WWYD - kid struggling with Algebra 2
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Not OP but am the other one following this —thanks PP for your detailed reply! I will remember these tips. |
Anonymous
Op, this is going to sound harsh .. and not knowing specifically what you mean by "drowning" but ... my kids have to earn advanced classes. They don't get to stay because otherwise they'd be embarrassed. I don't give a *flip* if their ego is hurt by dropping down a level. Their grades dictate their class placement (my approval of their class placement) |
Anonymous
| Sorry for a stupid question. Did she take geometry? So, algebra 1 in 7th, geometry in 8th, and algebra 2 (Is this algebra 2/trig? That’s what it was called years ago) in 9th? |
Anonymous
| What do her classmates say about the teacher? Does she feel like she’s performing as well as she should be compared to her classmates? |
Anonymous
| We dropped from Alg 2 honors to regular as my DC to maintain a good grade, rather an A in regular than a C or D in honors on a high school transcript. |
Anonymous
|
struggled
|
Anonymous
| OP you sound naive or in denial. How were you and your DH’s grades in advanced math? Honestly, you sound like a non-STEM major who had their own problems with math, but who has forgotten about that and now assumes her child should be able to do this track because she “studies and has a tutor”’. The problem here is not the teacher. Please re-read your original post and replies. |
Anonymous
| I’m a math teacher and have an opinion that will not be popular. I’d keep her in the class and request that she repeat it next year for a stronger foundation. Algebra 2 in 9th grade is difficult. Math becomes more abstract and you can’t compare the content with Algebra 1. She is not getting a solid foundation if she needs intensive tutoring to get by. Have her repeat the class so she can stay in honors, since it sounds like you want to do that. |
Anonymous
|
18:02 -- Thank you for that detailed reply. You've provided very helpful info and I will review your comments with her.
23:35 -- Obviously, I AM naive on this topic, or I wouldn't be desperate enough to ask for help on this often unfriendly forum!! You've added to that with your tone, but honestly, it's worth dealing with some snark because a lot of people have offered great insights and advice. No, I was not strong in math, but I have not assumed anything with regards to my kids. I have followed the recommendations of their teachers and counselors as to math placement, and I will continue to do that. I have already reached out to her counselor to see what she suggests. None of this is about me or what I want, it's not even about the grade. It's about what is best for DD to learn the material. 8:30 -- I actually like this idea a lot. I have no problem with her moving down or repeating. Whatever her grade this year, I don't want her moving on to even more difficult classes without a solid foundation. She likes the idea of going to the other teacher for help, and she's going to start that right away. We are still trying to get in touch with her current teacher as well. |
Anonymous
She is in FCPS, so she did Algebra 1 in 7th, Geometry in 8th, and Algebra 2 now. Looks like the next class is Precalculus with Trig. |
Anonymous
|
You need to make sure that she is not just doing her homework with the help of her tutor but that she is practicing working the problems every day until she gets them down.
Did she take the Algebra 1 SOL last year (or whatever the equivalent test is in your school system)? How did she do on it? You can print a released test out and have her take it just to see which problems she doesn't have a good grasp on. If the honors class is moving too fast and she is not getting the concepts down before moving on to new material I would drop her down to regular Algebra 2. Since her teacher is not responsive to either you or to your daughter I would absolutely ask to speak to the counselor about this and have her switched to another class. I'm sure your daughter isn't the only one struggling in that class. |
Anonymous
| Any disadvantages to doing regular Algebra 2 instead of honors? |
Anonymous
They cover more material in honors. My own son did all regular math class and then filled in the gaps with some classes at our local community college. The college courses are tough and it was not a super fun way to spend his summers and senior year of HS but he did it. And I think he's glad that he did. |
Anonymous
The main disadvantage is that it would be hard to jump back up to the honors or AP track. If she drops down, her high school math sequence would either be: Algebra II/Regular precalc/ AP Calculus AB/ AP Calculus BC or Algebra II/Regular precalc/AP Calc AB/AP Stats If she remains in Algebra II honors, she would do: Algebra II Honors/Precalc Honors/AP Calc BC/ post-calc math elective There isn't anything wrong with either of the non-honors tracks, especially if she's not interested in a heavy STEM field. She would still be able to take calculus in high school. The main issue is that it would be very challenging to jump up to the BC calc from regular precalc, rather than taking AB calc. |
Anonymous
| I might be wrong but I think that honors Algebra II has more trig in it. But I'm not 100% sure about that. |