Reply to Switch from RSM to AOPS

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I know there have been many posts about this in the past, but my kid is really questioning the RSM (Geo 7_3) program and wants to try AOPS.  Kid complains about how the teachers aren't really explaining the material well and moves very quickly through the concepts.  Anyone switch kids from RSM to AOPS during middle school math?  If so, can you give benefits and drawbacks?[/quote]
Is this Tyson’s location? Bc my kid is complaining about the same thing! I’ve had to review geometry in order to explain the concepts to her. Maybe RSM needs to be made aware![/quote]

Yes, it's the Tysons location.  He complains that the teacher is the issue.  Kid is a strong math student so don't think the issue is the honors vs advanced program.  I think the RSM Tysons branch struggles with finding good teachers.  They had a really strong Algebra I Honors teacher last year but the teacher isn't teaching anything this year at this location.  Kid has been pretty consistent with wanting to try AOPS next year.

For parents with kids in AOPS, what do you think of their teaching staff for middle school and high school curriculum?  [/quote]

Don't all kids who struggle complain that the teacher is the issue? I think the issue is that he needs a teacher at all. RSM3 and AoPS are meant to challenge kids who don't need teachers to learn. RSM1 is for those kids who struggle enough that they need a good teacher to hold their hands.[/quote]

AoPS is more for kids who don’t need much classroom instruction to pick up concepts. I would argue that RSM Honors, the highest level, is similar. The pace is meant to introduce kids to the concept in question and then build on it quickly. There should not be a lot of instruction needed to grasp the basic concept.

RSM 1 and 2 are very much intended to move at a slower pace and focus more on teaching the core concepts. But RSM Honors kids should not need much in the way of teaching. That doesn’t mean that they don’t need someone to introduce the topic, explain how the concepts work, and make sure the students understand it well enough to build on. Kids are moved from each level if their current Teacher thinks they can handle it for the next year.

It is possible that the students are in an in between area where the second level is not challenging but the third level is too much. It is also possible that the Teacher for this particular class is bad. I would contact the Principal and let her/him know that there is an issue. I would not negate the possibility that your child should be in a lower level. Part of the reason you pay for these programs is to find the right level for your child so that they have strong skills. I would be surprised if there are kids struggling with Honors at RSM that would not struggle at AoPS.[/quote]

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