While I respect your opinion, I don't agree with that idea.

Although placing everyone in the same class based on their grade seems to make sense, it raises problems for anyone above- or below-average. Some people would struggle if placed in those classes with the rest of their grade. At my school, for seventh graders there is Math 7 (level 1), Pre-Algebra (level 2), and Algebra 1 (level 3). In order to be placed, a standardized test is taken and the students are classified accordingly.

As a sixth grader, I took Algebra 1 because of the recommendation of my elementary school math teachers. I benefitted by having a class that suited my math aptitude.

Placing everyone in the same class per grade level may seem good at first, but can rush some students and hold back others.

i understand what you are saying, and agree that it is important that people that need higher or lower classes should get them, however it seems to me (i may be wrong) but the standards seem to be lowering each year, especially in math. when i was in sixth grade, it was nearly impossible to be in algebra your seventh grade year. according to friends with younger siblings, the standards have changed, and it is slowly becoming the norm (at least at severna park middle) i don't think this is the way to go. i know people who, like connergilbert, benifeted from the extra attention, but the need for parents and the school system alike to have over-achieving, above-average students will hurt them in the long-run. by watering down classes to have on paper that so many students are in algebra their seventh grade year, we are harming the education of these students

I took Algebra 1 in seventh grade at SPMS and currently, I'm taking Geometry. I somewhat feel kids are rushed in the mathmatics world, but some people don't deserve to be in a high-level math class. For example, there was a girl in my class who didn't even know what equations are, and I think the IOWA test we take at school to test us is either too easy or it cheats you. But, just like Connor, at least 75% of the sixth graders at my school take Algebra 1. It's not a bad thing, yet teachers will soon need to create more classes so the math whizs can take the higher classes. In my grade, there are only 6 Algebra 2 students, so they get a teacher from some other school. I can't really say I'm happy or mad, but everyone will get there.

I understand what you are saying Connar, but there should be limitations!Like I think you should to have waited a year for algebra!So what if you get an "A", you migt have missed valuable information! and my school's highest math class is Geometry, the kids have to take a seperate class at Glen Burnie High! :wink:

i just think that the classes are being watered down so more people can take them earlier on, and then our school system seems amazing because we have so and so number of students in algebra in sixth grade. it will be damaging in the long run, because those students wont know as much since the classes are easier. i understand that if you are exceptionally talented, you absolutely 100% need to be in classes of your level. i think it's doubtful, however, that all of a sudden everyone in middle school right now is exceptionally talented, percents don't change dramatically like that unless the class has become easier. it's not like my grade was stupid or anything, we just had a harder test to take in order to take algebra early on.

In order for me to take Algebra II, the school system sends an itinerant teacher to my school (he goes to three total). Those schools include Severna Park MS -- he is the "teacher from another school."

[quote]But, just like Connor, at least 75% of the sixth graders at my school take Algebra 1. It's not a bad thing, yet teachers will soon need to create more classes so the math whizs can take the higher classes. In my grade, there are only 6 Algebra 2 students, so they get a teacher from some other school.[/quote]

I asked him about that, and it looks like your facts might have been a tad bloated. What he told me was that there was one class of about 20-30 6th graders taking AlgI, which amounts to about 6-7% of 6th graders. And, because that group is a full class, there won't be any need for extra teachers; that class will simply be together from 6th to 8th grade.

[quote]there should be limitations!Like I think you should to have waited a year for algebra!So what if you get an "A", you migt have missed valuable information! and my school's highest math class is Geometry, the kids have to take a seperate class at Glen Burnie High! [/quote]

I believe that a blanket rule stating that no one earlier than 7th grade can take algebra would end up affecting only those who benefit from early exposure. The decision to place me in Algebra in 6th grade was made after recommendation from my 5th grade math teacher and was approved by the principals of both elementary and middle schools! I took the same test as everyone else did and was placed in Algebra; really, a ban on early algebra would hurt those who need it most.

