Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's the thing.

My kid is in 6th grade in FCPS. She is already taking adv. math -- where she will take the Math 7 SOL this spring. If we move this summer to LCPS, it sounds like she would have to take Math 8 (which is apparently remedial).

It seems strange that she would go from being in the "advanced" group of kids in FCPS to suddenly being with the remedial kids in LCPS!

Could she just take Math 7 Honors in LCPS and not take any SOL since she will have already taken it? Sounds like the content is supposed to prepare her for Algebra based on the comment that only remedial kids are taking math 8 in LCPS.

From what I understand from reading the guide (my kid is in 5th), there is no Math 7 honors. If your DD did well in honors Math 7 in FCPS, then she should do Algebra 1 next year.

The Math 6/7 -> Algebra 1 path is not a super elite group in LCPS. It is just the standard honors track for bright kids. Most bright 5th graders are recommended for Math 6/7.

So then the standard LCPS math skip is in grade 6 whereas in FCPS it's in grade 3.

no grade 5 in fairfax AAP

Can a kid go into Geometry 1 from Math 6-7 in Middle School?

OP here -- I found this and wanted to share in case it is of interest to others.

From the Loudoun Times Mirror (2013):

"Although all math scores in Loudoun increased, a blemish still came in the eighth grade math test, where the percentage of students passing went from 33 percent in 2011-2012 to 39 percent in 2012-2013. The state average is 61 percent passing and no other Loudoun test has passing rates below 77 percent.

Ackerman noted that a small portion of students even take math 8 in Loudoun County – most are at more advanced mathematical levels.

"The thing to remember is the tests are called grade 8, grade 7 but 80 percent of our eighth graders are in algebra one or higher,” Ackerman said. “Their pass rates are in the algebra one or geometry pass rate, not the math 8.”

Ackerman added that many of the students in math 8 are English Language Learners or Special Education students – two groups that tend to not test as well."

If 80% of LCPS kids are taking algebra in 7th or 8th grade, then that would leave only those at the bottom of the class to take Math8 in 8th grade. The difference is that FCPS has kids taking the Math 8 SOL in 7th grade (for those who are only one year advanced), so the Math 8 SOL scores in FCPS INCLUDE the kids who are above average in math as well as those on the lower end. In LCPS, the Math 8 SOL scores ONLY include those kids who are below average in math.

In FCPS, the accelerated kids skip the 5th grade math SOL, so those scores are probably lower across the board (b/c they only include the kids NOT taking advance math). In LCPS, the better math kids skip 8th grade SOL, and perhaps they skip another one as well.

You wouldn't think there would be such a difference in counties in the same state! (Maybe we need Common Core to normalize counties within VA??). I have a friend whose child failed reg. math 3 SOL in FCPS. She moved to Va. Beach for 5th grade. Now in 6th grade, she is going to be taking the 8th grade Math SOL and on to algebra in 7th grade.

This child wasn't in adv. math when my child was (both in FCPS -- so that child was a year behind mine in math)... and she moves to another district and now the child's going to be a year AHEAD of mine (who is still in adv. math in FCPS). Somehow, Va Beach school district accelerated that girl TWO years ahead in math in just TWO years time!

It does make you wonder what FCPS is doing and why other districts are doing it differently.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LCPS parent here. Math 8 is for remedial kids only. Many kids are taking Algebra 1 in 8th. Some take Algebra 1 in 7th (if they did well in Math 6/7.) If you don't do the double accelerated, you do Math 6, Math 7, Algebra. Math 8 is simply a remedial math class for kids who couldn't take Algebra in 8tb.

How many kids are taking advanced math 6/7 in 6th and Algebra I in 7th in LCPS?

This is a complete guess, totally anectdotal but I would guess 20-25%?

Thanks. The percentage is available publicly in FCPS. I would think it would also be available in LCPS.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for your input. We were not planning for her to take Algebra in 7th (if we stayed in FCPS) -- she would take Math 7 Honors (which is Math 8 with the Math 8 SOL) b/c she is not super strong in math and we wanted to give her another year to mature.

So, I guess we will have to inquire further with LCPS when the time comes.

I agree is confusing. I would just call them. She could very well take Math 8, then Algebra. Or Maybe they would let her take Math 7. I would think there would be few 7th graders in Math 8. Most 7th graders will be in Math 7 or Algebra. I find it strange that there are no "honors" math classes. The distinction simply WHEN you take which class.

Thanks for your input. We were not planning for her to take Algebra in 7th (if we stayed in FCPS) -- she would take Math 7 Honors (which is Math 8 with the Math 8 SOL) b/c she is not super strong in math and we wanted to give her another year to mature.

So, I guess we will have to inquire further with LCPS when the time comes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LCPS parent here. Math 8 is for remedial kids only. Many kids are taking Algebra 1 in 8th. Some take Algebra 1 in 7th (if they did well in Math 6/7.) If you don't do the double accelerated, you do Math 6, Math 7, Algebra. Math 8 is simply a remedial math class for kids who couldn't take Algebra in 8tb.

