DS9 just scored 25 in the math EXPLORE test; his scores across the board were higher than I expected. I'm trying to figure out whether his accelerated math placement is appropriate, or if not, what to do.
Right now he's in 4th grade (young for grade), subject-accelerated to 6th in math; I've known all along it was easy for him, but he doesn't mind, and it was the most we could get at the elementary school. He enjoys math immensely, but isn't particularly interested in working very hard outside of school hours. He's finished "9th grade Geometry" in ALEKS; we have hesitated to let him go further immediately, because being 5 years out of sync has already created placement problems, and we don't want to make it worse.
The plan for next year is to put him into 7th grade math at the public middle school (they will transport him). The 7th-grade course (Common Core 7) is essentially pre-algebra. It is concerning that if he's truly mastered middle school math (implied by the EXPLORE result) then he won't be seeing a lot of new math in a class for some years yet.
I'm putting this in the 2E thread because DS9 has Asperger's; his social immaturity has always been a major factor in determining his educational placement. He does well with the acceleration he has now; but I am not sure how far ahead we should let him go, because his ability to fit in socially is nowhere near on a par with his age or his cognitive ability.
We are committed to keeping him in a classroom, with instruction and peers; independent learning is not the right answer for this kid, and I am not eager to homeschool the math. Math is the area where he interacts best with peers, so social learning will be an important component of any plan we make.
I'd especially like to hear from people whose children were placed several years ahead of age peers in a classroom setting: how many years' gap is too much?
Thanks,
DeeDee
