Algebra Honors 8th grade

[Anonymous]

DC got a B in Algebra Honors. I think partly due to lack of organization and less about content but I can't be certain. I am not asking about expunging or retaking the class but more if they should drop to regular Geo in 9th (versus Honors). SOL was passed but not Pass Advance.
DC has always been in Advanced math and doesn't know the difference but it was going fast this year to allow for organizational missteps.
Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I would have him drop down to Geometry regular. Not getting a pass advanced on the algebra SOL would concern me.

[Anonymous]

I would do honors. Every parent I know who has had a kid take a non-honors class has regretted it, the classes move really slow and the kids are far less motivated to take the class seriously.

[Anonymous]

NP. DS is a rising 7th grader and scored 495 on the SOL in Advanced Math (and 89th percentile on the IAAT). He is officially enrolled in Math 7 H although we could ask for him to be in Algebra I H, not sure if they would say yes or no.

How did your DC find Math 7 and Algebra I H in 8th grade? Were they full of engaged students or were many students disengaged or distracting?

[Anonymous]

Stay in honors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do honors. Every parent I know who has had a kid take a non-honors class has regretted it, the classes move really slow and the kids are far less motivated to take the class seriously.

I agree. And another point that my son agreed with is that if the problem is mostly organization then that won’t change in non honors. That’s just a skill your child is learning. So then they’ll still get a B because of lack of organization, but now not in honors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. DS is a rising 7th grader and scored 495 on the SOL in Advanced Math (and 89th percentile on the IAAT). He is officially enrolled in Math 7 H although we could ask for him to be in Algebra I H, not sure if they would say yes or no.

How did your DC find Math 7 and Algebra I H in 8th grade? Were they full of engaged students or were many students disengaged or distracting?

My kid did this. He was a bit bored in 7hn but got 100 on his algebra hn final this year. I'm happy with our choice.

[Anonymous]

Stay in honors, they can always move down if it is not going well. Geometry is so different from Algebra too, they might enjoy it more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do honors. Every parent I know who has had a kid take a non-honors class has regretted it, the classes move really slow and the kids are far less motivated to take the class seriously.

I agree. And another point that my son agreed with is that if the problem is mostly organization then that won’t change in non honors. That’s just a skill your child is learning. So then they’ll still get a B because of lack of organization, but now not in honors.

Op here, good point. I was just thinking if the class was going slower, maybe it gave more time to study for tests/concepts etc. but at the end of the day, I am convinced the content/material wasn't the challenge for DC. They also didn't take advantage of the retake policy for summatives despite my urging and never studied till the last moment. So frustrating to see!

[Anonymous]

No one gets a B in Algebra for “organization.” That is a bunch of crap. A final grade of B means your child doesn’t understand the concepts or have a solid foundation. Your child’s grade in Algebra is mainly based on test scores. What were your child’s test scores for each unit? Did you consider a tutor or go over what they missed? Algebra is the foundation for all advanced math. If you don’t have a solid foundation, your child will continue to struggle in honors classes, especially after getting a B in the first one (which is probably the easiest). Also, what did your child’s teacher recommend? I’m guessing regular but you don’t agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do honors. Every parent I know who has had a kid take a non-honors class has regretted it, the classes move really slow and the kids are far less motivated to take the class seriously.

I agree. And another point that my son agreed with is that if the problem is mostly organization then that won’t change in non honors. That’s just a skill your child is learning. So then they’ll still get a B because of lack of organization, but now not in honors.

Op here, good point. I was just thinking if the class was going slower, maybe it gave more time to study for tests/concepts etc. but at the end of the day, I am convinced the content/material wasn't the challenge for DC. They also didn't take advantage of the retake policy for summatives despite my urging and never studied till the last moment. So frustrating to see!

Your child doesn’t sound like honors material, frankly. He will do the same thing or even worse if he continues with honors. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do honors. Every parent I know who has had a kid take a non-honors class has regretted it, the classes move really slow and the kids are far less motivated to take the class seriously.

I agree. And another point that my son agreed with is that if the problem is mostly organization then that won’t change in non honors. That’s just a skill your child is learning. So then they’ll still get a B because of lack of organization, but now not in honors.

Op here, good point. I was just thinking if the class was going slower, maybe it gave more time to study for tests/concepts etc. but at the end of the day, I am convinced the content/material wasn't the challenge for DC. They also didn't take advantage of the retake policy for summatives despite my urging and never studied till the last moment. So frustrating to see!

Your child doesn’t sound like honors material, frankly. He will do the same thing or even worse if he continues with honors. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Does every kid taking Geometry Honors have an A in Algebra Honors?

[Anonymous]

Get a tutor over the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one gets a B in Algebra for “organization.” That is a bunch of crap. A final grade of B means your child doesn’t understand the concepts or have a solid foundation. Your child’s grade in Algebra is mainly based on test scores. What were your child’s test scores for each unit? Did you consider a tutor or go over what they missed? Algebra is the foundation for all advanced math. If you don’t have a solid foundation, your child will continue to struggle in honors classes, especially after getting a B in the first one (which is probably the easiest). Also, what did your child’s teacher recommend? I’m guessing regular but you don’t agree.

NP. Disagree. "Organization" sounds easy and like not an issue at all, to women who were good students as girls. But I have 3 boys and they vary but organizational skills are definitely the issue for their math grades, not actual math knowledge or skill. It gets better every year. As do their grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one gets a B in Algebra for “organization.” That is a bunch of crap. A final grade of B means your child doesn’t understand the concepts or have a solid foundation. Your child’s grade in Algebra is mainly based on test scores. What were your child’s test scores for each unit? Did you consider a tutor or go over what they missed? Algebra is the foundation for all advanced math. If you don’t have a solid foundation, your child will continue to struggle in honors classes, especially after getting a B in the first one (which is probably the easiest). Also, what did your child’s teacher recommend? I’m guessing regular but you don’t agree.

NP. Disagree. "Organization" sounds easy and like not an issue at all, to women who were good students as girls. But I have 3 boys and they vary but organizational skills are definitely the issue for their math grades, not actual math knowledge or skill. It gets better every year. As do their grades.

Can you please explain how organization leads to low test grades? A low test grade means your child doesn’t know or understand the math concepts.