The school might possibly have been trying to protect the girl from herself, not understanding her plan of trying again next year. (In most schools, a “core” course must be completed for the kid to graduate.) Sounds to me like a nice calm adult needs to go in to talk to the school and explain the entire plan to them (of her being tutored in the summer and trying again next year). If the “drop” date has not yet arrived, I don’t see how the school can keep her in the class without her parent’s consent. Her mother may need to go in and sign some paperwork or something.
FWIW, the plan of backing off, getting tutored, and taking the course again next year (this time being prepared for it!) sounds great to me. Her grades will of course be better, and she might possibly even learn some math. Which is always a good thing. ;)
Also, the Math teacher friend of mine is willing to tell the school she will tutor her all summer but not willing to talk with the school about dropping. Even though from another district, she “doesn’t think as a teacher she should be involved with that”.
The thing about math is that you can’t start in the middle. She obviously hasn’t mastered the prerequisites if scoring so low in Algebra II. Also it is important to develop a personal liking for it, since math does, contrary to popular belief, hold a certain appeal once you attain a degree of proficiency at it.
Sounds like the school won’t allow her to drop the course, so she pretty much has no other alternative except to study hard and pass the class.
Hard as it is, there are no “do-overs” in life either.
I would suggest that the girl meet with the teacher and see if the teacher can give her some pointers as to how to study and how to focus on the important parts in that particular class, then have the student really study. Then she really needs to take responsibility for herself and really study.
She may not get A-s in math, but I just can’t believe that she really studies for this class and is still failing.
If the teacher says "YES," then immediately put a remediation plan in place that includes Khan Academy on the areas that are causing problems. Based on what you wrote about the girl being unprepared for this level of work, I'd say the plan should include the basics of algebra and geometry before working actual Algebra II/Trig problems. Emphasize to the student that she is in a deep hole that will require great effort on her part to climb out of but show her the plan can succeed through dedication to do the work.
If she’s having difficulties with this level of mathematics, does it really matter if she fails the class?
It might pay to determine what’s necessary for a passing grade and be done with it. It’s hard to believe that wouldn’t be possible.
If you’re willing to invest time, help her pass during these next 4 months. It could be the best educational experience she ever gets.
It is high school not life or death. Either way she should study hard this summer and then take again next fall.
There are some teachers who do not know how to teach math.
If a subject is difficult for your child, I’d probably take a non-credit class, or read up on the textbook, during the summer before having to take a credited class. This way, they have some knowledge of the course before they have to take it.
” The school has a policy that if you drop a full year class by the midyear point (Friday), the grade and class will be dropped from the transcript. My friend who teaches Math was nice enough to meet with the girl and go over a few things. She told the girls mom and I that this girl is in no way prepared to be in this class! “
IF the school does have a policy of allowing to drop a class, then they have to allow her to drop this one. Either there is a policy or not. I would try to get a copy of the policy and have the Mother go and talk to the principal, if there really is such a policy.
If there is no such policy, then she has to bite the bullet and study hard. Your teacher friend says she is not prepared for this class — so how did she pass her previous Math classes? Something doesn’t add up.
Khan Academy has online videos in math from 3rd grade math all the way up to Calculus. They are free and are said to be of pretty good quality.
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-eighth-grade-math
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/geometry
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/trigonometry
If she doesn’t understand the fundamentals, maybe she could start with 8th grade math and work up?
Don’t know really him to solve this based on my own experience
I got A’s and extra credit in all my classes.
I used algebraic equations in pre-college Mechanical Drafting and was Chess Champion in my high skrewel.
I sucked at algebra.
I hated algebra.
Algebra had no useful purpose as most equations were designed only to teach you how to solve problems with no useful application in real life.
I asked my Mech Drafting teacher for help and explained I was taking two classes of algebra in an attempt to merely get a “C”
He told me not to worry about it since I was using algebra and receiving high grades and delivering excellent products off the lathes based on my designs.
He told me that I apparently only grasp those things that actually have a use and discard everything else.
If I wasn’t going to be a rocket scientist this wasn’t something that would stop me in life.
He was also one of my counselors and understood I was never going to need something I could get someone else competent to complete.
I have had several businesses since then and never used algebra.
Or rather, I found some formulas I needed to know, had someone teach me and I’m good to go.
Still, I’d be fine without it, except for my attention to detail and curiosity
Not trying to impress you, rather impress upon you we have our short comings and it’s okay to live with them.
If her career choices won’t require algebra she’ll be fine.
If it’s a matter of getting into college then she’ll need some sort of getting”Rosetta Stone” training for algebra.
Maybe even algebra for dummies. No shame in any “Dummies” books if it’s that important to her.
Read your full post.
Maybe she can get some tutoring and extra classes during summer to fill that hole in?
