Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no internally consistent argument to keep math tracking if you make every kid take AP classes.

I think they should keep leveled coursework but I would expect if they remove it for humanities you can make the exact same case for math. And that they will makes these changes at Deal as well.

If you put a kid in a math class that's several years ahead of where they are, they're not going to get anything from it. Similarly if you make a kid repeat material they know very well. In more reading and writing-based courses, there's more ability for kids at different levels to still benefit. You can have a kid reading at a 9th-grade level and a kid reading at a 12th grade level both reading Romeo and Juliet and writing a paper about it, and they're both at least potentially going to get something out of it in a way that's going to be much tougher with that kind of discrepancy in a math class.

+1

I'd add that you can go to many (if not most) public colleges and universities in this country and find students at all academic levels taking Freshman English and Intro History classes, which are what these AP classes are supposedly teaching. And they make it work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no internally consistent argument to keep math tracking if you make every kid take AP classes.

I think they should keep leveled coursework but I would expect if they remove it for humanities you can make the exact same case for math. And that they will makes these changes at Deal as well.

If you put a kid in a math class that's several years ahead of where they are, they're not going to get anything from it. Similarly if you make a kid repeat material they know very well. In more reading and writing-based courses, there's more ability for kids at different levels to still benefit. You can have a kid reading at a 9th-grade level and a kid reading at a 12th grade level both reading Romeo and Juliet and writing a paper about it, and they're both at least potentially going to get something out of it in a way that's going to be much tougher with that kind of discrepancy in a math class.

Fairfax county and Montgomery county school leaders would disagree with you. They are both eliminating any meaningful math tracking.

Anonymous wrote:There is no internally consistent argument to keep math tracking if you make every kid take AP classes.

I think they should keep leveled coursework but I would expect if they remove it for humanities you can make the exact same case for math. And that they will makes these changes at Deal as well.

If you put a kid in a math class that's several years ahead of where they are, they're not going to get anything from it. Similarly if you make a kid repeat material they know very well. In more reading and writing-based courses, there's more ability for kids at different levels to still benefit. You can have a kid reading at a 9th-grade level and a kid reading at a 12th grade level both reading Romeo and Juliet and writing a paper about it, and they're both at least potentially going to get something out of it in a way that's going to be much tougher with that kind of discrepancy in a math class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will math classes be next? No allowing for tracked classes? That is happening in FCPS.

This is NOT going to happen...Deal (Wilson's largest feeder) has 8th graders in 4 different levels of math.

I'm amazed that everyone catastrophizes every announcement without looking at the intent and potential. Maybe this will actually help with equity? And if you have a child at Wilson and are concerned about this, maybe you should call the school and ask for more details and what you can do to ensure the change leads to a successful outcome for all students? Maybe the PTA could use some extra resources to support kids who will be in these classes?

Structural racism exists because when there are efforts made to change the system, those that benefit from the existing system refuse to look beyond themselves...

So you are okay with it for subjects other than math? Why the distinction?

the simple reason is because math is math and it is more difficult to water down and bulls$hit. according to DCPS website, 68% of students at Wilson do not fully meet expectations in math. hard to put everybody in AP classes when many kids are not even at grade level.

Look at the racial make-up of the kids taking Algebra 2 at Deal and even Geometry. So not sure you think no way math is not going to change? There is no equitable reason why 20 or so mainly affluent kids in the entire district get the opportunity to be so accelerated when that option isn’t open to all in the district. Is there another school where 8th graders are offered algebra 2?

The Algebra 2 class at Deal is actually very racially diverse. It's almost 1/3 white, 1/3 black, 1/3 hispanic.
And the teacher is black.

How do you know this? Oh an the teacher is one of my favorites at Deal.

There is no internally consistent argument to keep math tracking if you make every kid take AP classes.

I think they should keep leveled coursework but I would expect if they remove it for humanities you can make the exact same case for math. And that they will makes these changes at Deal as well.

