Math Placement

[Anonymous]

Our child was placed one level below his current level in math placement for 9th grade. We are not happy about it. What can we do to address this with the school? Will they reconsider their decision? They are offering a retake of the test in June which may be too late. What if he still gets placed below level?

Are we on the hook to pay the entire year tuition if we remove him from the school at this early stage? We haven't paid all the fees, just the contract fees which but the way is also a nice chunk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child was placed one level below his current level in math placement for 9th grade. We are not happy about it. What can we do to address this with the school? Will they reconsider their decision? They are offering a retake of the test in June which may be too late. What if he still gets placed below level?

Are we on the hook to pay the entire year tuition if we remove him from the school at this early stage? We haven't paid all the fees, just the contract fees which but the way is also a nice chunk.

It sounds like the only way he stays in the lower level math is if he doesn't do well on the retake. Am I wrong?

If he does poorly on the placement test twice, then you should listen to the school.

[Anonymous]

Read the contract. Most schools you only lose the deposit if you withdraw before June 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child was placed one level below his current level in math placement for 9th grade. We are not happy about it. What can we do to address this with the school? Will they reconsider their decision? They are offering a retake of the test in June which may be too late. What if he still gets placed below level?

Are we on the hook to pay the entire year tuition if we remove him from the school at this early stage? We haven't paid all the fees, just the contract fees which but the way is also a nice chunk.

Then that's where he belongs.

[Anonymous]

My kid went back 2. It is a blessing in disguise. He is learning things he never learned the first time. When he asks his friends who have moved along when he has a problem- they don’t know how to answer the problem. If your kid is going into STEM, this might actually be the best thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our child was placed one level below his current level in math placement for 9th grade. We are not happy about it. What can we do to address this with the school? Will they reconsider their decision? They are offering a retake of the test in June which may be too late. What if he still gets placed below level?

Are we on the hook to pay the entire year tuition if we remove him from the school at this early stage? We haven't paid all the fees, just the contract fees which but the way is also a nice chunk.

Then that's where he belongs.

I agree with PP. Definitely have him take it again in case he just had an off day, but if he still gets placed lower, that is where he belongs at that particular school. You can also contact the chair of the math department or a dean to see if he can retake sooner so you know before you are on the hook for tuition if a lower placement is going to be a deal breaker for you with the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child was placed one level below his current level in math placement for 9th grade. We are not happy about it. What can we do to address this with the school? Will they reconsider their decision? They are offering a retake of the test in June which may be too late. What if he still gets placed below level?

Are we on the hook to pay the entire year tuition if we remove him from the school at this early stage? We haven't paid all the fees, just the contract fees which but the way is also a nice chunk.

You can usually pull out before May 31.

I'm assuming you are new to this school for 9th. It'd help to understand what (type of) school they are coming from 8th vs where they are in headed for 9th?

[Anonymous]

What makes you think the proposed placement is wrong?

[Anonymous]

What math is your child currently taking and where were they placed? Did the school openly offer the retake in June or did you have to inquire about it?

[Anonymous]

So you want to push for your kid to be in a class they're clearly not ready for? Great way to set them up to fail.

Or just pull them out because you didn't get your way. And send them where? Public?

You can't always get what you want.

[Anonymous]

I have the opposite problem - DC signed up for the hardest level class offered at their level and we don't think it's a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid went back 2. It is a blessing in disguise. He is learning things he never learned the first time. When he asks his friends who have moved along when he has a problem- they don’t know how to answer the problem. If your kid is going into STEM, this might actually be the best thing.

Eh, if you're going to stumble your way through. Not really learning anyway, may as well stumble through a higher level. Most people don't remember what they learned 2 years ago, and then forget the rest when they get to college. People who do high level STEM are doing most of their math outside of school.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean by high level STEM? I have 2 college kids in STEM (chemistry and Chem E) and neither did any math outside school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid went back 2. It is a blessing in disguise. He is learning things he never learned the first time. When he asks his friends who have moved along when he has a problem- they don’t know how to answer the problem. If your kid is going into STEM, this might actually be the best thing.

Eh, if you're going to stumble your way through. Not really learning anyway, may as well stumble through a higher level. Most people don't remember what they learned 2 years ago, and then forget the rest when they get to college. People who do high level STEM are doing most of their math outside of school.

Complete nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read the contract. Most schools you only lose the deposit if you withdraw before June 1.

And if at SJC, you have until 6/29 to cancel by.