Reply to Why isn't there more challenge in the MCPS HS curriculum?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here.  DC is at BCC, and doesn't find "Honors" classes at all challenging, at least in 9th grade.

There has to be some middle ground between "loading up on APs with 5 hours of homework per night" and being so bored in science (so-called "Honors" Biology) that DC complains that no new information is being taught, everything was covered in middle (or even elementary) school.  Sad because this kid loves science and is thinking of a medical career.

I agree that AP NSL is not overwhelming and easily other APs are much harder.  I'm not pushing for the AP label or the AP credit - I just think my kid would do so much better (so much less boredom) if all classes were on this level of material, pace, expectations, etc.  (Also, doesn't hurt that the NSL teacher is phenomenal.)

I just don't see how kids being bored and falling asleep in class helps other kids.  That seems to be the justification for avoiding "tracking".[/quote]

Is your kid complaining about English/language/math or is it really just a Hon Bio problem?  Even the honors students are not all going to be really into science the way your kid is.  Your kid may have learned more in elementary and  middle school than others because of this strong interest.  Recognizing that, I would try to get the kid into AP science classes as soon as reasonably possible. [/quote]

Could be mainly an Honors Bio problem.  Dd  is in Honors bio this year and complains every single day that she learns nothing and it is a baby class.  She says it is easier than the version she took in MS.  (FWIW, I went to 7th grade DS's back-to-school-night and the science teacher said that kids in her class learn more than they learn in HS bio, so it sounds like she is correct.) She took Honors chemistry last year and found it substantive (at times hard but always meaty).  Unfortunately, our school require honors bio before AP bio so it is kind of a wasted year.  She's also taking AP Physics 1 this year and that one is challenging.

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