‘B’ in algebra - 8th grade. Wwyd?

[Anonymous]

Why is there an 8th grade grade on a high school transcript?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is there an 8th grade grade on a high school transcript?

Algebra is a high school-level course. Just like Geometry, and any foreign language. Some kids' high school transcripts start as early as 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is there an 8th grade grade on a high school transcript?

If it is high school level course, then it’s in your transcript. I was surprised to see it in my DS’s when he applied for college. That’s the first time I knew it. But most schools said they didn’t care just like some colleges don’t care about freshmen year. Depends on…

[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 recognize you. You kept saying AP courses could all be self-studied when schools were closed for the snowcrete weather event and some posters were worried about AP exams in May. You were rude and aggressive then too.

Parents are going to decide what's right for their families, and if you judge them on DCUM, it won't change their plans. I'm sure that enrages you.

[Anonymous]

Do the errors tend to be with calculations or interpreting what the problem is asking? Sometimes students who are very facile with calculations ironically need more work on reading comprehension.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 recognize you. You kept saying AP courses could all be self-studied when schools were closed for the snowcrete weather event and some posters were worried about AP exams in May. You were rude and aggressive then too.

Parents are going to decide what's right for their families, and if you judge them on DCUM, it won't change their plans. I'm sure that enrages you.

Nope! I don’t even know WTF snowcrete means. That it doesn’t occur to you that more than one person understands that genuinely smart and capable kids can self study for AP classes is a reflection of your poor critical thinking ability.

Nothing on DCUM enrages me, princess. I am, however, often surprised at how unintelligent relatively successful people can be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Troll post.

What makes you think this isn’t a very real dilemma for lots of families?

Then that's even sadder, fretting over a 'B' in middle school.

As another poster commented, the 'B', isn't the issue. It's the mastery or lack of mastery of the concepts that are the foundation for the higher level math concepts.

I was a “b’ kid in math. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand it. I had a really hard time doing the basic calculations correctly. I would understand exactly what I was supposed to do, but would hurry to complete things and make stupid basic math errors. Not all mistakes are misunderstandings, some are just attention and exactness related. I took AP calc in high school my junior year and was fine. I would look closely to see the kinds of things your daughter is missing. The types of mistakes are important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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 recognize you. You kept saying AP courses could all be self-studied when schools were closed for the snowcrete weather event and some posters were worried about AP exams in May. You were rude and aggressive then too.

Parents are going to decide what's right for their families, and if you judge them on DCUM, it won't change their plans. I'm sure that enrages you.

Nope! I don’t even know WTF snowcrete means. That it doesn’t occur to you that more than one person understands that genuinely smart and capable kids can self study for AP classes is a reflection of your poor critical thinking ability.

Nothing on DCUM enrages me, princess. I am, however, often surprised at how unintelligent relatively successful people can be.

Wait, you are calling someone princess and you think their ego is driving the bus? Ha! Turns out you are the punchline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Troll post.

What makes you think this isn’t a very real dilemma for lots of families?

Then that's even sadder, fretting over a 'B' in middle school.

As another poster commented, the 'B', isn't the issue. It's the mastery or lack of mastery of the concepts that are the foundation for the higher level math concepts.

I was a “b’ kid in math. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand it. I had a really hard time doing the basic calculations correctly. I would understand exactly what I was supposed to do, but would hurry to complete things and make stupid basic math errors. Not all mistakes are misunderstandings, some are just attention and exactness related. I took AP calc in high school my junior year and was fine. I would look closely to see the kinds of things your daughter is missing. The types of mistakes are important.

This is true. I’m wondering why so many were in a hurry to finish. If I knew what I was doing I would luxuriate over the paper taking my time. What a good feeling!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Troll post.

What makes you think this isn’t a very real dilemma for lots of families?

Then that's even sadder, fretting over a 'B' in middle school.

As another poster commented, the 'B', isn't the issue. It's the mastery or lack of mastery of the concepts that are the foundation for the higher level math concepts.

I was a “b’ kid in math. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand it. I had a really hard time doing the basic calculations correctly. I would understand exactly what I was supposed to do, but would hurry to complete things and make stupid basic math errors. Not all mistakes are misunderstandings, some are just attention and exactness related. I took AP calc in high school my junior year and was fine. I would look closely to see the kinds of things your daughter is missing. The types of mistakes are important.

It is ok to be a B math student, a B is not a bad grade. If a student is working with a tutor and earning a B, then you want to look at the level of math they are in and ask how important it is that they take classes like Calculus. There are a lot of strong math classes, like Stats, that are great for kids who are not STEM focused kids. Look at those paths.

I was a a/B student in regular math classes in HS because of learning issues. I took my three years of required math and stopped taking it. I was forced into higher level math in grad school and earned better grades. I understood the concepts but I couldn’t get the right answers. In my case, the numbers moved around or flipped and I was solving a different problem with wildly incorrect answers. Once I could use a computer program to do the calculations, I was actually strong in math. That said, Honors math was never going to be my thing in HS and I would never tell people that I am good at math. But I know when to use what model, how to properly run the model, how to run the diagnostics, and how to correct issues in the model. Just don’t ask me to write out the proof or explain the proof.

[Anonymous]

My kid has Bs in Algebra and yes we are going to repeat it in HS - to improve the grade and ask because the class was so poorly taught that he needs to redo it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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 recognize you. You kept saying AP courses could all be self-studied when schools were closed for the snowcrete weather event and some posters were worried about AP exams in May. You were rude and aggressive then too.

Parents are going to decide what's right for their families, and if you judge them on DCUM, it won't change their plans. I'm sure that enrages you.

Nope! I don’t even know WTF snowcrete means. That it doesn’t occur to you that more than one person understands that genuinely smart and capable kids can self study for AP classes is a reflection of your poor critical thinking ability.

Nothing on DCUM enrages me, princess. I am, however, often surprised at how unintelligent relatively successful people can be.

Wait, you are calling someone princess and you think their ego is driving the bus? Ha! Turns out you are the punchline.

This response makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid has Bs in Algebra and yes we are going to repeat it in HS - to improve the grade and ask because the class was so poorly taught that he needs to redo it.

Don’t do this, especially due to a B. That means your kid understands the majority of content. They will be at a significant disadvantage when applying for college if they don’t get to calculus by 12th grade. Do a summer algebra class online if you think the class was taught poorly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has Bs in Algebra and yes we are going to repeat it in HS - to improve the grade and ask because the class was so poorly taught that he needs to redo it.

Don’t do this, especially due to a B. That means your kid understands the majority of content. They will be at a significant disadvantage when applying for college if they don’t get to calculus by 12th grade. Do a summer algebra class online if you think the class was taught poorly.

Unless they are interested in STEM degrees, they will not be at a significant disadvantage if they don’t take Calculus. Only 20% of US HS students complete Calculus. It is more about the major that the kid is interested in then the college.

I would say not to do it because you are sending a signal that a B is not acceptable even if your kid worked hard ot earn that B. There are summer programs kids can take to help solidify skills, RSM has one that is 2 weeks long, it is a few hours a day during the week. I think some kids take it to prepare for the next class and some take it to solidify what they learned. I would go that path if you are interested in solidifying his math skills. Or get a tutor to work with over the summer.

[Anonymous]

I would ask the teacher. Does the B stem indeed from unfulfilled mastery, not showing work, missing assignments or something else? I have a kid who's a math whiz, but has a hard time remembering to show work so the grades aren't stellar despite the test scores. Instead of tutoring, we were able to push the kid ahead, and then the bulb clicked - that the work had to be shown.