Do I let my teen drop down to non-honors Alg 2?

[Anonymous]

Most kids who are in super advanced math can’t actually do it. They are being propped up by parents or tutors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
But that isn’t the case. She easily got A’s in previous middle school honors math classes and as a freshman is learning she can’t skate by like she always have. I have reminded her over and over again she needs to work/study harder but I am not seeing that at home. And I don’t want her to think dropping to non-honors is a an easy way out.

And that didn't work? Wow. I am shocked.

My kids all took intensified (we're in APS) and AP math, but one of them did go into Calc AB before taking BC, so that seems pretty much the same to me. It's fine to slow down if that's what your kid wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait so honors Algebra 1 and Honors Geometry are harder in high school vs in middle school? My kid found both pretty easy in middle school. Very little homework. Retakes on tests. And they too are struggling with the amount of work and pace of honors Algebra 2

No, they are not harder if taken in high school. The problem at many schools is simply that all the classes are too easy for what actually needs to mastered for the honors higher level math classes. This applies whether you take the algebra or geometry class in high school or in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely drop down to Alg 2! Do not hesitate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait so honors Algebra 1 and Honors Geometry are harder in high school vs in middle school? My kid found both pretty easy in middle school. Very little homework. Retakes on tests. And they too are struggling with the amount of work and pace of honors Algebra 2

It depends on which teacher your kid gets! Mine had a mediocre Alg 1 teacher in 7th and an excellent Geometry teacher in 8th. It was a tough, tough class, but it was fair and the expectations were clear. The high school geometry class wasn’t as in depth, strangely.

[Anonymous]

Yep. My DD dropped down. No regrets.

If I could do it all over again, I don't think I would have ever had them go the compacted math route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait so honors Algebra 1 and Honors Geometry are harder in high school vs in middle school? My kid found both pretty easy in middle school. Very little homework. Retakes on tests. And they too are struggling with the amount of work and pace of honors Algebra 2

I don’t think it is so much that “honors” Alg II is harder on high school. It is simply that Alg II is a LOT more complicated and harder than Alg I. Geometry is in different category all together and typically super challenging for kids that like math

[Anonymous]

Yes. DD dropped down. What’s the big deal? All her other classes are honors.

DS takes all regular classes (the horror).

[Anonymous]

OP, go to the MCPS and Fairfax threads and search Algebra II. Honors Algebra II is a notoriously difficult class every year. There is too much acceleration in the early years and the purpose seems to be to right track kids now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep. My DD dropped down. No regrets.

If I could do it all over again, I don't think I would have ever had them go the compacted math route.

What is compacted math? Taking algebra I in 7th?

[Anonymous]

My kid is in private but is struggling in 6th grade math right. She’s in the easiest math group and it just seems to take her longer to get things. I have no idea how it compares to mcps math. Anyway, if she was struggling in a class and an easier one was available I would let her take it.
I agree with the PP about stress/mental health/suicide. Being well rounded and healthy matters too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Normally I would of course allow this if she was trying her best, doing the work, studying, and still struggling.

But that isn’t the case. She easily got A’s in previous middle school honors math classes and as a freshman is learning she can’t skate by like she always have. I have reminded her over and over again she needs to work/study harder but I am not seeing that at home. And I don’t want her to think dropping to non-honors is a an easy way out.

Anyone ever in a similar situation. Should I have a meeting/email with the teacher, look for a tutor, or anything else?

Get her a tutor or let her drop it. That being said, unless anxiety is causing other issues, sticking to it and barely passing is okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most kids who are in super advanced math can’t actually do it. They are being propped up by parents or tutors.

+100

[Anonymous]

My kid dropped down in both chemistry and Algebra 2. He’s so much less stressed out and seems to really be getting the concepts. He is not lazy and I doubt your daughter is either. It really is a race to nowhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep. My DD dropped down. No regrets.

If I could do it all over again, I don't think I would have ever had them go the compacted math route.

I agree and we course-corrected with our second DD. She admits that she doesn't love math as much as her sister and was less interested in needing to do extra practice at home, which her sister is willing to do. No regrets. She is still on track for Calc senior year (Alg 1 in 8th.)