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There is a possibility the kids may be going to public school next year. A big part of the decision will be the ability of the school to accommodate my ds11 math education. He would be going into sixth grade and is on track to finish pre-Algebra by Dec/Jan.

 

The local middle school does not accelerate. DS would be put into 6th grade math and would only reach pre-Algebra in 8th.

 

I would like to propose that I continue to tutor him in math using our curriculum (AoPS) while taking other classes from the PS. Has anyone ever done this? How did you approach the school? Did you make your proposal to the registrar, principal, or teacher? If you were able to do it, was tutoring done in the school or at home? Were there testing requirements and if so, what kind?

 

Also, what support was needed to prove your child's ability? I have standardized test scores from the past three years as well as his Pre-Algebra notebook with all his notes and work to date.

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There is a possibility the kids may be going to public school next year. A big part of the decision will be the ability of the school to accommodate my ds11 math education. He would be going into sixth grade and is on track to finish pre-Algebra by Dec/Jan.

 

The local middle school does not accelerate. DS would be put into 6th grade math and would only reach pre-Algebra in 8th.

 

I would like to propose that I continue to tutor him in math using our curriculum (AoPS) while taking other classes from the PS. Has anyone ever done this? How did you approach the school? Did you make your proposal to the registrar, principal, or teacher? If you were able to do it, was tutoring done in the school or at home? Were there testing requirements and if so, what kind?

 

Also, what support was needed to prove your child's ability? I have standardized test scores from the past three years as well as his Pre-Algebra notebook with all his notes and work to date.

 

My youngest studied Singapore Math at home and then AoPS. Initially we didn't involve the school at all but after noticing that he was working on AoPS in his free time at school, the school eventually allowed him to work independently during middle school and junior high. He was allowed to take math classes at the high school during junior high as well. For that he had to score well on the SAT in sixth grade and get recommendations from his elementary teachers.

 

The high school will allow a student to take independent study with a math teacher or a student may take math classes at nearby Northwestern University if they have finished MV Calc/Linear Algebra. We are lucky that our public high school encourages kids to follow and develop their interests.

 

Is your middle school 5th and 6th grade only? If 7th grade will advance students, then you could have your son continue working on AoPS at home and/or during his free time at school so that he can move ahead in 7th. If junior high does not accommodate advanced students, then don't enroll him. Let him work at his own pace at home.

 

Before school begins, meet with the middle school and junior high principals (If they're different) and math teacher(s) to discuss what they can do for your son. Bring your son's notebook, his AoPS book, maybe a short Wiki explanation of AoPS and standardized test scores. Find out what the school has done in the past to accommodate kids who are ready for more challenge. If they won't advance, then don't put him in. Refusing to accommodate advanced students would be a huge red flag for me.

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Do any of the ps in your area offer the International Baccalaureate program? This would be a way to ensure your

child stays in a more rigorous track. IB programs do begin in middle school.

 

This is not exactly true.  Unless they offer a Further Math course, students in the IB program are locked into calculus in 12th grade. 

 

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This is not exactly true. Unless they offer a Further Math course, students in the IB program are locked into calculus in 12th grade.

I am speaking from personal experience, not from some rogue opinion. I have a son in his final two years in IB. Obviously, you would have to know exactly what your local school offers to know which math would be offered to the student in their respective area. I am thinking that if the student were accelerated,this would be a great option as an accelerated public schooler.

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I am speaking from personal experience, not from some rogue opinion. I have a son in his final two years in IB. Obviously, you would have to know exactly what your local school offers to know which math would be offered to the student in their respective area. I am thinking that if the student were accelerated,this would be a great option as an accelerated public schooler.

 

I am also speaking from experience as I have had two kids attend an IB school (and one who was in the diploma program).  There are four IB diploma math courses--Math Studies (basically Algebra II and precalculus), Math SL (precalculus and calculus), Math HL (precalculus and calculus), and Further Math (which I am not familiar with, except that I know it goes beyond HL and it is assumed that the student has had HL prior to taking it).

