarantee an easy A next year and your kid will have an advantage from being exposed to the material already. You’re so transparent. I wish they wouldn’t allow you guys to expunge the grades. They should force you into geometry next year and so forth. Then you can get to Calculus in 10th and then what?!

Why do you want kids to have a poorer education? If you believe that taking algebra 1 a year earlier is worth it even if a student gets a B because it provides a much better foundation for 7th grade algebra than AAP 6th grade prealgebra, shouldn't you be in favor of 6th grade algebra 1 more widely accessible?

So by your logic, your child should also then take Geometry in 7th as well and then just repeat it in 8th so they have a “better” foundation. That’s an interesting way to go about taking higher level classes. Is it possible your child wasn’t actually ready for real Algebra?

It’s a waste of everyone’s time and resources if you’re just going to repeat it the course anyway. Pre Algebra is sufficient to prepare for Algebra and has been for years.

You do realize that many of the kids who are accelerated in school math have been doing exactly what you are talking about. They have been in enrichment and have been exposed to the material so it is easier for them when they see it in school. DS has been taking a math competition class since 4th grade, he had been exposed to algebra and geometry since he was in 4th grade. He has not struggled with algebra or geometry in MS. He was ready for that material in 4th grade, he never struggled with the math competition class and has always scored in the 99th percentile for grade level math competitions. He would have been fine in algebra in 6th grade because of his previous exposure.

The various math studios in the area have summer programs that introduce kids to the upcoming math concepts so that math is easier/less stressful/more manageable for kids during the school year. Some kids in math enrichment are a grade level ahead at their program which makes math at school easy.

I don’t think that taking a class at school, getting a B and expunging it is the best approach but it really isn’t that different then what some people have been doing for a while.

I don’t want my tax dollars funding that. If you want to have your 4th grader take algebra do it on your own dime. But don’t waste resources at our public schools taking a course only to expunge it and retake it the next year for an advantage. That’s bs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing pains at the beginning as a 6th grade elementary teacher adjusted to high school policies, but since October it's been going really well. DC is learning a lot. The "70% summatives" have hurt when the tests are 10 questions right/wrong online, but I teach higher level math courses and he clearly is learning the material so I'm not stressing about the Bs on assessments.

Nope because you will just expunge the grade anyway and have him repeat, right? Then you can practically guarantee an easy A next year and your kid will have an advantage from being exposed to the material already. You’re so transparent. I wish they wouldn’t allow you guys to expunge the grades. They should force you into geometry next year and so forth. Then you can get to Calculus in 10th and then what?!

Why do you want kids to have a poorer education? If you believe that taking algebra 1 a year earlier is worth it even if a student gets a B because it provides a much better foundation for 7th grade algebra than AAP 6th grade prealgebra, shouldn't you be in favor of 6th grade algebra 1 more widely accessible?

So by your logic, your child should also then take Geometry in 7th as well and then just repeat it in 8th so they have a “better” foundation. That’s an interesting way to go about taking higher level classes. Is it possible your child wasn’t actually ready for real Algebra?

It’s a waste of everyone’s time and resources if you’re just going to repeat it the course anyway. Pre Algebra is sufficient to prepare for Algebra and has been for years.

You do realize that many of the kids who are accelerated in school math have been doing exactly what you are talking about. They have been in enrichment and have been exposed to the material so it is easier for them when they see it in school. DS has been taking a math competition class since 4th grade, he had been exposed to algebra and geometry since he was in 4th grade. He has not struggled with algebra or geometry in MS. He was ready for that material in 4th grade, he never struggled with the math competition class and has always scored in the 99th percentile for grade level math competitions. He would have been fine in algebra in 6th grade because of his previous exposure.

The various math studios in the area have summer programs that introduce kids to the upcoming math concepts so that math is easier/less stressful/more manageable for kids during the school year. Some kids in math enrichment are a grade level ahead at their program which makes math at school easy.

I don’t think that taking a class at school, getting a B and expunging it is the best approach but it really isn’t that different then what some people have been doing for a while.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing pains at the beginning as a 6th grade elementary teacher adjusted to high school policies, but since October it's been going really well. DC is learning a lot. The "70% summatives" have hurt when the tests are 10 questions right/wrong online, but I teach higher level math courses and he clearly is learning the material so I'm not stressing about the Bs on assessments.

Nope because you will just expunge the grade anyway and have him repeat, right? Then you can practically guarantee an easy A next year and your kid will have an advantage from being exposed to the material already. You’re so transparent. I wish they wouldn’t allow you guys to expunge the grades. They should force you into geometry next year and so forth. Then you can get to Calculus in 10th and then what?!

