Advice needed; Algebra 2 and Geometry at Deal MS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a problem here when families advise against doing more math when a kid can handle it because of lack of opportunities and offerings.

Eh. I chose not to have my kid double-block in math because it seemed like acceleration for acceleration’s sake. There’s no reason to take calc BC in 10th grade except bragging rights. There’s no reason for most high schools to offer math beyond Calc BC, honestly. It worked out really well for my kid to do DE math at a university senior year. He’s majoring in math at a top school.

You don’t have to participate in the arms race to have a great outcome.

You are missing the point. Lots of kids are unable to do dual enrollment and have no opportunity to go past Calculus when they want to and are interested.

No one is accelerating for acceleration sakes. Kids are bored and want more who can handle it and are shut out.

It is a lack of opportunities and offerrings in what is suppose to be the best IB school in the district. And the other neighborhood high schools don’t even offer Cal BC.

Yes, you are pushing acceleration for acceleration sake.

The topic of this thread is a kid who “is not thrilled about the early start and the extra work.” You read those words and conclude that if that kid isn’t pressured to take on the extra work, it will hurt some other hypothetical kid who is “bored and wants more.”

This is exactly the kind of reasoning that turns middle and high school into a relentless pressure cooker, a race to nowhere.

Geometry in 8th is enough. Kids who are “not thrilled” about the idea of doing more should not be pressured to do more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a problem here when families advise against doing more math when a kid can handle it because of lack of opportunities and offerings.

Eh. I chose not to have my kid double-block in math because it seemed like acceleration for acceleration’s sake. There’s no reason to take calc BC in 10th grade except bragging rights. There’s no reason for most high schools to offer math beyond Calc BC, honestly. It worked out really well for my kid to do DE math at a university senior year. He’s majoring in math at a top school.

You don’t have to participate in the arms race to have a great outcome.

You are missing the point. Lots of kids are unable to do dual enrollment and have no opportunity to go past Calculus when they want to and are interested.

No one is accelerating for acceleration sakes. Kids are bored and want more who can handle it and are shut out.

It is a lack of opportunities and offerrings in what is suppose to be the best IB school in the district. And the other neighborhood high schools don’t even offer Cal BC.

Yes, you are pushing acceleration for acceleration sake.

The topic of this thread is a kid who “is not thrilled about the early start and the extra work.” You read those words and conclude that if that kid isn’t pressured to take on the extra work, it will hurt some other hypothetical kid who is “bored and wants more.”

This is exactly the kind of reasoning that turns middle and high school into a relentless pressure cooker, a race to nowhere.

Geometry in 8th is enough. Kids who are “not thrilled” about the idea of doing more should not be pressured to do more.

I’m the PP and my statement was a generalization for kids who love math and want more, not specifically about OP’s kids.

Yes there are kids who want more and are bored and not challenged. No one is pushing them at all.

It’s just tiring how parents on here try to justify the status quo and don’t demand more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a problem here when families advise against doing more math when a kid can handle it because of lack of opportunities and offerings.

Eh. I chose not to have my kid double-block in math because it seemed like acceleration for acceleration’s sake. There’s no reason to take calc BC in 10th grade except bragging rights. There’s no reason for most high schools to offer math beyond Calc BC, honestly. It worked out really well for my kid to do DE math at a university senior year. He’s majoring in math at a top school.

You don’t have to participate in the arms race to have a great outcome.

You are missing the point. Lots of kids are unable to do dual enrollment and have no opportunity to go past Calculus when they want to and are interested.

No one is accelerating for acceleration sakes. Kids are bored and want more who can handle it and are shut out.

It is a lack of opportunities and offerrings in what is suppose to be the best IB school in the district. And the other neighborhood high schools don’t even offer Cal BC.

No, you are missing the point. My kid was offered double blocking, and we declined. He was the top math student in his class. He could do the work. But why? Why rush? Why not let him take gym and art and music with his friends? He took calc BC in 11th and two college classes in 12th. There is no reason to go faster than that except to say that you did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a problem here when families advise against doing more math when a kid can handle it because of lack of opportunities and offerings.

Eh. I chose not to have my kid double-block in math because it seemed like acceleration for acceleration’s sake. There’s no reason to take calc BC in 10th grade except bragging rights. There’s no reason for most high schools to offer math beyond Calc BC, honestly. It worked out really well for my kid to do DE math at a university senior year. He’s majoring in math at a top school.

You don’t have to participate in the arms race to have a great outcome.

You are missing the point. Lots of kids are unable to do dual enrollment and have no opportunity to go past Calculus when they want to and are interested.

No one is accelerating for acceleration sakes. Kids are bored and want more who can handle it and are shut out.

It is a lack of opportunities and offerrings in what is suppose to be the best IB school in the district. And the other neighborhood high schools don’t even offer Cal BC.

Yes, you are pushing acceleration for acceleration sake.

The topic of this thread is a kid who “is not thrilled about the early start and the extra work.” You read those words and conclude that if that kid isn’t pressured to take on the extra work, it will hurt some other hypothetical kid who is “bored and wants more.”

This is exactly the kind of reasoning that turns middle and high school into a relentless pressure cooker, a race to nowhere.

Geometry in 8th is enough. Kids who are “not thrilled” about the idea of doing more should not be pressured to do more.

I’m the PP and my statement was a generalization for kids who love math and want more, not specifically about OP’s kids.

Yes there are kids who want more and are bored and not challenged. No one is pushing them at all.

It’s just tiring how parents on here try to justify the status quo and don’t demand more.

I think you aren't hearing the parents of kids who did accellerate and are saying, it wasn't worth it. And no, your kid won't be bored. There are plenty of other courses to take.

[Anonymous]

Since it’s 0 period, can they try it the first week or 2 of school to see if they like it? They might really enjoy the challenge if friends are in the class/if the teacher is good, even if they’re not sure at this moment about the early wake-up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a problem here when families advise against doing more math when a kid can handle it because of lack of opportunities and offerings.

Speaking as someone who does advanced math for a living, best case scenario my kids and other kids with a mathematical aptitude wouldn’t take calc before college, and the calc class they would take would be proof based.

I know that’s impractical, and even if you want to be an engineer or something you kind of have to have an applied foundation to do well in college, but the way high school advanced math is taught and structured the modal student learns a lot of bad habits they have to unlearn in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a problem here when families advise against doing more math when a kid can handle it because of lack of opportunities and offerings.

Speaking as someone who does advanced math for a living, best case scenario my kids and other kids with a mathematical aptitude wouldn’t take calc before college, and the calc class they would take would be proof based.

I know that’s impractical, and even if you want to be an engineer or something you kind of have to have an applied foundation to do well in college, but the way high school advanced math is taught and structured the modal student learns a lot of bad habits they have to unlearn in college.

I appreciate your experience. As someone who teaches high school math, I think exposure to higher level math in high school helps students who might not have considered studying the subject in college more open to it. High school gives more support for those students, who are often from groups that are underrepresented in higher level math degrees, to grow skills and gain confidence.

[Anonymous]

As a two-time Deal parent, it frustrates me that there is no equivalent acceleration for reading and writing. My kid is invited for double math next year, but meanwhile ELA has been totally underwhelming.

[Anonymous]

This path could be advantageous if your kid applies to private for HS. Although they’ll be assessed before 9th grade and may move “back.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a two-time Deal parent, it frustrates me that there is no equivalent acceleration for reading and writing. My kid is invited for double math next year, but meanwhile ELA has been totally underwhelming.

It’s because Neal once taught math…