Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 20:34     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.


STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY CLASS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE PREREQUISITES.

There is no MCPS rule that mandates a particular order. It's just that by convention, kids start with regular or Honors Bio, and move on from there, because most kids aren't taking advanced math. The game changes entirely if the kid is advanced in math, because then they can take any class in any order. The College Board recommends taking a preparatory class before AP Chem and AP Bio (usually the Honors version of same), but that is not an MCPS requirement, so if the kid feels strongly about it, they can insist they want to enroll in the class anyway. AP Physics C (or the other, simpler one) do not have prerequisites apart from Calculus.

Do not weigh in if you don't know what you are talking about. There is no entitlement here. OP and family are savvy people, that's all!

OP, email the counselor yourself today. I had to do that many times to discuss advanced coursework for my kid.




🙄 many times. So you bullied them.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 20:32     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
You have to take biology in 9th grade. There is a MSDE state test that is required at this level.



Physics is not an option right now. Maybe at private school. Because then you can boss people around to get what you think you want.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 20:11     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So, isn't the only AP Physics offered at BCC AP Physics C -- which has AP Calc as a pre- or co-requisite? If that's still the case, maybe that's the reason?

Because it offers an IB Diploma Program for juniors and seniors, with most classes open to non-diploma kids, BCC frequently lacks AP classes offered in other schools that don't offer IB classes.

Are you sure a non-calc based AP Physics is an option at BCC?


It varies by the school.


Yes, it does. But OP says her kid is at BCC and is upset that she isn't being allowed to take a class the school has not offered in the past, and probably doesn't offer now. So perhaps the best option for OP is to actually make sure the class she feels her kid is unfairly being denied is even offered there. As someone with a two kids that have gone through BCC, I think the answer is not that her kid is being denied a class, but that she is trying to take a class that isn't offered there. ONLY AP PHYSICS C (a class that requires calc) is traditionally offered there
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 19:26     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:So, isn't the only AP Physics offered at BCC AP Physics C -- which has AP Calc as a pre- or co-requisite? If that's still the case, maybe that's the reason?

Because it offers an IB Diploma Program for juniors and seniors, with most classes open to non-diploma kids, BCC frequently lacks AP classes offered in other schools that don't offer IB classes.

Are you sure a non-calc based AP Physics is an option at BCC?


It varies by the school.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 19:21     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Every school is given some leeway in curriculum because each school has a different mix of kids who have different interests and talents. This is why some schools offer Arabic while others do not.
It sounds like your child did not get into a magnet program and you are trying to make up for that. You sound pathetic honestly.


Nasty. Even if this is true, so what? Should the child just give up on advanced courses forever because they didn't get into a magnet (which doesn't even have a clear entrance exam) at age 13?


This has nothing to do with magnet programs at all

How did you even think that ?

It’s school dependent they make their own rules

Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 19:12     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.


STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY CLASS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE PREREQUISITES.

There is no MCPS rule that mandates a particular order. It's just that by convention, kids start with regular or Honors Bio, and move on from there, because most kids aren't taking advanced math. The game changes entirely if the kid is advanced in math, because then they can take any class in any order. The College Board recommends taking a preparatory class before AP Chem and AP Bio (usually the Honors version of same), but that is not an MCPS requirement, so if the kid feels strongly about it, they can insist they want to enroll in the class anyway. AP Physics C (or the other, simpler one) do not have prerequisites apart from Calculus.

Do not weigh in if you don't know what you are talking about. There is no entitlement here. OP and family are savvy people, that's all!

OP, email the counselor yourself today. I had to do that many times to discuss advanced coursework for my kid.




SO are you at BCC? Do they offer an AP Physics class that someone who is just starting at the same time in PRECALC can take? Perhaps OP just misunderstood the reason why this is an issue, but it's kinda harsh to tell strangers they don't know what they are talking about when what OP is asking for might actually not be possible
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 19:08     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.


STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY CLASS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE PREREQUISITES.