I'd just like to highlight how it was received when it was suggested that Lafayette Pre-K get relocated to a building on Military Road where there might be the possibility for families from "east of the park" to also attend.... People went nuts about how it would lead to the "right" to attend Lafayette and all the overcrowding blah, blah, blah. There was no evidence that that was the case but immediately people: 1) look out for their own self interest; and 2) don't think about the fact that maybe letting some other kids into one of the better resourced elementary schools would help with issues of equity. Same thing when there was talk about affordable housing being built in Chevy Chase...discussions centered around property values and overcrowding of school but zero discussion about expanding opportunity. At some point, you have to assume that people's priorities are what they are regardless of what they say or what their progressive bumper stickers signal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a grader for the AP test.

There’s no standardization of the classes. You can teach anything you’d like. I’m surprised most Americans are so clueless about what goes on in schools.

I’m also not happy about the algebra situation but that’s the reality of American education here, there, and everywhere.

This is correct. I teach AP classes at a different school. There is huge variation in how AP courses are taught across different districts and schools. The College Board publishes a curriculum but they don’t micromanage actual classes. Some teachers barely teach the AP curriculum, some manage to do even more than the curriculum and there is a whole range in between. It is very difficult to teach an AP class where some kids are not prepared for the rigor and are uninterested in even taking the class.

This is what I’d be worried about. Kids take the AP for some reason other than actual interest which translates to willingness to do the work required, no matter your level.

Big different between motivated yet struggling kid (just needs extra support) and slacker kid who is not sure why they’re in that class.

Reason for tracking period. Not sure about the whole recommendation thing though, that could cut both ways.

I'm not sure what the motivation would be for a kid to take the AP class other than motivation....anyway, if they are not motivated, they will sit there and not participate...they won't add or detract much from the class.

It actually does matter. As a teacher I feel responsible for all my students so if 1/4 are lost and disengaged, I have to figure out what to do since they also deserve a good experience. So that means I will most likely have to slow down and drop my teaching to an easier level at least some of the time. Second, I can’t and don’t want to fail too many kids so I will probably have to reduce the complexity of tests and assignments. Teaching 30 kids together is always challenging but it becomes even more difficult when some kids don’t want to be there. I love the struggling kids who want to actually learn as we can always do more help sessions and office hours etc. I have been teaching for 10 years but I am still learning something new every year. Being an effective and engaging teacher is actually pretty difficult

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will math classes be next? No allowing for tracked classes? That is happening in FCPS.

This is NOT going to happen...Deal (Wilson's largest feeder) has 8th graders in 4 different levels of math.

I'm amazed that everyone catastrophizes every announcement without looking at the intent and potential. Maybe this will actually help with equity? And if you have a child at Wilson and are concerned about this, maybe you should call the school and ask for more details and what you can do to ensure the change leads to a successful outcome for all students? Maybe the PTA could use some extra resources to support kids who will be in these classes?

Structural racism exists because when there are efforts made to change the system, those that benefit from the existing system refuse to look beyond themselves...

So you are okay with it for subjects other than math? Why the distinction?

the simple reason is because math is math and it is more difficult to water down and bulls$hit. according to DCPS website, 68% of students at Wilson do not fully meet expectations in math. hard to put everybody in AP classes when many kids are not even at grade level.

Look at the racial make-up of the kids taking Algebra 2 at Deal and even Geometry. So not sure you think no way math is not going to change? There is no equitable reason why 20 or so mainly affluent kids in the entire district get the opportunity to be so accelerated when that option isn’t open to all in the district. Is there another school where 8th graders are offered algebra 2?

I'm not sure what your arguing for...that they will stop tracking at Wilson even though they already do it at Deal? Once these kids come in ready for pre-Calculus in 9th grade Wilson will say "sorry" and send them back to Algebra? Or they will insist that everyone take pre-calc in 9th? Or you think they will stop tracking at Deal?

Maybe everyone on this listserve that is concerned should start demanding access to opportunities for kids across the city--not just at their own elementary and middle schools-- so that all kids can come to Wilson ready for advanced classes.

How do you think it would go if UMC, heavily-white parents started demanding that elementary and middle schools where they don't send their kids should make curricular changes? I think the response would be "you don't know what you're talking about, you're not in these schools, MYOB." And that wouldn't be an incorrect response.

If we advocated for extra resources going to those schools for gifted and accelerated courses, I'm not convinced that would be the response....there are kids all over the city trying to get into Walls and Banneker who are unable to. But here's a bigger question. What is your solution to inequity? You don't want your child in advanced classes you deem to be "not ready." You don't want to advocate for acceleration in all schools across the city so that all kids are ready. You seem to be fine, therefore, with the status quo, which is largely inequitable system (though one that benefits your kids). If that's your position, just own it. But please don't put a Black Lives Matter sign in your window.

