Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 1 should be available in 6th grade across FCPS. Sure not every kid is ready for it but a lot are ready. It is about time that the US to keep pace with the rest of the world when it comes to math education.

So glad they shot down the plan to dumb down math, making all 10 graders take Essential Concepts 10, before being able to take “advanced math” classes junior and senior year.

Sorry, most aren’t ready for it. A few ‘are’ because they’ve been tutored and prepped beyond belief at age 10. That doesn’t mean they’ll be successful A very small number require algebra in 6th grade.

It is not about “requiring” it. It is about offering it to those who are ready for it and desire to take it. Most children have developed the necessary abstract thinking skills before 6th grade to handle Algebra 1.

Stop holding kids back because it might make others feel bad. Stop having kids be bored in school because they are beyond the material being offered.

For those students that are interested in STEM nurture that interest don’t dull it by wasting their time and talent. There is math beyond Calculus and if America is going to remain competitive we better let those who can do it, do it.

The smart thing to do (but I doubt FCPS would do it) would be to put ready 6th graders in Prealgebra, and give the well prepared kids extension work and the URL for free Art Of Problem Solving Prealgebra and Algebra courses.

Then send them to Geometry in 7th when they get to middle school.

Alternative smart thing to do is to keep Algebra in 7th but send the kids to free AoPS Prealgebra website in 6th.
If a student does the hard/challenge problems/topics in an AoPS class, it's essentially equivalent to the next level Algebra class in public school.

Students at this level of ability don't need to take up the teacher's time in class discussion. They have each other and the online forums and videos