 

So if the school has Further Math (which is a one year course), that would accommodate a kid who had Algebra I in 7th grade.  More radically accelerated students (like my son who took Algebra I in 5th grade) are out of luck.

 

Do you have information that goes beyond this?

 

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I am also speaking from experience as I have had two kids attend an IB school (and one who was in the diploma program). There are four IB diploma math courses--Math Studies (basically Algebra II and precalculus), Math SL (precalculus and calculus), Math HL (precalculus and calculus), and Further Math (which I am not familiar with, except that I know it goes beyond HL and it is assumed that the student has had HL prior to taking it).

 

So if the school has Further Math (which is a one year course), that would accommodate a kid who had Algebra I in 7th grade. More radically accelerated students (like my son who took Algebra I in 5th grade) are out of luck.

 

Do you have information that goes beyond this?

 

 

 

These are the "four levels" you were speaking of:

 

mathematical studies standard level

mathematics SL

mathematics higher level

further mathematics higher level

 

The further mathematics higher level is what I was referring to when I replied to the original post on this thread. It proves that IB does offer higher level, intensive math for a student who would accelerate in this area. The Middle Years Program also offers Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

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These are the "four levels" you were speaking of:

 

mathematical studies standard level

mathematics SL

mathematics higher level

further mathematics higher level

 

The further mathematics higher level is what I was referring to when I replied to the original post on this thread. It proves that IB does offer higher level, intensive math for a student who would accelerate in this area. The Middle Years Program also offers Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

 

But the point I was making is that the Further Math course only goes one year beyond calculus, which would benefit a student who started Algebra I in 7th grade but not a student who is more accelerated than that (possibly including the OP's son).

 

I don't see that we're disagreeing here except, perhaps, in our definitions of "accelerated."

 

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But the point I was making is that the Further Math course only goes one year beyond calculus, which would benefit a student who started Algebra I in 7th grade but not a student who is more accelerated than that (possibly including the OP's son).

 

I don't see that we're disagreeing here except, perhaps, in our definitions of "accelerated."

 

I believe this could work, but the only way to know is if the local school would accommodate the students need. Since the original post states the student will be finishing fifth grade (pre-algebra) and going into sixth (Algebra I) it could definitely work. Absolutely. I agree. I'm just happy to offer whatever insight I can, when I can, to other schoolers.

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My daughter (7) is going into the 2nd grade at a public charter school. We provide all of her math instruction at home, as the school isn't able to meet her needs. We use EPGY K-7; about 20-45 mins per day. She has completed 1st-3rd grade work since this April. She's starting 4th grade math now. At her current pace, she'll probably get through 4th, 5th, and maybe part of 6th before the school year is over.

 

Our school has been completely fine with it! They've even offered to allow her to work independently at school on one of the classroom computers (although we prefer for her to do it at home so we can be available for questions). It helps that our Head of School spent most of his career as a gifted education specialist. It is also an IB school which I feel allows some more creativity in curriculum planning. 

 

It's interesting though...her teacher was a little uncomfortable at first (I think she felt like we thought she was "failing" somehow). But once she realized that our kid really did have special needs that couldn't be met in the classroom, she was more open. We originally approached the teacher. She was unsure, so we made an appointment with the Head of School. He said "no problem!" and took our word. No need to show or prove anything. I did email progress reports to her teacher during report card time (EPGY provides amazing reports), but other than that, we just handled everything at home. 

 

I would still suggest compiling a file folder with test scores, sample work, IQ scores, etc. Basically, anything to "prove" the regular classroom can't meet his needs. We have one, but luckily haven't needed to use it yet.

 

I'm comfortable teaching our daughter up until college algebra, but after that we'll probably enroll her at the local community college for on-line math courses. Granted, we have several years before that happens :)

 

Our local high school allows students to enroll part-time in the community college or local university and earn dual credit. It might be worth it to see if this is an option in your district!

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In our district, you can homeschool any subject you want, but the student won't get school credit for the subject.  Also, if the student is identified as gifted, there is more leeway in terms of what you can do.  If they determine that the student's needs can't be met in the classroom, they have been known to allow kids to use EPGY or other online programs for credit.  Since AoPS is accredited now, they might allow them too.

