Struggling in Honors Algebra 2

[Anonymous]

Anyone else? Any tips? Is your DC going to drop down and if so, when? Or did they? How did that go?

[Anonymous]

My DD switched down about a month ago and is so much happier. That said, the main thing that she says is helping is the new teacher circulates the room and helps rather than her honors teacher who just lectured.

Within days after the switch her anxiety was lowered and her math confidence started to return. No regrets at all!

(This is at Churchill)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else? Any tips? Is your DC going to drop down and if so, when? Or did they? How did that go?

If you are thinking of switching, your child should contact their guidance counselor asap. There’s only limited time to do so.

[Anonymous]

Serious question (asking because this is DCUM, after all) - what do you mean by struggling? Is in danger of failing? Or just isn’t pulling the A?

[Anonymous]

Get a tutor the teacher probably can’t teach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Serious question (asking because this is DCUM, after all) - what do you mean by struggling? Is in danger of failing? Or just isn’t pulling the A?

Not the OP, but I think if a child is earning a C or lower or having to work really hard to just pull off an 80%, I think your child should move down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a tutor the teacher probably can’t teach.

Or maybe the kid just isn’t that strong in math. A lot of kids start to struggle when they get to Honors Algebra 2. Especially those who aren’t that math oriented.

[Anonymous]

DC switched a couple of weeks ago. We considered hiring a tutor instead but I think it’s only going to get harder from here, especially next year in pre-calc. DC is so relieved and more confident in regular so we feel good about the decision. Keep in mind if you switch this late in the quarter, the transcript will note the withdrawal and possibly list the grade at the time of the switch (still trying to figure that out). But the grades to date are erased and the prior grade does not count in calculating GPA. For DC it was 100% worth it, especially at the beginning of freshman year, but others might hesitate because of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Serious question (asking because this is DCUM, after all) - what do you mean by struggling? Is in danger of failing? Or just isn’t pulling the A?

C - tests are either an A or an E. Gets the concept or doesn’t.

[Anonymous]

Cause one teacher is a grandpa who was a sub 10 years and now teaching who is not the best teacher

[Anonymous]

We have a kid in the same situation. He says that it doesn't help a new concept is introduced on a Monday and already tested on the Wednesday - not always enough time to get your head around it. Also the tests are reflecting far more complex versions of what has been learned - so the teacher is not actually covering the entire content prior to the tests.

We have hired an MCPS math teacher to tutor weekly - to spend more time on each concept, work out the creases. We've had to do this before and it helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a kid in the same situation. He says that it doesn't help a new concept is introduced on a Monday and already tested on the Wednesday - not always enough time to get your head around it. Also the tests are reflecting far more complex versions of what has been learned - so the teacher is not actually covering the entire content prior to the tests.

We have hired an MCPS math teacher to tutor weekly - to spend more time on each concept, work out the creases. We've had to do this before and it helps.

This is a problem we’ve seen at Churchill with the honors math classes - the fact that the tests don’t reflect what has been taught in class. Perhaps this new administration will finally address it. OP, If your kid wants to stay you may have to resign yourself to tutoring twice a week or at least moving the tutoring to align better with the syllabus so that the tutor comes earlier in the week to help prepare for tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a kid in the same situation. He says that it doesn't help a new concept is introduced on a Monday and already tested on the Wednesday - not always enough time to get your head around it. Also the tests are reflecting far more complex versions of what has been learned - so the teacher is not actually covering the entire content prior to the tests.

We have hired an MCPS math teacher to tutor weekly - to spend more time on each concept, work out the creases. We've had to do this before and it helps.

This is a problem we’ve seen at Churchill with the honors math classes - the fact that the tests don’t reflect what has been taught in class. Perhaps this new administration will finally address it. OP, If your kid wants to stay you may have to resign yourself to tutoring twice a week or at least moving the tutoring to align better with the syllabus so that the tutor comes earlier in the week to help prepare for tests.

It's a curriculum issue. Khan Academy is your friend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD switched down about a month ago and is so much happier. That said, the main thing that she says is helping is the new teacher circulates the room and helps rather than her honors teacher who just lectured.

Within days after the switch her anxiety was lowered and her math confidence started to return. No regrets at all!

(This is at Churchill)

My DD had a bad experience with the Honors Algebra 2 teacher last year. According to DD the teacher was kind of rigid and did not explain the subject well. DD ended up pulling off an A by studying lots off online tutorials by herself.

[Anonymous]

Every family we’ve spoken to has a tutor. This just doesn’t seem right.