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Math Education Insights
FCPS Math Pathways Explained: When Will Your Child Take Algebra 1?
In FCPS, math splits into three course options in 6th grade, and that choice decides whether a student takes Algebra 1 in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Here is the current pathway for elementary parents, including the expansion of 6th-grade Algebra 1 and the end of the IAAT requirement.
AMC 8 2027: Dates, Registration, Prep Plan, and Awards
The 2027 AMC 8 runs January 21-27, and families can't register with the MAA directly, so the timeline matters. Here are the dates, how registration works, a 15-week prep plan, free practice sites, and what each award actually means.
Does Your Child Have Math Anxiety?
Kids who freeze at word problems or say "I'm just not a math person" may be dealing with something more than dislike. Here's how to recognize math anxiety, what causes it, and what parents can actually do at home.
The Back-to-School Checklist Every Parent Should Run Through
With just a few weeks left before school starts, here's a practical checklist covering everything from confirming your child's teacher to resetting sleep schedules and brushing up on math.
The TJHSST Roadmap: What Elementary Parents Should Know
A parent-friendly introduction to TJHSST — what it actually is, how it differs from Korea's science and gifted high schools, and what elementary-age preparation actually looks like.
How to Read Your Child's FCPS Elementary Report Card
Virginia elementary report cards don't use A-B-C grades — FCPS scores students on a 1-4 standards-based scale. Here's how the scoring works, how it differs from the state SOL test, and what parents should actually look for.
Preventing the Summer Math Slide Before School Starts
Why math skills fade faster than reading over summer break, what the research says, and practical steps parents can take in the final weeks before school starts.
Understanding FCPS AAP Math
A clear breakdown of Standard vs. Advanced (AAP) math in FCPS, covering placement criteria and the long-term pathway through middle and high school.
A Complete Guide to the NGAT (formerly CogAT & NNAT)
Everything parents need to know about the NGAT, the ability test now used for FCPS AAP placement, including structure, scoring, timing, and preparation strategies. It replaced CogAT and NNAT starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
Math Competitions Open to FCPS Students
An overview of major math competitions available to FCPS elementary students, including MOEMS, AMC 8, Math League, and Math Kangaroo, with details on difficulty, timing, and how to participate.
5 Evidence-Based Strategies for Building Math Skills at Home
Five research-backed strategies parents can use at home to help their children build stronger math skills. No tutoring required to get started.
Why Singapore Math Works
An accessible explanation of what Singapore Math is, why it's widely adopted in gifted education programs, and how it differs from traditional US math instruction.