It sounds like he's going to have to take the 7/8 math assessment test, so I think the logical starting place is to let him take the test. If it's an end-of-year test, that will tell you what he does and doesn't know from 7/8 math curriculum. Another way to determine what's in the 7/8 math curriculum is to look on your school district's website for your district's specific curriculum goals for each grade, or look at your state website if you can't find anything on your school district website. Compare the curriculums to what you know your ds has already mastered.
You can also ask that he be given an Algebra readiness test - I can't remember the name of it, but there is a test that's used nationwide (in the US) that your school district may have.
Once you have the data from tests and reviewing the curriculum, then you'll know where any potential gaps are, and you can make a plan to address them over the summer.
The other thing I'd do is to try to quantify your ds' needs. I am not sure honestly how to do it, but for instance, if I was a teacher or school staff person evaluating whether or not to put your ds in Algebra vs pre-Algebra next year, and I saw a few gaps, and the parent is saying they will put together a plan to make up the gaps - I might still be leaning toward putting the student in pre-Algebra just to be sure they get the proper background. (This isn't me speaking, I'm putting myself in the place of many of the teachers I've known). Then the parent responds with "my son learns quickly and *needs* a faster pace" or "he'll be bored with the pace" etc. Think through how you can show this, and how placing him in Algebra actually answers the need for a faster pace. My ds is also a quick learner and very good at math, and he's subject accelerated by a few grade levels in math. The gotcha with subject acceleration is that, unless you're placing the child into a faster-paced course you aren't addressing the pacing issue with subject acceleration. The flip side of that is, how do I, as a teacher, know that your ds "needs" that faster pace? What do you perceive to be the difference between "is capable of handling" and "needs"? Can you explain it? Hope that makes sense.
In other words, think through how you can logically address each of the school's concerns, and also how you can address what you want to convey re your ds' needs in a logical manner, rather than just saying "he needs a faster pace".
Hope that helps!
polarbear
polarbear
