Reply to If they accelerated math, did you regret it later?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Yep.  My kid is in APS.  Did Intensified Algebra 1 in 7th, Intensified Geometry in 8th, Intensified [b]Algebra II/Trig[/b] in 9th, and then we demoted her to regular Pre-calc in 10th (rather than Intensified Pre-calc) and Calc AB in 11th.  She's taking AP Stats now -- many of the kids she was on the same track with are now taking Multivariable Calc (and took Calc BC in 11th instead of AB).  She was pulled into the higher math classes in 6th grade because of a perfect SOL score, and I wholly regret that decision.  [b]It's been many years of stress for all of us[/b] and she now thinks she "isn't good at math" because she couldn't pull As in the advanced classes.[/quote]

Completing Intensified Algebra 1 in 7th grade and Intensified Geometry in 8th is pretty straightforward, requiring minimal practice as the school quizzes generally lack depth. However, when it comes to Algebra II/Trig in 9th grade, the demand for practice exceeds the school-assigned homework. Numerous free online resources and amazon workbooks on essential Algebra II and Trigonometry concepts exist, offering opportunities to develop the fluency essential for subsequent precalculus.  Most parents who know that Math requires practice even for "gifted" students fully employ these resources and even outside enrichment programs, and support their students dedicating time for this practice at home.

The Math God insists on being served through dedicated practice hours. The more a student practices, the more appeased the Math God becomes. Opting not to practice is not a viable choice, as the consequences become evident in the Trig or Precalc phase.

When your child was "pulled into the higher math classes in 6th grade because of a perfect SOL score", there were numerous other students who also had perfect SOL score but were dedicating significant practice hours after school to learn the same higher math content but at an indepth level.  These students continued their practice habit all through 7th, 8th, and into high school.  This consistent effort is what allowed their smooth progression to Calc BC and beyond to Multivariable & Linear.

Misguided parental beliefs, such as assuming a child is "inherently talented" or "passionate" enough to not require dedicated practice hours, have led to significant stress and frustration for many families when they entered high school. Practice is required for mastery of math, or else the price in the form of misery shall be paid.[/quote]

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