‘B’ in algebra - 8th grade. Wwyd?

[Anonymous]

The tutor is probably unecessary if the B is from lack of effort and not doing assignments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:B shows that your child does not master the concepts. THAT is the concern. Math builds on itself, especially Algebra, which is the critical cornerstone of calculus later on in high school.

Your child needs a tutor, perhaps over the summer, to solidify their math understanding. That's non-negotiable, otherwise they will not do well in high school math. Whether or not you choose to expunge the grade is a pointless discussion unless you commit to getting your child help with their math skills, because that B in 8th grade will be the least of your problems if you don't.

I would not repeat the class. Individual (not group) tutoring is the way to go for in-depth understanding. There's too much risk of goofing off and not paying attention in a group setting, whether in or outside of school. Make sure to get a well-reviewed tutor who has lots of experience teaching algebra.

Yes, thank you for recognizing that the lack of mastery is my concern. They’ve already had a weekly tutor all year. Maybe a Mathnasium-type program would reinforce concepts better?

It could also mean they didn’t turn in all of their homework, or didn’t participate in class, or any number of things other than failure to master the material.

Maybe you should get yourself a tutor in logic.

They absolutely have turned in all of their homework. Why would class participation matter? The grade is calculated based on homework, quizzes, and tests. It’s all there in the app.

How TF would I, an anonymous stranger on the internet, know exactly how your kid’s grade is calculated?

Honestly, sounds like your kid just inherited your intelligence. What can you do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:B shows that your child does not master the concepts. THAT is the concern. Math builds on itself, especially Algebra, which is the critical cornerstone of calculus later on in high school.

Your child needs a tutor, perhaps over the summer, to solidify their math understanding. That's non-negotiable, otherwise they will not do well in high school math. Whether or not you choose to expunge the grade is a pointless discussion unless you commit to getting your child help with their math skills, because that B in 8th grade will be the least of your problems if you don't.

I would not repeat the class. Individual (not group) tutoring is the way to go for in-depth understanding. There's too much risk of goofing off and not paying attention in a group setting, whether in or outside of school. Make sure to get a well-reviewed tutor who has lots of experience teaching algebra.

Yes, thank you for recognizing that the lack of mastery is my concern. They’ve already had a weekly tutor all year. Maybe a Mathnasium-type program would reinforce concepts better?

That is problematic. You need to change tutors and perhaps do more intensive sessions. Both my kids had numerous tutors; some of them weren't up to the task, so we found others. We've done in-person at Prep Matters in Bethesda (close to our home) and we found some on Wyzant (online). It's hit and miss, and you mustn't be afraid of switching quickly if you or your child thinks the tutor isn't explaining things effectively.

It sounds like lots of people on this board have average kids you’re desperately trying to force into academically advanced boxes. What a sad way to waste their childhoods.

PP you replied to. You are both right and wrong.

One of my kids is twice exceptional (high IQ with severe ADHD and learning disabilities), so we did everything we could to support his academic aspirations. He's in college now and doing well. My other kid is gifted and in advanced classes, but this year one AP teacher is AWOL, and we've had to look for a tutor for that class. It's AP Physics C and not the kind of class a 15 year old can self-study. So you are wrong that my kids are average.

But you are entirely correct that the US is moving to a more competitive system for college admissions than in the past, one in which wealthy families will further their children's chances by hiring tutors, college counselors, and pay-for-play opportunities of all kinds. I live in Bethesda, where half the kids go to private and half the kids go to public schools. Tutoring is entirely dependent on family wealth, not on whether the kids go to public or private, and not on whether the kids are doing well or not. The goal is, whatever the kid's level is, to bring them up to their potential. Do I like this? No. But it's the reality for a certain socio-economic tranche of the population. The kids still get plenty of opportunity to veg out and enjoy their lives.

Feel free to bemoan this sad state of affairs in our society.

LOL, I had “twice exceptional” on my bingo card. That’s what you ALL say.

Stamped another square with “puts younger kid in class meant for older kids and has to get a tutor because [insert excuse here]…”

High school physics (even AP!) is ABSOLUTELY a class in which a kid can self-study. Your little genius just doesn’t belong in that class right now, but your ego is driving the bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:B shows that your child does not master the concepts. THAT is the concern. Math builds on itself, especially Algebra, which is the critical cornerstone of calculus later on in high school.

