Struggling in Honors Algebra 2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

It’s not a universal problem. It’s just a common problem among parents who choose to complain about it on DCUM.

A problem that some kids have is that they didn’t have to put forth much effort last year (or could just look up answers instead of actually understanding how to solve problems.) Now they are in a more challenging course, have never learned to study, are missing skills, and have no resilience to try again if they struggle. This isn’t a curriculum problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honors algebra 2 has always been a weeding out class, where kids formerly in honors math need to switch to regular. To certain extent, it’s common for kids to bomb a few tests, and then drop the class. The current situation appears to be more than that though, likely a result of poor instruction and poor attention during the pandemic. These kids haven’t had solid in person math instruction since the middle of algebra 1.

It's the exact same at my kid's "top" DC private. Kids are dropping math classes left and right. They had more in-person school last year than the publics but it's very clear that things were missed because kids are NOT doing well this year.

Teachers are not modifying the curriculum (and I'm not sure they should be) and so kids are failing and/or dropping down.

The pandemic was not good for math education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

It’s not a universal problem. It’s just a common problem among parents who choose to complain about it on DCUM.

A problem that some kids have is that they didn’t have to put forth much effort last year (or could just look up answers instead of actually understanding how to solve problems.) Now they are in a more challenging course, have never learned to study, are missing skills, and have no resilience to try again if they struggle. This isn’t a curriculum problem.

The issue with last year was multifactoral:

1)Far less instructional time. Some math topics were never covered or were glossed over.
2)No time limits on exams.
3)photo math. group work. parental help. I.e. a whole lot of ways cheat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

It’s not a universal problem. It’s just a common problem among parents who choose to complain about it on DCUM.

A problem that some kids have is that they didn’t have to put forth much effort last year (or could just look up answers instead of actually understanding how to solve problems.) Now they are in a more challenging course, have never learned to study, are missing skills, and have no resilience to try again if they struggle. This isn’t a curriculum problem.

Are you a parent with a child in Hons. Algebra 2? Are you a teacher?
If students are taking HA2 this year they will have taken Hons. Geometry last year so regardless of their effort, or lack thereof, it has zero baring on this year's work, because it is different.
You also sound strangely angry, so maybe you should just go away because that's not helping anyone here.

[Anonymous]

How’s everyone doing at end of Q1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

It’s not a universal problem. It’s just a common problem among parents who choose to complain about it on DCUM.

A problem that some kids have is that they didn’t have to put forth much effort last year (or could just look up answers instead of actually understanding how to solve problems.) Now they are in a more challenging course, have never learned to study, are missing skills, and have no resilience to try again if they struggle. This isn’t a curriculum problem.

Are you a parent with a child in Hons. Algebra 2? Are you a teacher?
If students are taking HA2 this year they will have taken Hons. Geometry last year so regardless of their effort, or lack thereof, it has zero baring on this year's work, because it is different.
You also sound strangely angry, so maybe you should just go away because that's not helping anyone here.

Not the PP (actually, I'm new to the thread) but I would agree with the 'angry' pp. This is exactly my kids' problems. My oldest is now in college and decided to completely repeat calculus (and is still struggling despite getting an A senior year in virtual). If you ask her the problem, this is exactly what she says-- it was all open book/open note last year. Tons of makeups. She just never learned it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

No its not reflective of the curriculum but definitely to the abilities of majority of the students. Like PPs mentioned this is a weeding out class. If your basic math concepts are not strong you will struggle. MCPS does a terrible job at teaching math in general. The students suffer from lack of practice problems and good teachers and that exacerbates the problem. Nothing is wrong with the curriculum but the reality is some kids find math hard. People of dcum expect their kids to get straight A’s in every class with minimal effort and thats what the students themselves are used to now. Practice helps in math.

[Anonymous]

Where should the kids find more practice problems (with answers to check)? I suggested this to DC but I’m not sure where to find them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

No its not reflective of the curriculum but definitely to the abilities of majority of the students. Like PPs mentioned this is a weeding out class. If your basic math concepts are not strong you will struggle. MCPS does a terrible job at teaching math in general. The students suffer from lack of practice problems and good teachers and that exacerbates the problem. Nothing is wrong with the curriculum but the reality is some kids find math hard. People of dcum expect their kids to get straight A’s in every class with minimal effort and thats what the students themselves are used to now. Practice helps in math.

The bolded was my polite attempt to say what you said but without enraging people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

No its not reflective of the curriculum but definitely to the abilities of majority of the students. Like PPs mentioned this is a weeding out class. If your basic math concepts are not strong you will struggle. MCPS does a terrible job at teaching math in general. The students suffer from lack of practice problems and good teachers and that exacerbates the problem. Nothing is wrong with the curriculum but the reality is some kids find math hard. People of dcum expect their kids to get straight A’s in every class with minimal effort and thats what the students themselves are used to now. Practice helps in math.

But, it makes me wonder why the kids aren't ready for Honors Alg 2. This is not the first year we've been hearing about problems in honors math classes. This is a sequential series of classes. Each course should set the student up for success in the next course. There shouldn't be any "weeding" out courses in high school if kids successfully complete the prior course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

No its not reflective of the curriculum but definitely to the abilities of majority of the students. Like PPs mentioned this is a weeding out class. If your basic math concepts are not strong you will struggle. MCPS does a terrible job at teaching math in general. The students suffer from lack of practice problems and good teachers and that exacerbates the problem. Nothing is wrong with the curriculum but the reality is some kids find math hard. People of dcum expect their kids to get straight A’s in every class with minimal effort and thats what the students themselves are used to now. Practice helps in math.

But, it makes me wonder why the kids aren't ready for Honors Alg 2. This is not the first year we've been hearing about problems in honors math classes. This is a sequential series of classes. Each course should set the student up for success in the next course. There shouldn't be any "weeding" out courses in high school if kids successfully complete the prior course.

Higher math courses are tough. Some kids get pushed through earlier courses more quickly than is ideal, and find themselves struggling in those more advanced ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

No its not reflective of the curriculum but definitely to the abilities of majority of the students. Like PPs mentioned this is a weeding out class. If your basic math concepts are not strong you will struggle. MCPS does a terrible job at teaching math in general. The students suffer from lack of practice problems and good teachers and that exacerbates the problem. Nothing is wrong with the curriculum but the reality is some kids find math hard. People of dcum expect their kids to get straight A’s in every class with minimal effort and thats what the students themselves are used to now. Practice helps in math.

But, it makes me wonder why the kids aren't ready for Honors Alg 2. This is not the first year we've been hearing about problems in honors math classes. This is a sequential series of classes. Each course should set the student up for success in the next course. There shouldn't be any "weeding" out courses in high school if kids successfully complete the prior course.

Everyone hits a wall in math. Some hit a wall earlier. Algebra 2 is just way more abstract than algebra 1 and geometry combined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How’s everyone doing at end of Q1?

I am one of the PP’s. My child ended up with an A after retaking the exam. I still think the lack of textbooks and opportunities to practice math problems outside of class is a problem. My child also claims that the teacher doesn’t actively teach in class but I’m not sure that is true.

[Anonymous]

My child barely got a 70 so yes, I’m worried. Are they stuck in Honors for the second marking period? For the year? Would it negatively impact them to move to regular honors for Semester 2 or even the second half of this semester? Meanwhile, off to find a tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child barely got a 70 so yes, I’m worried. Are they stuck in Honors for the second marking period? For the year? Would it negatively impact them to move to regular honors for Semester 2 or even the second half of this semester? Meanwhile, off to find a tutor.

It’s a big deal to drop down mid semester now but not to switch for semester 2.