Retaking Algebra I in 9th grade

[Anonymous]

My DC took Algebra this year as an 8th grader and did pretty well until the last quarter. Unfortunately, although she tried very hard and had a tutor, her grade completely tanked and we've agreed she should retake it as a freshman. Not only to improve the GPA, but also to make sure she's understanding everything thoroughly before moving on. Does anyone have an experience like this with your own kids? What was their math sequence in high school if they took Algebra in 9th grade? TIA.

[Anonymous]

What do the math teacher and the school counselor say?

[Anonymous]

http://www.fcps.edu/is/math/middleschool/documents/MSCourseSequence.pdf

[Anonymous]

Retaking Algebra I in 9th grade will not allow for AP Calculus before graduating and that will put her at a disadvantage for college admission and at college even if she will not be majoring in STEM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Retaking Algebra I in 9th grade will not allow for AP Calculus before graduating and that will put her at a disadvantage for college admission and at college even if she will not be majoring in STEM.

This. Is it possible for her to take both Algebra 1 and Geometry this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC took Algebra this year as an 8th grader and did pretty well until the last quarter. Unfortunately, although she tried very hard and had a tutor, her grade completely tanked and we've agreed she should retake it as a freshman. Not only to improve the GPA, but also to make sure she's understanding everything thoroughly before moving on. Does anyone have an experience like this with your own kids? What was their math sequence in high school if they took Algebra in 9th grade? TIA.

Most important thing is that she understand the fundamentals of math, and really feel comfortable with the basics. Math is built on the basics. Summer school this summer to catch up. It is only 1 quarter and 9th grade is Geometry.

[Anonymous]

How did she do on the Algebra 1 SOL? If you know. You could ask the teacher (in private) Teacher may know. I would tend to recommend D move forward. You may want intensive review of Algebra 2 during the summer before Algebra 2. This instead. Did she get a D? or C? A "C". I'd move forward.

[Anonymous]

Review Algebra 1 -the summer before- Algebra 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Retaking Algebra I in 9th grade will not allow for AP Calculus before graduating and that will put her at a disadvantage for college admission and at college even if she will not be majoring in STEM.

I took Algebra I as a freshman and still managed to finish AP Calc before I graduated high school. I took Algebra I/II during first year, geometry I/II during second year, Algebra III/IV and Trig during junior year, and then took AP Calc as a senior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Retaking Algebra I in 9th grade will not allow for AP Calculus before graduating and that will put her at a disadvantage for college admission and at college even if she will not be majoring in STEM.

I took Algebra I as a freshman and still managed to finish AP Calc before I graduated high school. I took Algebra I/II during first year, geometry I/II during second year, Algebra III/IV and Trig during junior year, and then took AP Calc as a senior.

In N. Virginia, the math sequence is Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus and then AP Calculus all year long courses.

[Anonymous]

They don't do trig in NOVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don't do trig in NOVA?

Trig. is covered in Algebra II and Pre-calculus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don't do trig in NOVA?

Trig. is covered in Algebra II and Pre-calculus.

and partly in geometry, at least for the intensified kids.

[Anonymous]

It's interesting how many posters are advocating moving OP's DC forward even though she struggled in the class even with a tutor. Everyone seems more focused on pushing her along so she can take AP calculus than on the fact that she doesn't seem to have mastered the course at all. OP, I would consider having her repeat the course in 9th grade. You don't want her hating math or doing poorly in future math classes because she doesn't have the appropriate foundation before moving forward. Solid grades without AP calculus will look a lot better that terrible grades in all her math class, including AP calculus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting how many posters are advocating moving OP's DC forward even though she struggled in the class even with a tutor. Everyone seems more focused on pushing her along so she can take AP calculus than on the fact that she doesn't seem to have mastered the course at all. OP, I would consider having her repeat the course in 9th grade. You don't want her hating math or doing poorly in future math classes because she doesn't have the appropriate foundation before moving forward. Solid grades without AP calculus will look a lot better that terrible grades in all her math class, including AP calculus.

It depends a lot on op's definition of "tanked."
My 7th grader is getting a B in Algebra Honors and is often freaking out about why she is doing so badly and everyone else isn't. Thank you Northern VA pressure.