My 14 year old freshman daughter has a D- in Algebra

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alot of kids who struggle in Algebra never really mastered some of the basic middle school math (proportion/ratio/fractions, etc.) Might be worth reviewing some of that with her. My understanding of research on kids who don't do well in Algebra/Cal is that many of them have some underlying misconceptions about basic math that get in the way. Focusing on the actual algebra may not be the answer. Hopefully a good tutor will understand that but I would consider it....

Khan videos are quite good.

As a former math teacher, I agree with all of the above.

This right here.^^ I'm a former math-bomber who somehow went to college and had to re-learn a bunch of stuff now that I'm somebody's mother. I had some holes in my fundamentals that really hindered me from learning.

Also wanted to add that it turns out I'm NOT, despite what I believed growing up, inherently bad at math. My job includes fiscal analysis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:C or lower is basically an F by previous year standards. You need to act now, tutor, boot camps, quit all activities, ground her etc... she is destroying her future.

Do not ground her! Get the tutor and talk to her about her problems. Unless you know that grades are from not doing the work, try to help, not punish. My parents grounded me for having one bad grade for the whole year, took away all privileges except 2 hours a week and hounded me my freshman and sophomore year. In the end, it was a school provided tutor, with minimal effort that helped, not making me miserable and started to hate school.

[Anonymous]

I would love to know how good these kids would do on testing and grade if EVERY SINGLE parent stopped teaching at home or paying for tutors. Seriously, I don't think the schools have any idea what a crappy job they are doing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:C or lower is basically an F by previous year standards. You need to act now, tutor, boot camps, quit all activities, ground her etc... she is destroying her future.

This is the advice I would give to a parent. And do not be overdramatic.

SAT scores and much more important than the overall GPA.
Is she not understanding? Can she switch to another teacher?
I am saying this b/c I have heard from several admissions officers that they feel certain students get their grades boosted considerably as there is a huge discrepancy between the GPA and the STA scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love to know how good these kids would do on testing and grade if EVERY SINGLE parent stopped teaching at home or paying for tutors. Seriously, I don't think the schools have any idea what a crappy job they are doing!

+1000. Our kids attend private school and the school loves to take credit for high test scores but it's really the parents hiring tutors/doing extra work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love to know how good these kids would do on testing and grade if EVERY SINGLE parent stopped teaching at home or paying for tutors. Seriously, I don't think the schools have any idea what a crappy job they are doing!

I don't teach math or have a tutor for my DC. If DC has a question, I will answer but I don't sit with DC and go over the HW. DC is in compacted math and seems to be doing fine on Dc's own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alot of kids who struggle in Algebra never really mastered some of the basic middle school math (proportion/ratio/fractions, etc.) Might be worth reviewing some of that with her. My understanding of research on kids who don't do well in Algebra/Cal is that many of them have some underlying misconceptions about basic math that get in the way. Focusing on the actual algebra may not be the answer. Hopefully a good tutor will understand that but I would consider it....

Khan videos are quite good.

Could be why MCPS, at least, has done away with 2 yr acceleration for most kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a regular C - D math student.

Oops! Hit submit.

I was a C - D math student my entire academic career. My parents tried everything -- tutors, grounding me, etc. I was an A-B student in every other aspect.

I didn't get into a couple of schools that I wanted, but I was fortunate to find a small private college that took more time during the admissions process and (thanks to some nudging from a teacher who felt I had potential) I was able to go to a good school.

I have a great career now, make what I consider to be a good wage, and I try to spend as much time as I can helping my young children with numbers.

Same experience.

I don't have a "great career" though and actually had to change career plans because I was so weak in Math.

BTW I have ADD and Math was more difficult for me because it required sustained focus and could not be learned verbally and I was a verbal learner meaning I could listen to a lecture or instructions half hardheartedly and get enough info to pass a test and do well in all other subjects.

[Anonymous]

A good tutor can help! You might even look for one who has special training in teaching kids with LD. Even if she does not have LD, some of their tricks might help.

[Anonymous]

It may be worth asking her teacher to see if she has the obvious weaknesses that are impeding her understanding. Thus hitting on the PP indicating that something is missing. If her teacher can't do it make sure you get the tests and work from the teacher and take it to the tutor. We did not do this and it impeded our ability to figure out what the conceptual issue was that impeded my daughter doing well in Algebra.

[Anonymous]

Now a days poor math skills will be a major issue at securing a job. Ironically poor english skills is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to know how good these kids would do on testing and grade if EVERY SINGLE parent stopped teaching at home or paying for tutors. Seriously, I don't think the schools have any idea what a crappy job they are doing!

I don't teach math or have a tutor for my DC. If DC has a question, I will answer but I don't sit with DC and go over the HW. DC is in compacted math and seems to be doing fine on Dc's own.

Yes I know your DC will run circles around mine because I have to work with her. Yours is perfect. Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to know how good these kids would do on testing and grade if EVERY SINGLE parent stopped teaching at home or paying for tutors. Seriously, I don't think the schools have any idea what a crappy job they are doing!

I don't teach math or have a tutor for my DC. If DC has a question, I will answer but I don't sit with DC and go over the HW. DC is in compacted math and seems to be doing fine on Dc's own.

Yes I know your DC will run circles around mine because I have to work with her. Yours is perfect. Congratulations!

Sarcasm wasn't necessary PP. I was addressing the other Pp's comment that EVERY SINGLE parent was tutoring their kid. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of other parents that don't tutor or supplement much at home.

[Anonymous]

My DD also had a very hard time with algebra, but did much better in geometry. We used a tutor once a week, but it was kind of hit or miss if she'd do well on tests or not.

My DD is not interested in a STEM field, so I think it's not that big a deal if she's not getting very good grades in math. She limped through algebra II with a C and attempted precalc the first two weeks this year, but was just miserable.

She's taking a class called quantitative literacy instead and is thrilled with finally learning real world math. She'd always say that numbers and letters should mix and that she knew the quadratic equation but not how to do her taxes. Right now in math she's doing a project pricing out a dream vacation (Italy in her case), including calculating the exchange rate. It's so much more engaging for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just started a tutor and she will be in a school math lab next semester. She is getting all Bs in everything else. She tries so hard and it kills me to see her struggle. Please tell me this doesn't mean she won't get into a good college. I just hope she still has enough time to not fail the course.

Since MS my DD has been an A/B student in every subject but math. She is now in 10th and in geometry and it is kicking her butt. Her report card is usually A A B B A....D

I was a similar student. struggled with math throughout school. Now as an adult I work in Finance and crunch numbers every day! If anyone would have told me that 20 years ago I would have laughed quite loudly in their face.

Interestingly enough, she was really distressed last night because she had a big geometry test today and the first thing that came out of her mouth was - WHAT IF MY MATH GRADES KEEP ME OUT OF A GOOD COLLEGE (not Ivy). I told her that she is more than a math grade. schools look at her as a whole student, her extra-curriculluars, etc. Pretty sure I'm correct on what I told her. Thank goodness their grades are made up of not just tests but also homework.