What pathway after Honors Geometry in 8th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is in 8th now and somewhat struggling in geometry (low Bs on tests/high As on classwork). I am hoping he can take 2 year Algebra 2 course (Algebra 2 A/B in 9th and Algebra 2 C/D in 10th). The remote year of pre-Algebra really messed with my kid.

My kid took Honors Alg II in 8th grade (virtually from the high school). Luckily, he took Alg I before the pandemic. But we never heard about a two-year Algebra II option—is that offered in all schools? We never saw it when he was signing up for courses.

Its new.

I am not sure how new, I have seen it in the catalog and checked that it was offered at our HS (RMHS has 2 teachers that currently teach that course). MCPS knows full well that remote education math was a joke, so I am thinking they will offer some "slow down" courses to catch the kids up.

How are colleges likely to view this 2 year option?

[Anonymous]

NP here, but interested in this topic. DC in 7th is struggling but hanging on in Algebra. Is there a point where students 'back off' this track? Or it is just a given that all but the best math minds will have a tutor? It seems like once you're on the accelerated track, it's very hard to change without repeating a year (like Geometry, as noted above).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here, but interested in this topic. DC in 7th is struggling but hanging on in Algebra. Is there a point where students 'back off' this track? Or it is just a given that all but the best math minds will have a tutor? It seems like once you're on the accelerated track, it's very hard to change without repeating a year (like Geometry, as noted above).

My kid struggled a bit. We don't believe in hiring tutors; if he can't do the work, then he shouldn't be in the class. That being said, he had a great teacher who would answer questions during lunch and with that extra time to check in with his teacher, his grades went back up. There were just a few units where it took longer to "click." I would chat with the teacher and see what he/she thinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here, but interested in this topic. DC in 7th is struggling but hanging on in Algebra. Is there a point where students 'back off' this track? Or it is just a given that all but the best math minds will have a tutor? It seems like once you're on the accelerated track, it's very hard to change without repeating a year (like Geometry, as noted above).

You can slow the track by repeating a class or take the on level version instead of the honors version. Struggle means more work is needed, whether that is repetition of problems or going back to build up the foundational skills that are lacking. Sometimes it means asking for help to have concepts explained in a different way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do students have to take 4 years of Math in high school, especially if they are far advanced. My DD is great at math but has no desire to be an engineer, scientist, or doctor and doesn't see the need for Calc BC etc... in junior/senior year.

I was able to take two sciences in instead of a math course when I was a senior in high school. Took Honors A&P which really helped with my nursing courses in college.

MCPS requires four credits of math + math every year in high school. (These requirements may actually be Maryland requirements.) So one can not say "I started Algebra in seventh grade, so after tenth grade I can stop taking math." Some students skip Calc BC and instead take Stats or Calc with applications ...

Sorry but this BLOWS - don't like it all. They should require up until Pre-Calc or 4 years in high school. Whichever is first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here, but interested in this topic. DC in 7th is struggling but hanging on in Algebra. Is there a point where students 'back off' this track? Or it is just a given that all but the best math minds will have a tutor? It seems like once you're on the accelerated track, it's very hard to change without repeating a year (like Geometry, as noted above).

My kid struggled a bit. We don't believe in hiring tutors; if he can't do the work, then he shouldn't be in the class. That being said, he had a great teacher who would answer questions during lunch and with that extra time to check in with his teacher, his grades went back up. There were just a few units where it took longer to "click." I would chat with the teacher and see what he/she thinks.

This is teacher dependent. I didn’t believe in hiring tutors either until Alg2 H when my kid’s teacher did a “flipped classroom” - so the learning is done at home. My kid and every other kid in the class has a tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do students have to take 4 years of Math in high school, especially if they are far advanced. My DD is great at math but has no desire to be an engineer, scientist, or doctor and doesn't see the need for Calc BC etc... in junior/senior year.

I was able to take two sciences in instead of a math course when I was a senior in high school. Took Honors A&P which really helped with my nursing courses in college.

Yes, it's because 4 years of math is required in HS that the acceleration at the 5/6/7/8th grade years can actually work against your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do students have to take 4 years of Math in high school, especially if they are far advanced. My DD is great at math but has no desire to be an engineer, scientist, or doctor and doesn't see the need for Calc BC etc... in junior/senior year.

I was able to take two sciences in instead of a math course when I was a senior in high school. Took Honors A&P which really helped with my nursing courses in college.

MCPS requires four credits of math + math every year in high school. (These requirements may actually be Maryland requirements.) So one can not say "I started Algebra in seventh grade, so after tenth grade I can stop taking math." Some students skip Calc BC and instead take Stats or Calc with applications ...

