Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

I think it’s the teaching style, lack of textbooks and homework. They also heavily rely on calculators. This has nothing to do with virtual. It also is when things ramp up and these kids are not prepared as mcps has changed academics for the worse.

I agree with you that teaching style, no textbooks, little or no homework, overuse of calculators, and lack of foundational skills are a problem generally. We just have a different view on whether prior virtual learning might (or might not) be exacerbating those problems this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

I think it’s the teaching style, lack of textbooks and homework. They also heavily rely on calculators. This has nothing to do with virtual. It also is when things ramp up and these kids are not prepared as mcps has changed academics for the worse.

Anonymous wrote:I loved Math when I was kid.

My son's Map score is 260s in 6th grade and I think he is decent in math, and yet I have to sit with him regularly. He is taking AIM 6 and I think course work is interesting, but some time they don't get enough practice.

I absolutely hate using calculator if you can do calculations without it. Once you start using it and rely on it, you lose some basic mental calculation ability.

I don't know how this Alg2 or anything will turn out when he takes it, but I think students should be having textbook and repetitions to master concepts. That's how I did it. I attended extremely selective college outside of US, but I wasn't anywhere close to genius. Most of us are not genius. We all need a good process and practice.

I think not having good process and text book is weak point in MCPS. I also find often that teacher did not have time to cover everything then teacher moves on. I am not sure how it will work if parent is not covering those materials themselves or using a tutor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

I think it’s the teaching style, lack of textbooks and homework. They also heavily rely on calculators. This has nothing to do with virtual. It also is when things ramp up and these kids are not prepared as mcps has changed academics for the worse.

Nope. There is no reason most 9th graders need to be in Alg 2. Mcps and parents are doing some kids a big disservice by pushing most of these kids ahead. A year lost to COVID made it even worse.

A truly gifted math student is able to more easily learn math. Unless you have encountered a kid like this you might not understand what this kind of kid is like. These are the kids that need to be advanced, not almost the whole grade. Seems many parents seem to panic if their kid is not in the “best” class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

I think it’s the teaching style, lack of textbooks and homework. They also heavily rely on calculators. This has nothing to do with virtual. It also is when things ramp up and these kids are not prepared as mcps has changed academics for the worse.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

My only point was in responding to one sentence of a PP: "I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors." For this particular cohort noted (9th grade A2), there's likely an issue beyond just the generalized pacing of math that's causing some to struggle. Their current A2 results were likely affected (for some) by taking A1 virtually. In other words, be careful extrapolating the difficulties this one cohort is experiencing this year (that may be covid-influenced) to 9th grade A2 in general.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Mcps has offered multiple options for two years for tutoring. If you choose not to use them or help your kids that’s on you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Outside supplementation was important to come out of virtual learning on track. But a lot of kids didn't have access to that, either from lack of resources or because parents didn't realize it was needed in time. Those latter kids are struggling more than usual now, particularly in 9th grade A2 since they were virtual for A1.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Not necessarily. And, Algebra 2 is generally 8-10 grade, not just 9th. Mine did fine in virtual learning. We also supplemented outside.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.

Current 9th graders in A2 took A1 during remote school. Their struggle is likely a lot worse than prior 9th grade A2 cohorts given the weak A1 base they received.

Anonymous wrote:I keep hearing about more and more current 9th graders struggling in Alg 2 and AP history and needing tutors. Much better choice to put your kid on a slower track so they can stay in honors. Need to break the stigma that all the kids need to be in the hardest classes. That does not work out for many kids down the road in HS.