 

Private schools sometimes allow more flexibility.  For example, my son took Algebra I at a private school when he was 5th grade age.  The next year they let him take geometry at home with me (and Derek Owens) and gave him credit for it. 

 

But policies vary from state to state and district to district and even school to school in the same district.

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Before school begins, meet with the middle school and junior high principals (If they're different) and math teacher(s) to discuss what they can do for your son. Bring your son's notebook, his AoPS book, maybe a short Wiki explanation of AoPS and standardized test scores. Find out what the school has done in the past to accommodate kids who are ready for more challenge. If they won't advance, then don't put him in. Refusing to accommodate advanced students would be a huge red flag for me.

Thanks to everyone for their posts. MBM, this was helpful to talk about your experience.

 

I plan on talking to the principals and teachers, but I spoke with a few PS parents who've tried to get their kids in a higher math level. All said that the school does not accelerate. I'm hoping since I have the proof he's working at a higher level (as opposed to pushing for a higher level), we can work something out.

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Do any of the ps in your area offer the International Baccalaureate program? This would be a way to ensure your

child stays in a more rigorous track. IB programs do begin in middle school.

There is no IB. We live in a very rural area. In a nearby town, the PS high school offers a more rigorous diploma (multiple AP courses), but that option is still three years away. I had planned on homeschooling through 8th and letting him attend the other high school if he chose to. Recent life events have led our family to consider public school.

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Yes. The OP needs to do some research. When I was high school shopping, I saw one school tjat had very advanced coursework offered (linear alg, I tro to diffeq) where a student who worked independently at home for Alg could not receive credit unless the course was taught by a certified teacher, covered the same material as the district's course does, and on top of that the student must do a project agreed upon w the math dept chair in order to have credit.

From what I understand, credit given is at the principal's discretion. I have the proof (textbook, notebook, and test scores). I was just curious how others approached the issue. Talk to the math teacher first? The principal first?

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A notebook and a textbook dont prove anything. They will want independent verification of seat time, acceptable instructor, course content, knowledge gained, etc in order to give credit. That may be by casual oral exam, or by discussion with a teacher or tutor that the student has worked with.every district is different and they all have to comply with state regs. This is a conversation that starts between the student and guidance, then will go to the math chair and principal. There is no need to bother if the student isnt wanting high school credit.

 

Test score appplicability willl depend on the test and if it was proctored by someone other than the parent. A CogAT or an SAT score may be helpful to the math teacher in determining placement.

 

Your best bet is to set up a meeting with the math chairperson before school starts and ask what the student needs to do to officially subject accel, since you are new to the school. Guidance and the principal cant do anything without the math dept decision.

This is helpful. He's eleven so any meetings would be with me in attendance. I'd let him do most of the talking, but since I don't know the process, I'm not sending a pre-teen in to navigate without guidance.

 

This is so new to me. Growing up, accelerated options were the norm and every district we've lived has had accelerated courses or placement for younger students. It's my understanding the current district used to offer acceleration, but chose a few years ago to focus on bring everyone up to the same level.

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I don't know what your state law is but with a gifted IEP here, they are supposed to meet your kids needs.  Our school mandates a math placement test over the summer for all incoming students from any situation, and for all current students who wish to skip a math class.  DS took one last year...and although then it is inconvenient for everyone, requiring bussing to a different school, they are required to get him into an appropriate class.  We turned down the option to bus and allowed him to re-take algebra in 7th which is common enough that it happens at his own school.

 

ETA find out who the head of your math department is and place a phone call.  I did that last year and had a conversation about our situation.

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Even if they agree to accelerate his math, I could see a problem with him finishing in Dec/jan. Most likely he would have to restart prealgebra when school starts. I have never heard of a public school that would start a new level of math 2nd semester.

 

If he is using AoPS prealgebra, he would very likely be able to place into Algebra I in the fall even without finishing the book.

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Thank you to everyone who responded. I spoke with a school board member who was asking for similar accommodations. The answer for her was a no so I assume I wouldn't have a better outcome.

 

DH and I talked and we decided to continue homeschooling.

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