Re:Why are so many 8th-graders taking AP Calculus at this[Pa...
by cmroanirgo on Sunday July 07, 2019 @01:46PM
(#20376448)
This view doesn't seem to be reflected in the article to me:
>This coming school year, 140 sixth- and seventh-graders at three Pasadena middle schools will be taking math courses usually given to 10th- and 11th-graders. Thirty-eight eighth-graders at two middle schools will enroll in Calculus BC, the more advanced of two AP calculus options.
And
>“Their scores don’t reflect the true extent of their mathematical knowledge and skill,”
That said, what is the need for "time pressure" in mathematics? There are plenty of unsolved equations out there:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unsolved_problems_in...
It’s way better to make sure the basics in geometry, algebra and Pre-calc are rock solid before taking a calculus course. This way you don’t memorize a bag of tricks, but can derive unique and creative approaches when you need to. Its more fun that way too.
Preferably these kids should be able to solve any USAMO problem under time pressure before going on to advanced subjects. It’s Cargo cult math otherwise.
https://artofproblemsolving.com/news/articles/avoid-the-calc...