New students and how things work (credit, transfer, middle schools)

[catsnk9s]

Hello! So we will be relocating to the area but not until the end of June. I know I have a ways to go but I am trying to understand how things work. I have a 7th grader this year who will be entering the 8th grade in the wake county schools. He is currently in an accelerated math program in his middle school. This year he is taking a pre-Algebra course that would set him up to take high school Algebra 1 in 8th grade in our current system. I see that many middle schools in Wake County have a program for Single Subject Acceleration but it also seems there is a recommendation necessary and some testing. If a student is not in the system how do they participate in the single subject acceleration? He will have transcripts from our current school system that shows the track he is on, will that be enough to allow him to move ahead in that subject? Is there something I should do ahead of time to ensure he at least has the opportunity? Would a recommendation from his current teacher help?

Also, will the high schools place in honors programs based on transcripts? I have an 8th grader now who be starting high school when we move. She will have finished high school Algebra 1 and Geometry before transferring. Is there anything I should make sure I get from her current teachers - letters of recommendation, etc. that would help to ensure she can continue to move ahead and not have to retake these classes? They will be on her transcript but not sure if that is enough.

Any recent transfers that have dealt with some of these issues have words of wisdom? Any very familiar with how things work have words of wisdom?

Thanks for any help and insight!!

[twingles]

Sounds like your students will be in track for regular classes once they get here. Most eighth graders take CCM1 which woukd be the equivalent of Algebra I. Although it is way more advanced than what I did in algebra back in the day. Advanced kids woukd go into CCM II in eighth grade and then move on once in high school.

They are pretty strict about to testing into single subject acceleration - but it sounds like it might not be something to worry about.

[catsnk9s]

Great!

What is CCM1 and CCM II? My 8th grader is further along and in Geometry having already finished Algebra 1. Is this typical of incoming 9th graders for Wake County? I thought Wake County followed Common Core - please lets not debate if this is good or bad - so if all 8th graders are finishing Algebra 1 before entering high school I'm very impressed. It's just something that we are moving toward in our current school system and the surrounding towns.

Thanks for your help!

[twingles]

CCM stands for Common Core Math.

This is a very math-centric area, for lack of a better term. I don't think you're going to find the math classes wanting here. The only kids I know going into 9th grade above CCMII are what I'd consider highly gifted.

[sonderella]

Originally Posted by catsnk9s

Great!

What is CCM1 and CCM II? My 8th grader is further along and in Geometry having already finished Algebra 1. Is this typical of incoming 9th graders for Wake County? I thought Wake County followed Common Core - please lets not debate if this is good or bad - so if all 8th graders are finishing Algebra 1 before entering high school I'm very impressed. It's just something that we are moving toward in our current school system and the surrounding towns.

Thanks for your help!

Not all 8th graders take Algebra 1, but many do. They get on that track by taking "Math 6 Plus" as 6th graders, which covers all of 6th grade math and a portion of 7th. Then as 7th graders, they take "Math 7 Plus" which covers the rest of 7th, and most of 8th. Then they take CCM1 (algebra) as 8th graders.

A few take Math 6, Math 7, and Math 8, which won't get them to Algebra 1 until 9th grade.

A few take a compacted class called "Math 6 Plus/7 Plus" as 6th graders, which puts them into Algebra 1 as 7th graders.

A few did the SSA in elementary, which puts them at Math 6 Plus as 5th graders (my own child is doing this now), Math 7 Plus as 6th graders, and Algebra 1 as 7th graders.

Here's a chart that illustrates the various paths:

http://wake-ms-math.weebly.com/uploa...r_ms_15-16.pdf

[catsnk9s]

Thanks for the information. Good to know they should fit right in!

[TinkaMcKirk]

It sounds like your 7th grader would be aligned with the MS Math 6+/7+/CCM1 track, and I wouldn't think it would be an issue to enroll him in CCM1 for 8th grade (it does provide HS credit). Your current 8th grader may be a class ahead, but hard to tell. Either way, whether she winds up in CCM2 or CCM3 in 9th grade, it would likely be an honors level class.

From what I've seen, math placements are highly dependent upon teacher recommendation, so it can't hurt for you to get their teachers' placement recommendations in addition to their transcripts, particularly if you get any push back from your new schools.

[catsnk9s]

Thank you TinkaMcKirk. They both have wonderful math teachers this year and I will be sure to get letters from both of them. Can't hurt!

Thank you!!

[chickenbot]

CCM1 (Algebra) is the standard for 8th grade math. Most students will be in CCM1 unless they need a lower level class.