If you advocated for gifted and accelerated courses you'd be accused of trying to create tracking for white kids. And, again, that would not be an entirely unfair accusation given the history of those programs in the public school system.

What's my solution to inequity? I have a whole platform of reforms that are not largely school-focused, although some of them are. My acknowledgement that I have zero ability to make these happen is not a reflection on my feelings about the status quo. Additionally, uniform and high-quality instruction across DCPS would be extremely beneficial for my kids, as well as any families who would like to be able to separate out residential choices from basic school quality choices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will math classes be next? No allowing for tracked classes? That is happening in FCPS.

This is NOT going to happen...Deal (Wilson's largest feeder) has 8th graders in 4 different levels of math.

I'm amazed that everyone catastrophizes every announcement without looking at the intent and potential. Maybe this will actually help with equity? And if you have a child at Wilson and are concerned about this, maybe you should call the school and ask for more details and what you can do to ensure the change leads to a successful outcome for all students? Maybe the PTA could use some extra resources to support kids who will be in these classes?

Structural racism exists because when there are efforts made to change the system, those that benefit from the existing system refuse to look beyond themselves...

So you are okay with it for subjects other than math? Why the distinction?

the simple reason is because math is math and it is more difficult to water down and bulls$hit. according to DCPS website, 68% of students at Wilson do not fully meet expectations in math. hard to put everybody in AP classes when many kids are not even at grade level.

Look at the racial make-up of the kids taking Algebra 2 at Deal and even Geometry. So not sure you think no way math is not going to change? There is no equitable reason why 20 or so mainly affluent kids in the entire district get the opportunity to be so accelerated when that option isn’t open to all in the district. Is there another school where 8th graders are offered algebra 2?

I'm not sure what your arguing for...that they will stop tracking at Wilson even though they already do it at Deal? Once these kids come in ready for pre-Calculus in 9th grade Wilson will say "sorry" and send them back to Algebra? Or they will insist that everyone take pre-calc in 9th? Or you think they will stop tracking at Deal?

Maybe everyone on this listserve that is concerned should start demanding access to opportunities for kids across the city--not just at their own elementary and middle schools-- so that all kids can come to Wilson ready for advanced classes.

How do you think it would go if UMC, heavily-white parents started demanding that elementary and middle schools where they don't send their kids should make curricular changes? I think the response would be "you don't know what you're talking about, you're not in these schools, MYOB." And that wouldn't be an incorrect response.

If we advocated for extra resources going to those schools for gifted and accelerated courses, I'm not convinced that would be the response....there are kids all over the city trying to get into Walls and Banneker who are unable to. But here's a bigger question. What is your solution to inequity? You don't want your child in advanced classes you deem to be "not ready." You don't want to advocate for acceleration in all schools across the city so that all kids are ready. You seem to be fine, therefore, with the status quo, which is largely inequitable system (though one that benefits your kids). If that's your position, just own it. But please don't put a Black Lives Matter sign in your window.

dp: PP didn’t say she opposed gifted and accelerated courses across the city. She expressed her expectation that UMC people advocating for that will get blowback, which is surely correct.

She didn’t say she didn’t want a solution. She expressed weariness in how the most logical changes get shouted down for the wrong reasons, and then we end up with sub-optimal solutions like trying to get high schoolers from below-grade reading to AP level all in a snap.

I just haven't seen a single solution...not one. Just complaints about watering down the AP classes and fear that this is going to happen to other classes. Where are the alternatives or the suggestions for how to make it work? I'm worn down too because there's always fatalism and NIMBYISM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will math classes be next? No allowing for tracked classes? That is happening in FCPS.

This is NOT going to happen...Deal (Wilson's largest feeder) has 8th graders in 4 different levels of math.

I'm amazed that everyone catastrophizes every announcement without looking at the intent and potential. Maybe this will actually help with equity? And if you have a child at Wilson and are concerned about this, maybe you should call the school and ask for more details and what you can do to ensure the change leads to a successful outcome for all students? Maybe the PTA could use some extra resources to support kids who will be in these classes?

