<p>In 2 years (or perhaps next school year; they're not positive yet) my small rural high school will be getting rid of its new (2 years old) calculus program. The administration is citing things like "it messes with the schedule" and "our two math teachers don't have time." I think this puts students at my school at a disadvantage compared to students across the country.</p>
<p>When I was in 8th grade, I was one of 10 students that were placed in Algebra 1. The rest had to take either Pre-Algebra or 8th grade General Math. Back then, my school didn't have Calculus, and we all thought we'd have to take it at the community college. But then they added the class, and the students in the class say it's a really good class, and the teacher is also really good. But this leaves the teacher without a prep period, so he must teach 8 periods a day with no break. So the administration decided they'll have to get rid of the program. Now all 8th graders are placed in either Pre-Algebra or General Math. So it's not even an option to take Calculus at the community college for current 8th graders because they won't have the background.</p>
<p>Should I give the admins my opinion about this, or just shut up and find better things to occupy my time? The school may or may not offer the class next year when I'm a senior, so it could possibly affect me.</p>
<p>What do you all on CC think? Here it seems common for people to have Calculus or more before college, so your situations are obviously different. Should I do anything?</p>
<p>There are situations like this all over the country. If you are passionate about having the class, lobbying with your school or school district board might be a good idea. This class WILL help you prepare for college, and you know that. Even if the class does not return, perhaps you can make some headway with changing the way incoming freshmen are given placement for math.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if it's either here nor there, then don't worry about it.</p>
<p>or if they eliminated it next year, just teach it yourself. how hard could it be??</p>
<p>^^^^^ pretty hard for most people...</p>
<p>Yeah, I mean, teaching calculus to myself would be.. rather difficult.</p>
<p>With diligence and a GOOD calculus book....maybe you could learn it yourself reasonably (the text books at school won't cut it :S). Our teacher gives us a big huge blue notebook with example problems and notes...maybe if you can't convince administration (or the teacher) to continue the class, there may be notes available that the teacher would probably happily give you.</p>
<p>You know though, if the teacher really feels it is important, he or she could request to give up his or her prep hour....If the teacher really feels he or she can't do it though, that's another story.</p>
<p>Ask that person to private tutor you if your school doesn't have a (insert school name here) teachers can't tutor (insert school name here) students policy. </p>
<p>Or else community college?</p>
<p>Yeah, if your school doesn't offer the classes you want them to offer, just go to a community college or nearby university or continue there. It's not as if it's your fault that they are placing their intelligent students on a huge disadvantage.</p>
<p>I know I can take the class at a community college if by some chance it's not offered next year, but after coming on CC I know now that it's commonplace for the best students to have Calculus or beyond in high school, and there's no reason students from my school can't do the same. Even though my school is small, the students have much potential.</p>
<p>I think I'll start by writing a letter to the principal and the guidance counselor. I'll just keep stating that I understand why they are considering cutting the program, but why they should keep it.</p>
<p>Colleges won't put you at a disadvantage because it's not your fault that you couldn't go into higher math. Colleges aren't stupid. They know that you cannot do something that your school doesn't allow you to do, and if they only allow you up to pre-calc then so be it.</p>
<p>Would it be possible for one of the pre-calculus or whatever the regular math is for seniors to be cut to make room for calculus and so that the teacher can have a free-period?</p>
<p>Talk to your guidance counseler. My school has an online program that lets you take classes my school doesn't offer like ap french and ap calc. Hardly any one knows about the program and it is free. Maybe your school has something similar to this..</p>
<p>Actually, it's more complicated than it appears on the surface. Since the school is so small, most courses are only offered one or two periods a day, and it's difficult to have students from the same graduating class who are in four different levels of math. It almost always results in somebody not being able to fit core courses into that person's schedule. That's why I really understand how difficult it is for the admins to try to accommodate everybody. </p>
<p>For that reason, it isn't really possible to cut a pre-calc class to make a free period available. But I very much appreciate the suggestion. I need some more suggestions to cite in my letter.</p>
<p>If you can wait a few days...I'll have a solution to that problem. PM me on Tuesday.</p>
<p>^Your PM box is full.</p>