9th grader has a C in Honors Algebra 2

[Anonymous]

Our 9th grader currently has a C is Algebra 2. Any been there done there advice? Tutor? Drop down to non-honors Algebra 2 or drop further down to Algebra 2A which last two semesters. Our students has struggled with math the last couple of years, but with the number of retakes and redos available ends up with As and Bs. They could do the same again this year, but perhaps it is time to slow down on the math pathway to ensure learning? Trying to figure out what is best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our 9th grader currently has a C is Algebra 2. Any been there done there advice? Tutor? Drop down to non-honors Algebra 2 or drop further down to Algebra 2A which last two semesters. Our students has struggled with math the last couple of years, but with the number of retakes and redos available ends up with As and Bs. They could do the same again this year, but perhaps it is time to slow down on the math pathway to ensure learning? Trying to figure out what is best.

Two-year Algebra 2?

[Anonymous]

My now junior had a C in the first quarter that he brought up and I think had an A for the second semester. He then dropped down to on level for pre calculus and now has a much more solid foundation for calculus. Slowing down from honors to on level worked out really well.

[Anonymous]

My kids pick their high school courses with their college strategy in mind, so when they get a run of bad grades that speaks to a lack of mastery - so far it's happened to my oldest, not my youngest - I hire good tutors and help them power through. So far it's worked out.

[Anonymous]

My DD dropped down around this time last year. It was a good decision for her. Consider how your child is feeling about the work- do they feel that it is too challenging or are the lower grades just about adjusting to high school? You can also reach out to the teacher for advice.

But make the decision quick because the last day for changes is Oct 4th.

[Anonymous]

It barely started, too early to tell?

[Anonymous]

Consider a bit of tutoring to reinforce weak areas?

[Anonymous]

Tutor, MCPS offers free tutoring via Tutor Me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD dropped down around this time last year. It was a good decision for her. Consider how your child is feeling about the work- do they feel that it is too challenging or are the lower grades just about adjusting to high school? You can also reach out to the teacher for advice.

But make the decision quick because the last day for changes is Oct 4th.

How does this work for the grades earned to date if one drops from honors to regular Algebra 2?

[Anonymous]

I remember the days when “C”s were average.

[Anonymous]

How do you locate a good tutor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember the days when “C”s were average.

My private school kid still gets Cs. They aren't a dirty word everywhere.

[Anonymous]

My oldest, now a college freshman, struggled a lot with math. We were too quick to drop him down to a slower path in MS - he still struggled and it took him off the expected steps for advancement. So I would advise against moving to any class that stretches out Alg 2 by another year.

Talk to his teacher to figure out if a switch to non-honors would be appropriate. The teacher may be able to help you determine if the pace is simply too fast for your kid (in which case shifting down a level would make sense.) At this point, a C can simply be a result of some missed homeworks and/or one botched test.

And either way, if you can spend money on tutors, get that going ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Honors Algebra 2 is a beast. Both of my DD's took it as freshman and it was a bumpy ride. They both had Es at interims. I don't think that they were used to the pace of the class and it took some getting used to. They both were able to turn things around and get Bs by the end of the semester and year.

One DD went on to pre-calc in 10th. One stayed with honors and one just dropped down to on-level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My now junior had a C in the first quarter that he brought up and I think had an A for the second semester. He then dropped down to on level for pre calculus and now has a much more solid foundation for calculus. Slowing down from honors to on level worked out really well.

A parent of a senior told me that the school is trying to weed out so more kids drop to regular level next year. She said the vast majority of kids bomb the first quarter and I would guess even more so because most 9th graders learned Algebra I though zoom school. My child is doing even worse than OP’s and so we’re looking at tutoring.