Sorry but this BLOWS - don't like it all. They should require up until Pre-Calc or 4 years in high school. Whichever is first.

You're right. Lobby the state house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here, but interested in this topic. DC in 7th is struggling but hanging on in Algebra. Is there a point where students 'back off' this track? Or it is just a given that all but the best math minds will have a tutor? It seems like once you're on the accelerated track, it's very hard to change without repeating a year (like Geometry, as noted above).

My kid struggled a bit. We don't believe in hiring tutors; if he can't do the work, then he shouldn't be in the class. That being said, he had a great teacher who would answer questions during lunch and with that extra time to check in with his teacher, his grades went back up. There were just a few units where it took longer to "click." I would chat with the teacher and see what he/she thinks.

This is teacher dependent. I didn’t believe in hiring tutors either until Alg2 H when my kid’s teacher did a “flipped classroom” - so the learning is done at home. My kid and every other kid in the class has a tutor.

Tutors for everyone in a class? That's not what public education is supposed to be about. Nor is ensuring everyone gets an A.

System-provided tutoring to make up for lost learning is an important idea. Tutoring employed directly by families is an option for those with means, and shouldn't be forbidden or anything, but certainly shouldn't be needed this way -- even forgetting about the equity issue.

A class should be constructed/instructed such that those having successfully completed prerequisites have a reasonable chance to absorb the material via classroom instruction and a not-too-great amount of homework. Honors versions or others that might be more challenging should be the same, given a student's higher demonstration of capability & interest, perhaps with more homework/study expected.

It sounds like either 1) this class has enrolled students who did not successfully complete prerequisites, 2) the class was poorly constructed, 3) the teacher is failing to provide adequate instruction (a flipped classroom isn't necessarily at fault, there, though it can present more of a challenge when the style is first encountered -- I'd employ/advocate for grading flexibility during the outset to balance that), 4) the students are not applying themselves independently or 5) too many are expecting to get an A, and their families have the means to employ tutors to ensure this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here, but interested in this topic. DC in 7th is struggling but hanging on in Algebra. Is there a point where students 'back off' this track? Or it is just a given that all but the best math minds will have a tutor? It seems like once you're on the accelerated track, it's very hard to change without repeating a year (like Geometry, as noted above).

Look into Stats. The problem is that they want the Algebra => Geometry => Algebra II sequence one after the other, meaning that your student would first have the opportunity in 10th, and that it's a bit harder to "get back in the saddle" for PreCalc. AP Stats could be taken in 11th instead of Calc, though, again, there might be a "back in the saddle" problem if then attempting BC in 12th.

Alternately, slowing down in 11th by taking either Calc with Applications or Calc AB (half a year AP credit) instead of Calc BC (whole year AP credit), which could be taken in 12th with more foundation in place.

Also look into the free tutoring MCPS is providing. I'm assuming that 5/6 was largely remote for your student, and 4/5 was interrupted, too. The learning loss didn't hit everyone equally. They got through AIM, so you know they are capable. It may just be a hump to get over this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do students have to take 4 years of Math in high school, especially if they are far advanced. My DD is great at math but has no desire to be an engineer, scientist, or doctor and doesn't see the need for Calc BC etc... in junior/senior year.

I was able to take two sciences in instead of a math course when I was a senior in high school. Took Honors A&P which really helped with my nursing courses in college.

MCPS requires four credits of math + math every year in high school. (These requirements may actually be Maryland requirements.) So one can not say "I started Algebra in seventh grade, so after tenth grade I can stop taking math." Some students skip Calc BC and instead take Stats or Calc with applications ...

Sorry but this BLOWS - don't like it all. They should require up until Pre-Calc or 4 years in high school. Whichever is first.

MCPS is ruining many kids with this requirement. There are many people in this world who don't need Pre-Cal either. We threw away all the trades and great electives to prepare kids for life and only focus on college admissions. It is embarrassing how little they care about the kids actually learning. Forcing the smarter kids to bring up the rear and not giving 2 craps about the rear.

[Anonymous]

Wait, I thought there was supposed to be a mandatory finance class as part of the math curriculum. Learning credit, taxes, banking, stocks, college loans, 401K etc.... What happened?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here, but interested in this topic. DC in 7th is struggling but hanging on in Algebra. Is there a point where students 'back off' this track? Or it is just a given that all but the best math minds will have a tutor? It seems like once you're on the accelerated track, it's very hard to change without repeating a year (like Geometry, as noted above).