There is no MCPS rule that mandates a particular order. It's just that by convention, kids start with regular or Honors Bio, and move on from there, because most kids aren't taking advanced math. The game changes entirely if the kid is advanced in math, because then they can take any class in any order. The College Board recommends taking a preparatory class before AP Chem and AP Bio (usually the Honors version of same), but that is not an MCPS requirement, so if the kid feels strongly about it, they can insist they want to enroll in the class anyway. AP Physics C (or the other, simpler one) do not have prerequisites apart from Calculus.

Do not weigh in if you don't know what you are talking about. There is no entitlement here. OP and family are savvy people, that's all!

OP, email the counselor yourself today. I had to do that many times to discuss advanced coursework for my kid.

Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 19:06     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
So, isn't the only AP Physics offered at BCC AP Physics C -- which has AP Calc as a pre- or co-requisite? If that's still the case, maybe that's the reason?

Because it offers an IB Diploma Program for juniors and seniors, with most classes open to non-diploma kids, BCC frequently lacks AP classes offered in other schools that don't offer IB classes.

Are you sure a non-calc based AP Physics is an option at BCC?
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 19:06     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
I was in a similar situation years ago. I took the regular honors class and studied for the AP in my spare time. I got a 5.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 18:48     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
There are lots of scheduling reasons besides whether your kid is 'ready' for it. Take bio and chem this year. AP Phys 1 next year. Easy peasy. Still plenty of time for the advanced physics class in 11th and 12th.

Also recognize that the Phys 1 teacher is adjusting the course based on their school's approach. Perhaps at Blair, they coordinate more with precalc than they do at BCC.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 17:44     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.


I'm asking why there isn't consistency across the schools since we all receive the same curriculum and are one school district.

But all schools do NOT offer the same curriculum. Each school has different special programs and electives. Each school also has a different population with different interests and needs. Specific program sequencing can affect which other courses are offered and what grade level.

In your particular case, you have chosen to create a completely atypical path for your child (already has taken Physics and will be in Honors Precalc.) Your 9th grader is going to be in class with 11th graders for Honors Precalc. No need to also try to push into AP Physics 1 also. Just take Honors Biology with the rest of the 9th graders and let your kid make same age friends.

Besides, taking AP Physics C in 10th grade in parallel with AP BC Calculus would be a much stronger choice.


My 9th grader took precal. It was mostly 10th graders, not 11th.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 17:42     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are specific graduation requirmenets which include bio and chem. They want you to have caculus before physics as its very math based. The magnet programs may be a different class and not as math based.


Technically, Chem isn't a graduation requirement. You have to take one Life Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth/Space Science. Chem counts toward either of the latter two, but you could choose to take different classes to satisfy those requirements.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrEkTlllux6C_tiILO9543YUBrRuOK45/view


Well, that sucks we had no choice. Our counselor is pretty unhelpful.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 17:34     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.


I'm asking why there isn't consistency across the schools since we all receive the same curriculum and are one school district.

But all schools do NOT offer the same curriculum. Each school has different special programs and electives. Each school also has a different population with different interests and needs. Specific program sequencing can affect which other courses are offered and what grade level.

In your particular case, you have chosen to create a completely atypical path for your child (already has taken Physics and will be in Honors Precalc.) Your 9th grader is going to be in class with 11th graders for Honors Precalc. No need to also try to push into AP Physics 1 also. Just take Honors Biology with the rest of the 9th graders and let your kid make same age friends.

Besides, taking AP Physics C in 10th grade in parallel with AP BC Calculus would be a much stronger choice.
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 15:30     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.


I'm asking why there isn't consistency across the schools since we all receive the same curriculum and are one school district.


DCUM: Why doesn't the Central Office allow administrators and teachers to meet the needs of their student communities?

Also DCUM: Why is there any differentiation between schools?
Anonymous
Post 08/23/2024 15:20     Subject: Differences in what a kid is allowed to take
Anonymous wrote:There are specific graduation requirmenets which include bio and chem. They want you to have caculus before physics as its very math based. The magnet programs may be a different class and not as math based.


Technically, Chem isn't a graduation requirement. You have to take one Life Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth/Space Science. Chem counts toward either of the latter two, but you could choose to take different classes to satisfy those requirements.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YrEkTlllux6C_tiILO9543YUBrRuOK45/view