Apparently, there is a big 'unintended consequences' kind of problem with the state and federal testing requirements for math in Texas. The feds say middle schoolers have to be tested every year in math and once in high school. Texas says the high school test they have to take is Algebra I. If students take Algebra I in 8th grade, what happens? Double testing in 8th grade? What about in high school? Hmmm.
School districts are trying to work this out, but some might just stop offering Algebra I in middle school if things get too difficult. That would be a shame.
3 comments:
Argh! Testing has gone crazy. Also--my son took algebra with the eighth graders last year (sixth grade) this year, the math teacher did not offer eighth grade algebra, so they did it online (one program for tests, a different one for tutorials--because the first program was not compatible with their school-issued ipads), so he started all over again at the beginning of algebra one. The math teacher retired and a new one started a few weeks ago. She switched their online math program to a different (and possibly better) one and now he's starting all over again--at the beginning of algebra one, plus doing some of the seventh grade math (which he already did in fifth grad--as a review so he'll be prepared for the testing at the end of the year). Next year he'll keep going with the online algebra program (provided it doesn't change again) and then in high school, he'll take a placement test and then go into--algebra two! Congratulations, kid, by being smart, you won yourself four years of algebra. Seriously want to tear out my hair.
Argh! Also, argh! to online math classes - what is that about? If there is any class in which one needs actual instruction, I would think it would be math!
I agree!
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