Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else find it weird that parents are talking about this as though they are the ones who are taking the math classes? I just told my kid the implications of taking it in 7th, including the issue of math during high school, and left the decision to my kid and their teacher. But I guess maybe some kids need and want more of a micromanaging approach (and I don’t mean that as an insult, I’m just surprised).

Anonymous wrote:There’s a 7th grader at Luther Jackson taking Pre Calc this year. It’s not common, but FCPS accelerates kids more than you might imagine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread started off well for once and then it went off the rails of course

Let's bring it back to sanity

Go all the way to college. Almost every college highly recommends not skipping more than one sequential college level math course this is especially true for a STEM major.

One course of Calculus in high school is plenty there is 0 reason to accelerate further.

OK but I would counter that there is zero reason to hold back a kid who is truly ready for algebra since it is an option, and isn’t really “skipping” math content.

As long as it's limited to the truly exceptional less than 1% of the county. Then its geometry in 8th and then these folks should be the only ones going to TJ. TJ has the resources to finish out the math sequence instead of relying on base schools.

That's really dumb. Kids do not need to be "truly exceptional" to be ready for Algebra in 7th. Likewise, the kids who are exceptional often thrive with even more accelerated paths. I know of at least 3 "truly exceptional" kids who either will take or have taken Calculus in 8th grade. The main criterion for taking Algebra should be readiness for Algebra - not age or grade level. A 99.9th+ percentile kid in 5th grade is most likely more ready for Algebra than an above average 8th grader.

The thing I will grant you is that FCPS uses exams that are not very predictive of readiness for Algebra and have too low of a threshold for qualifying. They should instead use a fairly rigorous test that shows that kids have truly mastered all of the pre-Algebra content before letting them take Algebra.

If you have kids who are gifted or APP, they absolutely should be taking Algebra in 7th. Otherwise, maybe they are better at their home schools in regular classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread started off well for once and then it went off the rails of course

Let's bring it back to sanity

Go all the way to college. Almost every college highly recommends not skipping more than one sequential college level math course this is especially true for a STEM major.

One course of Calculus in high school is plenty there is 0 reason to accelerate further.

OK but I would counter that there is zero reason to hold back a kid who is truly ready for algebra since it is an option, and isn’t really “skipping” math content.

As long as it's limited to the truly exceptional less than 1% of the county. Then its geometry in 8th and then these folks should be the only ones going to TJ. TJ has the resources to finish out the math sequence instead of relying on base schools.

That's really dumb. Kids do not need to be "truly exceptional" to be ready for Algebra in 7th. Likewise, the kids who are exceptional often thrive with even more accelerated paths. I know of at least 3 "truly exceptional" kids who either will take or have taken Calculus in 8th grade. The main criterion for taking Algebra should be readiness for Algebra - not age or grade level. A 99.9th+ percentile kid in 5th grade is most likely more ready for Algebra than an above average 8th grader.

The thing I will grant you is that FCPS uses exams that are not very predictive of readiness for Algebra and have too low of a threshold for qualifying. They should instead use a fairly rigorous test that shows that kids have truly mastered all of the pre-Algebra content before letting them take Algebra.

Calculus in 8th means algebra I in 4th. You could have a genius and public schools just don’t allow for this.

Those kids should just skip high school at that point. TJ isn't even made for those types of kids.

For those types the biggest issue for me is how many of those kids are true geniuses vs taking classes, studying math an extra 2-3 hours a day and doing flashcards at home.

TJ has several kids of that caliber. They thrive at TJ. FCPS even has several kids taking pre Calc or Calc in 8th. Skipping high school is not an ideal option, because the math geniuses are not necessarily globally gifted, and they aren’t necessarily socially ready to leave behind their age peers.

