Would you have your 8th grader retake algebra if he got a B in 7th grade?

[Anonymous]

OP, you are a monster parent.

[Anonymous]

Colleges do not consider grades before 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

The hate on this post is weird. It's not about being a tiger parent and this is a reasonable question. Math builds and a B means the foundation is possibly shaky. The kid is already 2 years ahead in math and can afford to re-take if that makes sense. Frankly, getting a B when you're this accelerated is a possible (not definite) sign you shouldn't be so accelerated.

I agree with the PP who said to investigate more why a B. If the kid is not getting some concepts, take the class again and you'll all be grateful later. Could be the teacher isn't a great fit, could be the kid is not a good test taker, could be disorganized or lack of effort. Figure it out. But for example, if your kid is firing on all cylinders and you have a tutor on the side and it's still a B, not a good sign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges do not consider grades before 9th grade.

Says who? The grade is on the transcript, and it's a HS credit.

[Anonymous]

Plenty of schools (public and private) have summer algebra review courses for students who have taken algebra, but want to cement the concepts. Look for one of those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are a monster parent.

DP: This is so unreasonable. Taking Algebra 1 H as a 7th grader is an extra advanced track. Her kid may have wanted to do it. If they get a B, that's not a "bad" grade or anything but it puts them on a track to be taking Calculus their Jr year which might be really challenging. The math classes grow in difficulty pretty quickly. Retaking it in 8th grade may be putting them on a path that is more suitable for them and won't add any stress burden and likely only has positive implications for their future trajectory in college as they are still perceived as being on an advanced track and are more likely to be getting good grades and that retake isn't recorded on their transcript for college. I wish I had done this for my kid who moved from being top in math to not wanting to do it because they felt like they were "bad" at it (only by comparing themselves to others who were also on that advanced track) and it also sucked their time from other classes because they had to work hard at it. We didn't push them into Algebra H in 7th -- they were in AAP, got pass advanced on the SOL and high scores on the IAAT and their 6th grade teacher recommended it, but some of the algebra concepts were just a little more difficult for them to process for them than their peers in the advanced track and it only got harder in HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, because that means he prob isn't ready for the path he is on. That means Multivariable calc as a 12th grader.

Re-do it and get a great base.

You'll thank me when he's in 12th grade.

I don't think most kids should be on this path, but I agree with the spirit of this poster. You need to make sure your child has a great foundation. If this kid has a B in alegbra, Honors Algebra II is going to be a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, because that means he prob isn't ready for the path he is on. That means Multivariable calc as a 12th grader.

Re-do it and get a great base.

You'll thank me when he's in 12th grade.

I don't think most kids should be on this path, but I agree with the spirit of this poster. You need to make sure your child has a great foundation. If this kid has a B in alegbra, Honors Algebra II is going to be a nightmare.

Also, we have to remember, this is an era of retakes and no 0 grades, 50 or 63 minimum depending on the school. What if that goes away in a couple of years. I know my kid would have so much worse math grades if they couldn't retake or get a mandatory min 63

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!! A B in algebra shows he’s struggling. No kid struggling should be on an advanced math - math starts getting very hard, and there is NO advantage in college to doing algebra in 7th.

You people are insane. A B is fine. I can't imagine doing that to my kid.

Retake but not for the grade, more for the mastery as others have said.

+1. Algebra 2 is a nightmare without a good foundation in Algebra 1. I know from personal experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes but not because a B is a low grade. 7th grade is young to take Algebra and it is the most important math class he will take. It is the foundation for every other math class and the stronger the foundation the better. I didn’t have my own kids take it in 7th and wanted a slower math progression to have a very solid base before any high school classes. - math teacher

+1 This exactly. It’s not about the B. It’s about the foundation. Your kid should have an A or A- in Algebra before proceeding to higher level math. A B suggests there may be gaps.

+1 You don’t want a kid taking calculus in 11th if they aren’t ready for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes but not because a B is a low grade. 7th grade is young to take Algebra and it is the most important math class he will take. It is the foundation for every other math class and the stronger the foundation the better. I didn’t have my own kids take it in 7th and wanted a slower math progression to have a very solid base before any high school classes. - math teacher

+1 This exactly. It’s not about the B. It’s about the foundation. Your kid should have an A or A- in Algebra before proceeding to higher level math. A B suggests there may be gaps.

+1 You don’t want a kid taking calculus in 11th if they aren’t ready for it.

This is just so obvious but so many posters on here are saying a B is ok. So stupid!!! The kid is in 7th grade and now is the time to retake it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, because that means he prob isn't ready for the path he is on. That means Multivariable calc as a 12th grader.

Re-do it and get a great base.

You'll thank me when he's in 12th grade.

While I agree with the advice, I disagree that a B in 7th means the student isn't ready. I depends entirely on why the B. Not understanding the material, then yes, retake because you need a better foundation. A B in the class because of missed homework assignments, a bad grade during sports championship week, etc., but an A on a cumulative final? Different story.

Nonetheless, I do not agree with acceleration for acceleration sake. I also would do everything possible to protect the HS GPA because these days it is all that matters to colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!! A B in algebra shows he’s struggling. No kid struggling should be on an advanced math - math starts getting very hard, and there is NO advantage in college to doing algebra in 7th.

You people are insane. A B is fine. I can't imagine doing that to my kid.

Retake but not for the grade, more for the mastery as others have said.

+1. Algebra 2 is a nightmare without a good foundation in Algebra 1. I know from personal experience.

Algebra II was much easier for me because I had a great teacher.
Algebra I was taught by someone who was happy to embarrass you in front is the entire class for asking a question.
I actually good at algebra and didn’t know it until I had a good teacher.
Rest in peace Mrs. C!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes!! A B in algebra shows he’s struggling. No kid struggling should be on an advanced math - math starts getting very hard, and there is NO advantage in college to doing algebra in 7th.

You people are insane. A B is fine. I can't imagine doing that to my kid.

Retake but not for the grade, more for the mastery as others have said.

+1. Algebra 2 is a nightmare without a good foundation in Algebra 1. I know from personal experience.

Algebra II was much easier for me because I had a great teacher.
Algebra I was taught by someone who was happy to embarrass you in front of the entire class for asking a question.
I was actually good at algebra and didn’t know it until I had a good teacher.
Rest in peace Mrs. C!

Lordy. Normally I let typos and bad autofill lie but I had to fix that post lol.