Why are so many 8th-graders taking AP Calculus at this[Pasadena]school district?

This is so misguided. The magic of math doesn’t happen when you are superficially going through more “advanced” topics. And they are definitely going through it superficially since only one score mentioned was a 5 (which is incredibly easy to get since it allows for almost 40% incorrect answers).

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...

I like this. For a while I’ve had the feeling that more “advanced mathematics” should be introduced at lower grade levels. I can also remember many of my teachers to be admittedly and somewhat proudly “bad at math.”

I also think that there should be softer mathematics courses taught. For example, something like “the history of mathematics” or “the mathematics of space” or something like that where the course content is more exploratory, assignments look more like essays or poster boards, etc.

I wonder if showing students calculus (in a light-hearted way) before they fully grok algebra or geometry might have an accelerating effect? I don’t know if this is a great analogy, but many find it easier/quicker to learn a framework/tool, not for the sake of learning, but because it’s standing between them and a goal.

really odd piece:

- only perspective from kids is by way of a parent who claims she's happier than he has seen in ages. really, due to an intense math class?

- > The Math Academy has had some success using tutoring sessions three times a week to increase the number of sixth-graders admitted.

so, seems that it isn't raw pure latent talent, there is some amount of grooming here to get kids to place higher.

- no actual hypothesis or comments on the question the article title asks. strange.

my guess is it's a mix of really intelligent kids and parents who are motivated to play educational arms race type games: competitive nature is moving more and more forward in development (need to be above and beyond ASAP to better qualify for stuff later in life), and with parents with $$, it's possible.

This reminds me of the movie "Stand and Deliver"

> The story of Jaime Escalante, a high school teacher who successfully inspired his dropout prone students to learn calculus.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094027/

Story can be read here: https://outline.com/X6uzgf