Two-year algebra 2

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a kid who did the two-year algebra 2 option? Our sophomore with ADHD and low processing speed got A's and B's in algebra in 8th grade, but then COVID hit, and he struggled with honors geometry last year (eeked out C's for semester grades, even with a tutor). We went down to regular algebra 2 this year, and he is still really floundering. It does not help that his teacher does not seem very good. We have a tutor again, but our son wants to switch to the two-year algebra 2 option. His counselor did mention it as well, and also said it was offered the same period and with a good teacher. But is this a horrible idea? He otherwise gets A's and B's, but definitely has to work harder than most, and there are usually a ton of ups and downs throughout the marking period with regard to his grades at any given moment. The expectation is that he will go to college, but will that two-year course look really bad on his transcript. I would expect we would still have a tutor even if he drops down to that class.

[Anonymous]

That would seem to indicate that he is missing material from Geometry and perhaps late Algebra. I suggest speaking with the Math team lead or teacher for the two year class. They’ll be able to explain the pacing, what is covered, and provide the best advice. Do what is right for you child today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That would seem to indicate that he is missing material from Geometry and perhaps late Algebra. I suggest speaking with the Math team lead or teacher for the two year class. They’ll be able to explain the pacing, what is covered, and provide the best advice. Do what is right for you child today.

+1
It’s better to drop to a slower pace and really establish a strong foundation, rather than push ahead. Struggling in regular algebra 2 isn’t going to prepare him for precalc. If he does well with this year (the equivalent of semester A of algebra 2, he could take semester B in summer school to go into precalc. But I think that’s unnecessary, from a college application standpoint.

[Anonymous]

Here's a different option: retake Honors Geometry so that the kid has better mastery (nice side effect is a better grade on transcript). And either tutor Algebra 2 at the same time and take it next year. Or take the two-year version at the same time (our school, at least, allows concurrent registration in both classes).

If taking the pretutoring-algebra option, the aim would be to go through the entire course (could be with a tutor or just on Khan Academy with oversight from mom/dad) before next school year begins. That would mean that the material covered in Algebra 2 would be all review next year.

If you took this approach, you'd end up in the same place, math-wise at the end (completing Algebra 2 by end of next year) but would have higher grade for geometry (and possibly algebra). Would also be more prepared for the SAT, which has a decent amount of geometry on it.

(The downside, of course, is motivating the kid to do the pre-tutoring!)