math curriculum advancement question
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Anonymous
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Is it possible to double up on math or take a course during the summer as a high schooler? My son is currently a sophomore and in Algebra 2. When he was in middle school he was so bored in math and I requested that he skip IM and have a chance at Algebra. He was not given permission as I believe the school assumed I was another typical parent pushing my kid for no real reason. I honestly would prefer my kids get B's and C's occasionally rather than sail through with straight A's.
On one hand it is great that math comes so easily for him, but on the other hand I feel like he will be so much more engaged once he gets to calculus and beyond. It seems like some schools allow the kids to advance in the curriculum while others are more stringent. Specifically Hoover told me if I wanted to put him in Algebra I should send him to Lakelands (his parents are in different districts). My fear is the W district he is in would prefer to boost their ratings rather than allow students to fullfill their potential. Specifically looking for advice for families without a Potomac/Bethesda income - private schools or camps are not an option for us. Thanks in advance |
Anonymous
My dd tried to take geometry and algebra II concurrently in freshman year (also at WCHS). They approved her to do it, in principle, but the classes were at capacity so she couldn't work it out in her schedule. It doesn't work well for Algebra II and precalc, since the former is prerequisite to the latter. In principle, I'm guessing they would allow concurrent registration of, say, Calculus and Stats since mastery of one isn't necessary for the other, but I've never checked. I also asked about taking summer math. The issue here is that they only offer the regular versions (not honors versions) and often it is taken by students who failed the class the first time (so taught at a pretty basic level). DDs math teacher said it isn't a good idea for precalc, as students who take regular precalc in the summer aren't really well prepared for AP Calc the next year. |
Anonymous
| Not trying to be snarky but if he is so good at math why is he taking Algebra 2 as a sophomore? |
Anonymous
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My 8th grader is on track to take Algebra 2 as a freshman, after starting with IM in 6th grade. So I'm not clear on the track your son is in. Did he take IM in 7th? Anyway, if you want him to skip ahead to AP classes in 11th grade, I would simply ask whether the school can test him during the summer. I was told MCPS is supposed to accept students who test into a higher class, and that test can be administered in the summer. If they say yes, then spend the year with an MCPS teacher from a different high school who can coach your son is Pre-Calc, then enroll in summer in Pre-Calc to check off the box. |
Anonymous
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OP here.
Just for clarification - I think this was an issue given when the curriculum changed for him/when they implemented 2.0. My daughter is in 7th grade and is on track for Algebra 2 in 9th grade as well. She is not better at math than he is by any means, but 2.0 was implemented while she was in elementary and she was in IM in 6th grade. As I said, as soon as I realized in middle school that he was so bored I tried to have his math placement changed and was told I could not. He consistently receives 100% on every test so I'm not clear how MCPS addresses a problem of inaccurate placement at this point. I recognize this is a fantastic problem to have - I was just curious if anyone had any insight into whether it is fixable. It sounds like I just need to keep reminding him that math gets more interesting eventually and point him to Khan academy or something. Thanks to those who provided input! |
Anonymous
I'm 16:19. Re: inaccurate placement. My son was not in compacted math in elementary, and his 5th grade teacher refused to approve him for IM in 6th. Come the fall of 6th grade, when his math 6 teacher told me he didn't belong in her class and should really be in IM! The school tested him one day, and he switched class mid-fall. I am thankful the middle school saw potential that the 5th grade teacher did not. I suggest you discuss this with his current math teacher and see what he or she says about possible test-ins, summer options, etc. |
Anonymous
If you find out a good solution, please post it back here. We are in the same boat for the same reason-- the poor way they managed the transition to 2.0 at Hoover. Dd is very strong at math but on the 'slower' track. |
Anonymous
| If you are at Algebra 2, you have missed several opportunities for acceleration. You really can't double up or skip at this point. Algebra 2 is definitely a prerequisite for Precalc, and Precalc for Calculus. You might be able to skip AB Calculus and go into BC Calculus,, but only if your school is enriching the Honors Precalculus class to cover the Calculus "A" material. I think your son should take AP Statistics next year parallel to Honors Precalculus, and then aim for BC Calculus as a senior. |
Anonymous
| Algebra 2 isn’t very hard but honors precalc next year will be. Hopefully he is taking advantage of the relative easiness of math this year by taking more challenging classes in other subjects. |
Anonymous
| Do math enrichment outside of school? Art of Problem Solving, Russian Math School, Online with Johns Hopkins CTY?? |
Anonymous
Sorry, but the batch that was impacted by 2.0 is in 9th grade now. If your kid is in 10th grade and doing Algebra 2, then what you are saying is very suspect. Also, it is very rare that MCPS will not make students take more advanced courses. In fact MCPS pushes kids to higher courses without the foundational content mastery. You probably did not push harder. Your son is actually lagging behind most advanced students in his batch. As of now, his content mastery is only for Algebra 2. How can you advance him if he has not taken Algebra 2, precalculus etc.? You should look at private option and he then needs to prep very intensively to catch up. |
Anonymous
| My kid's friend did Algebra 2 in the summer between 9th grade and 10th grade because she wanted to be in the advanced track. So now she's in Pre-calc in 10th grade. |
Anonymous
Agree with this, it's too late accelerate now. Algebra 2 is a mediocre class in MCPS (probably the worst in the sequence) but pre-calc is where you find out if your DC is really as ahead as you believe. It's fast paced and covers a lot of material that more traditionally would have been taught earlier in the HS sequence. Also remember the requirement is a math class every year of HS without regard to credits already earned, so anyone who does double up or take summer school, will have to continue to take some math class. Taking Algebra II in summer school is good time to accelerate--that content is easy to compress. |
Anonymous
Bingo. This will definitely help with his boredom. Perhaps even turn it into thirst, if you're lucky. You will not get any non-boring math from school, I can guarantee you that. Acceleration doesn't matter. The next level will be equally non-exciting. |
Anonymous
| Thanks everyone who sought to help answer as opposed to just trying to make me feel bad/themselves superior. I am already kicking myself for not addressing this earlier (5th/6th grade). It is frustrating that the option of a summer class wasn't presented when we met with his guidance counselor last year. Again, I think the focus is on keeping the school stats up rather than addressing the needs of the kids. Rest assured my son is taking other advanced classes at this time and got a 5 on his APUSH so no he's not a dunce. I will point him to some low cost outside resources. |