Structural racism exists because when there are efforts made to change the system, those that benefit from the existing system refuse to look beyond themselves...

So you are okay with it for subjects other than math? Why the distinction?

the simple reason is because math is math and it is more difficult to water down and bulls$hit. according to DCPS website, 68% of students at Wilson do not fully meet expectations in math. hard to put everybody in AP classes when many kids are not even at grade level.

Look at the racial make-up of the kids taking Algebra 2 at Deal and even Geometry. So not sure you think no way math is not going to change? There is no equitable reason why 20 or so mainly affluent kids in the entire district get the opportunity to be so accelerated when that option isn’t open to all in the district. Is there another school where 8th graders are offered algebra 2?

I'm not sure what your arguing for...that they will stop tracking at Wilson even though they already do it at Deal? Once these kids come in ready for pre-Calculus in 9th grade Wilson will say "sorry" and send them back to Algebra? Or they will insist that everyone take pre-calc in 9th? Or you think they will stop tracking at Deal?

Maybe everyone on this listserve that is concerned should start demanding access to opportunities for kids across the city--not just at their own elementary and middle schools-- so that all kids can come to Wilson ready for advanced classes.

How do you think it would go if UMC, heavily-white parents started demanding that elementary and middle schools where they don't send their kids should make curricular changes? I think the response would be "you don't know what you're talking about, you're not in these schools, MYOB." And that wouldn't be an incorrect response.

If we advocated for extra resources going to those schools for gifted and accelerated courses, I'm not convinced that would be the response....there are kids all over the city trying to get into Walls and Banneker who are unable to. But here's a bigger question. What is your solution to inequity? You don't want your child in advanced classes you deem to be "not ready." You don't want to advocate for acceleration in all schools across the city so that all kids are ready. You seem to be fine, therefore, with the status quo, which is largely inequitable system (though one that benefits your kids). If that's your position, just own it. But please don't put a Black Lives Matter sign in your window.

dp: PP didn’t say she opposed gifted and accelerated courses across the city. She expressed her expectation that UMC people advocating for that will get blowback, which is surely correct.

She didn’t say she didn’t want a solution. She expressed weariness in how the most logical changes get shouted down for the wrong reasons, and then we end up with sub-optimal solutions like trying to get high schoolers from below-grade reading to AP level all in a snap.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will math classes be next? No allowing for tracked classes? That is happening in FCPS.

This is NOT going to happen...Deal (Wilson's largest feeder) has 8th graders in 4 different levels of math.

I'm amazed that everyone catastrophizes every announcement without looking at the intent and potential. Maybe this will actually help with equity? And if you have a child at Wilson and are concerned about this, maybe you should call the school and ask for more details and what you can do to ensure the change leads to a successful outcome for all students? Maybe the PTA could use some extra resources to support kids who will be in these classes?

Structural racism exists because when there are efforts made to change the system, those that benefit from the existing system refuse to look beyond themselves...

So you are okay with it for subjects other than math? Why the distinction?

the simple reason is because math is math and it is more difficult to water down and bulls$hit. according to DCPS website, 68% of students at Wilson do not fully meet expectations in math. hard to put everybody in AP classes when many kids are not even at grade level.

Look at the racial make-up of the kids taking Algebra 2 at Deal and even Geometry. So not sure you think no way math is not going to change? There is no equitable reason why 20 or so mainly affluent kids in the entire district get the opportunity to be so accelerated when that option isn’t open to all in the district. Is there another school where 8th graders are offered algebra 2?

I'm not sure what your arguing for...that they will stop tracking at Wilson even though they already do it at Deal? Once these kids come in ready for pre-Calculus in 9th grade Wilson will say "sorry" and send them back to Algebra? Or they will insist that everyone take pre-calc in 9th? Or you think they will stop tracking at Deal?

Maybe everyone on this listserve that is concerned should start demanding access to opportunities for kids across the city--not just at their own elementary and middle schools-- so that all kids can come to Wilson ready for advanced classes.

How do you think it would go if UMC, heavily-white parents started demanding that elementary and middle schools where they don't send their kids should make curricular changes? I think the response would be "you don't know what you're talking about, you're not in these schools, MYOB." And that wouldn't be an incorrect response.

