Reply to Algebra in 9th

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[quote=Anonymous]I'm glad APS has slowed down the math sequence.  Their placement process also had no rhyme or reason.  My DS is now a junior.  Math has always been his stand-out strength, pulled out for more advanced work from kindergarten on, always pass-advanced on the SOLs.  When we got his initial MS math placement it was for 6th grade math, which surprised me.  So, we asked the counselor about it and there was no feedback about how the decision was made or how the classes differed, they just immediately switched him on my say-so.  I got the sense they'd just do that for any parent, justified or not.  That's how you end up with so many kids needing a tutor to get through it.  IMO, if your 7th grader needs a tutor to handle Algebra they should slow it down and take it later.

For DS, it was the right decision and he actually handled the prior accelerated sequence just fine.  However, in HS has opted to slow down calculus and take both AB and BC for a more solid foundation because he wants to major in math.  His precalculus teacher said that was what they recommended for most students.  So there may be multiple factors contributing to so few of the current cohort getting to post-calculus math in HS -- the struggles from too early/too fast pace plus the HS math teachers making their own judgement to slow it down at the higher levels.

My DD, now a freshman, also did the sequence with Intensified Geometry in 8th and did well in it but I'll be keeping an eye on the freshman Intensified Algebra 2/Trig class with her.  My son thought it was "easy" but she's always had to work harder to get math than he did.  She wanted to take it but I'd be happy to drop her down to the regular Algebra 2. [/quote]

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