[quote](What victoria_vidal said on Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:04 pm)[/quote]

From what I understand, the mid-term and final tests in MS algebra are easier than at the high school, and both high school and middle school test scores are scaled because the high schoolers couldn't pass the assessment tests. I agree that too many people may be taking higher-level classes than they should be, in the push for the all-important numbers :roll:(that's all the school system seems to care about anymore).

well what math class will you take ur senior year? Won't you run out of classes? :?:

a friend of mine right now as a sophomore is in calculus, so next year she'll take statistics as a junior, and then senior year she won't have math. it's really a shame, because math is one of those classes, like a foreign language, where if you skip a year you lose a lot. assuming that she will be taking math in college, my friend will be kind of lost unless she reviews on her own time. although that is unfortunate, she really deserved to take higher level classes, because she is a very above-average student. she doesn't regret her choice, because she was at that level and to be in an algebra II class when you are ready for calculus is just stupid. i don't think, however, that her situation applies to every sixth grader in algebra right now. i somehow doubt that there is a sudden burst of sixth grade geniuses that was never there before. percents don't just change like that.

victoria just pointed out what I was trying to say! There won't be classes in the end of high school if we don't make a new math class!

:P sara :P

I definitely agree that some of these sixth graders shouldn't be in Algebra. My school (Severn River) sometimes has kids from the school next door in the same building (Magothy River). And from both schools combined, I was the only 6th grader in Algebra two years ago, there was one last year, and this year, there's only one. So, it looks to me like SPMS is an isolated case, and they might be pushing Algebra harder at 6th graders there.

I've heard (I'm not sure if this is actually the case) that cases like mine are referred to the community college. I'll check w/ my math teacher tomorrow.

I always support accurately placing students in any class, and it looks like the system might be a little messed up at this point:
[quote]i somehow doubt that there is a sudden burst of sixth grade geniuses that was never there before. percents don't just change like that.[/quote]
Exactly what I've been trying to articulate!

I may be wrong, but as far as I know sixth graders at Central Middle School arn't able to take algebra. I know that many kids would have benifited from taking it in sixth grade. I also realize that students with the same math aptitude will be on different levels in highschool depending on their feeder school. I think that something like this should be standerdized County wide.

I talked to my math teacher today about what we've been discussing. I'll try to tell you everything that he told me here:

First, one of the reasons SPMS and some others (I think Chesapeake and Arundel???) have more Algebra I 6th graders is because they are part of a pilot program which is studying how the group of students that take algebra in 6th grade will do throughout their education -- with matters like running out of classes, appropriate placement in these math classes, and the like.

In response to Christina Bartone:
Most schools won't offer algebra to sixth graders. You either have to request it, or have your elementary school math teacher request it for you. Then, they are required to place you correctly and make any adjustments necessary for the class you are placed in.

Also, 6th grade algebra may be a temporary thing -- as I said, they're running an experiment with kids as guinea pigs. If they find that it's too hard to accomodate these children, we may see changes in school policies.

If you have any more questions I can try to get them answered.

that really clears up a lot of questions i had about why so many kids were suddenly taking algebra early on - thank you for taking the initiative to ask a teacher. it'll be interesting to see the results of the pilot programs once those kids get to the high school!

If that's true about using the 6th graders at SPMS as guinea pigs, I think that's really scary and unfair to the kids. After all, grades from high school courses (including algebra) go on the official high school transcript--even if you earned that grade in the 6th grade. So if a 6th grader, who is really very smart and could potentially be a top student, gets a B or C in algebra, that pretty much rules out him or her being at the top of the class years later. It will bring down the class rank. It might even keep him or her out of the most competitive colleges. So it backfires in a way.