Your child needs a tutor, perhaps over the summer, to solidify their math understanding. That's non-negotiable, otherwise they will not do well in high school math. Whether or not you choose to expunge the grade is a pointless discussion unless you commit to getting your child help with their math skills, because that B in 8th grade will be the least of your problems if you don't.

I would not repeat the class. Individual (not group) tutoring is the way to go for in-depth understanding. There's too much risk of goofing off and not paying attention in a group setting, whether in or outside of school. Make sure to get a well-reviewed tutor who has lots of experience teaching algebra.

Yes, thank you for recognizing that the lack of mastery is my concern. They’ve already had a weekly tutor all year. Maybe a Mathnasium-type program would reinforce concepts better?

That is problematic. You need to change tutors and perhaps do more intensive sessions. Both my kids had numerous tutors; some of them weren't up to the task, so we found others. We've done in-person at Prep Matters in Bethesda (close to our home) and we found some on Wyzant (online). It's hit and miss, and you mustn't be afraid of switching quickly if you or your child thinks the tutor isn't explaining things effectively.

It sounds like lots of people on this board have average kids you’re desperately trying to force into academically advanced boxes. What a sad way to waste their childhoods.

PP you replied to. You are both right and wrong.

One of my kids is twice exceptional (high IQ with severe ADHD and learning disabilities), so we did everything we could to support his academic aspirations. He's in college now and doing well. My other kid is gifted and in advanced classes, but this year one AP teacher is AWOL, and we've had to look for a tutor for that class. It's AP Physics C and not the kind of class a 15 year old can self-study. So you are wrong that my kids are average.

But you are entirely correct that the US is moving to a more competitive system for college admissions than in the past, one in which wealthy families will further their children's chances by hiring tutors, college counselors, and pay-for-play opportunities of all kinds. I live in Bethesda, where half the kids go to private and half the kids go to public schools. Tutoring is entirely dependent on family wealth, not on whether the kids go to public or private, and not on whether the kids are doing well or not. The goal is, whatever the kid's level is, to bring them up to their potential. Do I like this? No. But it's the reality for a certain socio-economic tranche of the population. The kids still get plenty of opportunity to veg out and enjoy their lives.

Feel free to bemoan this sad state of affairs in our society.

LOL, I had “twice exceptional” on my bingo card. That’s what you ALL say.

Stamped another square with “puts younger kid in class meant for older kids and has to get a tutor because [insert excuse here]…”

High school physics (even AP!) is ABSOLUTELY a class in which a kid can self-study. Your little genius just doesn’t belong in that class right now, but your ego is driving the bus.

I’ve never used the term “twice exceptional” because it sounds stupid but my son has a very high IQ with learning disabilities. Those learning disabilities keeps in the basic classes. It’s not possible for them to work independently on the highest level that would be typical of a student with the high IQ and knowledge.

Some parents can’t accept that.

[Anonymous]

What school district? MCPS stopped counting high school-level grades from middle school if they hurt the GPA.

[Anonymous]

Work on the ADHD and anxiety since that is where the problem seems to be. Colleges like to see an arc of improvement. Earning a B in 8th grade is really not a problem. Try to be supportive instead of pressuring and the grade will probably come up.

[Anonymous]

A tutor for a B? That’s ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

8th grade doesn’t go on highschool transcripts so I wouldn’t do anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8th grade doesn’t go on highschool transcripts so I wouldn’t do anything.

It absolutely does in some districts. You have to check with your district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you know why they are getting Bs on their tests? Do they not understand the concepts? Run out of time? Make careless errors? Don't show their work?

Careless errors brought on by stress/anxiety is the main culprit I think. Honestly it’s a bit baffling because the tutor says they understand the material and they have to get the correct answers on IXL to complete their homework.

get a neuropsych eval

[Anonymous]

Grades don’t matter til 10th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grades don’t matter til 10th grade

Except for the majority of institutions, which consider grades from 9th onward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8th grade doesn’t go on highschool transcripts so I wouldn’t do anything.

It absolutely does in some districts. You have to check with your district.

In PGCPS, 8th grade grades for any class that is a high school level course (Algebra 1, Spanish 1 etc) count towards your high school GPA.

[Anonymous]

I don’t really think a B is that big of a deal or that they’re not mastering concepts. If my kids get two questions wrong out of twelve on a test they get a low B. I would still think they’ve mastered the concepts and just made some mistakes.

[Anonymous]

Some kids get Bs, even with tutoring. If this is Honors think about non-honors for math.