Originally Posted by Bostonian
Originally Posted by BenjaminL
Its surprising how often this topic comes up. smile

I think last similar one was:

http://giftedissues.davidsongifted....6/Re_AoPS_Book_vs_Course.html#Post200496

I wrote our second grade experience down here:

http://giftedissues.davidsongifted....ar_in_math_a_retrospecti.html#Post194683

I tend to think about what to do from the end goal perspective. Finishing algebra before middle school is not necessarily that useful for even most smart kids if they are only aiming to reach calculus.
I disagree, because proficiency with algebra is needed to study many subjects, including physics, chemistry, economics, and computer science.

Honestly, I don't think you're disagreeing with me much since reaching any level of science that really requires algebra prior to 6th grade puts you probably in the followup categories I listed.

That said CS definitely does NOT require algebra and is actually an interesting lateral path to go down.