If we advocated for extra resources going to those schools for gifted and accelerated courses, I'm not convinced that would be the response....there are kids all over the city trying to get into Walls and Banneker who are unable to. But here's a bigger question. What is your solution to inequity? You don't want your child in advanced classes you deem to be "not ready." You don't want to advocate for acceleration in all schools across the city so that all kids are ready. You seem to be fine, therefore, with the status quo, which is largely inequitable system (though one that benefits your kids). If that's your position, just own it. But please don't put a Black Lives Matter sign in your window.

Advocate for more support at the ES level so students enter MS and HS on grade level and prepared for advanced work. But you will have to do it because you seem to think you are the only one advocating in good faith.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will math classes be next? No allowing for tracked classes? That is happening in FCPS.

This is NOT going to happen...Deal (Wilson's largest feeder) has 8th graders in 4 different levels of math.

I'm amazed that everyone catastrophizes every announcement without looking at the intent and potential. Maybe this will actually help with equity? And if you have a child at Wilson and are concerned about this, maybe you should call the school and ask for more details and what you can do to ensure the change leads to a successful outcome for all students? Maybe the PTA could use some extra resources to support kids who will be in these classes?

Structural racism exists because when there are efforts made to change the system, those that benefit from the existing system refuse to look beyond themselves...

So you are okay with it for subjects other than math? Why the distinction?

the simple reason is because math is math and it is more difficult to water down and bulls$hit. according to DCPS website, 68% of students at Wilson do not fully meet expectations in math. hard to put everybody in AP classes when many kids are not even at grade level.

Look at the racial make-up of the kids taking Algebra 2 at Deal and even Geometry. So not sure you think no way math is not going to change? There is no equitable reason why 20 or so mainly affluent kids in the entire district get the opportunity to be so accelerated when that option isn’t open to all in the district. Is there another school where 8th graders are offered algebra 2?

I'm not sure what your arguing for...that they will stop tracking at Wilson even though they already do it at Deal? Once these kids come in ready for pre-Calculus in 9th grade Wilson will say "sorry" and send them back to Algebra? Or they will insist that everyone take pre-calc in 9th? Or you think they will stop tracking at Deal?

Maybe everyone on this listserve that is concerned should start demanding access to opportunities for kids across the city--not just at their own elementary and middle schools-- so that all kids can come to Wilson ready for advanced classes.

How do you think it would go if UMC, heavily-white parents started demanding that elementary and middle schools where they don't send their kids should make curricular changes? I think the response would be "you don't know what you're talking about, you're not in these schools, MYOB." And that wouldn't be an incorrect response.

If we advocated for extra resources going to those schools for gifted and accelerated courses, I'm not convinced that would be the response....there are kids all over the city trying to get into Walls and Banneker who are unable to. But here's a bigger question. What is your solution to inequity? You don't want your child in advanced classes you deem to be "not ready." You don't want to advocate for acceleration in all schools across the city so that all kids are ready. You seem to be fine, therefore, with the status quo, which is largely inequitable system (though one that benefits your kids). If that's your position, just own it. But please don't put a Black Lives Matter sign in your window.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will math classes be next? No allowing for tracked classes? That is happening in FCPS.

This is NOT going to happen...Deal (Wilson's largest feeder) has 8th graders in 4 different levels of math.

I'm amazed that everyone catastrophizes every announcement without looking at the intent and potential. Maybe this will actually help with equity? And if you have a child at Wilson and are concerned about this, maybe you should call the school and ask for more details and what you can do to ensure the change leads to a successful outcome for all students? Maybe the PTA could use some extra resources to support kids who will be in these classes?

Structural racism exists because when there are efforts made to change the system, those that benefit from the existing system refuse to look beyond themselves...

So you are okay with it for subjects other than math? Why the distinction?

the simple reason is because math is math and it is more difficult to water down and bulls$hit. according to DCPS website, 68% of students at Wilson do not fully meet expectations in math. hard to put everybody in AP classes when many kids are not even at grade level.

Look at the racial make-up of the kids taking Algebra 2 at Deal and even Geometry. So not sure you think no way math is not going to change? There is no equitable reason why 20 or so mainly affluent kids in the entire district get the opportunity to be so accelerated when that option isn’t open to all in the district. Is there another school where 8th graders are offered algebra 2?

