Rising 7th grader deciding between accelerated or grade-level math

[Anonymous]

This week in Math class, my 6th grader came home with a reflection sheet to help him decide which math class to take next year. 7 is the typical curriculum. 7a covers more ground and will position him to take algebra as an 8th grader.

He's uncertain which he wants, and his reflection choice is due tomorrow. I said I'd back him up with either and am trying to help him work thru the pros and cons.
He is a kid who has an A average in math. He is also dyslexic and finds English and writing-based classes frustrating. I worry about him being frustrated in an accelerated class. I also want him to be with kids who enjoy being challenged; his three best friends will enroll in 7a. I figure it is easier to drop down than to advance a level, so why not aim high for now. But I also don't want him to feel pressure or stress if other classes are already tough due to his LD.

I emailed his teacher for insight and she basically listed these exact pros and cons and said he's capable of taking the accelerated course, but it's up to him. My DS just came downstairs asking me what to do. Basically I reminded him it's only junior high and not to stress one way or the other. Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

I would always encourage trying the harder content. And then normalize that if he needs help he’ll ask, you’ll get him a tutor. Instill in him that he can do it and if it’s hard or he struggles that’s not failure at all and there will be value in that too. You’re correct he can always drop down but he’ll never know if he doesn’t try.

[Anonymous]

Accelerated. It’ll set him up for more options in high school. If this is his forte then it is better to be challenged in this area. Also if he goes into more of a stem major in college the US accelerated trajectory leaves you at finishing Calc by high school which is not considered accelerated in more STEM heavy nations but sets you up to at least compete at a university level.

[Anonymous]

Accelerated

[Anonymous]

I vote accelerated. If he does OK in math it’s not all that hard to get through the material and more importantly there’s so much identity formation going on in middle school. If it’s work he’s capable of it would be probably a good experience for him to do it, and get the satisfaction of knowing that he can be quite “smart” in some subjects, especially if he struggles in others.

[Anonymous]

Accelerated. If they can’t hack it they can drop back down at the start of 9th and any poor grades in 8th wont count. If they don’t accelerate now, they never will

[Anonymous]

I’d go with the accelerated.

FWIW had the same dilemma with my DS (currently in 8th) who has been in accelerated through middle school. He will be dropping back down Freshman year- has had some difficulty handling the additional workload (he is very bright but has some issues with keeping organized and focused, has been very frustrated) along with his other classes. He is at a language immersion school which adds another element. It does happen. But: despite his struggles and mediocre grade this year it will not be counted against him in any way, and he is more well prepared for HS than if he hadn’t tried at all. So- why not give it a try? I don’t see a downside.

[Anonymous]

OP- The question that should be asked is how good is your child at math? Is this a subject that comes naturally to them? Is it something they enjoy or at least don’t dislike? Is it something they manage a 85 or higher in without struggle or lots of additional practice/effort?

If you or your child find the answer is mostly yes to the above then take the advanced class.

If you or your child finds yourself saying no to a lot of the above, stay in the on level class. You can do some summer prep next year to take Alg1 in 8th.

Challenge matter, but so does a strong foundation and building math confidence.

[Anonymous]

My child is in an accelerated math class and it counts toward his High School GPA.

He's making a B; if he was in the non-accelerated class he'd be making an A. So while it is great that he is being challenged, and I'm glad that he's doing it, there's an unintended negative consequence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is in an accelerated math class and it counts toward his High School GPA.

He's making a B; if he was in the non-accelerated class he'd be making an A. So while it is great that he is being challenged, and I'm glad that he's doing it, there's an unintended negative consequence.

Are you sure it doesn’t just count at high school credit? But the grade won’t alter his high school GPA? That is how our middle school handles the highly accelerated classes. It it listen on their transcript and they get the credit hour toward graduation, but not the grade

[Anonymous]

I hate that they send those stupid reflection sheets. Kids in 6th grade don’t have a sound assessment of themselves, their abilities and possible consequences to choose a class without input from an adult.
My kid is fairly lazy and he said he didn’t want to be in accelerated math. I was mad but didn’t think I could make him change his response so I let it go. Guess what? His tests indicated he was supposed to be in accelerated class and that’s where he went.
Long story short, send him to accelerated class and help him if he struggles there; it’s much easier to move down than up, at least in MS. And grades don’t matter much yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is in an accelerated math class and it counts toward his High School GPA.

He's making a B; if he was in the non-accelerated class he'd be making an A. So while it is great that he is being challenged, and I'm glad that he's doing it, there's an unintended negative consequence.

99% sure he can expunge it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is in an accelerated math class and it counts toward his High School GPA.

He's making a B; if he was in the non-accelerated class he'd be making an A. So while it is great that he is being challenged, and I'm glad that he's doing it, there's an unintended negative consequence.

99% sure he can expunge it

How? Basically they are taking high school level classes and thus counts towards GPA. Then they get to skip those classes in high school and take other classes instead. OP needs to check if they count towards GPA or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is in an accelerated math class and it counts toward his High School GPA.

He's making a B; if he was in the non-accelerated class he'd be making an A. So while it is great that he is being challenged, and I'm glad that he's doing it, there's an unintended negative consequence.

99% sure he can expunge it

How? Basically they are taking high school level classes and thus counts towards GPA. Then they get to skip those classes in high school and take other classes instead. OP needs to check if they count towards GPA or not.

Because they are not taking them IN high school. They get credit for the class, but only grades received on classes taken in 9-12th grade go toward GPA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is in an accelerated math class and it counts toward his High School GPA.

He's making a B; if he was in the non-accelerated class he'd be making an A. So while it is great that he is being challenged, and I'm glad that he's doing it, there's an unintended negative consequence.

99% sure he can expunge it

How? Basically they are taking high school level classes and thus counts towards GPA. Then they get to skip those classes in high school and take other classes instead. OP needs to check if they count towards GPA or not.

Haven’t heard of a single district some sort of expungement wasn’t possible. Most don’t even count it towards HS GPA but those that do give you an option to expunge