Anonymous wrote:Is it advisable to take Research Statistics 1 in the summer preceding Freshman year? DD is taking Pre AP algebra 2/Trig in 8th grade right now, and it looks like she'll be placed in Math 4 at TJ unless she takes the placement test and passes it . Her goal is to take Math 4&5 during freshman then Calculus Sophomore year. It looks like if she doesn't take either Statistics, Math 4 or 5 in the summer, she'll have to wait until Junior year for Calculus.
Do a lot of kids try the placement test to skip Math 4? What is it equivalent to? Precalculus?
Most kids do not do RS I over the summer and they shouldn't. Like IBET, TJ views RS stats as a way help orient freshman and make sure they have what they need to high level research down the road. TJ is a huge transition, and you want your kid to have the benefit of the supports TJ has in place They learn essential things and do a couple of projects one a major project with data collection, during the semester It can't be replicated in 2.5 weeks. Keep your kid on track with other freshman for core classes (IBET + RS). the first semester.
Math 4 also has the reputation of being one of the hardest math semesters. And math 4 teachers are not going to be more forgiving of a freshman. If your kid is admitted, talk to guidance about sequence. But they should really just take history, or CS if they don't plan advanced CS during the summer TJ also usually offers Math 5 as a summer option. You kid could do that after sophomore year, when they are better oriented and then take Calculus sophomore year .
Don't underestimate the challenges of transition to TJ. Because Math 4 is only a semester, they do not have time to get their grade up if they do poorly on the first test or 2.
But mostly, TJ isn't a race. Really. Don't push your kid through foundational classes.