Tomorrow I finish my sophomore year of high school. I’ve emailed my counselor, math teacher, and the math department chair about wanting to move up to Honors Algebra II instead of regular Algebra II. I have a complicated history of math (in summary I was told to retake it freshman year in eighth grade despite passing). I was told that although the deadline for class switches was March 1st (I was never informed of said deadline and it was never posted on a newsletter or email, so I find it silly they expect me to know everything myself), my decision was considered but ultimately denied simply because the chair didn’t think I was ready. She was my teacher freshman year of math and I did not do well in her class, but I pointed that my grades had dramatically improved since then (I got near an A+ both semesters of Geometry this year) and she still said no. I just want to know if this is right? Math has always been a hurdle for me because I feel like I’ve been improperly placed and I don’t feel like I belong where I am and I want to email them again but I feel like I’m annoying.
At my DS’ school, all AP/honor/IB classes require teacher (prior year) recommendation plus minimum grade, that being said, I would ask to set up a face-to-face meeting and better yet your parents’ involvement (support!) for this. Prove to the teacher/school that you can handle the higher level course load. Good luck.
@wigflew , I recommend you don’t give up. Ask, ask, and ask again.
Three years ago, when my son left middle school to attend high school, the middle school put a letter in his internal file that recommended him for Honors classes in several subjects. When the school year started, we discovered he had not only NOT been placed in Honors classes, he had been placed in remedial classes for two classes, and been denied admittance into a couple of classes he should have been admitted to based on his grades/aptitude.
When I went to the school to have this corrected, the counselor’s first (and second) answer was that “nothing could be done.” She said it was too late and that we’d just have to see how the year went and try to change things his sophomore year. When I made it clear to her that I was not leaving until this was actually investigated, she went through the trouble of actually opening his internal file. There she saw the middle school’s recommendations. Immediately, she rearranged his schedule, and put him in Honors classes.
You have to stick with it. Ask the counselor again. Ask other teachers to vouch for you. Ask your parents/guardians to visit the school and speak up for you. Some counselors are inept, lazy, or simply overworked. You (and your parents) have to be your biggest advocate.
I would also get your parents involved as well as your current geometry teacher. I don’t think a previous year’s grades should be considered in this situation unless there are extenuating circumstances that we don’t know about.
@wigflew Geometry and Algebra are two different animals. This teacher may be basing her recommendation/denial on the fact that she had you for Alg 1.
I would encourage your parents to help. What do they think? They may have to write a “parent override letter” -which basically says, "we understand you recommend A, we want B. Please enroll my child in B. "
Algebra 1 provides the basis for Algebra 2; Geometry isn’t nearly as foundational. I can see why your Algebra 1 grade would be given more weight.
What’s the long-term consequence of being tracked into on-level, rather than Honors, Algebra 2? Can you still take pre-calc as a senior?
I can still take pre-calc in my senior year. The only reason I ask to take Honors is that I feel so behind from where I’m meant to be and I want to take best class I can so I can be somewhat comfortable. I also think an Honors class will look better on college apps than a regular class, especially since it is my junior year and that’s what colleges focus on the most.
My poor performance in Algebra 1 was not due to anything other than my irresponsibility and lack of motivation, which I take full responsibility for, but I have improved tremendously since then (my teachers know I did) but she doesn’t see that.
There is no “where you’re meant to be.” There’s only where you are. Show you’ve improved tremendously by rocking Algebra 2.
It all depends on the local school system and their rules.
Get your parents to talk to the Guidance Counselor about all of this.
I’ve been teaching math since 1980.
A strong grade in Geometry is wonderful. But it’s no preparation for the rigors of Algebra II & Trig. The best preparation for Algebra II is Algebra I. While you “passed”-- you certainly don’t imply that you were anywhere near “honors” status.
In my opinion, Algebra II & Trig is one of the most difficult math courses a typical kid takes in high school. It’s chock full of material; this year I taught a new topic almost every day. (Absent yesterday? Had trouble with the homework? I hope you got to extra help after school yesterday or before school today, or you’re probably going to be a bit confused today.)
