It depends on the teacher. Some teachers are easy graders and put together basic regurgitation type tests. Others put together hard assessments with every exception to the problems and hence, are very tough graders. So, it’s difficult to compare the B from the former to the latter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you know why they are getting Bs on their tests? Do they not understand the concepts? Run out of time? Make careless errors? Don't show their work?

Careless errors brought on by stress/anxiety is the main culprit I think. Honestly it’s a bit baffling because the tutor says they understand the material and they have to get the correct answers on IXL to complete their homework.

So, you're not actually worried about mastery and just freaking out about a B.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:B shows that your child does not master the concepts. THAT is the concern. Math builds on itself, especially Algebra, which is the critical cornerstone of calculus later on in high school.

Your child needs a tutor, perhaps over the summer, to solidify their math understanding. That's non-negotiable, otherwise they will not do well in high school math. Whether or not you choose to expunge the grade is a pointless discussion unless you commit to getting your child help with their math skills, because that B in 8th grade will be the least of your problems if you don't.

I would not repeat the class. Individual (not group) tutoring is the way to go for in-depth understanding. There's too much risk of goofing off and not paying attention in a group setting, whether in or outside of school. Make sure to get a well-reviewed tutor who has lots of experience teaching algebra.

Yes, thank you for recognizing that the lack of mastery is my concern. They’ve already had a weekly tutor all year. Maybe a Mathnasium-type program would reinforce concepts better?

That is problematic. You need to change tutors and perhaps do more intensive sessions. Both my kids had numerous tutors; some of them weren't up to the task, so we found others. We've done in-person at Prep Matters in Bethesda (close to our home) and we found some on Wyzant (online). It's hit and miss, and you mustn't be afraid of switching quickly if you or your child thinks the tutor isn't explaining things effectively.

It sounds like lots of people on this board have average kids you’re desperately trying to force into academically advanced boxes. What a sad way to waste their childhoods.

PP you replied to. You are both right and wrong.

One of my kids is twice exceptional (high IQ with severe ADHD and learning disabilities), so we did everything we could to support his academic aspirations. He's in college now and doing well. My other kid is gifted and in advanced classes, but this year one AP teacher is AWOL, and we've had to look for a tutor for that class. It's AP Physics C and not the kind of class a 15 year old can self-study. So you are wrong that my kids are average.

But you are entirely correct that the US is moving to a more competitive system for college admissions than in the past, one in which wealthy families will further their children's chances by hiring tutors, college counselors, and pay-for-play opportunities of all kinds. I live in Bethesda, where half the kids go to private and half the kids go to public schools. Tutoring is entirely dependent on family wealth, not on whether the kids go to public or private, and not on whether the kids are doing well or not. The goal is, whatever the kid's level is, to bring them up to their potential. Do I like this? No. But it's the reality for a certain socio-economic tranche of the population. The kids still get plenty of opportunity to veg out and enjoy their lives.

Feel free to bemoan this sad state of affairs in our society.

What would I do? Nothing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Troll post.

What makes you think this isn’t a very real dilemma for lots of families?

Then that's even sadder, fretting over a 'B' in middle school.

+1 if this is true, I feel so bad for this kid.

My kid has a B in 8th grade in pre algebra. I wasnt worried lol. I guess my kid is going to be a failure in life.
The B is for missing assignments ( ADHD) but even if it wasnt 85-89% shows an understanding of the subject imo.

Not sure about your district but in ours you can retake a class in summer school and they will replace the grade if you get an A.

Anonymous wrote:DC is concerned about the B on their high school transcript. I know there are options to have it expunged, etc., but I’m interested in whether you would encourage your child to repeat the course. I have no objection to the grade itself, I just wonder if they would be better served by reaching full competence before moving to higher level maths.

That’s a sign that your kid doesn’t belong in the higher levels. Troll.

Anonymous wrote:Do you know why they are getting Bs on their tests? Do they not understand the concepts? Run out of time? Make careless errors? Don't show their work?

Careless errors brought on by stress/anxiety is the main culprit I think. Honestly it’s a bit baffling because the tutor says they understand the material and they have to get the correct answers on IXL to complete their homework.