My kid struggled a bit. We don't believe in hiring tutors; if he can't do the work, then he shouldn't be in the class. That being said, he had a great teacher who would answer questions during lunch and with that extra time to check in with his teacher, his grades went back up. There were just a few units where it took longer to "click." I would chat with the teacher and see what he/she thinks.

Why on earth would you have your child struggle and not get them help? MCPS is offering FREE FREE tutoring via Tutor Me. You seem kinda selfish and not caring about your child's best interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here, but interested in this topic. DC in 7th is struggling but hanging on in Algebra. Is there a point where students 'back off' this track? Or it is just a given that all but the best math minds will have a tutor? It seems like once you're on the accelerated track, it's very hard to change without repeating a year (like Geometry, as noted above).

My kid struggled a bit. We don't believe in hiring tutors; if he can't do the work, then he shouldn't be in the class. That being said, he had a great teacher who would answer questions during lunch and with that extra time to check in with his teacher, his grades went back up. There were just a few units where it took longer to "click." I would chat with the teacher and see what he/she thinks.

This is teacher dependent. I didn’t believe in hiring tutors either until Alg2 H when my kid’s teacher did a “flipped classroom” - so the learning is done at home. My kid and every other kid in the class has a tutor.

Tutors for everyone in a class? That's not what public education is supposed to be about. Nor is ensuring everyone gets an A.

System-provided tutoring to make up for lost learning is an important idea. Tutoring employed directly by families is an option for those with means, and shouldn't be forbidden or anything, but certainly shouldn't be needed this way -- even forgetting about the equity issue.

A class should be constructed/instructed such that those having successfully completed prerequisites have a reasonable chance to absorb the material via classroom instruction and a not-too-great amount of homework. Honors versions or others that might be more challenging should be the same, given a student's higher demonstration of capability & interest, perhaps with more homework/study expected.

It sounds like either 1) this class has enrolled students who did not successfully complete prerequisites, 2) the class was poorly constructed, 3) the teacher is failing to provide adequate instruction (a flipped classroom isn't necessarily at fault, there, though it can present more of a challenge when the style is first encountered -- I'd employ/advocate for grading flexibility during the outset to balance that), 4) the students are not applying themselves independently or 5) too many are expecting to get an A, and their families have the means to employ tutors to ensure this.

MCPS is offering tutors to everyone. Just because a child does well, doesn't mean the additional support isn't helpful. The current teaching style and no textbooks makes it very hard for many kids to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here, but interested in this topic. DC in 7th is struggling but hanging on in Algebra. Is there a point where students 'back off' this track? Or it is just a given that all but the best math minds will have a tutor? It seems like once you're on the accelerated track, it's very hard to change without repeating a year (like Geometry, as noted above).

My kid struggled a bit. We don't believe in hiring tutors; if he can't do the work, then he shouldn't be in the class. That being said, he had a great teacher who would answer questions during lunch and with that extra time to check in with his teacher, his grades went back up. There were just a few units where it took longer to "click." I would chat with the teacher and see what he/she thinks.

This is teacher dependent. I didn’t believe in hiring tutors either until Alg2 H when my kid’s teacher did a “flipped classroom” - so the learning is done at home. My kid and every other kid in the class has a tutor.

Tutors for everyone in a class? That's not what public education is supposed to be about. Nor is ensuring everyone gets an A.

System-provided tutoring to make up for lost learning is an important idea. Tutoring employed directly by families is an option for those with means, and shouldn't be forbidden or anything, but certainly shouldn't be needed this way -- even forgetting about the equity issue.

A class should be constructed/instructed such that those having successfully completed prerequisites have a reasonable chance to absorb the material via classroom instruction and a not-too-great amount of homework. Honors versions or others that might be more challenging should be the same, given a student's higher demonstration of capability & interest, perhaps with more homework/study expected.

It sounds like either 1) this class has enrolled students who did not successfully complete prerequisites, 2) the class was poorly constructed, 3) the teacher is failing to provide adequate instruction (a flipped classroom isn't necessarily at fault, there, though it can present more of a challenge when the style is first encountered -- I'd employ/advocate for grading flexibility during the outset to balance that), 4) the students are not applying themselves independently or 5) too many are expecting to get an A, and their families have the means to employ tutors to ensure this.

MCPS is offering tutors to everyone. Just because a child does well, doesn't mean the additional support isn't helpful. The current teaching style and no textbooks makes it very hard for many kids to learn.

I'm the PP. I don't disagree with anything you wrote, save that I'm reserving judgements on teaching style/approach, but I don't think it contradicts anything I wrote.