Anonymous wrote:My kid had a teacher who wasn't one of the ones setting the tests that were given across every class. Even the teacher expressed frustration out loud at the tests, not knowing what would be asked. It would be better to have a teacher who is one of those writing the tests.

It is not the same teacher who write all the tests. They rotate so every kid has similar opportunity. Also the content that is covered is exactly the same. Of course, teaching ability is not the same and some are just better. But some teachers are better fit for some teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Different students fare better with different teacher styles and that would hold true throughout all your DC’s schooling. Period.

But how can a student who has maintained a high 3.5 GPA in middle school is being given a C grade at TJ? If TJ teaches differently then there should be a bridge class to orient students better. Few teachers make simple math unnecessarily complex, including grading.

Because TJ math is just that much more challenging. Just about every TJ student (including students who get Cs) would have gotten As in honors (math) classes at their home school (and before the admissions change, most would be in honors algebra 2 or higher as freshmen). These are the students which the curriculum at TJ is designed to challenge, so it's unsurprising that only some of them can excel relative to other exceptional students.

+1

The key word is challenging.

I wrote this many times, but the quality of the tests is outstanding at TJ. Love it. This is exactly how it should have been at all schools.

Something like 20% of the test (not uniform across all tests), is where just knowing the concept would NOT enable you to solve the problem. You need to apply it in a different context, that means understanding the concepts deeply. Just as you would expect in undergrad. That is why TJ kids are so well prepared for college.

I dont know if any other base HS does that. Our base HS where we have experience and where I saw the tests, definitely did not. If you just pay attention in class, do a quick review, you get 100% on tests. Way too easy. No deep understanding of concepts needed.

My kid had a teacher who wasn't one of the ones setting the tests that were given across every class. Even the teacher expressed frustration out loud at the tests, not knowing what would be asked. It would be better to have a teacher who is one of those writing the tests.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Different students fare better with different teacher styles and that would hold true throughout all your DC’s schooling. Period.

But how can a student who has maintained a high 3.5 GPA in middle school is being given a C grade at TJ? If TJ teaches differently then there should be a bridge class to orient students better. Few teachers make simple math unnecessarily complex, including grading.

Because TJ math is just that much more challenging. Just about every TJ student (including students who get Cs) would have gotten As in honors (math) classes at their home school (and before the admissions change, most would be in honors algebra 2 or higher as freshmen). These are the students which the curriculum at TJ is designed to challenge, so it's unsurprising that only some of them can excel relative to other exceptional students.

Please do not complain the teachers of TJ. In fact , nearly all of them are excellent and greatest. I am so happy and proud of my daughter who is studying at TJ as a freshman now. If you want your kid to have a good grade, my experience is to help your kid in studying as you can. Under the tutor of parents, it is impossible for kids not to get a good grade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are differences based on teacher delivery style and preferences, but more or less use same material and lesson plan. Why do you ask?

I ask because if a teacher is grading harshly despite student spending late nights on math homework alone, that student deserves a different teacher and should be allowed to switch classes. Math is math, it should not be graded differently across schools, and students shouldn't have to suffer just because it's TJ.

Math is not math. Talented students crave more.

You can transfer to home school or down to a lower class at TJ.

TJ is for student who want the challenge of TJ. Grades are for results, not effort.

Math is not math? Is that like teaching is not teaching?

Anonymous wrote:Different students fare better with different teacher styles and that would hold true throughout all your DC’s schooling. Period.

But how can a student who has maintained a high 3.5 GPA in middle school is being given a C grade at TJ? If TJ teaches differently then there should be a bridge class to orient students better. Few teachers make simple math unnecessarily complex, including grading.

Different students fare better with different teacher styles and that would hold true throughout all your DC’s schooling. Period.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are differences based on teacher delivery style and preferences, but more or less use same material and lesson plan. Why do you ask?

I ask because if a teacher is grading harshly despite student spending late nights on math homework alone, that student deserves a different teacher and should be allowed to switch classes. Math is math, it should not be graded differently across schools, and students shouldn't have to suffer just because it's TJ.

Math is not math. Talented students crave more.

You can transfer to home school or down to a lower class at TJ.

TJ is for student who want the challenge of TJ. Grades are for results, not effort.

There is no lower class. Tough grading starts with Math 1.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are differences based on teacher delivery style and preferences, but more or less use same material and lesson plan. Why do you ask?

I ask because if a teacher is grading harshly despite student spending late nights on math homework alone, that student deserves a different teacher and should be allowed to switch classes. Math is math, it should not be graded differently across schools, and students shouldn't have to suffer just because it's TJ.

Math is not math. Talented students crave more.

You can transfer to home school or down to a lower class at TJ.

TJ is for student who want the challenge of TJ. Grades are for results, not effort.

Anonymous wrote:There are differences based on teacher delivery style and preferences, but more or less use same material and lesson plan. Why do you ask?

I ask because if a teacher is grading harshly despite student spending late nights on math homework alone, that student deserves a different teacher and should be allowed to switch classes. Math is math, it should not be graded differently across schools, and students shouldn't have to suffer just because it's TJ.

Anonymous wrote:Are the same classes run the same way, or are they teacher dependent?

So if there is a hw for grade in one class, do all other same classes have homework for grade?

Are the quizzes and tests the same across all classes? What about the allotted time per test/quiz?

Just a heads up, each math course is different.

1. This entirely depends on your teacher. Some teachers will teach well, and go through the course material. This is uncommon. However, most teachers hand out a big packet for the unit and ask the students to go self study. For most teachers however, you can ask them questions and they will be happy to help.

2. As for homework, this also entirely depends on your teacher. Some teachers will consistently check homework, but some don't care and will give you the free grade.

3. Different math classes have different quizzes/tests formats. Unit tests cover the whole unit and last the whole period (1 hour and 30 minutes). Quizzes are shorter.

Would the answer change if you knew why I asked?

There are differences based on teacher delivery style and preferences, but more or less use same material and lesson plan. Why do you ask?

Are the same classes run the same way, or are they teacher dependent?

So if there is a hw for grade in one class, do all other same classes have homework for grade?

Are the quizzes and tests the same across all classes? What about the allotted time per test/quiz?