<p>D/S is on second week of BS and is convinced math class is too slow and easy. Student spoke with advisor who escalated to Dept. chair and it's stalled there. School says its moving slowly because it is really early, but we don't think it's fair to have too much time pass while classes progress. Suggestions about whether this is something we should provoke or wait and see? How do we weigh which is better: having a 9th grader in a relatively easy class or having B/S be heard as to wanting more challenge?</p>
<p>Depending on where your child went to school before, you may find that the classes progress much more quickly then at your old school. The class may seem easy now as there is often review at the beginning of the year and they give the students time to adjust to living at BS, etc. What may be easy now, may become more challenging quickly.</p>
<p>Help! I don’t think the school is listening -D has asked to move up in Math but department head has stonewalled. Other class work is not overwhelming and adjustment does not seem to be an issue. Being kept (somewhat without explanation) from the most challenging math level is. What arguments or positions can she bring to bear on this? Seems like ignoring the student’s call for greater challenge is wrong response.</p>
<p>Could she as to take a placement test to prove she should be in the higher level?</p>
<p>If you have questions about your child’s academic program, have you spoken with his (her) advisor? It sounds like this issue is really bothering you. </p>
<p>It may be that there’s a huge jump between your child’s present math class, and the next level up. At present, the math may be review, but the challenge could quickly increase. As math is cumulative, skipping topics isn’t generally a good idea, in my opinion. Also, your child’s former school might have had a somewhat different math sequence, which makes placement harder?</p>
<p>So far, the class has had 3 quizzes and a 1 test so they have some data already that the current class is very easy for her. The next level starts with the same textbook but moves quicker and covers more over the year. Even if the next level is a big jump, isn’t it better to be stretched, than stuck in slow and easy ? If I am reading the situation right, it appears they are looking to avoid changes altogether. How do I get them to see this in another light (i.e. let D be challenged, not stay in comfort zone)?</p>
<p>Some classes are more popular than others, so it could be that the class she wants to switch to is over enrolled, or another section of a class she would have to switch to because of this change is over enrolled. With the financial crisis, some schools are cutting on sections or even classes. The class size is bigger in the first place. If you can’t switch her now, maybe you can ask if she could take an accelerated track after this course?</p>
<p>You may be right that they don’t want to move her because the other class is crowded/overenrolled. And, they do “promise” that if she does well they will move her next year. For now, however, she’s got room on her dance card to take on harder class and I am not sure it is acceptable given BS tuition? Should my child be under-stretched all school year because they placed her wrong ? Academic challenge is the primary reason for her being there.</p>
<p>That sounds very frustrating. My daughter also was placed lower than where I thought she should be. We discussed it with her advisor but we were also open to the idea that her previous schooling left some gaps. At her BS, the math dept. does a lot of assessment during the first week. And based on those assessment results, our daughter was bumped up one level. </p>
<p>Has the school provided any real reason for not moving your daughter? Have they done any assessments? If the dept. head is not responding, how about the Dean of Academics? Even if the answer is no, it would be nice to know their rationale.</p>
<p>erlanger, You’d be surprised how many parents are having the same complaint this year. I think the financial crisis is taking a toll on the operation of at least some BS’s. How many of you have seen the average class size is getting bigger, and a cutting down on classes or sections of classes?</p>
<p>Thanks for the support. Today school advised that they will move D up. They said they wait until after first unit exam and then assess – now why didn’t they just say so from the beginning?</p>
<p>I hope she isn’t drowning in the new class after having to move in so late…</p>
<p>erlanger - Maybe the person in charge is busy these weeks. However, glad to hear the good news !</p>