Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

Is that because the school sucks? Ours does algebra in sixth grade, for example. So why would we need outside help? Tutors are foreign to me and I’ve never heard of anyone doing kumon or similar so I’m just unaware of all of this.

Just to clarify if your child is taking algebra in 6th grade he is 4 years above grade level. He will take geometry in 7th and algebra 2 in eighth and pre calculus in 9. If he stays on that path he’ll be beyond multi-variable calculus (a class few schools offer). So either you go to a truely exceptional school or you are mistaken

Algebra in 6th grade is only 2 years ahead of standard school pacing since school algebra is usually for 8th graders. Some good school systems will let 5th graders take algebra. But most do not, hence all the 5th graders enrolled in AoPS and RSM.

Whatever. I have a fifth grader who did algebra last year at home with Saxon. He is a very, very unusual kid.
I don’t believe there are scores of fifth graders taking Algebra at any school.
How many fifth graders even like math that much?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

Is that because the school sucks? Ours does algebra in sixth grade, for example. So why would we need outside help? Tutors are foreign to me and I’ve never heard of anyone doing kumon or similar so I’m just unaware of all of this.

Just to clarify if your child is taking algebra in 6th grade he is 4 years above grade level. He will take geometry in 7th and algebra 2 in eighth and pre calculus in 9. If he stays on that path he’ll be beyond multi-variable calculus (a class few schools offer). So either you go to a truely exceptional school or you are mistaken

Algebra in 6th grade is only 2 years ahead of standard school pacing since school algebra is usually for 8th graders. Some good school systems will let 5th graders take algebra. But most do not, hence all the 5th graders enrolled in AoPS and RSM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

Is that because the school sucks? Ours does algebra in sixth grade, for example. So why would we need outside help? Tutors are foreign to me and I’ve never heard of anyone doing kumon or similar so I’m just unaware of all of this.

Most of the time that is exactly the issue. I know of very few people who use tutors or outside supplemental classes because their children ar dumb. People are doing this because their children are smart and not being stimulated enough at school. Kumon, AoPS, RSM are largely for acceleration, not catching up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

Is that because the school sucks? Ours does algebra in sixth grade, for example. So why would we need outside help? Tutors are foreign to me and I’ve never heard of anyone doing kumon or similar so I’m just unaware of all of this.

Just to clarify if your child is taking algebra in 6th grade he is 4 years above grade level. He will take geometry in 7th and algebra 2 in eighth and pre calculus in 9. If he stays on that path he’ll be beyond multi-variable calculus (a class few schools offer). So either you go to a truely exceptional school or you are mistaken

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

Is that because the school sucks? Ours does algebra in sixth grade, for example. So why would we need outside help? Tutors are foreign to me and I’ve never heard of anyone doing kumon or similar so I’m just unaware of all of this.

Anonymous wrote:I've always wondered about this. I pay a lot of tutors for my children in a supposedly great school system. Most of the parents I know also pay for tutors. They don't outright say it. I wish I had known when my oldest was younger that supplementing was normal.

Are your children using tutors because they aren’t otherwise able to keep up with the pace of learning at school or because the school doesn’t teach them subjects well enough or because you want them to be ahead? I went to private school and my kids go to private school and tutors were not and are not common there. Maybe it’s just our schools.

None. Truly none. My kids go to an excellent school and life is about more than academics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

No we aren’t. Those are some poorly educated parents if they think that pushing chapter books on 5 year olds makes any difference long term. Pushing math faster than necessary will guarantee that the slow but steady smart kids who followed the guidelines will be much more proficient than the ones who sped through the necessary basics.

I suspect you do not have older kids who are applying to college, internships or other competitive opportunities. Whether you like it or not your kids live in a competitive environment where opportunities from scholarships, top colleges, prestigious high schools to internships and sports teams are subject to fierce competition. I have never met a parent who seriously regrets doing too much. But I know a lot of parents who wish they had done more.

I do have older kids and middle school. We don’t need scholarships like a lot of people so there’s no worry there. I’m not worried about top colleges I’m hoping they find one that’s a right fit. As for sports I believe that just like IQ has some genetics involved so do sports. My family has a long history of successful athletes who even in today’s environment make varsity and college teams without private coaching or clubs.

I just wonder how many of you are trying to push your average athletic kids into top athletes. That’s a lot of stress. Same with trying to push a smart kid into academics years ahead of where he is. And there are plenty of parents who pushed too far and the outcome was disastrous.

You sound like a lazy parent reaching to justify their their bad decisions. If you have the means (by the way very classy to let us all know your family doesn’t need scholarships) why wouldn’t you help your children achieve their potential? If hard work and ambition cause your kids stress maybe you should spend some of that money on therapy. Just to let you in on something all of us know - the world has gotten much more competitive housing,careers and education. It’s been a long time since you can wander into the middle class. Do better.