How many kids are taking advanced math 6/7 in 6th and Algebra I in 7th in LCPS?

This is a complete guess, totally anectdotal but I would guess 20-25%?

Me again. I would call the middle school you are considering and ask to speak to a guidance counselor and explain. I've done this (about something else) and they were happy to discuss with me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's the thing.

My kid is in 6th grade in FCPS. She is already taking adv. math -- where she will take the Math 7 SOL this spring. If we move this summer to LCPS, it sounds like she would have to take Math 8 (which is apparently remedial).

It seems strange that she would go from being in the "advanced" group of kids in FCPS to suddenly being with the remedial kids in LCPS!

Could she just take Math 7 Honors in LCPS and not take any SOL since she will have already taken it? Sounds like the content is supposed to prepare her for Algebra based on the comment that only remedial kids are taking math 8 in LCPS.

From what I understand from reading the guide (my kid is in 5th), there is no Math 7 honors. If your DD did well in honors Math 7 in FCPS, then she should do Algebra 1 next year.

The Math 6/7 -> Algebra 1 path is not a super elite group in LCPS. It is just the standard honors track for bright kids. Most bright 5th graders are recommended for Math 6/7.

So then the standard LCPS math skip is in grade 6 whereas in FCPS it's in grade 3.

Anonymous wrote:Here's the thing.

My kid is in 6th grade in FCPS. She is already taking adv. math -- where she will take the Math 7 SOL this spring. If we move this summer to LCPS, it sounds like she would have to take Math 8 (which is apparently remedial).

It seems strange that she would go from being in the "advanced" group of kids in FCPS to suddenly being with the remedial kids in LCPS!

Could she just take Math 7 Honors in LCPS and not take any SOL since she will have already taken it? Sounds like the content is supposed to prepare her for Algebra based on the comment that only remedial kids are taking math 8 in LCPS.

From what I understand from reading the guide (my kid is in 5th), there is no Math 7 honors. If your DD did well in honors Math 7 in FCPS, then she should do Algebra 1 next year.

The Math 6/7 -> Algebra 1 path is not a super elite group in LCPS. It is just the standard honors track for bright kids. Most bright 5th graders are recommended for Math 6/7.

Here's the thing.

My kid is in 6th grade in FCPS. She is already taking adv. math -- where she will take the Math 7 SOL this spring. If we move this summer to LCPS, it sounds like she would have to take Math 8 (which is apparently remedial).

It seems strange that she would go from being in the "advanced" group of kids in FCPS to suddenly being with the remedial kids in LCPS!

Could she just take Math 7 Honors in LCPS and not take any SOL since she will have already taken it? Sounds like the content is supposed to prepare her for Algebra based on the comment that only remedial kids are taking math 8 in LCPS.

Anonymous wrote:LCPS parent here. Math 8 is for remedial kids only. Many kids are taking Algebra 1 in 8th. Some take Algebra 1 in 7th (if they did well in Math 6/7.) If you don't do the double accelerated, you do Math 6, Math 7, Algebra. Math 8 is simply a remedial math class for kids who couldn't take Algebra in 8tb.

How many kids are taking advanced math 6/7 in 6th and Algebra I in 7th in LCPS?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LCPS parent here. Math 8 is for remedial kids only. Many kids are taking Algebra 1 in 8th. Some take Algebra 1 in 7th (if they did well in Math 6/7.) If you don't do the double accelerated, you do Math 6, Math 7, Algebra. Math 8 is simply a remedial math class for kids who couldn't take Algebra in 8tb.

What does a kid take if s/he has already taken the Math 7 SOL in 6th grade and doesn't want to take Algebra until 8th grade? (coming from FCPS where SOL7 is taken in adv. math 6)

Is a kid stuck with remedial kids taking 8th grade Math (as a 7th grader)?

Yes, according to the chart your options after Math 6/7 are Math 8 (pre algebra) or Alegbra.

PP again. I'd prefer math 6/math7/Alegbra if your main goal is algebra in 8th. No point in 6/7 if you don't want algebra in 7th.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LCPS parent here. Math 8 is for remedial kids only. Many kids are taking Algebra 1 in 8th. Some take Algebra 1 in 7th (if they did well in Math 6/7.) If you don't do the double accelerated, you do Math 6, Math 7, Algebra. Math 8 is simply a remedial math class for kids who couldn't take Algebra in 8tb.

What does a kid take if s/he has already taken the Math 7 SOL in 6th grade and doesn't want to take Algebra until 8th grade? (coming from FCPS where SOL7 is taken in adv. math 6)

Is a kid stuck with remedial kids taking 8th grade Math (as a 7th grader)?

Yes, according to the chart your options after Math 6/7 are Math 8 (pre algebra) or Alegbra.