8th grade: Algebra 1 or Algebra 1 HN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The teacher will simply recommend based on the grade. Since she has an A they will most likely recommend honors. However, they don’t the effort she may put in behind the scenes. Or how she hates math.

Expunging the grade is not an option as she would have to repeat the course in 9th. We need her completing Algebra now so she can be in Calculus as a senior.

Please stop with all of this desperation. And I say this with a senior who’s been accepted into college. None of that is true.

You don’t need all As. You CAN expunge grades. They can repeat the summer before 9th with a quick course, the full course or not repeat at all and still move on to Geometry in 9th. No one must take calc as a senior. You want, not need, this.

I am getting anxious from the pressure you are already putting on your kid.

With all due respect, you don’t know our full situation. In state is extremely competitive and we want our child to have calculus before college. That’s non negotiable.

All I want to know is if Algebra 1 Honors is that much harder than regular Algebra.

This board can’t answer that, as it is school and teacher dependent.

Where I teach, yes, there is a chasm between the two courses. Gen Ed uses desmos, is expected to test on questions that are the same as what is covered in class, and gets study guides that look like the test. Honors is no calculator, tests include extensions/applications of what was covered, and there is no study guide, just a list of standards and kids are expected to review old notes and assignments and create their own study guide.

But the first school I taught at gave the same test to both classes and just added 2-3 honors questions to the end for the honors kids.

There is no way to know unless you name the school. Even then, if there are multiple teachers teaching each course, YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The teacher will simply recommend based on the grade. Since she has an A they will most likely recommend honors. However, they don’t the effort she may put in behind the scenes. Or how she hates math.

Expunging the grade is not an option as she would have to repeat the course in 9th. We need her completing Algebra now so she can be in Calculus as a senior.

If your goal is Calculus as a senior she needs honors. Is Calculus her goal or your goal for her? There are other math classes that are useful for kids that are less challenging for a kid who dislikes math, like AP Stats.

Not true at all. I teach regular algebra 2 to kids who largely took regular algebra 1. A large portion of my sophomores go on to take AP calculus AB senior year.

[Anonymous]

My kid who is currently in 9th and sounds similar (got an A in 7H with hard work). She took Alg I H and got an A- with hard work. Currently has an A in Geom H.

I don’t know your kid, but I would encourage the honors class if they are doing well and want to take it. If it’s causing major stress or there is a large opportunity cost, then don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid who is currently in 9th and sounds similar (got an A in 7H with hard work). She took Alg I H and got an A- with hard work. Currently has an A in Geom H.

I don’t know your kid, but I would encourage the honors class if they are doing well and want to take it. If it’s causing major stress or there is a large opportunity cost, then don’t.

+1 thank you this is helpful!

[Anonymous]

All I want to know is if Algebra 1 Honors is that much harder than regular Algebra.

Yes, it absolutely can be. But as others have told you, we don't know the school and it may also be dependent on the teacher your child will get. How do they grade (very picky? points off for missing a step during problem solving? not "algebraically" solving?), what is the atmosphere of the class? Does their teaching style make sense to your child? What period of the day is it?

Faster pacing, more extensions and building. That is the bottom line.

Do what's best for your kid. No message board can make that call for you.

[Anonymous]

Do they allow students to drop down to regular Algebra if Algebra 1 Honors is too hard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they allow students to drop down to regular Algebra if Algebra 1 Honors is too hard?

Absolutely!! At any time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they allow students to drop down to regular Algebra if Algebra 1 Honors is too hard?

Absolutely!! At any time.

This is not true and must be school dependent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they allow students to drop down to regular Algebra if Algebra 1 Honors is too hard?

Absolutely!! At any time.

This is not true and must be school dependent.

Usually there is a deadline to drop down. I believe it’s by the end of the 2nd quarter.