DS struggling in 8th grade Algebra 1 Honors

[Anonymous]

The whole math curriculum all the way through from K on up needs overhauled. Living through it with my own kids over the years. It moves unevenly. There are kids who were dropped off at Kumon et al. places for years and kids who solely rely on FCPS. It’s a mad mess. And, many of the early teachers aren’t great in math, they get better as the kids age up through MS and HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I k ow someone who teaches math in MS and it doesn’t sound to me like this is unique to one school. My understanding is the push from higher-ups is to keep these students in higher level math courses. From the beginning of the SY teachers knew the students weren’t ready, but the schools were telling families differently and student course selections were bumped up. There are classes of 8th graders in Algebra who failed the Math 7 SOL. They are failing. Imagine struggling with Math 7 and then skipping Math 8 to take algebra.

My kid's counselor told me Reid has pushed for every 8th grader to take Algebra 1, effective this year. This would include Special Education students.

So, any kid who was in grade level math last year (Math 7) was pushed to Algebra 1 this year. Kids need to be confident in Math, especially Algebra as it lays the foundation for so many years of Math to come. If this was the plan and it was known last year, you'd think they would have worked on the curriculum so that every child in 8th was a little more prepared.

I think it's unfair to everyone, notably teachers and students, if this was the plan. I had never heard about it, and only learned of it during a conference with my kid's counselor.

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/leadership/strategic-plan/goal-3-academic-growth-and-excellence

Yes. Take for example IEP students that failed the math 7 SOL and are now taking Algebra in 8th grade. They are struggling and many become more discouraged. They are in a team taught class and the teacher gets called on by the administrators to explain why so many of the students in her section of the class are failing. It can be very frustrating.

Why did the parents of IEP students allow their child to be in the math level that's not best for their kid? FCPS isn't making anyone do anything, they can't force you to take these suggested/pushed math classes.

If you are a parent and the school tells you your child is ready to take a particular math, you might be inclined to believe the school’s recommendation. This might be particularly true for parents who are learning English or not as familiar with how class placement works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why the 6th grade algebra pilot had to be HONORS. I mean they cover one topic in one day and move on. Why couldn’t it be regular algebra, so there is time to cover gaps or give extra time to practice. Our teacher is sending homework home and also bunch of “practice” sheets. I would rather have a nice workbook instead of this mess of papers. And don’t let me start on a textbook…yes, there is mathspace and it’s much better than nothing, but would it kill anyone to just get a damn normal textbook? A normal kid has no chance getting through this class. It really is only for math nerds who look at a problem and just “see it” right away.

I thought the 6th graders are taking Algebra I, and it’s not the “full, regular” Algebra I curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why the 6th grade algebra pilot had to be HONORS. I mean they cover one topic in one day and move on. Why couldn’t it be regular algebra, so there is time to cover gaps or give extra time to practice. Our teacher is sending homework home and also bunch of “practice” sheets. I would rather have a nice workbook instead of this mess of papers. And don’t let me start on a textbook…yes, there is mathspace and it’s much better than nothing, but would it kill anyone to just get a damn normal textbook? A normal kid has no chance getting through this class. It really is only for math nerds who look at a problem and just “see it” right away.

I thought the 6th graders are taking Algebra I, and it’s not the “full, regular” Algebra I curriculum.

They are taking Algebra 1 Honors in 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

OP here... still unsure what to do... my DS still wants to stick it out with the Honors class... still has a C. He got an 81 on the last test (first try) which shows he has a decent understanding. He struggles with the quizzes and HW when it's new material. By the time the tests come, he does a bit better.
I talked to his counselor again about dropping down which is supportive of, but again, my kid feels strongly about staying where he is. I don't want to force him.
I am proud of his C. He works hard, got a lot of praise for his last test score from the teacher (who is tough and rarely compliments).
I guess I am just venting that we live in a time where the prospect of a C is such a terrible thing and I have to be so stressed about whether we should expunge the grade (which seems a shame and like we are erasing all his hard work?), drop down, retake, etc. It's ridiculous.
Anyone else in this situation?
My feeling is that I would definitely not have him retake it next year. He would do Geometry (not Honors) So the choice is expunge or keep the C that goes on his transcript.

[Anonymous]

He still could raise his grade over the second half of the year.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely drop down. If he is getting a C in honors Algebra, as a BTDT parent, the kinds of colleges he will ultimately apply to are not going to care whether he took HN or nonHN Algebra in 8th, but the grade will absolutely matter. Make sure he understands the material and gets a better grade. If possible, he should not have to retake Algebra in 9th (and then be "behind" in math for the rest of HS) so try to boost the grade now and drop the HN. Not that much time left to make that a better grade so act quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He still could raise his grade over the second half of the year.

I hope!

[Anonymous]

I’ll speak to the other side - my son dropped AP math I think in the 11th grade because he was getting a B- and he got a B- in the regular class and it killed his GPA. I didn’t see any advantage to this- tough it out and retake in 9th grade if needed (you can expunge 8th grade grades). The drop down was not the solution for my kid. By the way he ended up with an A+ in calc at a top 8 university so big picture this doesn’t necessarily mean anything.

[Anonymous]

My spouse teaches 8th grade math.

Which math class did your DS have in 7th grade?
Are you sure he could drop back to non honors at this point in the year?

[Anonymous]

When you say retake in 9th if needed what do you mean by that? My understanding is if he passes the class he doesn’t need to retake it. Even if we expunge the grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you say retake in 9th if needed what do you mean by that? My understanding is if he passes the class he doesn’t need to retake it. Even if we expunge the grade.

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No, if you expunge the grade, he has to retake the class.

[Anonymous]

On FCPS website it says if they pass the class they can expunge the grade and move to the next class (geometry)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On FCPS website it says if they pass the class they can expunge the grade and move to the next class (geometry)

Can someone please explain how expunging a grade works?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole math curriculum all the way through from K on up needs overhauled. Living through it with my own kids over the years. It moves unevenly. There are kids who were dropped off at Kumon et al. places for years and kids who solely rely on FCPS. It’s a mad mess. And, many of the early teachers aren’t great in math, they get better as the kids age up through MS and HS.

+1 Well put!