Slowing down math progression in HS

[Anonymous]

I had my boys take Algebra then honors algebra.

Algebra is the most important math class.

Geometry is mostly useless.

We did 1 year of calc and statistics.

It’s nice to have stats before college so all the ideas are not new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually there is a year of precalculus and trig between Alg II and Calculus.

I am usually a person who recommends repeating math courses if they are challenging because you want the foundation to be firm. You don’t want to make algebra errors in calculus. Geometry is the one course I would maybe not recommend doing this for - it doesn’t really “lead” anywhere as far as the subsequent courses go and is kind of a standalone. It’s important for the SAT but I wouldn’t spend 2 years on geometry.

Thanks but re-taking Algebra in 9th grade isn't really slowing down - it would almost feel remedial no?

Nope but I’d do honors algebra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My accelerated 10th grader’s pathway:
7th Alg 1
8th Geo
9th Alg 2/Trig
10th AP Stats
11th not sure -precalc/dual enrollment college Alg?
12-calculus?
He doesn’t particularly enjoy math, although he is enjoying statistics so far. He finds it more relevant.

This makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually there is a year of precalculus and trig between Alg II and Calculus.

I am usually a person who recommends repeating math courses if they are challenging because you want the foundation to be firm. You don’t want to make algebra errors in calculus. Geometry is the one course I would maybe not recommend doing this for - it doesn’t really “lead” anywhere as far as the subsequent courses go and is kind of a standalone. It’s important for the SAT but I wouldn’t spend 2 years on geometry.

Thanks but re-taking Algebra in 9th grade isn't really slowing down - it would almost feel remedial no?

Nope but I’d do honors algebra.

Taking Algebra in 9th is the slow track.

[Anonymous]

Consider regular (not honors) algebra II rather than repeating anything. And definitely regular (not honors) pre-calc. Lots of kids who take honors all through move down to regular for pre calc. You have plenty of time to decide what to do next-- AB or stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My accelerated 10th grader’s pathway:
7th Alg 1
8th Geo
9th Alg 2/Trig
10th AP Stats
11th not sure -precalc/dual enrollment college Alg?
12-calculus?
He doesn’t particularly enjoy math, although he is enjoying statistics so far. He finds it more relevant.

This is something parents looking at acceleration should consider. Here is a student who doesn't particularly enjoy math who will be spending a lot of cognitive load on math courses in HS and will probably have math courses drive his schedule at the expense of other courses he would enjoy more and get more out of.

Possibly he needed the additional challenge in 4th and 5th grade, but consider if he had not accelerated so much earlier that he may enjoy school now, be more invested and less exhausted and be able to take an AP course or other rigorous that he is really interested in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
My son with dyscalculia did:
8 - Honors Geometry
9 - Algebra 2
10 - Precalc
11- AP Calc AB
12 - AP Calc BC

I have another child who will be in Precalc in 9th grade, but she has no problems with math.

Off topic but curious how you got this diagnosis.
Pretty sure my son with adhd has this but how can I know for sure?
Who tests for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My accelerated 10th grader’s pathway:
7th Alg 1
8th Geo
9th Alg 2/Trig
10th AP Stats
11th not sure -precalc/dual enrollment college Alg?
12-calculus?
He doesn’t particularly enjoy math, although he is enjoying statistics so far. He finds it more relevant.

This makes no sense.

Agree. And taking a year “off” track after A2 is a really bad idea—A2 goes right into PC. PP better hope her kid can remember those A2 concepts after his year off.