Anonymous wrote:SAT and ACT math is not that advanced. Have them do a practice test at the end of sophomore year (when they are almost done with pre-calc). Then you can start tutoring/test prep if you need it.

I think this is good advice. Use Khan academy now to fill in gaps in the meantime?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT and ACT math is not that advanced. Have them do a practice test at the end of sophomore year (when they are almost done with pre-calc). Then you can start tutoring/test prep if you need it.

My kid will take pre-calc as a senior.

Mine too.

Anonymous wrote:Who wants to go to a selective college, how worried are you about the impact of DL on their SAT performance, especially in math?

I have a freshman n MCPS, and was very disheartened to hear the Algebra 2 teacher say at BTSN, they will be learning a lot less this year, but there is nothing we can do about it. Within MCPS, courses can be adjusted going forward to account for the content that wasn’t covered. But for purposes of SATs and ACTs, kids doing DL for extended periods will definitely have less knowledge than those who are returning to in-person learning. I worry a lot about this for my kid. Am I the only one concerned? Am I thinking about this wrong?

Contact PrepMatters in Bethesda - even if you don't work w/ them their founder is great at offering advice. My DH's son has been working with them periodically for two years and loves it

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who wants to go to a selective college, how worried are you about the impact of DL on their SAT performance, especially in math?

I have a freshman n MCPS, and was very disheartened to hear the Algebra 2 teacher say at BTSN, they will be learning a lot less this year, but there is nothing we can do about it. Within MCPS, courses can be adjusted going forward to account for the content that wasn’t covered. But for purposes of SATs and ACTs, kids doing DL for extended periods will definitely have less knowledge than those who are returning to in-person learning. I worry a lot about this for my kid. Am I the only one concerned? Am I thinking about this wrong?

Why will they be learning less this year? Aren't they logging into their classes online? Isn't each class held daily for the same amount of time?

No. They have 2 hours of class each week, compared with 4.5 hours they would be having if school were normal. Also, teachers said they were told to give very little homework— 1 hour per week. So a lot less material covered.

I wonder how much of that 4.5 hours was truly taught class....not a self done exercise or something that kids are now doing asynchronously.

I am not a sophomore or (HS) freshman parent. But, I learned a lot parenting my (now) College Freshman through high school.

It is not to early to think about college, but it early to worry about it. As for selective colleges, that can mean different things to different people. If we are talking about Ivy or similar, it is a crap shoot for any child. If we are talking about a step down, say (as a Virginian) UVA or W&M, there it is more predictable.

The problem with college applications is supply and demand. The elite schools - HYPS, etc -- get about 10-20 applications for each slot. And most of those have perfect to nearly perfect grades, test scores, recommendations, at EC's. Unless your child does something extraordinary (e.g., wins national science fair; becomes a global spokesperson for something (e..g Greta Thunurg) or similar accomplishments, those schools are probably going to reject your student. And it should not be a reflection on the student: they are selective because they can be, not because the schools are that hard.

The best thing to do is understand the situation. HS is more about maturing than learning. Learning to work with others, advocating for yourself...etc. Those will be challenging this year. But, my guess is this will be over by next year. As for material: make sure they know the math. Also critical thinking (in writing/analysis). Don't worry about the grades, but make sure the work is done. If they work hard, the grades will land where they land.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, most of the kids in America are going to be in the same position. Yes, there will be some private school kids who may have different circumstances, but even many private schools are virtual right now. And the ones that aren't are still under a lot of stress and probably taking it easy on students. So, this will be all be relative. I suppose the only difference is that many other countries are doing better with COVID, and they apply to those schools too.

My thought is to wait until mid year and see what your kid has covered. Even if your school doesn't offer the PSAT, I believe you can find a place to administer it, and if it seems like your child isn't doing well, you can get some tutoring/supplemental stuff.

Oh, no, they aren't.

Most kids in the DMV area will be in the same position because we are being held hostage by incompetent bureaucrats who are more concerned about politics than students' wellbeing. But that is not true across the country - many, many, many school districts and private schools are back in classes now or are at least in hybrid. Don't kid yourself that ours will somehow be spared this deficit year of education.

I’m the poster above. I live in Henrico. Hanover, one of I think 10 school districts in Virginia that decided to open just had 3 middle school teachers test positive, delaying the start of school. If you think the school districts that opened are going to have everything running smoothly, I think you’re very wrong.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, most of the kids in America are going to be in the same position. Yes, there will be some private school kids who may have different circumstances, but even many private schools are virtual right now. And the ones that aren't are still under a lot of stress and probably taking it easy on students. So, this will be all be relative. I suppose the only difference is that many other countries are doing better with COVID, and they apply to those schools too.

My thought is to wait until mid year and see what your kid has covered. Even if your school doesn't offer the PSAT, I believe you can find a place to administer it, and if it seems like your child isn't doing well, you can get some tutoring/supplemental stuff.

Oh, no, they aren't.

Most kids in the DMV area will be in the same position because we are being held hostage by incompetent bureaucrats who are more concerned about politics than students' wellbeing. But that is not true across the country - many, many, many school districts and private schools are back in classes now or are at least in hybrid. Don't kid yourself that ours will somehow be spared this deficit year of education.

I live 6 hours north of the DMV now and nearly all the schools in my area are all virtual.

Sorry to hear that. Check out the south or the Midwest/ west. Most schools open at least partly.

Anonymous wrote:Who wants to go to a selective college, how worried are you about the impact of DL on their SAT performance, especially in math?

I have a freshman n MCPS, and was very disheartened to hear the Algebra 2 teacher say at BTSN, they will be learning a lot less this year, but there is nothing we can do about it. Within MCPS, courses can be adjusted going forward to account for the content that wasn’t covered. But for purposes of SATs and ACTs, kids doing DL for extended periods will definitely have less knowledge than those who are returning to in-person learning. I worry a lot about this for my kid. Am I the only one concerned? Am I thinking about this wrong?

I have a sophomore. We were really concerned too so we used this pandemic summer for our kid to take Algebra 2 at a private school. Seeing how Geometry turned out at the end of 9th grade was very discouraging- while they did "finish" the material, the teaching was done at such a shallow level. Kid will be enrolled in Pre-calc for 10th grade and feels pretty good and ready for the public school year. We do plan to use a tutor to fill in the gaps of what he won't learn at school - which is the depth this kid wants to learn. We are also looking at selective colleges and have the SAT to plan for- even if schools go test optional, we plan to have kid take the test.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who wants to go to a selective college, how worried are you about the impact of DL on their SAT performance, especially in math?

I have a freshman n MCPS, and was very disheartened to hear the Algebra 2 teacher say at BTSN, they will be learning a lot less this year, but there is nothing we can do about it. Within MCPS, courses can be adjusted going forward to account for the content that wasn’t covered. But for purposes of SATs and ACTs, kids doing DL for extended periods will definitely have less knowledge than those who are returning to in-person learning. I worry a lot about this for my kid. Am I the only one concerned? Am I thinking about this wrong?

Why will they be learning less this year? Aren't they logging into their classes online? Isn't each class held daily for the same amount of time?

No. They have 2 hours of class each week, compared with 4.5 hours they would be having if school were normal. Also, teachers said they were told to give very little homework— 1 hour per week. So a lot less material covered.

I'm not worried at all. Because this is not something to worry about. DYING is something to worry about.

*heart damage