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Posted By: aeh UMTYMP - 08/27/15 01:02 AM
Someone mentioned this accelerated math program for 6-12 grade students to me:

http://mathcep.umn.edu/umtymp/

Thoughts about this model, or this specific program? Has anyone tried something like this?
Posted By: snowgirl Re: UMTYMP - 08/28/15 04:23 PM
Just at a glance, I'd have two concerns. (1) Squeezing four years of high school math into two could affect the time available for depth that isn't included in ordinary high school courses. The schedule seems to overemphasize calculus at the expense of other mathematics (see, e.g., Ruczyk, The Calculus Trap). (2) I didn't see what the path is prior to algebra other than enrichment. Elementary and prealgebra-level math have room for acceleration but it isn't clear how the elementary student gets through that and prepares for the test to start algebra except on his or her own. It's quite possible that I didn't look closely enough.
Posted By: Quantum2003 Re: UMTYMP - 08/28/15 05:25 PM
Actually, it looks pretty good to me. For what it's worth, DS will likely end up at the same level (completing Calculus, Differential Equation, & Linear Algebra) at the end of high school, having studied Algebra I in 5th grade. The website claims four years of high school math in two years but the topics described (Algebra I/II, Geometry, Trignometry & Statistical analysis) are normally covered in three years in our high schools since a ton of trig and stats are included in the three years of Algebra I, Algebra II & Geometry. For students who are more than a little gifted in math, completing Algebra I/II & Geometry in 3 years should be a comfortable pace although I may not recommend it for MG kiddos. It also looks like they are assuming that these gifted kids are able to work at the same pace as college students by the time they start Calculus given that three years are allocated to Calculus (with multivariate), Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra. I noticed that the Pre-calculus construct has been eliminated, which makes sense for kids who have had access to a comprehensive Algebra I/II & Geometry courses and who are clearly ready for Calculus.
Posted By: nicoledad Re: UMTYMP - 08/28/15 05:59 PM
I agree with you. Things are named slightly differently but the idea is the same. In the top two tracks of math in our high school district Pre-calculus is not even mentioned.
Posted By: madeinuk Re: UMTYMP - 08/28/15 06:41 PM
This is only open to Minnesota state residents, right?
Posted By: OrlFamily Re: UMTYMP - 09/29/15 11:18 PM
Sully I've heard of you go through Aops then your kid will already be beyond UMTYMP - have you heard that?
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