If we use kids as guinea pigs, they and their parents have a right to know what they're getting into. I don't think it's fair for a senior in high school to have to pay a price for what he did back in 6th grade when he didn't even understand things like GPAs and college admissions. Maybe he just wasn't mature enough to take the course seriously, no matter how smart he is. Maybe he isn't ready to understand algebra either. If we have kids take high school classes in middle school (esp. so early!), we shouldn't have their grades count on their high school transcripts. And we definitely shouldn't be using them as guinea pigs in my opinion.

well taking high school level courses in middle school has never been promoted in such a way before. Our middle school system with changing and so must the high school and college systems. Take the transcript as an example; why not mark explicitly that this particular student participated in this particular course during middle school? It doesent sound like a very hard change to me.

I don't understand what u are saying! Can u rephrase it for me?

What im saying is that we need to make some course shifts to deal with this new trend.

ooo I think I got u!

i think that's a good idea. people are running out of math classes, etc. but i don't think it is possible to make colleges change their policies, especially the private ones. but it'd help a lot if they decided to change a little bit.

I agree with some of you yet i disagree as well. I myself am taking Honors Geometry... I am glad that i had the oppurtunity to take a high school credit course in my 8th grade year because now I don't have to worry about it when I'm in high school. Yet i do understand where some of you are coming from....it is a little bit early to start 6th graders in high school credit courses. I mean what if they find out half way through when they have already recieved a bad grade that they just arent ready for that course yet? Hopefully in the future students course choices are put into great consideration!

if we just think that with kids in 3 diff. math levels we could do that with other classes??? people think of diff. way do become different. in connors case (whom i know at my school) can do this im suprisied he hasntt skiped any grades yet!!! But people like me in Geometry shoulddnt be in algebra 2 he is a special case

No one should ever run out of math courses to take. Besides the usuals (algebra I&II, Geometry, Pre-Calc) there are also other courses. These would include Applications in Mathmatics, Foundations for College Algebra, the Math Independent Study, Intergrated Topics of Mathmatics, New P/SAT Prep, and AP Courses like AP Stat, or Calc AB or BC. If you do math courses by grade level what about then students who need extra help of those that are ahead of the rest?

at broadneck they go to the comunity college i dont know bout elsewhere but that seems to work

Yes but community colleges still take money so it would be costly to the parents to send them to community college!

If the Kids were that far ahead the should be in the IB program or ELP

[color=blue]I have to go to the hugh school t otake my geo. class. I'm the only one in the county that does that!!! i'll run out of prog.s NOT there are many classes you can take once you get all of your math credits You dont have to axcel t o be in the classes :!: [/color]

[color=red]Edited by moderator: Please use a font size minimum of 11[/color]

We weren't talking about that! I was talking about the people who actually were taking algebra 2 in 7th grade! they are gonna run out of Math classes because (correct me if i am wrong) but advanced calculus is the highest math class there is! My friends who took algebra 2 in 7th grade had to get a special tutor to come to our school just so that he could continue with his math!

The thing is once they get all math credits they are able to continue on wit hattendiang a community college and they wold be able to focus on other cources

Yes, you would be able o enroll in Jumpstart to take math classes.

the problem (or benefit, depending on your view) with depending on Jump Start is that it cuts the classes you can take in half (only four), and is currently offered only to seniors. In cases such as the student taking Algebra II in 7th grade, s/he will actually be able to take Pre Calc and AP Stat in 9th grade, and Calc AB/BC in 10th grade (at least in Old Mill, since we take both in a single year). That means that as early as his/her junior year s/he will run out of further higher level math classes to take, and has to wait a full year before she can enroll in Jump Start.

I lived in Maryland and I took Algerbra in 7th grade. I move down here and i am the only 9th grader taking algerbraII so SLOW DOWN we cant go to far ahead of the times

I think students should do what they can as soon as they can. If they run out of math clases then either let them repeat ones they need a little reminder of or the can take another encore instead od math i mean hey if i could finish math earlier than everyone else Oh heck yea I would i belive in putting students in classes that they are at the right level for.

~ Please Respond
And for your location it says georgia do you really live there?