Question for freshman currently in Honors Algebra 2

[Anonymous]

No my kid was not ready at all. She has really needed tutors to reinforce Algebra I concepts and for extra practice and explanation in Algebra II concepts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this would apply, but we've used AOPs online for our older kid. It's self paced so we are usually 1 semester ahead. So we start in the summer the upcoming class, going at a deeper but slower pace (say 7-8 hrs a week) and that's more or less kept my DD comfortable and doing well. She's seeing similar material within 4-6 months of it's first introduction and it's often the 2nd time that it really gels. I really think with math repetition and review is so important - it's not necessarily who gets to differential equations first. And yes, my kids one of those who's 99% in cogats, etc but I still don't think she always has an intuitive understanding at the first pass...most of us are smart, not geniuses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

I think it’s the teaching style, lack of textbooks and homework. They also heavily rely on calculators. This has nothing to do with virtual. It also is when things ramp up and these kids are not prepared as mcps has changed academics for the worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

I think it’s the teaching style, lack of textbooks and homework. They also heavily rely on calculators. This has nothing to do with virtual. It also is when things ramp up and these kids are not prepared as mcps has changed academics for the worse.

Nope. There is no reason most 9th graders need to be in Alg 2. Mcps and parents are doing some kids a big disservice by pushing most of these kids ahead. A year lost to COVID made it even worse.

A truly gifted math student is able to more easily learn math. Unless you have encountered a kid like this you might not understand what this kind of kid is like. These are the kids that need to be advanced, not almost the whole grade. Seems many parents seem to panic if their kid is not in the “best” class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

I think it’s the teaching style, lack of textbooks and homework. They also heavily rely on calculators. This has nothing to do with virtual. It also is when things ramp up and these kids are not prepared as mcps has changed academics for the worse.

Nope. There is no reason most 9th graders need to be in Alg 2. Mcps and parents are doing some kids a big disservice by pushing most of these kids ahead. A year lost to COVID made it even worse.

A truly gifted math student is able to more easily learn math. Unless you have encountered a kid like this you might not understand what this kind of kid is like. These are the kids that need to be advanced, not almost the whole grade. Seems many parents seem to panic if their kid is not in the “best” class.

It’s been two years since Covid. Move on and stop blaming Covid. Mcps has also offered lots of extra tutoring. Covid is not the issue. Lack of books, teaching style, lack of homework are a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

I loved Math when I was kid.

My son's Map score is 260s in 6th grade and I think he is decent in math, and yet I have to sit with him regularly. He is taking AIM 6 and I think course work is interesting, but some time they don't get enough practice.

I absolutely hate using calculator if you can do calculations without it. Once you start using it and rely on it, you lose some basic mental calculation ability.

I don't know how this Alg2 or anything will turn out when he takes it, but I think students should be having textbook and repetitions to master concepts. That's how I did it. I attended extremely selective college outside of US, but I wasn't anywhere close to genius. Most of us are not genius. We all need a good process and practice.

I think not having good process and text book is weak point in MCPS. I also find often that teacher did not have time to cover everything then teacher moves on. I am not sure how it will work if parent is not covering those materials themselves or using a tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved Math when I was kid.

My son's Map score is 260s in 6th grade and I think he is decent in math, and yet I have to sit with him regularly. He is taking AIM 6 and I think course work is interesting, but some time they don't get enough practice.

I absolutely hate using calculator if you can do calculations without it. Once you start using it and rely on it, you lose some basic mental calculation ability.

I don't know how this Alg2 or anything will turn out when he takes it, but I think students should be having textbook and repetitions to master concepts. That's how I did it. I attended extremely selective college outside of US, but I wasn't anywhere close to genius. Most of us are not genius. We all need a good process and practice.

I think not having good process and text book is weak point in MCPS. I also find often that teacher did not have time to cover everything then teacher moves on. I am not sure how it will work if parent is not covering those materials themselves or using a tutor.

It would be very difficult except a smart kid who uses their own resources to do it om their own. I would fail with this teaching style and lack of repetition. We have a parent working with the child and tutoring. The concepts get harder and harder. A more structured teaching style and textbooks and reputation would benefit most kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

I think it’s the teaching style, lack of textbooks and homework. They also heavily rely on calculators. This has nothing to do with virtual. It also is when things ramp up and these kids are not prepared as mcps has changed academics for the worse.

I agree with you that teaching style, no textbooks, little or no homework, overuse of calculators, and lack of foundational skills are a problem generally. We just have a different view on whether prior virtual learning might (or might not) be exacerbating those problems this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

But the county needs to take responsibility, I pay taxes. They should be raising my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

I think it’s the teaching style, lack of textbooks and homework. They also heavily rely on calculators. This has nothing to do with virtual. It also is when things ramp up and these kids are not prepared as mcps has changed academics for the worse.

I agree with you that teaching style, no textbooks, little or no homework, overuse of calculators, and lack of foundational skills are a problem generally. We just have a different view on whether prior virtual learning might (or might not) be exacerbating those problems this year.

And yet I feel my children have a much stronger foundation today from MCPS than I got 30 years ago at a W.