I'm not sure what your arguing for...that they will stop tracking at Wilson even though they already do it at Deal? Once these kids come in ready for pre-Calculus in 9th grade Wilson will say "sorry" and send them back to Algebra? Or they will insist that everyone take pre-calc in 9th? Or you think they will stop tracking at Deal?

Maybe everyone on this listserve that is concerned should start demanding access to opportunities for kids across the city--not just at their own elementary and middle schools-- so that all kids can come to Wilson ready for advanced classes.

How do you think it would go if UMC, heavily-white parents started demanding that elementary and middle schools where they don't send their kids should make curricular changes? I think the response would be "you don't know what you're talking about, you're not in these schools, MYOB." And that wouldn't be an incorrect response.

I agree. At the same tome, high school is too late to be forcing everyone onto the same page. At the point, the only way to do it seems to be holding te advanced learners back, which is exactly the opposite of what a high school should be doing. Nonetheless, that seems to be Wilson’s MO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will math classes be next? No allowing for tracked classes? That is happening in FCPS.

This is NOT going to happen...Deal (Wilson's largest feeder) has 8th graders in 4 different levels of math.

I'm amazed that everyone catastrophizes every announcement without looking at the intent and potential. Maybe this will actually help with equity? And if you have a child at Wilson and are concerned about this, maybe you should call the school and ask for more details and what you can do to ensure the change leads to a successful outcome for all students? Maybe the PTA could use some extra resources to support kids who will be in these classes?

Structural racism exists because when there are efforts made to change the system, those that benefit from the existing system refuse to look beyond themselves...

So you are okay with it for subjects other than math? Why the distinction?

the simple reason is because math is math and it is more difficult to water down and bulls$hit. according to DCPS website, 68% of students at Wilson do not fully meet expectations in math. hard to put everybody in AP classes when many kids are not even at grade level.

Look at the racial make-up of the kids taking Algebra 2 at Deal and even Geometry. So not sure you think no way math is not going to change? There is no equitable reason why 20 or so mainly affluent kids in the entire district get the opportunity to be so accelerated when that option isn’t open to all in the district. Is there another school where 8th graders are offered algebra 2?

I'm not sure what your arguing for...that they will stop tracking at Wilson even though they already do it at Deal? Once these kids come in ready for pre-Calculus in 9th grade Wilson will say "sorry" and send them back to Algebra? Or they will insist that everyone take pre-calc in 9th? Or you think they will stop tracking at Deal?

Maybe everyone on this listserve that is concerned should start demanding access to opportunities for kids across the city--not just at their own elementary and middle schools-- so that all kids can come to Wilson ready for advanced classes.

How do you think it would go if UMC, heavily-white parents started demanding that elementary and middle schools where they don't send their kids should make curricular changes? I think the response would be "you don't know what you're talking about, you're not in these schools, MYOB." And that wouldn't be an incorrect response.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will math classes be next? No allowing for tracked classes? That is happening in FCPS.

This is NOT going to happen...Deal (Wilson's largest feeder) has 8th graders in 4 different levels of math.

I'm amazed that everyone catastrophizes every announcement without looking at the intent and potential. Maybe this will actually help with equity? And if you have a child at Wilson and are concerned about this, maybe you should call the school and ask for more details and what you can do to ensure the change leads to a successful outcome for all students? Maybe the PTA could use some extra resources to support kids who will be in these classes?

Structural racism exists because when there are efforts made to change the system, those that benefit from the existing system refuse to look beyond themselves...

So you are okay with it for subjects other than math? Why the distinction?

the simple reason is because math is math and it is more difficult to water down and bulls$hit. according to DCPS website, 68% of students at Wilson do not fully meet expectations in math. hard to put everybody in AP classes when many kids are not even at grade level.

Look at the racial make-up of the kids taking Algebra 2 at Deal and even Geometry. So not sure you think no way math is not going to change? There is no equitable reason why 20 or so mainly affluent kids in the entire district get the opportunity to be so accelerated when that option isn’t open to all in the district. Is there another school where 8th graders are offered algebra 2?

The Algebra 2 class at Deal is actually very racially diverse. It's almost 1/3 white, 1/3 black, 1/3 hispanic.
And the teacher is black.