Why do you want kids to have a poorer education? If you believe that taking algebra 1 a year earlier is worth it even if a student gets a B because it provides a much better foundation for 7th grade algebra than AAP 6th grade prealgebra, shouldn't you be in favor of 6th grade algebra 1 more widely accessible?

So by your logic, your child should also then take Geometry in 7th as well and then just repeat it in 8th so they have a “better” foundation. That’s an interesting way to go about taking higher level classes. Is it possible your child wasn’t actually ready for real Algebra?

It’s a waste of everyone’s time and resources if you’re just going to repeat it the course anyway. Pre Algebra is sufficient to prepare for Algebra and has been for years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing pains at the beginning as a 6th grade elementary teacher adjusted to high school policies, but since October it's been going really well. DC is learning a lot. The "70% summatives" have hurt when the tests are 10 questions right/wrong online, but I teach higher level math courses and he clearly is learning the material so I'm not stressing about the Bs on assessments.

Nope because you will just expunge the grade anyway and have him repeat, right? Then you can practically guarantee an easy A next year and your kid will have an advantage from being exposed to the material already. You’re so transparent. I wish they wouldn’t allow you guys to expunge the grades. They should force you into geometry next year and so forth. Then you can get to Calculus in 10th and then what?!

Why do you want kids to have a poorer education? If you believe that taking algebra 1 a year earlier is worth it even if a student gets a B because it provides a much better foundation for 7th grade algebra than AAP 6th grade prealgebra, shouldn't you be in favor of 6th grade algebra 1 more widely accessible?

Anonymous wrote:This push to do Alg 1 so early is not developmentally appropriate for most kids.

I don't see how this is relevant given that most kids aren't taking algebra 1 in 6th. The kids for whom it is appropriate aren't even all in 6th grade algebra due to how extreme the criteria is.

Anonymous wrote:Growing pains at the beginning as a 6th grade elementary teacher adjusted to high school policies, but since October it's been going really well. DC is learning a lot. The "70% summatives" have hurt when the tests are 10 questions right/wrong online, but I teach higher level math courses and he clearly is learning the material so I'm not stressing about the Bs on assessments.

Nope because you will just expunge the grade anyway and have him repeat, right? Then you can practically guarantee an easy A next year and your kid will have an advantage from being exposed to the material already. You’re so transparent. I wish they wouldn’t allow you guys to expunge the grades. They should force you into geometry next year and so forth. Then you can get to Calculus in 10th and then what?!

Growing pains at the beginning as a 6th grade elementary teacher adjusted to high school policies, but since October it's been going really well. DC is learning a lot. The "70% summatives" have hurt when the tests are 10 questions right/wrong online, but I teach higher level math courses and he clearly is learning the material so I'm not stressing about the Bs on assessments.

Virtual implementation was really bad. The clusters of students from other schools have different early release Wednesdays, MAPs testing days, etc that lead to several days of missed instruction. No communication from the virtual teacher to parents. Limited practice available with the online curriculum. My kid reads during class bc he doesn’t have more work to do and others aren’t done so they haven’t moved on. With no review of kids’ actual work, they’re learning bad habits and have gaps in understanding. I can see how an in person implementation could work but the virtual option we experienced was awful. Pulled my kid at the end of the quarter - he had an A but they were already 2 units behind kids we know in 7th at our middle school. Felt very little confidence it was going to be a benefit overall vs the Advanced math with a great teacher and Algebra next year.

I have posted several negatives regarding the implementation. One big positive, if the student is ready for Algebra, is learning better testing and math writing strategies than what they would normally. I see it as a gentler introduction to what the life in MS will look like. Regardless of the math level, I think all 6th graders would benefit from having an experience with one MS/HS level course. Maybe it is again an issue at our center, but I don’t think that students are getting properly prepared for the changes coming up in MS.

As far as Algebra implementation goes. Plenty of ES students are ready for that level of math. But, if the program is here to stay, then:
1. Math curriculum needs to be adjusted in earlier grades to avoid creating gaps
2. Algebra 1 teachers need to use sensible class policies adjusted to what is developmentally appropriate for 11 year olds. Regular Algebra 1 Honors math instruction is fine, but it is nor ok to be heavy on a more mature approach for the class (all the way down to implementing how/when the restrooms are used in high schools )

After reading all of these posts, I'm glad we passed and decided to wait until 7th. No rush on this for my family.

Honestly it is going well in our school. No kid dropped out. I think it varies by school and we are fortunate to have a seasoned teacher who has taught this class for many years. DC enjoys the class and is doing well.

Anonymous wrote:About a quarter of our 6th graders dropped out. And I agree with the PP - what's the rush, everyone?

Certain populations are all about status. It’s why they want TJ, too.