Honors algebra 2 has always been a weeding out class, where kids formerly in honors math need to switch to regular. To certain extent, it’s common for kids to bomb a few tests, and then drop the class. The current situation appears to be more than that though, likely a result of poor instruction and poor attention during the pandemic. These kids haven’t had solid in person math instruction since the middle of algebra 1.

Let’s face it, students during online learning missed one class opportunity per week, there was less curriculum covered, and all assessments were non proctored at home. The net result is that for students taking high school math courses, there are serious gaps from the past two years.

MCPS has told the Board of Ed that teachers will be preassessing students to see where there are learning gaps. My child’s preassessments are graded (for the 90% category) so it doesn’t seem at our schools teachers are trying to fill in gaps. Many students, including my child, are struggling yet there is no curriculum changes or extra help for gaps created with a lack of instruction during online learning.

MCPS is trying to gloss over a problem created by a lack of instruction instead of teaching students to fill in gaps of learning.

Anonymous wrote:Just to chime in, my kid is failing honors algebra 2 atm at yet another moco high school. I begged the teacher for a textbook and a workbook. I was told I wasn't the only one asking

There’s a workbook? We got a textbook. Which school?

Just to chime in, my kid is failing honors algebra 2 atm at yet another moco high school. I begged the teacher for a textbook and a workbook. I was told I wasn't the only one asking

I am sticking with Khan and a tutor and hoping my kid pulls through. Then if at the end of the year they haven't managed it, we'll look at doing regular pre-calc as the poster up thread recommends.

Given this seems to be an almost universal problem at MCPS high schools at the moment, I think it is more a reflection of the curriculum and how it is being rolled out than the abilities of the majority of the students.

It's absurd that it is such a universal situation but also strangely comforting that it's not just my son.

Wish we’d switched….

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just an update - I have 2 kids in Whitman taking Hons Algebra 2. One struggles the other usually gets A grades.

Both tanked a test last week - and apparently so did the entirety of their classes.

The reason was none of the concepts on the test had been introduced in class.

What's the benefit of taking Honors Algebra 2 vs non-Honors Algebra 2? Aren't both on the same path to pre-Calc?

Honors Alg 2 is weighted (5 pt grade scale) vs regular Alg 2 (4 pt scale) in MCPS. Potential for higher weighted GPA for kids trying to get into competitive colleges.

Yes, though colleges can see through this. A 5 for honors (when AP classes grant a 5 is absurd.)

I'd rather have my kid take the non-honors class though and get an A rather than a C in the honors class. Really something to think about. My 8th grader is in Honors geometry which is no problem for her and is currently getting an A. Algrebra was a bit harder for her last year so I'm worried about her taking Honors Algebra 2. Any insights, advice would be appreciated!

I’m one of the pps whose kid dropped to regular algebra 2, but did so after the deadline to switch without a “withdrawal” showing on the transcript. My advice would be to either sign up for regular at the outset or to switch before the deadline. We waited thinking our kid would be able to bring up the grade after the first couple of quizzes did not go very well and obviously now wish we switched sooner. We are 2 weeks after the switch and my kid is so much happier and got a solid A on his test today…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just an update - I have 2 kids in Whitman taking Hons Algebra 2. One struggles the other usually gets A grades.

Both tanked a test last week - and apparently so did the entirety of their classes.

The reason was none of the concepts on the test had been introduced in class.

What's the benefit of taking Honors Algebra 2 vs non-Honors Algebra 2? Aren't both on the same path to pre-Calc?

Honors Alg 2 is weighted (5 pt grade scale) vs regular Alg 2 (4 pt scale) in MCPS. Potential for higher weighted GPA for kids trying to get into competitive colleges.

Yes, though colleges can see through this. A 5 for honors (when AP classes grant a 5 is absurd.)

I'd rather have my kid take the non-honors class though and get an A rather than a C in the honors class. Really something to think about. My 8th grader is in Honors geometry which is no problem for her and is currently getting an A. Algrebra was a bit harder for her last year so I'm worried about her taking Honors Algebra 2. Any insights, advice would be appreciated!

Yes, you can work with the guidance counselor to switch from Honors to Regular.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just an update - I have 2 kids in Whitman taking Hons Algebra 2. One struggles the other usually gets A grades.

