My son is completely miserable in 6th grade math. He skipped 2nd grade but this math is just ridiculously repetitive for him and I agree. I don't think he should have to endure the several hours of exams on this topic. There is no impact on his math average for the class whether he takes the test or not; the results are simply sent to the state.

He is not looking forward to the exams at all...Would anyone here agree that I should let him opt out?

Another reason to opt out, is that I am considering letting him take the Accelerated 7/8 grade Math final assessment test, now. It was brought up by the guidance counselor and principal. He's scheduled to be in this class next year, during his grade 7. However, if he gets a passing score, and shows competency even though he has not yet been taught the material, it might be reason enough to place him in an even higher level math class than that. I don't have math textbooks at home. I have no idea if this is a fair test for him to take. He LEARNS and memorizes things super fast, and retains them. He scores 100s in grade 6 math, but does that mean taking a grade 7/8 math test is a good idea?

Would you let your child opt out of 6th grade state assessment exam?

And do you think taking the 7/8 accelerated exam now, is a good idea, just to see what his level of math comprehension is?

If there is no benefit to your child, I would have him opt out of the 6th grade assessment if you can. You could explain how when he gets bored he tends to do less well.

As to taking the 7/8 exam now, I don't see why not. What do you have to lose? If he doesn't, he just takes 7/8th grade math next year. What is 7/8th grade math? Is it a pre-algebra class? There really isn't a lot more to learn in 7/8th grade math. Most math curriculum spirals, so there will be a lot more of what was in 6th grade math. Can you get your hands on the book they use for this 7/8th grade class?

My son is in what is officially the most rigorous math for my district, Algebra in 7th, Geometry 8th, Algebra II in 9th. All students take an exam at the end of 6th to see if they place into pre-algebra or take 7th grade math. Those that pass the first test at a certain level are given a 2nd test to see if they are ready for Algebra.

There is the possibility that by letting him opt out, you'll teach your son that he doesn't have to do things he doesn't like doing. Not necessarily a good lesson, IMO.

I don't really understand this resistance to the Common Core, especially the math component. I've never seen threads here discussing opting out of other standardized tests, and don't see why this test is different, apart from what I suspect is a fake ground-roots movement against the CC that probably has a lot of unsavory weight behind it at its foundation.

No, there's no way I'd let my child opt out of a state exam, and especially not just because they weren't looking forward to it. If you let him opt out of this exam for this reason, what are you going to tell him in a few years if he says he doesn't want to take the PSAT because he's not looking forward to it?

FWIW my ds is subject accelerated in math, but he takes the state test at his grade level every year (ie, not at the higher level of course that he's in). I don't think my ds reallly looks forward to any type of state testing, but he's done well on the state test anyway (and doesn't prep for it).


I think taking the Accelerated 7/8 Math assessment is a great idea - but I don't see how taking it now has anything to do with participating in the state testing. Students in our school district being considered for math acceleration take both tests in 6th grade.


Rather than focus on whether or not this is a "fair" test, my suggestion is to look on your school district website for a specific list of math curriculum in each class, and see if you have a gut feeling re what class your ds is ready for.

Best wishes,

polarbear

I also say no to opting out. My kids are far from PG, but middle kid has twice received perfect scores on both the math and writing portions of the state standardized tests. Most kids consider them easy and boring, but I don't know any kids who opted out. I think it sets a bad precedent and might lead to others opting out, dragging down scores.

As far as the 7th/8th grade test, if accelerated is what it is here, I would say no. 7th and 8th grade means Algebra I and Geometry here, including rigorous proofs. I don't see how any kid would understand the proofs portion if they hadn't been exposed to it. However, if accelerated is just more pre-algebra, I say it couldn't hurt to take the test.

Agreed 100%

No opting out here either. Rising above on things like this build grit.

Cee needs to find out what this class covers. But I really doubt a 7/8th accelerated class is one that intends to finish a full Algebra I & Geometry class. Or that the principal would be suggesting a 6th grader take a test to jump over both of these classes.

Yes, principal is suggesting to take the test to see what his proficiency is before going in. Past several years msth has been slow and he never needs drawn out reviews and worksheets. Principal would not want to see the same thing happen in the 7/8 class. I will ask to come in and see the book. I need him challenged so he stays interested and engaged.