Do you know why they are getting Bs on their tests? Do they not understand the concepts? Run out of time? Make careless errors? Don't show their work?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:B shows that your child does not master the concepts. THAT is the concern. Math builds on itself, especially Algebra, which is the critical cornerstone of calculus later on in high school.

Your child needs a tutor, perhaps over the summer, to solidify their math understanding. That's non-negotiable, otherwise they will not do well in high school math. Whether or not you choose to expunge the grade is a pointless discussion unless you commit to getting your child help with their math skills, because that B in 8th grade will be the least of your problems if you don't.

I would not repeat the class. Individual (not group) tutoring is the way to go for in-depth understanding. There's too much risk of goofing off and not paying attention in a group setting, whether in or outside of school. Make sure to get a well-reviewed tutor who has lots of experience teaching algebra.

Yes, thank you for recognizing that the lack of mastery is my concern. They’ve already had a weekly tutor all year. Maybe a Mathnasium-type program would reinforce concepts better?

It could also mean they didn’t turn in all of their homework, or didn’t participate in class, or any number of things other than failure to master the material.

Maybe you should get yourself a tutor in logic.

They absolutely have turned in all of their homework. Why would class participation matter? The grade is calculated based on homework, quizzes, and tests. It’s all there in the app.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Troll post.

What makes you think this isn’t a very real dilemma for lots of families?

Then that's even sadder, fretting over a 'B' in middle school.

As another poster commented, the 'B', isn't the issue. It's the mastery or lack of mastery of the concepts that are the foundation for the higher level math concepts.

Oh, OK. Because I know plenty of kids who got "A"s in algebra that most definitely didn't master the concepts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:B shows that your child does not master the concepts. THAT is the concern. Math builds on itself, especially Algebra, which is the critical cornerstone of calculus later on in high school.

Your child needs a tutor, perhaps over the summer, to solidify their math understanding. That's non-negotiable, otherwise they will not do well in high school math. Whether or not you choose to expunge the grade is a pointless discussion unless you commit to getting your child help with their math skills, because that B in 8th grade will be the least of your problems if you don't.

I would not repeat the class. Individual (not group) tutoring is the way to go for in-depth understanding. There's too much risk of goofing off and not paying attention in a group setting, whether in or outside of school. Make sure to get a well-reviewed tutor who has lots of experience teaching algebra.

Yes, thank you for recognizing that the lack of mastery is my concern. They’ve already had a weekly tutor all year. Maybe a Mathnasium-type program would reinforce concepts better?

That is problematic. You need to change tutors and perhaps do more intensive sessions. Both my kids had numerous tutors; some of them weren't up to the task, so we found others. We've done in-person at Prep Matters in Bethesda (close to our home) and we found some on Wyzant (online). It's hit and miss, and you mustn't be afraid of switching quickly if you or your child thinks the tutor isn't explaining things effectively.

It sounds like lots of people on this board have average kids you’re desperately trying to force into academically advanced boxes. What a sad way to waste their childhoods.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:B shows that your child does not master the concepts. THAT is the concern. Math builds on itself, especially Algebra, which is the critical cornerstone of calculus later on in high school.

Your child needs a tutor, perhaps over the summer, to solidify their math understanding. That's non-negotiable, otherwise they will not do well in high school math. Whether or not you choose to expunge the grade is a pointless discussion unless you commit to getting your child help with their math skills, because that B in 8th grade will be the least of your problems if you don't.

I would not repeat the class. Individual (not group) tutoring is the way to go for in-depth understanding. There's too much risk of goofing off and not paying attention in a group setting, whether in or outside of school. Make sure to get a well-reviewed tutor who has lots of experience teaching algebra.

Yes, thank you for recognizing that the lack of mastery is my concern. They’ve already had a weekly tutor all year. Maybe a Mathnasium-type program would reinforce concepts better?

It could also mean they didn’t turn in all of their homework, or didn’t participate in class, or any number of things other than failure to master the material.

Maybe you should get yourself a tutor in logic.

Anonymous wrote:Troll post.

I sure hope so.