we4
Junior
Let's Go Yankees......Let's Go Yankees
Posts: 204
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Post by we4 on Apr 15, 2009 10:33:28 GMT -5
Here is my question. My current 5th grader qualified for the full strand of PA. She was so surprised and excited that she got into PA math. We figured she would qualify for the Reading Strand, but the math we were unsure. We have the form to fill out and it's due back on Monday. She is really undecided about what to do. I asked her about all the possible choices and she really does not know. I am afraid she has seen her sister's experience with PA (read strand) in middle school and is using that as how it will be for her. I try to explain that they are different students and my 5th grader may have a different experience. I have no problem if she does not do PA anything in middle school.
Does anyone have any previous experience with full strand PA or even just regular curriculum and PA math?
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Post by momto4 on Apr 15, 2009 11:01:14 GMT -5
I have responded to we4 privately, but kids in my house have a lot of experience with MS PA so I'd be willing to discuss any specifics here as well. What we don't know is what things will be like next year with the new MS schedule.
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we4
Junior
Let's Go Yankees......Let's Go Yankees
Posts: 204
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Post by we4 on Apr 15, 2009 11:20:02 GMT -5
Thanks to all that have PM'd me. Keep them coming. I really want the decision to come from my daughter and I just provide many examples for her to think about - all PA and not PA options.
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Post by wvhsparent on Apr 15, 2009 11:46:36 GMT -5
My daughter also qualified for full strand way back. She opted to only do the Math portion.
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Post by forthekids on Apr 15, 2009 15:10:30 GMT -5
I have to admit that it has been 8 years since my daughter was involved in PA -- but, here is our experience. My daughter did not qualify for PA after taking the test for middle school. Her teacher was so upset (missed by 2 points) that she got special permission for her to take the test again (missed by 2 points, again). My daughter really didn't seem to care (I wouldn't be surprised if she purposely missed it!) Funny thing happened in 7th grade -- she was bored in the regular classes, had heard that you needed to be in PA in order to get into the higher classes in high school, and had met someone who was in PA that had become a good friend. She asked if she could be placed in PA, submitted some of her work to the PA teacher and was accepted into PA. She blossomed! She did fabulous in high school and finished Northwestern in 3 years! So, we had a great experience!
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Post by gatormom on Apr 16, 2009 8:59:23 GMT -5
I have to admit that it has been 8 years since my daughter was involved in PA -- but, here is our experience. My daughter did not qualify for PA after taking the test for middle school. Her teacher was so upset (missed by 2 points) that she got special permission for her to take the test again (missed by 2 points, again). My daughter really didn't seem to care (I wouldn't be surprised if she purposely missed it!) Funny thing happened in 7th grade -- she was bored in the regular classes, had heard that you needed to be in PA in order to get into the higher classes in high school and had met someone who was in PA that had become a good friend. She asked if she could be placed in PA, submitted some of her work to the PA teacher and was accepted into PA. She blossomed! She did fabulous in high school and finished Northwestern in 3 years! So, we had a great experience! My daughter was able to get into a few honors classes without PA but I know she is going to have a very difficult time. The children in PA are much better prepared for honors/AP classes. I do hope the curriculum is changing in that regards but I am worried about next year. The thing about PA that is always important to remember, it is much harder to get in than to drop out. With your child qualifying though, it would probably be easier than someone who did not.
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Post by gatordog on Apr 16, 2009 10:09:51 GMT -5
I would say, if the student is a self-starter and hard worker, they should consider giving PA a try.
With the new MS scheduling, I understand the PA is still part of the specific grade team. (Do I have this right??)
Before, it was a combined PA team of 6-7-8 graders. So there was more of a "social" cost, in that you were away from the rest of your grade level. I know some students decided not to go into PA because of this separation issue.
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