Why math tutoring is so popular in DC?

[Anonymous]

I am new to the area, and I have noticed that several of my kids’ classmates go to math tutoring. Why is that? Doesn’t that indicate that math instruction in private schools is subpar? If the math level is adequate, why do families need to supplement it? The whole thing looks bizarre, since in most developed countries the math taught in school is more than enough.

[Anonymous]

Private schools don’t accelerate math for acceleration’s sake. Parents who want to keep their kids’ noses to the mathematical grindstone put them in extracurricular math programs.

[Anonymous]

Private schools are not some homogenous group. Some are strong in math instruction, others not so much. Even with schools that are strong in math instruction, private school parents may want to push their math savvy kids ahead.

Public schools in this area accelerate strong math students quite a bit (students can easily be 2-3 years past what American common core standards advise.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am new to the area, and I have noticed that several of my kids’ classmates go to math tutoring. Why is that? Doesn’t that indicate that math instruction in private schools is subpar? If the math level is adequate, why do families need to supplement it? The whole thing looks bizarre, since in most developed countries the math taught in school is more than enough.

As an immigrant, I disagree tutoring in math is about acceleration. It is more about the teaching approaches and an earlier introduction of algebraic concepts. I think the way Russian math and AOPS teach math is more aligned with international standards than American way of teaching math. Thus for a life long proficiency and deeper appreciate of math, supplementing makes sense. But that being said, I look forward to stop this when the school teaches algebra 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am new to the area, and I have noticed that several of my kids’ classmates go to math tutoring. Why is that? Doesn’t that indicate that math instruction in private schools is subpar? If the math level is adequate, why do families need to supplement it? The whole thing looks bizarre, since in most developed countries the math taught in school is more than enough.

As an immigrant, I disagree tutoring in math is about acceleration. It is more about the teaching approaches and an earlier introduction of algebraic concepts. I think the way Russian math and AOPS teach math is more aligned with international standards than American way of teaching math. Thus for a life long proficiency and deeper appreciate of math, supplementing makes sense. But that being said, I look forward to stop this when the school teaches algebra 1.

Agree. Most Americans do not notice that distinction: accelerating math vs teaching math properly.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever been to a DC private school open house? At every single one I went to over a 2 year period -- including the virtual sessions -- during the Q&A sessions, parents were clamoring for more math for their unicorn-sparkle, math-prodigy children. It is the same at public school: nonstop focus on math progress and pushing kids who don't need to be pushed to accelerate in math.

My kid suffered at her private. She tested into the accelerated path, but did not retain what was learned beyond that lesson, homework, and test. Moved on to a select public for HS, and tested right back into Algebra because the concepts weren't solidified in middle school.

Is that the same for all kids? Obviously not, but for those like my kid the acceleration hurt and did not support where she needed to be. When I bought it up at the private, the school suggested tutoring vs placing her in a 'lower' (i.e., grade level) math class. At her public now, there are a handful of freshman already in Calculus and from what I understand they'll eventually do dual enrollment to get their math needs met over the next 3+ years until college. So: that's great for them! They'll get their needs met somehow. But it isn't the right path for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever been to a DC private school open house? At every single one I went to over a 2 year period -- including the virtual sessions -- during the Q&A sessions, parents were clamoring for more math for their unicorn-sparkle, math-prodigy children. It is the same at public school: nonstop focus on math progress and pushing kids who don't need to be pushed to accelerate in math.

My kid suffered at her private. She tested into the accelerated path, but did not retain what was learned beyond that lesson, homework, and test. Moved on to a select public for HS, and tested right back into Algebra because the concepts weren't solidified in middle school.

Is that the same for all kids? Obviously not, but for those like my kid the acceleration hurt and did not support where she needed to be. When I bought it up at the private, the school suggested tutoring vs placing her in a 'lower' (i.e., grade level) math class. At her public now, there are a handful of freshman already in Calculus and from what I understand they'll eventually do dual enrollment to get their math needs met over the next 3+ years until college. So: that's great for them! They'll get their needs met somehow. But it isn't the right path for everyone.

Again, I think the problem isn't about acceleration. I think it is about having a deeper understanding of the fundamentals and using them flexibly to solve problems. Of course, if one is skilled at fundamentals and fluent with basic principles, it is easier to dive deeper into the topics.

[Anonymous]

Math can be easily accelerated because it's very sequential. The same can't really be said for the humanities. Most families want their kids in Calc BC by senior year for college admissions purposes. Increasingly, families are aiming for Multivariable Calc or Linear Alg in senior year to stand out even more.

You won't get there with the standard math track. You have to figure alternative methods to push your kid ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am new to the area, and I have noticed that several of my kids’ classmates go to math tutoring. Why is that? Doesn’t that indicate that math instruction in private schools is subpar? If the math level is adequate, why do families need to supplement it? The whole thing looks bizarre, since in most developed countries the math taught in school is more than enough.

Not here. Another American exceptionalism. More gas, less math

[Anonymous]

It has zero to do with the math instruction at the schools. It is entirely about parents hoping to give their kids a competitive edge in the college rat race.

It doesn't often work.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in supplemental math classes because the curriculum used at his school is really bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in supplemental math classes because the curriculum used at his school is really bad.

Same here. Also you can find plenty of kids from top private schools in RSM.

[Anonymous]

The answer to the op question is the same as answer to the question why there are so few Americans studying engineering and sciences in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It has zero to do with the math instruction at the schools. It is entirely about parents hoping to give their kids a competitive edge in the college rat race.

It doesn't often work.

It has lots to do with the math instructions at the school. College prof here. Students math skill, like their literacy skills, just decline. Ans wir ihr math, it is hard to teach computational science and related engineering courses.

If anyone thinks signing up for RSM helps with college admission they are delusional. I would argue it does improve confidence of some kids. And a deeper understanding of math and lots of practices are essential for careers in science and engineering.

I do think US is behind stem education in k-12.

[Anonymous]

One of the big downsides to a small private school is that they don't have multiple math levels. My child struggles in math, but everyone takes algebra in 8th no matter your skill level. I would much rather he take prealgebra in 8th and algebra in high school, but that doesn't seem to be a thing in DC privates. So they push him along and we use a tutor to keep his head above water until he can get to high school and take a math class better suited to his level.