Getting Cs in Algebra I - Intensified

[Anonymous]

DC who used to get As/Bs in math regularly is now getting Cs more and more often. He has been spending more time on homework and studying for tests, and getting help from teacher after class/school, but the grades are going the wrong direction. I know in MS they want kids self advocate but I also don't want to wait too long and him fall further behind. When is a good time for me to step in and how do I do it the right way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC who used to get As/Bs in math regularly is now getting Cs more and more often. He has been spending more time on homework and studying for tests, and getting help from teacher after class/school, but the grades are going the wrong direction. I know in MS they want kids self advocate but I also don't want to wait too long and him fall further behind. When is a good time for me to step in and how do I do it the right way?

Talk to the teacher at the earliest.

[Anonymous]

Ask for advice and study strategies for their specific class. Ask if they have noticed any specific areas that your DC should be working on at home. Please do not say that your child is used to getting As and Bs. It’s better to say that they feel like they are struggling and you realize that this is the first time math hasn’t come easy. Mention that you realize it was a wake a call and want to help them. Phrase it better than this, but you get the idea.

Teachers like students to speak for themselves but middle school is still very young. I am contacted by parents of high schoolers frequently and never mind sincere emails asking for my opinion and advice.

[Anonymous]

He's in middle school - he should repeat the class next year.

[Anonymous]

Look at where he is taking a hit in grades. Is it in homework (easy to fix), quizzes (these typically have lesser impact on the grade but do add up) or tests (hard to fix). Within tests look at which subject areas and sit with DC to understand why. The last thing you want is for DC to get disillusioned with math.
They are also at an age where they are very sensitive. So tread lightly.

[Anonymous]

Try a tutor. This is more important than just the grade — a firm grasp is critical to move on. Maybe I intensifies is the wrong track and your kid needs a slower pace.

[Anonymous]

Not OP but I have the same question. I just met with the teacher and said I wanted him to repeat Algebra 1 next year. She said, "He scored in the top 10% of the 7th grade on the placement test and his standardized test scores are all above average so he is placed in the correct class." He is in over his head though and I am looking into a tutor. This is a Catholic school BTW. I'm worried they will insist he moves on next year. If he is getting Ca, I don't think he grasps the concepts so why would they want him to move on next year. I don't care what the placement test says.

[Anonymous]

Could you drop him/her down to regular Algebra for the rest of the year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you drop him/her down to regular Algebra for the rest of the year?

When I met wth the teacher, she said he belongs in the higher class according to his placement test scores/standardized test scores. IMO, that doesn't mean much when he is struggling through the class. She said he just isn't interested so he isn't trying. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's in middle school - he should repeat the class next year.

This.

[Anonymous]

It's not called intensified because it's easy. And cumulative courses do tend to get more difficult as the year progresses. Last I checked, a C is still not "falling behind."

[Anonymous]

Maybe he just isn't good at math. Most people aren't very good at math, it's not a big deal. Very few people actually use advanced math in their job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's in middle school - he should repeat the class next year.

+1

This is a great idea. It will have no impact since your kid doesn't need the credit.

In the meanwhile, get a tutor.

If you think repeat is stupid, know that math isn't a race. My kid is now in BC calc after AB calc and the better engineering programs recommend not using the AP credit but starting again. Hearing the stuff again truly helped his understanding beyond just problem solving. Algebra 1 is a critical course for success later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you drop him/her down to regular Algebra for the rest of the year?

When I met wth the teacher, she said he belongs in the higher class according to his placement test scores/standardized test scores. IMO, that doesn't mean much when he is struggling through the class. She said he just isn't interested so he isn't trying. Sigh.

Is he "just not interested" or feeling totally defeated? If this teacher isn't the most sympathetic person, or if she rubs your kid the wrong way for whatever reason, just get a tutor.

(Maybe the teacher is fine, but I know that my kid's worst, least helpful teacher ever always blamed my daughter's poor performance on lack of engagement. Sometimes this is the reason, but in this case, it was ascribing a character flaw or moral failing to a kid who was having an actual problem. Not nice.)

[Anonymous]

Oh no. I WANT him to repeat Algebra 1 but the math teacher kept mentioning his high placement test grade. I finally said that anyone can do well on a 45 minute- 1 hour test but it takes a lot of work to make good grades day after day. She said the test and his ITBS test both show he is above average and should be in the higher class. I think a low C in a class shows that he has not yet mastered the material and should retake it next year. She just kept going back to the tests as proof that he can handle the rigor of the higher class.