TJ Summer Research stats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son mentioned that everyone got less on the first test - one that was in the summer packet. Anyone knows if that will be the case for all the other quizzes too.

What do you mean?

My son scored a 82 on the first test which was based on the summer packet. In another quiz on the first few topics on the first day, he did really well. Heard from some of the kids from last year, kids had similar experiences where the first summer packet test many scored less. so was wondering the intensity of the course and if there is they will curve the scores.

They are doing a semesters worth of work in 11 days. So yes, intense. RS1 individual tests and maybe even the final exam are sometimes curved. But, there is not generally an overall curve at the end of the class.

[Anonymous]

My son's first test scored really low. We are dabating if we should withdraw. He wants to ask for retake on Monday. Anyone knows if retake is possible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son's first test scored really low. We are dabating if we should withdraw. He wants to ask for retake on Monday. Anyone knows if retake is possible?

What do you mean by low? Is it like 80 or below 60?

[Anonymous]

I heard the highest score on the first test was 92, which was shy of an A. But other quizz scores can more than make it up. So no worries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son's first test scored really low. We are dabating if we should withdraw. He wants to ask for retake on Monday. Anyone knows if retake is possible?

Yeah-- this is the problem with starting TJ math in the summer, and why most TJ parents on this board say to do Ancient Civ. This is most definately not MS level. But, I realize that hindsight is 20/20 and this answer is incredibly unhelpful.

So, the helpful answer your question. TJ will let you retake 1 test a quarter-- so that should translate to 2 in summer school which is a semester. You can only retake a test if you score below an 80 (and some math teachers say 70), and the max score on the retake is an 80. So, even if you kid aces the retake, they will only get an 80. Generally, you must meet with the teacher, and go through a remediation process/test corrections etc. before you can retake a test. But, there is a big asterisks-- TJ teachers get to choose how they handle the one retake test a quarter. Some will let you retake any major test. Some will only let you retake the test that counts for the most points. And some will only allow retakes on the test where the average class grade is lowest. You are going to dig into the syllabus, and it should be clearly spelled out. And you kid should know. The teacher goes over this on day 1.

Also, this is the school year retake policy. It may be that with RS compressed into just 2 1/2 weeks, they just don't have time to allow retakes at all. It would almost have to be more limited-- like the teacher chooses which test to allow.

And since I was snarky above, a word of hope. Keep your chin up. It is not at all unusual for kids to take some time to get their academic footing at TJ, and freshman often have an upward trend in grades. My freshman had a low B- in freshman Bio, and ended the year with a B+. A B in English first quarter, and ended the year with a strong A. Etc. The problem with summer school is the need to find your footing fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son's first test scored really low. We are dabating if we should withdraw. He wants to ask for retake on Monday. Anyone knows if retake is possible?

What do you mean by low? Is it like 80 or below 60?

Ho got 65.

[Anonymous]

We are happy if he can get a B for final grade but not sure if 65 is too low to catch up. Anyone had a similar experience?

[Anonymous]

From what I have heard, the first test scores are always very low. There are daily quizzes that can bring his grade up. Does he feel he understands the material as it is being taught? If he does, I would stick with the class. DD said last year plenty of kids did poorly on the first test (including her) and still end up with A/A-.

As a PP said, I'm not sure they offer retake in the summer. Maybe your son can ask teacher if there will be a curve?

Good luck to you DS whatever he decides to do!

[Anonymous]

He said he understood the material taught in class. I will let him make the decision himself. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are happy if he can get a B for final grade but not sure if 65 is too low to catch up. Anyone had a similar experience?

The problem with a 65 on the initial test is that it's a strong indication that your DC does not understand the foundational material for the class at a level that he can manipulate and apply it, which is what TJ math requires. You can't plug and chug. The tests require a strong application. He will see this material again on the final-- in 2 weeks. And he will need it throughout his time at TJ-- starting with his IBET project. The other option is that he blew off the homework from before the class started and just didn't study. In either case-- he needs to figure out if he can get up to speed because the intro stuff is important.

Also, RS1 is just not that hard a TJ math class. Math 4 is ugly. Especially for kids coming in with MS A2 instead of TJ Math 3. So think it through before you put him in a position to take Math 4 with mostly sophomores who know how TJ math works if he is struggling in RS?

Finally, TJ math classes do not curve at the end of the course-- like everyone gets 5 points added to their final grade. Some individual tests are curved. That happens before the test is handed back, though. And sometimes final exams are curved. But there is no standard curve-- like 30% of kids get a A, 40% a B. The grade you have when you get the test back is the grade you have. Also, My understanding is that TJ summer school classes do not have retakes. The time constraints just do not allow for it. MY DC is in a different (not RS) summer school class, and they definately do not have retakes, even though the school year version does.

Good luck to your D.C. Taking RS with the rest of the freshmen, and having time to acclimate to TJ without the enormous time pressure is not a bad thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He said he understood the material taught in class. I will let him make the decision himself. Thanks.

TJ math is notorious for this. It is really not enough to understand the concepts. The tests require kids to apply them in unique, unusual and challenging situations at a very high level, and under tight time pressure. Unfortunately, this means that kids can genuinely understand the material and still get low test grades. For future reference, most TJ kids do not study for tests out of the textbook, because they textbook problems are too easy. They use Art of Problem Solving type websites, and practice problems they find by googling things like "very difficult Xxxx problems". If your DC sticks with RS, he probably wants to find more challenging practice problems to study. There should be a summer RS Facebook group where he can get suggestions of places to look.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all who have replied. You guys are so helpful. Have a great weekend

[Anonymous]

DD got a 68 on first test and ended with an A- for the class, so it is possible if your son wants to try.

GL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD got a 68 on first test and ended with an A- for the class, so it is possible if your son wants to try.

GL

Thanks so much!! Your experience gives us hope. DS decided to stick with it. I will update here in 2 weeks and hope our experience will help others too

[Anonymous]

Another TJ parent offering encouragement. That says something about your kid if they are choosing to stick it out. Hopefully the first test was enough of a wake up call and they will figure out what to do different. My DS took RS last summer and it was an adjustment for sure. Good luck!