In 2001-02, FCPS required a minimum IAAT percentile score of 98%ile, plus a good score on an exceptionally difficult “Math Seven Assessment” test.  That was the first year of a FCPS 3-year extreme anti-acceleration regime.  In 2004-05, the pendulum started to swing, the required IAAT score dropped to 95%ile and the killer MSA was replaced with a much easier 8th grade Math SOL test.  This year, it appears that the minimum IAAT score is 91%ile in one elementary school, 92%ile in another, and for all we know 90%ile in some other FCPS schools.

FCPS uses the IAAT to prescreen students for the 8th grade math SOL test in part because elementary school principals don’t want to risk a situation where their GTC or compacted math students don’t do well on an SOL test.  If a sixth grade student scores 95%ile on the IAAT, they’re virtually guaranteed to score pass advanced on the 8th grade math SOL test.  If a student scores 90%ile on the IAAT, there’s a chance they’ll only score “pass” instead of “pass advanced.”   A few might even fail.

Another parent noted that 7th grade Algebra 1 is important primarily if your child expects to take multivariable calculus and linear algebra in 12th grade.  I’d like to add to that comment, by explaining what happens to some students who take Algebra 1 in 7th grade.  If they don’t do well in precalculus during 10th grade, they typically take AP Calculus AB in junior year.  Some then take AP Calculus BC in senior year.  Basically, those kids spend junior year learning the first semester of college calculus at half-speed, then spend the first semester of senior year reviewing what they learned in AP Calculus AB.