If he's not good at math yes. Get him a free MCPS tutor a few days a week.

Anonymous wrote:Please ignore the pro-textbook posters. They're clearly in the employ of the textbook lobby and wish to drag our children back to the 19th century.

I'm not for going back to the 19th century and by textbook, I don't mean that students need to have a physical book. But it would be helpful if they had an online textbook that was written and peer-reviewed by experts or a standardized curriculum such as AP Calc. The issue with MCPS is that the materials for Algebra and Geometry (all levels) are mostly produced in-house and often have mistakes, typos, etc.

Just get him an online tutor for 1-2 days per week with good reviews that doesn’t charge too much. It really helps. There is no need to pay for an overpriced tutor. Shop around.

Anonymous wrote:
For any parents who end up trying to help out with Alg II homework (or any math questions) from your DC and you don’t remember math and don’t want to wade through an online video, I found the website Math Is Fun so much easier to understand. The explanations are concise but i thought used understandable language and illustrations.

Thank you so much to this poster, I've bookmarked your links and you've given me hope. I'm not the OP but I'm feeling everyone's pre-anxiety!!

Please ignore the pro-textbook posters. They're clearly in the employ of the textbook lobby and wish to drag our children back to the 19th century.

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the kid. Some find it easy, others find it more difficult. Honors Algebra 2 is when kids who don’t have a strong enough foundation or who aren’t naturally math-oriented typically start to struggle. And many do drop down to regular, which is a lot easier. But it’s day 2. Give it a little more time.

+1 My son took Honors Alg 2 last year in 9th grade. I also think it is still too early to drop. Wait about two weeks and consider using MCPS's free tutoring or Khan Academy.

My son didn't find it difficult but also made sure he did an Algebra review class during the previous summer to make sure he had a strong foundation. The quality of teaching, lack of a textbook, and minimal homework make the class more difficult than it should be. For example, he had two teachers (different each semester). The first teacher provided more instruction, however, the second-semester teacher used a flip classroom model and didn't actively teach because she believed that honors students didn't need the same level of instruction as the regular section. My son basically taught himself second semester and I had him do IXL for practice because his official grade most of the semester was 100%. Historically, my son scores in the low to mid 90's.

My DC took Honors Alg II last year. DC did have some friends drop down to regular Alg II in the fall after class started — the pace was much slower and friends were actually bored. DC stuck with Honors Alg II. Yes, the teacher did little review of Algebra I and there was no physical book, but the teacher had all the class lectures with the problems they had worked through together during class viewable in Canvas.

IMHO, the biggest obstacle was DC getting back into the regular habit of actually doing math problems throughout the week! The weekly Friday quiz on that week’s topic was a good incentive though. (During virtual, staying plugged in to math was really hard for DC.)

For any parents who end up trying to help out with Alg II homework (or any math questions) from your DC and you don’t remember math and don’t want to wade through an online video, I found the website Math Is Fun so much easier to understand. The explanations are concise but i thought used understandable language and illustrations.

https://www.mathsisfun.com/links/curriculum-high-school-algebra-2.html" target="_new" rel="nofollow"> https://www.mathsisfun.com/links/curriculum-high-school-algebra-2.html

The website also has an illustrated math dictionary for all math topics:

https://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/index.html" target="_new" rel="nofollow"> https://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/index.html

My kid took Hon Algebra 2 in the virtual year, so I can't really speak to it being hard ... but he did go from Honors to on level Pre Calculus last school year and it was a great move. He learned so much of the foundation that was missing from prior years, including the virtual year. Day 2 may be a little soon for your kid to make that call, but definitely be open to it.

It depends on the kid. Some find it easy, others find it more difficult. Honors Algebra 2 is when kids who don’t have a strong enough foundation or who aren’t naturally math-oriented typically start to struggle. And many do drop down to regular, which is a lot easier. But it’s day 2. Give it a little more time.

Anonymous wrote:There is very little actual math instruction in MCPS, especially in Honors. Kids are pretty much expected to teach themselves (with no textbook).

You're obviously a troll

I'm the OP of this thread which you might find helpful

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1073820.page

But yes, Honors Algebra 2 isn't easy.

I was always told that they are not that different. The honors version has a few added projects in addition to standard instruction. I am also curious how he has so much of an opinion after 1 day.

It's the second day of classes -- I'd be curious to know what he has heard/experienced that already has him thinking it's impossible. Also interested to hear what others have to say, since my kid is taking this course this year and I know her foundation is shaky because she took Algebra 1 during the virtual year so I'm a little worried.

There is very little actual math instruction in MCPS, especially in Honors. Kids are pretty much expected to teach themselves (with no textbook).

My 10th grader is freaking out. He says honors Algebra II is impossible and wants out.
He’s always gotten As in math. I insisted he not skip ahead in middle school because of his ADHD and anxiety.
He gets help for math from his dad or teachers but generally seems ok. Support is there but being overwhelmed can make absorption tough for him.

Is this something he should push through or should I let him change to a regular track?

My understanding was that MCPS honors was really not that advanced.