Both tanked a test last week - and apparently so did the entirety of their classes.

The reason was none of the concepts on the test had been introduced in class.

My kid is at Blair--the same thing happened--the majority of the class failed the test. My kid also usually gets A's and missed only one question on the check-in/previous exam. Not sure what happened with the Formative test. The teacher offered a make-up test last week. Don't know my kid's official score yet, but after reviewing using Khan Academy and with my help teaching the concepts after reviewing the original test, my child is confident about the re-take.

Pp you’re responding to - yes Khan solved the issue for us too - my DS is retaking the test tomorrow now he finally gets what it was all about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just an update - I have 2 kids in Whitman taking Hons Algebra 2. One struggles the other usually gets A grades.

Both tanked a test last week - and apparently so did the entirety of their classes.

The reason was none of the concepts on the test had been introduced in class.

What's the benefit of taking Honors Algebra 2 vs non-Honors Algebra 2? Aren't both on the same path to pre-Calc?

Honors Alg 2 is weighted (5 pt grade scale) vs regular Alg 2 (4 pt scale) in MCPS. Potential for higher weighted GPA for kids trying to get into competitive colleges.

Yes, though colleges can see through this. A 5 for honors (when AP classes grant a 5 is absurd.)

I'd rather have my kid take the non-honors class though and get an A rather than a C in the honors class. Really something to think about. My 8th grader is in Honors geometry which is no problem for her and is currently getting an A. Algrebra was a bit harder for her last year so I'm worried about her taking Honors Algebra 2. Any insights, advice would be appreciated!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just an update - I have 2 kids in Whitman taking Hons Algebra 2. One struggles the other usually gets A grades.

Both tanked a test last week - and apparently so did the entirety of their classes.

The reason was none of the concepts on the test had been introduced in class.

What's the benefit of taking Honors Algebra 2 vs non-Honors Algebra 2? Aren't both on the same path to pre-Calc?

Honors Alg 2 is weighted (5 pt grade scale) vs regular Alg 2 (4 pt scale) in MCPS. Potential for higher weighted GPA for kids trying to get into competitive colleges.

Yes, though colleges can see through this. A 5 for honors (when AP classes grant a 5 is absurd.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you could still go onto regular precalc and then calculus AB or calculus applied.

For a lot of kids honors pre-calc is where they hit the wall. Both of my kids decided against honors pre-calc because they knew it would move fast and were glad they did. They both graduated after completing Calc AB. You don't need honors to make it it to AP Calc.

This. My kid did not do the honors pre-calc route, completed Calc AB and got a 5 on the AP exam (no paid test prep, just self-studied the Kahn Academy free stuff). Learn and master the concepts at a regular pace. Supplement with free KA where needed. Good luck OP!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just an update - I have 2 kids in Whitman taking Hons Algebra 2. One struggles the other usually gets A grades.

Both tanked a test last week - and apparently so did the entirety of their classes.

The reason was none of the concepts on the test had been introduced in class.

What's the benefit of taking Honors Algebra 2 vs non-Honors Algebra 2? Aren't both on the same path to pre-Calc?

Honors Alg 2 is weighted (5 pt grade scale) vs regular Alg 2 (4 pt scale) in MCPS. Potential for higher weighted GPA for kids trying to get into competitive colleges.

Anonymous wrote:Just an update - I have 2 kids in Whitman taking Hons Algebra 2. One struggles the other usually gets A grades.

Both tanked a test last week - and apparently so did the entirety of their classes.

The reason was none of the concepts on the test had been introduced in class.

My kid is at Blair--the same thing happened--the majority of the class failed the test. My kid also usually gets A's and missed only one question on the check-in/previous exam. Not sure what happened with the Formative test. The teacher offered a make-up test last week. Don't know my kid's official score yet, but after reviewing using Khan Academy and with my help teaching the concepts after reviewing the original test, my child is confident about the re-take.

Anonymous wrote:Just an update - I have 2 kids in Whitman taking Hons Algebra 2. One struggles the other usually gets A grades.

Both tanked a test last week - and apparently so did the entirety of their classes.

The reason was none of the concepts on the test had been introduced in class.

What's the benefit of taking Honors Algebra 2 vs non-Honors Algebra 2? Aren't both on the same path to pre-Calc?