Mine cruised through AoPS Algebra in 4th grade. I’ve never been able to get him to do more than a few hours per week of outside math. He first qualified for AIME in 6th grade. TJ generally is a perfect fit for kids like him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread started off well for once and then it went off the rails of course

Let's bring it back to sanity

Go all the way to college. Almost every college highly recommends not skipping more than one sequential college level math course this is especially true for a STEM major.

One course of Calculus in high school is plenty there is 0 reason to accelerate further.

OK but I would counter that there is zero reason to hold back a kid who is truly ready for algebra since it is an option, and isn’t really “skipping” math content.

As long as it's limited to the truly exceptional less than 1% of the county. Then its geometry in 8th and then these folks should be the only ones going to TJ. TJ has the resources to finish out the math sequence instead of relying on base schools.

That's really dumb. Kids do not need to be "truly exceptional" to be ready for Algebra in 7th. Likewise, the kids who are exceptional often thrive with even more accelerated paths. I know of at least 3 "truly exceptional" kids who either will take or have taken Calculus in 8th grade. The main criterion for taking Algebra should be readiness for Algebra - not age or grade level. A 99.9th+ percentile kid in 5th grade is most likely more ready for Algebra than an above average 8th grader.

The thing I will grant you is that FCPS uses exams that are not very predictive of readiness for Algebra and have too low of a threshold for qualifying. They should instead use a fairly rigorous test that shows that kids have truly mastered all of the pre-Algebra content before letting them take Algebra.

Calculus in 8th means algebra I in 4th. You could have a genius and public schools just don’t allow for this.

Those kids should just skip high school at that point. TJ isn't even made for those types of kids.

For those types the biggest issue for me is how many of those kids are true geniuses vs taking classes, studying math an extra 2-3 hours a day and doing flashcards at home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread started off well for once and then it went off the rails of course

Let's bring it back to sanity

Go all the way to college. Almost every college highly recommends not skipping more than one sequential college level math course this is especially true for a STEM major.

One course of Calculus in high school is plenty there is 0 reason to accelerate further.

OK but I would counter that there is zero reason to hold back a kid who is truly ready for algebra since it is an option, and isn’t really “skipping” math content.

As long as it's limited to the truly exceptional less than 1% of the county. Then its geometry in 8th and then these folks should be the only ones going to TJ. TJ has the resources to finish out the math sequence instead of relying on base schools.

That's really dumb. Kids do not need to be "truly exceptional" to be ready for Algebra in 7th. Likewise, the kids who are exceptional often thrive with even more accelerated paths. I know of at least 3 "truly exceptional" kids who either will take or have taken Calculus in 8th grade. The main criterion for taking Algebra should be readiness for Algebra - not age or grade level. A 99.9th+ percentile kid in 5th grade is most likely more ready for Algebra than an above average 8th grader.

The thing I will grant you is that FCPS uses exams that are not very predictive of readiness for Algebra and have too low of a threshold for qualifying. They should instead use a fairly rigorous test that shows that kids have truly mastered all of the pre-Algebra content before letting them take Algebra.

Calculus in 8th means algebra I in 4th. You could have a genius and public schools just don’t allow for this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread started off well for once and then it went off the rails of course

Let's bring it back to sanity

Go all the way to college. Almost every college highly recommends not skipping more than one sequential college level math course this is especially true for a STEM major.

One course of Calculus in high school is plenty there is 0 reason to accelerate further.

OK but I would counter that there is zero reason to hold back a kid who is truly ready for algebra since it is an option, and isn’t really “skipping” math content.

As long as it's limited to the truly exceptional less than 1% of the county. Then its geometry in 8th and then these folks should be the only ones going to TJ. TJ has the resources to finish out the math sequence instead of relying on base schools.

That's really dumb. Kids do not need to be "truly exceptional" to be ready for Algebra in 7th. Likewise, the kids who are exceptional often thrive with even more accelerated paths. I know of at least 3 "truly exceptional" kids who either will take or have taken Calculus in 8th grade. The main criterion for taking Algebra should be readiness for Algebra - not age or grade level. A 99.9th+ percentile kid in 5th grade is most likely more ready for Algebra than an above average 8th grader.

