Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Accelerated math middle schooler and CC issues

Yes, you are right, that's my point...gaps will likely appear evident for all current 8th graders through 10th graders who will end up taking the CC 11th grade math test, with the current 8th graders that were accelerated appearing to be the most impacted, because the HS has at least started implementing some changes to curriculum for those who are taking algebra I and geometry...though they are not fully aligned with CC yet...whereas the middle school did no changes because it's phasing out algebra and geometry all together at the end of this year and no longer offer them. But my district seems to think that every school district is as behind as it is, which I really don't think is true. As for current high school students - The first round of SBAC tests this spring is the starting baseline, so there's no panic here, it appears, if the kids don't 'do well'. And unlike the old CA annual state tests (STAR) that were given every grade 3 - 11 and by subject for algebra, geometry, etc. now there is no math test btwn 8th grade and 11th grade. The 11th grade math test covers it all. From what I can tell, current 11th graders have no change in their math trajectories (again, their SBAC test scores from Spring 2015 will be baseline and they are unlikely to be penalized by universities, for ex.). As far as current 10th graders...well, the few parents I know with kids that age say their students will take the SAT before the format converts next spring, and they also feel their kids will get a 'pass' due to the newness of the SBAC which will only be in its 2nd year when their kids take it 11th grade. But when I read comments about other districts /states where they are clearly way ahead in implementing the CC for their current 8th and 9th graders, I panic a bit.

So, you confirmed my concern that other states are light years ahead of my district in terms of implementing curriculum. In CA, there was no state testing last year except practice for the new CC test. I wouldn't much care except I'm not thrilled that the new SAT coming out next Spring is supposed to align with the CC. I am trying to get my district to actually acknowledge that the students who are currently accelerated will be mismatched a bit when testing time comes around for them in 11th grade and that the district should plan for that - the sooner the better.

I have about three years experience with CC. My daughter in middle school is on the "accelerated" track which is traditional Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, etc. My younger child, in elementary school, is using CC math. He won't be allowed to switch into traditional math until 7th grade Algebra even if he is a child prodigy (he's not). The district won't allow it. The lower level kids stay in CC math throughout middle school and high school and will take the corresponding PARCC test. The gifted kids will take traditional math and the PARCC test to go along with that track. It is my experience that CC is math is a lower level math. It isn't more rigorous. It's just more confusing. It's supposed to teach at a deeper level, which is just too slow for gifted kids.

What makes CC different and confusing is the new methods the standards prescribe. For example, fractions are taught using a number line instead of a pie chart and multiplication is taught using the breakdown method. To pass a CC type standardized test would require some test preparation. The PARCC test also requires the student to type answers in complete sentences and to think about the answers in a different way. I think it's trickery and too confusing for elementary aged children. It's not an accurate measure of math skills, writing maybe, but not math.

I would try to avoid it if possible. The SAT will be CC aligned in 2016, but the ACT will not be.

I hope this is helpful.

I am not really up to speed with CC other then what I have seen on here and links provided and reading some local news. Our state opted out of CC. My ds12 in 6th grade is taking AlgI, Geom, AlgII in middle school. If our state has opted out of CC I don't see high school being a problem (I assume).

With the SAT aligning to CC in 2016 How will this effect my ds in a school system that opted out of CC.

I'm just wondering if anyone else in is this same boat?

The SAT will be tough for your son if he's had no exposure to cc and PARCC. Wouldn't do it unless he has test prep. I can think of better use of his time.

I'm waiting to see what the opt out movement and the SAT changes will bring. The backlash is load and vocal.

Thank you for your response...yes, your experience is helpful. Question - when you say that gifted kids taking the traditional path will take the corresponding PARCC test, could you explain further ? Here in CA, I think it used to be that kids would take the CA state test for Algebra and geometry in the year that they took algebra and geometry (so for an accelerated math student, that would be in 7th and 8th grade). With SBAC (CA equivalent of PARCC), there is no algebra subject test or geometry subject test anymore, no matter what grade you are when take those subjects; students will take SBAC for CC 6,7,8 in those years, and then no further math testing until 11th grade, at which time they'll get tested on everything (alg, geometry, etc). So when DD is in 11th grade she will have had zero math classes taught under the CC curriculum but will be taking that test (again, our local HS does not anticipate it's algebra 2 will be fully aligned with CC until current 7th graders get it). I am glad to know that ACT is not changing format next spring. Seriously thinking of having my DD take SATs this spring for kicks and future reference/comparison. She's on the low end of HG based on the one IQ test she ever took (WISC IV) but math has never been difficult for her...she really does seem to just 'get it', CC or not.

You definitely need to run your questions by a college counselor. It can be very risky to take a test in high school without preparation because it's all out there. I don't see any benefit to having any child take a standardized test if they haven't had CC math.