Oh gawd the ridiculous personal attacks are so useless, but I’ll try to clarify what you misread. Kids don’t always need to go to extra math classes or reading after being all day at school if they are already reaching their potential at school. They don’t need to be three grades ahead. I didn’t say my kids experience stress. I said if parents push too hard to try to make their child something they’re not, and make them feel they aren’t good enough, telling them “the world is more competitive “, that’s a lot of stress on the child.

Also when a posts start with “you sound like…” you know there will nothing helpful in the post.

Go to bed Janice

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

No we aren’t. Those are some poorly educated parents if they think that pushing chapter books on 5 year olds makes any difference long term. Pushing math faster than necessary will guarantee that the slow but steady smart kids who followed the guidelines will be much more proficient than the ones who sped through the necessary basics.

I suspect you do not have older kids who are applying to college, internships or other competitive opportunities. Whether you like it or not your kids live in a competitive environment where opportunities from scholarships, top colleges, prestigious high schools to internships and sports teams are subject to fierce competition. I have never met a parent who seriously regrets doing too much. But I know a lot of parents who wish they had done more.

I do have older kids and middle school. We don’t need scholarships like a lot of people so there’s no worry there. I’m not worried about top colleges I’m hoping they find one that’s a right fit. As for sports I believe that just like IQ has some genetics involved so do sports. My family has a long history of successful athletes who even in today’s environment make varsity and college teams without private coaching or clubs.

I just wonder how many of you are trying to push your average athletic kids into top athletes. That’s a lot of stress. Same with trying to push a smart kid into academics years ahead of where he is. And there are plenty of parents who pushed too far and the outcome was disastrous.

You sound like a lazy parent reaching to justify their their bad decisions. If you have the means (by the way very classy to let us all know your family doesn’t need scholarships) why wouldn’t you help your children achieve their potential? If hard work and ambition cause your kids stress maybe you should spend some of that money on therapy. Just to let you in on something all of us know - the world has gotten much more competitive housing,careers and education. It’s been a long time since you can wander into the middle class. Do better.

Oh gawd the ridiculous personal attacks are so useless, but I’ll try to clarify what you misread. Kids don’t always need to go to extra math classes or reading after being all day at school if they are already reaching their potential at school. They don’t need to be three grades ahead. I didn’t say my kids experience stress. I said if parents push too hard to try to make their child something they’re not, and make them feel they aren’t good enough, telling them “the world is more competitive “, that’s a lot of stress on the child.

Also when a posts start with “you sound like…” you know there will nothing helpful in the post.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

No we aren’t. Those are some poorly educated parents if they think that pushing chapter books on 5 year olds makes any difference long term. Pushing math faster than necessary will guarantee that the slow but steady smart kids who followed the guidelines will be much more proficient than the ones who sped through the necessary basics.

I suspect you do not have older kids who are applying to college, internships or other competitive opportunities. Whether you like it or not your kids live in a competitive environment where opportunities from scholarships, top colleges, prestigious high schools to internships and sports teams are subject to fierce competition. I have never met a parent who seriously regrets doing too much. But I know a lot of parents who wish they had done more.

I do have older kids and middle school. We don’t need scholarships like a lot of people so there’s no worry there. I’m not worried about top colleges I’m hoping they find one that’s a right fit. As for sports I believe that just like IQ has some genetics involved so do sports. My family has a long history of successful athletes who even in today’s environment make varsity and college teams without private coaching or clubs.

I just wonder how many of you are trying to push your average athletic kids into top athletes. That’s a lot of stress. Same with trying to push a smart kid into academics years ahead of where he is. And there are plenty of parents who pushed too far and the outcome was disastrous.

Ok, so your kids are average and you seen no point in enriching them. Some people have exceptional kids and are looking to provide them with opportunities schools aren't giving them.

One of my kids needs a tutor because of a learning disability. The other two don’t need academic enrichment programs.

I think the problem is too many parents believe their five year old, whether “exceptional” or not needs to be several years ahead of their peers in reading.

Academic enrichment programs make a big difference with students from low income areas with poorly funded schools. They also help all students with learning disabilities. Not so much students who are doing fine at school.

Studies show there is little cognitive improvement for students already excelling. The studies also showed there were negative non-cognitive effects because too many academic enrichment hours spent after school take away from socializing, activities, arts, sports, friends, family and even sleep. It makes sense. There’s only so many hours in a day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

No we aren’t. Those are some poorly educated parents if they think that pushing chapter books on 5 year olds makes any difference long term. Pushing math faster than necessary will guarantee that the slow but steady smart kids who followed the guidelines will be much more proficient than the ones who sped through the necessary basics.

I suspect you do not have older kids who are applying to college, internships or other competitive opportunities. Whether you like it or not your kids live in a competitive environment where opportunities from scholarships, top colleges, prestigious high schools to internships and sports teams are subject to fierce competition. I have never met a parent who seriously regrets doing too much. But I know a lot of parents who wish they had done more.

I do have older kids and middle school. We don’t need scholarships like a lot of people so there’s no worry there. I’m not worried about top colleges I’m hoping they find one that’s a right fit. As for sports I believe that just like IQ has some genetics involved so do sports. My family has a long history of successful athletes who even in today’s environment make varsity and college teams without private coaching or clubs.