I know some schools allow you to go to college prep in summer and will add that to the transcript and her gpa.
I left school in the 10th grade and went to college with the prerequisite of proving I could handle college.
My 1st semester grades attributed to High Skrewel and o. The basis of those grades I was given the green light to test out of high skrewel and continue with college.
I feel for the girl, but to cancel a class in January after taking the class since September seems a bit much. Normally you can drop a class a couple weeks after the start of the class. She needs to buckle up and do what she can or go to Summer School which with the tutor help may ensure she passes. It will be on her transcript but as long as her Junior grades are good, she should still be able to get in college. She is not the first or last person to fail a math class. Another thing is she still has months to figure out a way to pass. I know you believe she has no way to learn it but if she goes to her teacher and asks for help, maybe she can get a pity “pass”. You never know.
I have not read all the Comments yet, so this may have already been said.
Show her how to use Khan Academy.
https://www.khanacademy.org/about
My wife has one College Algebra class remaining to get her degree. It has bee 47 years since she had a math class and she things Khan Academy is GREAT!
It is free, you work at your own pace and it has great metrics to keep track of your progress, strengths & weaknesses.
Arithmetic through Differential Calculus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxJgPHM5NYI
Khan Academy: The future of education?
(don’t mind the CBS-60 Minutes, it is a good presentation!)
Here is what I advise my college students:
1) Drop the course and take it over again.
2) But, if you can’t drop the course (e.g., because you have to maintain a full-time load), accept that you’re going to fail the course and take it over again.
3) But, if you can’t drop the course and you can’t fail it either (e.g., because you’d be put on academic probation and become ineligible to play intercollegiate sports), figure out how to pass the course.
#3 has the advantage that you won’t have to take the course over again.
As to being able to learn Algebra II/Trig when you show up unprepared to do the work, I presume this means learning Algebra I as well as Algebra II/Trig. However, there may be deficiencies regarding prerequisites to Algebra I. A lot of students are innumerite.
Students who show up in my Principles of Microeconomics course deficient in high school math have to learn what they have been able to avoid learning thus far in their so-called life. They don’t think it’s fair, and I don’t care what they think (or how bad I look in my course evaluations). Some of them learn enough to pass the course but not all of them.
With regard to tutoring, after school with the instructor is a great option. Plus, it’s free. So it’s a tremendous bargain.
Shopping around for a book or some other source material that you like, that’s a good option and what does it cost? $20? People might not realize it, but there are different styles to presenting material. Even, with regard to math. One of the reasons the Math for Dummies series appeals to many people because it has a different style. Finding a book that has an effective style for you costs more than the out of pocket. It costs the time of looking through several books, sampling the material, in addition to the out of pocket.
I’ve got a degree in math. i’ve tutored math in high school and college. I’ve also taught corporate software and methology classes. in one situation I had to teacher a graduating college undergrad enough to pass the MA proficiency exams... and she had no foundation (how she got that far is beyond me). I had 10 days and was able to improve her grade from low 30s to 89.
I’d be willing to talk to her and see about online tutoring/teaching. I do not live anywhere nearby and would not be interested in travel. strictly voip/online/phone (prolly no more then 60-90 minutes/day). my only stipulation is that she must be serious about learning the subject.
if that sounds like it might help, FreepMail me and we’ll take it from there.
Probably will end up needing a lawyer.
As a homeschooler I know there are LOTS on online courses
this girl can take, to boost her math skills while getting tutored.
Like IXL math (subscription but worth every penny and has all state required math skills now through algebra), PLATO Math, or taking an online course or courses from K12 International Academy (offers HS transcript credits)
Check out Math classes like Thinkwell and PLATO from Homeschool Buyers Co Op for discounts
She should go to a service like Sylvan for a test assessing her current level in math, then go from there. Or spring for an education psychologist and testing for learning disability- and use results to leverage the school into proving special support, like an IEP.
And yes- armed with a full understanding of actual requirements and students rights, force the school to let her withdraw from this course with NO PUNITIVE ACTION OR TRANSCRIPT ZERO, drop back and enroll in a remedial or prep course and don't let them tell her mother they don't do that.
Unfortunately those remedial classes are like zoos, packed with members of the under-served who have NO interest in learning anything, and she might face rasism from class and teacher (happened to me in similar situation in college when I tried to take remedial math class)
Best solution: withdraw NOW from class with no punitive action. Get permission to take online prep course and get tutored, then if class is really required for graduation, enroll again before senior year and in section taught by teacher who manages the classroom, or get permission to take it online, for credit that will show on transcript
Her mom needs to call the school principle about getting it dropped if that is still her intentions. If the school principle refuses to help, then go to their boss in the school district.
They need to explain why they are refusing to allow her to drop the course? Maybe because it is a core class, that is the reason?
Also, there are other tutors available.