Based on what you’ve said, I would agree to keep you out of honors.
At my kids’ HS, you have to be recommended by your current year teacher in order to get into certain honors and AP classes for next year. For example, if you want to take AP Calc BC in 12th grade, you have to be recommended by your 11th grade honors pre-Calc teacher. That said, if a non-recommended kid’s parents make enough noise, the school will usually make exceptions (though often in these cases, the parents aren’t doing their kid any favors).
It sounds like you didn’t do well in algebra 1 either in 8th or 9th grade based on what you wrote. It takes more than merely passing to qualify for honors. It is great that you are now doing well in geometry. However algebra 2 relies a lot more on algebra knowledge and ability than geometry ability. Many people are much better at one than the other. I doubt the teacher is saying no to honors to be mean but is saying it because she is familiar with your algebra abilities.
If you feel it would help make an appointment with the teacher saying no to honors. Be polite and explain why you feel you have been put in the wrong level for algebra 2 (you need to be able to say more than it was wrong.) If you have done anything that has helped you prepare for honors be ready to nicely tell what you have worked on and how it has helped.
If you really want to be in Honors Algebra 2, I would speak with your teacher and counselor. However, I don’t think your teacher will be persuaded unless you have a solid plan to strengthen your algebra 1 skills prior to next year. If I didn’t misunderstand, you have taken Algebra 1 twice, and your performance was poor both times, which shows that you lack a solid foundation to do well in Honors Algebra 2 next year. Ask what you need to do to show them that you are ready, then do it and show them. In this case, I feel they are really trying to help you.
Parents who scream the loudest in systems that are rigid are more likely to be successful in the request. Where we are the final decision maker is the parent for placement. I have changed my mind after school has commenced and always have been told no but I eventually prevail. Never once has the change in placement backfired on my student. Ultimately it was the correct decision academically speaking.
Yes, My children have attended two different high schools and both had qualifiers or standards to enter A.P and/or honors classes. It didn’t matter how loud the parent was, the rules were the rules.
The rules exist for a reason. The reason behind rules on honors and APs is to prevent an unqualified kid from getting into the class.
The pace of Algebra II& Trig is pretty intense. A kid without a strong background will struggle from day 1. If he never got a firm handle on, say, factoring, then Chapter 1–at least in my school-- is going to be a nightmare. And it won’t get better. Each time the course relies on a different skill from Algebra I-- which, I’ll remind you, the OP “passed”-- on his second try–.it’s going to be a brand new struggle. The student will find himself further and further behind, more and more discouraged. That self esteem of being in an honors class quickly turns to despair as he feels stupid. He’ll know he’s the lowest kid in the class, and it’s not a good feeling. And, for what it’s worth, he’ll manage to annoy his peers and slow down the pace of the class-- for all those kids who are qualified to be in that honors class.
I’m not a big believer in shouting the loudest to get what I want.
Yes, I’m absolutely my kids’ biggest advocate. But not to get them in over their heads. That’s indulging their vanity, not looking out for their best interests.
@wigflew You need to get a parent involved. My D also a sophomore went thru this last year. I had to override to KEEP her in H math. The class is not too hard for her but she has a combo of a learning diff learning style plus she can be unmotivated and has ADD so I have a weekly math tutor and we started meds. She also goes to bonus block with the teacher or lunch help. It has been a nail biter to say the least but it was the right choice for her. You have to put your money where your mouth is though. Is this a case of not understanding something at the beginning and then it snowballing out of control? Then you give up? Whatever it is…if you know you can do the work but you didn’t do it because you were lazy they I would say get your parents and go for it. Good luck!
Depends upon the system. At my HS, the parents can scream/hold their breath until they are blue/threaten to withhold annual gifts, the kid is not getting moved. The student can present his/her case and kick it up the ladder as warranted, and may gain a change based on.a valid argument. But reasons like"if I don’t take X next. year, I can’t take Y the following. year" was never approved. Additionally, since courses have an enrollment limit, if the section if full, they are not bouncing a kid out to make room for the one with the screaming parent. YMMV.