I just wonder how many of you are trying to push your average athletic kids into top athletes. That’s a lot of stress. Same with trying to push a smart kid into academics years ahead of where he is. And there are plenty of parents who pushed too far and the outcome was disastrous.

You sound like a lazy parent reaching to justify their their bad decisions. If you have the means (by the way very classy to let us all know your family doesn’t need scholarships) why wouldn’t you help your children achieve their potential? If hard work and ambition cause your kids stress maybe you should spend some of that money on therapy. Just to let you in on something all of us know - the world has gotten much more competitive housing,careers and education. It’s been a long time since you can wander into the middle class. Do better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

No we aren’t. Those are some poorly educated parents if they think that pushing chapter books on 5 year olds makes any difference long term. Pushing math faster than necessary will guarantee that the slow but steady smart kids who followed the guidelines will be much more proficient than the ones who sped through the necessary basics.

I suspect you do not have older kids who are applying to college, internships or other competitive opportunities. Whether you like it or not your kids live in a competitive environment where opportunities from scholarships, top colleges, prestigious high schools to internships and sports teams are subject to fierce competition. I have never met a parent who seriously regrets doing too much. But I know a lot of parents who wish they had done more.

I do have older kids and middle school. We don’t need scholarships like a lot of people so there’s no worry there. I’m not worried about top colleges I’m hoping they find one that’s a right fit. As for sports I believe that just like IQ has some genetics involved so do sports. My family has a long history of successful athletes who even in today’s environment make varsity and college teams without private coaching or clubs.

I just wonder how many of you are trying to push your average athletic kids into top athletes. That’s a lot of stress. Same with trying to push a smart kid into academics years ahead of where he is. And there are plenty of parents who pushed too far and the outcome was disastrous.

Ok, so your kids are average and you seen no point in enriching them. Some people have exceptional kids and are looking to provide them with opportunities schools aren't giving them.

She’s aiming for junior colleges and trust funds

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

No we aren’t. Those are some poorly educated parents if they think that pushing chapter books on 5 year olds makes any difference long term. Pushing math faster than necessary will guarantee that the slow but steady smart kids who followed the guidelines will be much more proficient than the ones who sped through the necessary basics.

I suspect you do not have older kids who are applying to college, internships or other competitive opportunities. Whether you like it or not your kids live in a competitive environment where opportunities from scholarships, top colleges, prestigious high schools to internships and sports teams are subject to fierce competition. I have never met a parent who seriously regrets doing too much. But I know a lot of parents who wish they had done more.

I do have older kids and middle school. We don’t need scholarships like a lot of people so there’s no worry there. I’m not worried about top colleges I’m hoping they find one that’s a right fit. As for sports I believe that just like IQ has some genetics involved so do sports. My family has a long history of successful athletes who even in today’s environment make varsity and college teams without private coaching or clubs.

I just wonder how many of you are trying to push your average athletic kids into top athletes. That’s a lot of stress. Same with trying to push a smart kid into academics years ahead of where he is. And there are plenty of parents who pushed too far and the outcome was disastrous.

Ok, so your kids are average and you seen no point in enriching them. Some people have exceptional kids and are looking to provide them with opportunities schools aren't giving them.

I thing the apple will turn yellow or green

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never seen someone keep it a secret- almost everyone I know (and I talk to a lot of parents) has their kid do some kind of academic enrichment or tutoring. It’s just part of the culture here combined with the fact that everyone is looking to accelerate their kids (chapter books in kindergarten, algebra in 6th grade, DE classes in high school). No matter how smart your child is they can’t do that without a lot of outside help.

The more interesting question is why are we in such a rush (my eldest was taking math classes in HS that my engineer brother was taking in his Junior year of college). We’re all locked in a weird arms race.

No we aren’t. Those are some poorly educated parents if they think that pushing chapter books on 5 year olds makes any difference long term. Pushing math faster than necessary will guarantee that the slow but steady smart kids who followed the guidelines will be much more proficient than the ones who sped through the necessary basics.

I suspect you do not have older kids who are applying to college, internships or other competitive opportunities. Whether you like it or not your kids live in a competitive environment where opportunities from scholarships, top colleges, prestigious high schools to internships and sports teams are subject to fierce competition. I have never met a parent who seriously regrets doing too much. But I know a lot of parents who wish they had done more.

I do have older kids and middle school. We don’t need scholarships like a lot of people so there’s no worry there. I’m not worried about top colleges I’m hoping they find one that’s a right fit. As for sports I believe that just like IQ has some genetics involved so do sports. My family has a long history of successful athletes who even in today’s environment make varsity and college teams without private coaching or clubs.

I just wonder how many of you are trying to push your average athletic kids into top athletes. That’s a lot of stress. Same with trying to push a smart kid into academics years ahead of where he is. And there are plenty of parents who pushed too far and the outcome was disastrous.