Anonymous
08/27/2025 20:51
Subject: Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?
Anonymous wrote:I opted out of it. Sorry not interested in my child being a part of a ‘pilot’ program for their first high school class. Also what is up with the itinerant teacher going from school to school to teach Algebra. So the kids will only see their teacher for that one class and she’ll leave right after to go to her next school. My school principal doesn’t even know who the teacher is. This is such a disaster and shame on FCPS for introducing this poorly thought out program and throwing the parents a surprise as soon as their kids start school.
You've got to be kidding me?! Is that what they are doing at your school--it's rent-a-teacher? Get out! Which school is this? How does the Principal think this can work? At that point, just opt out as the school. I think Principals were given a choice to opt out of the program.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 19:42
Subject: Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?
I opted out of it. Sorry not interested in my child being a part of a ‘pilot’ program for their first high school class. Also what is up with the itinerant teacher going from school to school to teach Algebra. So the kids will only see their teacher for that one class and she’ll leave right after to go to her next school. My school principal doesn’t even know who the teacher is. This is such a disaster and shame on FCPS for introducing this poorly thought out program and throwing the parents a surprise as soon as their kids start school.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:26
Subject: Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
But but FCPS said they are ready for it!
When you say "FCPS" said they are ready for it, I hope you mean the Superintendent who is the one who has pushed this into existence this year.
No I mean the math folks who came up with bogus criteria and the principals who chose to run with it.
No I mean the math folks who came up with bogus criteria and the principals who chose to run with it. The math folks should have administered additional testing like the Iowa, but instead relied on some casual tests kids take. They are equally to blame.
The "math folks" were told that the Iowa was not going to be used anymore and had little to no say in the identification criteria, along with the schools that were told to make it happen.
“Little to no say”. So who came up with the criteria? Which office?
NP: At the parent meeting we had, the lady in charge of all curriculum and instruction said her office was in charge of coming up with criteria and how to implement Reid’s mandate.
I think the math office has actually had very little to do with this whole thing which is a major part of the problem. The math people don’t like it.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 17:00
Subject: Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
But but FCPS said they are ready for it!
When you say "FCPS" said they are ready for it, I hope you mean the Superintendent who is the one who has pushed this into existence this year.
No I mean the math folks who came up with bogus criteria and the principals who chose to run with it.
No I mean the math folks who came up with bogus criteria and the principals who chose to run with it. The math folks should have administered additional testing like the Iowa, but instead relied on some casual tests kids take. They are equally to blame.
The "math folks" were told that the Iowa was not going to be used anymore and had little to no say in the identification criteria, along with the schools that were told to make it happen.
“Little to no say”. So who came up with the criteria? Which office?
Anonymous
08/27/2025 16:50
Subject: Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We received an email today that our school is doing the pilot and my kid is selected.
Why they did not do this at once?
That’s wild. I wonder if it’s no longer restricted to certain schools and is being opened to all eligible 6th graders.
Should be an option for all AAP students. Another fcps failure.
They already require them to pass the IAAT in 6th to qualify for Algebra in 7th and many kids even in AAP don’t get the required score. I don’t think a lot of 6th graders are ready. My oldest took Algebra 1 HN in 8th and even that was a struggle.
I agree but the selection process is a load of crap. Students should have had to taken IAAT to place into algebra in 6th as well. Why was the bar lower for entry here? And that too on an iready test of all things. SOL standard is fine but needed to be coupled with a real assessment. We’ve had teachers say the iready is not that important out loud, but now we are basing algebra for 11 year olds on this? It’s a complete joke of a system.
I agree that the process is ridiculous. Parents can choose not to have their kids take A1H in sixth grade. If you have any concerns, don't have your child take the class. We already have people reporting that the teachers think that there are too many kids being placed in the class. I would hope that teachers are reaching out to parents if they are worried about some kids being in the class and sharing their concerns so parents can make an informed decision.
The alternative at our school is not appealing which is why majority student are staying in Algebra. They are not making good accommodation for regular aap kid. If they did many my friend and I would move.
Math 7 isn't appealing? Or you just don't like the Math 7 teacher?
The teacher is not good and other students are unhappy in the class. We can always expunge the algebra grade.
If your kid ends up struggling so much in 6th grade A1H that they end up getting a grade bad enough to expunge, you’re going to destroy their confidence in their ability in that subject. This is a really terrible plan.
News flash: Most kids know they’ll expunge. They are treating this as a training ground for the real deal next year. With the safety net in place, why wouldn’t they?
What kids are those?? I didn't even tell my kid it was an option.
Your kid must be living under a rock or they assumed they didn't make the cut. Every child in 6th grade is aware of it, even children in GenEd. Kids are going around asking whether they got into Alg 1 HN. It's a thing now because of the way FCPS rolled this out.
No, my kid is in Algebra 1 HN as a 6th grader, but thank you for being so kind. Not all of our kids go to a school of strivers.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 15:55
Subject: Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We received an email today that our school is doing the pilot and my kid is selected.
Why they did not do this at once?
That’s wild. I wonder if it’s no longer restricted to certain schools and is being opened to all eligible 6th graders.
Should be an option for all AAP students. Another fcps failure.
They already require them to pass the IAAT in 6th to qualify for Algebra in 7th and many kids even in AAP don’t get the required score. I don’t think a lot of 6th graders are ready. My oldest took Algebra 1 HN in 8th and even that was a struggle.
I agree but the selection process is a load of crap. Students should have had to taken IAAT to place into algebra in 6th as well. Why was the bar lower for entry here? And that too on an iready test of all things. SOL standard is fine but needed to be coupled with a real assessment. We’ve had teachers say the iready is not that important out loud, but now we are basing algebra for 11 year olds on this? It’s a complete joke of a system.
I agree that the process is ridiculous. Parents can choose not to have their kids take A1H in sixth grade. If you have any concerns, don't have your child take the class. We already have people reporting that the teachers think that there are too many kids being placed in the class. I would hope that teachers are reaching out to parents if they are worried about some kids being in the class and sharing their concerns so parents can make an informed decision.
The alternative at our school is not appealing which is why majority student are staying in Algebra. They are not making good accommodation for regular aap kid. If they did many my friend and I would move.
Math 7 isn't appealing? Or you just don't like the Math 7 teacher?
The teacher is not good and other students are unhappy in the class. We can always expunge the algebra grade.
If your kid ends up struggling so much in 6th grade A1H that they end up getting a grade bad enough to expunge, you’re going to destroy their confidence in their ability in that subject. This is a really terrible plan.
News flash: Most kids know they’ll expunge. They are treating this as a training ground for the real deal next year. With the safety net in place, why wouldn’t they?
What kids are those?? I didn't even tell my kid it was an option.
Your kid must be living under a rock or they assumed they didn't make the cut. Every child in 6th grade is aware of it, even children in GenEd. Kids are going around asking whether they got into Alg 1 HN. It's a thing now because of the way FCPS rolled this out.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 15:43
Subject: Algebra in 6th grade - new selection process?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
But but FCPS said they are ready for it!
When you say "FCPS" said they are ready for it, I hope you mean the Superintendent who is the one who has pushed this into existence this year.
No I mean the math folks who came up with bogus criteria and the principals who chose to run with it.
No I mean the math folks who came up with bogus criteria and the principals who chose to run with it. The math folks should have administered additional testing like the Iowa, but instead relied on some casual tests kids take. They are equally to blame.
The "math folks" were told that the Iowa was not going to be used anymore and had little to no say in the identification criteria, along with the schools that were told to make it happen.