Opting out is not allowed here, but even if it was, we wouldn't. DS's virtual school lets him accelerate a lot, which is what we want from them.

I have no problem with DS spending a small amount of time taking a boring easy test to help boost the school's scores. Testing is taken at the non-accelerated grade level. (Early grades don't have this testing, so it hasn't happened yet.)

What we would strenuously object to, though, is being forced to spend weeks or more preparing for the boring easy test. (We would leave the school if they wasted too much of our time.)

Unfortunately in this school the state tests are usually for 3 days, 2 hours each. To make sure all the kids finish. So the bright kids sit and read a book when they're done. If it were a 40 minute test,I wouldn't care. But 6 hours, I think it's too much for children who crave learning and like difficult work. It's like us wanting to learn about world politics and diplomacy, and they're not teaching it to us yet, but they're testing us for 6 hours on whether or not we know all 50 states.

I am considering letting him opt out so he doesn't develop an even worse resentment of math. And if we substitute the 7/8 assessment test, it would be a useful way for him to spend test taking time, to assess his level and what he knows.

Still thinking it over.

The school may get upset with kids opting out. If all of the bright kids opt out, then the school's scores will drop (and thus the school ranking will drop).

Our HS got angry with kids a few years ago because some of them decided to "Christmas Tree" (make a pattern on) their answer sheets. Made the district drop from third in the state to sixth in the state on the mandatory state test.

Six hours isn't that much. I'm more concerned with mandatory PE where my eldest was stuck with idiots who didn't know that you needed to dribble the basketball. And then was chided when she stole the ball from these kids and scored. My kids are involved in year round travel sports. They don't need PE, but all of us are stuck with plenty of mandatory things that are a waste of time. It is a part of life.

My son has never minded the state tests. He likes taking tests particularly ones he does well on that are multiple choice. And he never minds a chance to free read. Because of Common Core my son doesn't take any state tests this year. Not sure the details but it's something about giving the schools another year to adjust to common core before testing them.

Of the 3 days 2 hours, I suspect that only one of those days is math. Are you talking about opting him out of all of the testing? I can't imagine our schools allowing one to opt out of only one part of the test.

Here's a thought - look for placement tests available online for homeschooling curricula, for 7th and 8th grade math. I think I have one for Saxon and one for Singapore; each test is about two sides of a page. Print them out and let him do those in the down time after finishing the standardized tests. If he knows it all, great; if he misses a couple concepts, let him learn those; if it's all new, it's likely he would learn something in the regular class next year. If you have access to the actual textbook the classes would use, they often include unit tests or reviews that he could go over in the same way. It feels a bit like test prep, but if he can learn everything he needs to learn in less than six hours, it wouldn't be worth sitting through the classes.

Dear cee,

Check with the administrator about opting out first before talking to your DS. Most schools would not let you do it. Besides, it usually won't take that long. Most kids (especially the kids in this forum) will finish in less than half the time.

My DD10 (5th grade) is planning to skip 6th grade TAG class (7th and 8th grade Math) and go straight to Algebra I next year. She will have to take 7th grade Math, 8th grade Math, Iowa assessment for Algebra readiness test and 8th grade TEKS test as per district policy.

So, what your DS has to go through is not as bad :-)

There are free online resources for grade level including Khan Academy. Our State uses Glencoe publishing and it has online edition and testing. My DD just take the test on each chapters and review the text when she does not get 90%. Here's the link.

http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078740479/student_view0/chapter1/chapter_readiness_quiz.html

Some paid sites like Thinkwell Academy has better tests. The kids who haven't taught the curriculum will have gaps and that way, they can see where the gaps are and fill them up before accelerating.

Good Luck!

Engish/Language Arts state tests last month were 3 days, 2 hours each day, and he took that test. Next week is 3 days of math tests, 2 hours each day again.

Thinking maybe let him take the math test. I am not one who has jumped on the anti-common core bandwagon. Their reasons for opting out are not the concerns I share. My concern is not wasting my son's time in math. He was completely in love with math until recent years when the classes stopped challenging him. I want his passion to come back.

I am having conversations with the school about doing things they've never done before, so perhaps I should cooperate when I can (?)