Anonymous
Post 07/27/2025 12:39     Subject: Compacted math or not: implications for MS/HS?
Anonymous wrote:Can someone walk me through the implications of taking compacted math (or not) for future math pathways? I have heard several times now that the decision you make for 4th grade affects you all the way through high school, which is very overwhelming as a parent of a 9 year old! My daughter is fairly strong but not super-advanced in math (also doesn't enjoy math much, although she does like science)-- I think she could handle compacted math, but part of me thinks it would be better to make sure she has a strong foundation rather than speed through. But if this is going to have negative implications for middle and high school then maybe compacted is the best choice.

What are the middle school math options and how does taking compacted math affect that? Can you still take somewhat advanced math in middle school without having done compacted math, or is your only option to take math with the general population of on and below-grade level kids?

And then for high school it sounds like there might be certain programs/magnets you can only get into having taken compacted math in elementary school, is that right? If so, which ones? And if she turns out to be interested in science as she gets older, are there high school classes she won't be able to take because she's not far enough ahead in math because we didn't accelerate her now?

Thanks so much for helping out a confused elementary school parent out!


Then don't do it. They go through it really fast and it's meant for kids who are good at math, get the concepts easily, enjoy it and can keep up. It doesn't sound like that's your DD so why do it? Just do regular math instead.
Anonymous
Post 07/27/2025 12:30     Subject: Re:Compacted math or not: implications for MS/HS?
Anonymous wrote:I am not sure what I would do if I could do it over. Both of my DDs did compacted math. They both hit a wall in 9th grade. They took Algebra II in 9th grade and each started the year with an D/E in the class. They fought to bring it up the rest of semester. It was a real struggle. Neither are math kids, but got through calculus, but I am not sure it was really worth it.


The beginning of Algebra 2 is a review of Algebra 1. Poor performance reflects summer learning loss and the relative paucity of algebra in Geometry between Algebra 1 and 2 class. The new Integrated Algebra plan should help avoid some of that learning loss from Algebra 1 to Algebra 2.

It's a good point that some kids are quite good at the rule-following math of K-6 and pre algebra, but don't have a mathematically-oriented mind and struggle mightly in the more abstract aspects of algebra and beyond. You don't have to decide until after 6th grade whether to go to Algebra or retake pre algebra.


Anonymous
Post 07/27/2025 09:09     Subject: Re:Compacted math or not: implications for MS/HS?
I am not sure what I would do if I could do it over. Both of my DDs did compacted math. They both hit a wall in 9th grade. They took Algebra II in 9th grade and each started the year with an D/E in the class. They fought to bring it up the rest of semester. It was a real struggle. Neither are math kids, but got through calculus, but I am not sure it was really worth it.
Anonymous
Post 07/27/2025 09:08     Subject: Compacted math or not: implications for MS/HS?
There are on-ramps and off-ramps for math between ES and HS. Even with HS because you can select the classes as long as you complete Alg2. And even in that there are ways to stretch it out.

Give the recommendation a go. If it doesn’t work out, move down. Plenty of kids take compacted in ES but slow down in MS. Similarly plenty of kids don’t take compacted in ES and ramp up in MS.

If you have question speak with the 4/5th grade Math teacher, the gifted liaison, or contact Central Office AEI.

Do be aware that Alg is changing to be a 2yrs integrated curriculum per MSDE. We’re waiting to see what that will look like and how it will impact upper division math.

Anonymous
Post 07/27/2025 08:53     Subject: Compacted math or not: implications for MS/HS?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do teachers recommend students for compacted math in 4th or do test scores determine who gets into this option? My school is being silent.


Central office identifies people who should be placed based on MAP scores and district assessments, I believe. Schools can also add more students in.


Does anyone know roughly what the MAP score cutoffs are?

My kid doesn't generally test well on MAP (including fall and winter of 3rd grade) but got 82nd percentile on the spring MAP, which I think came too late to be considered for the standard placement. Is that still too low to be a good fit for compacted math, though?


It’s different at each school. It’s explained in the letter sent by MCPS. DH and I weren’t surprised our kid got into compacted math but really shocked they got into Enriched ELA and the CES lottery. We joked that the bar is so low at our school that kids are tripping on it.
Anonymous
Post 07/27/2025 00:37     Subject: Compacted math or not: implications for MS/HS?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do teachers recommend students for compacted math in 4th or do test scores determine who gets into this option? My school is being silent.


Central office identifies people who should be placed based on MAP scores and district assessments, I believe. Schools can also add more students in.


Does anyone know roughly what the MAP score cutoffs are?

My kid doesn't generally test well on MAP (including fall and winter of 3rd grade) but got 82nd percentile on the spring MAP, which I think came too late to be considered for the standard placement. Is that still too low to be a good fit for compacted math, though?