The thing I will grant you is that FCPS uses exams that are not very predictive of readiness for Algebra and have too low of a threshold for qualifying. They should instead use a fairly rigorous test that shows that kids have truly mastered all of the pre-Algebra content before letting them take Algebra.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread started off well for once and then it went off the rails of course

Let's bring it back to sanity

Go all the way to college. Almost every college highly recommends not skipping more than one sequential college level math course this is especially true for a STEM major.

One course of Calculus in high school is plenty there is 0 reason to accelerate further.

OK but I would counter that there is zero reason to hold back a kid who is truly ready for algebra since it is an option, and isn’t really “skipping” math content.

As long as it's limited to the truly exceptional less than 1% of the county. Then its geometry in 8th and then these folks should be the only ones going to TJ. TJ has the resources to finish out the math sequence instead of relying on base schools.

That's really dumb. Kids do not need to be "truly exceptional" to be ready for Algebra in 7th. Likewise, the kids who are exceptional often thrive with even more accelerated paths. I know of at least 3 "truly exceptional" kids who either will take or have taken Calculus in 8th grade. The main criterion for taking Algebra should be readiness for Algebra - not age or grade level. A 99.9th+ percentile kid in 5th grade is most likely more ready for Algebra than an above average 8th grader.

The thing I will grant you is that FCPS uses exams that are not very predictive of readiness for Algebra and have too low of a threshold for qualifying. They should instead use a fairly rigorous test that shows that kids have truly mastered all of the pre-Algebra content before letting them take Algebra.

Anonymous wrote:Have the notification emails already been sent?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread started off well for once and then it went off the rails of course

Let's bring it back to sanity

Go all the way to college. Almost every college highly recommends not skipping more than one sequential college level math course this is especially true for a STEM major.

One course of Calculus in high school is plenty there is 0 reason to accelerate further.

OK but I would counter that there is zero reason to hold back a kid who is truly ready for algebra since it is an option, and isn’t really “skipping” math content.

As long as it's limited to the truly exceptional less than 1% of the county. Then its geometry in 8th and then these folks should be the only ones going to TJ. TJ has the resources to finish out the math sequence instead of relying on base schools.

That's really dumb. Kids do not need to be "truly exceptional" to be ready for Algebra in 7th. Likewise, the kids who are exceptional often thrive with even more accelerated paths. I know of at least 3 "truly exceptional" kids who either will take or have taken Calculus in 8th grade. The main criterion for taking Algebra should be readiness for Algebra - not age or grade level. A 99.9th+ percentile kid in 5th grade is most likely more ready for Algebra than an above average 8th grader.

The thing I will grant you is that FCPS uses exams that are not very predictive of readiness for Algebra and have too low of a threshold for qualifying. They should instead use a fairly rigorous test that shows that kids have truly mastered all of the pre-Algebra content before letting them take Algebra.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread started off well for once and then it went off the rails of course

Let's bring it back to sanity

Go all the way to college. Almost every college highly recommends not skipping more than one sequential college level math course this is especially true for a STEM major.

One course of Calculus in high school is plenty there is 0 reason to accelerate further.

OK but I would counter that there is zero reason to hold back a kid who is truly ready for algebra since it is an option, and isn’t really “skipping” math content.

As long as it's limited to the truly exceptional less than 1% of the county. Then its geometry in 8th and then these folks should be the only ones going to TJ. TJ has the resources to finish out the math sequence instead of relying on base schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread started off well for once and then it went off the rails of course

Let's bring it back to sanity

Go all the way to college. Almost every college highly recommends not skipping more than one sequential college level math course this is especially true for a STEM major.

One course of Calculus in high school is plenty there is 0 reason to accelerate further.

OK but I would counter that there is zero reason to hold back a kid who is truly ready for algebra since it is an option, and isn’t really “skipping” math content.