Online math classes-- any suggestions?

<p>I know various parents have posted about this in the past, but I cannot seem to locate the posts. I am exploring an online trigonometry course for my high-school junior for next semester. Her current class is not working out. (I have respect for the teaching profession, but this guy has a reputation among the students at the school for not preparing his class for the next level. He has told the students that he does not remember the material for the next semester. Anyway, sorry to vent. We are paying for a tutor (math professor currently on leave from the local state university) and she suggested getting her class changed or doing an online program.) I would like to see if there are some reputable, well-designed online classes. If so, I may be able to convince the school to let her do that instead. They were unwilling/unable to change her schedule around earlier in the year, but they may be willing to accept something that 1) I pay for and 2) they do not have to do anything to set up. Thanks! We are in northern CA if that matters.</p>

<p>Try CTY with Johns Hopkins University. My S took two: linear algebra and MV calculus. The tests were quite challenging and LONG. It looks like they prepped him well, though. He was accepted into the Northwestern U honors Integrated Science Program and, through the first two mid-terms in the required ISP freshman math class, he was the top scorer by a noticable margin.</p>

<p>Thanks, FindAPlace. I will check it out. If CTY focuses on advanced students, it might not be the best fit. Is your sense that this is a program with students whose talents lie in mathematics/science, or is this program solid and appropriate for any respectable student(not someone needing massive amounts of remediation but struggling a bit with the material)?</p>

<p>S had a good experience with the Stanford EPGY program, although it’s been awhile.</p>

<p>Thanks! I will check this out also. I am trying most to find some class that will competently and completely cover the subject matter, without expecting the students to be geniuses. Math is this student’s most difficult subject. Do you think EPGY would fit?</p>

<p>BYU has a good online series of classes including several math classes. My daughter did the trig/precalc series and found them quite good. It is useful to have either a parent or tutor be available for any real time help that may be needed. The classes culminate in a proctored final. You make arrangements thru serveral local testing outfits or your daughter’s school.</p>

<p>You should check with your high school to see what they will accept for HS credit, if HS credit is needed.</p>

<p>Thank you, also. I had not thought of BYU, and, yes, I do need to check and see what the school will accept. Per the district math coordinator, it is at the principal’s discretion.</p>

<p>I have an advanced math student, and he absolutely dislikes online classes.
The best classes for bright math students , IMHO , are AoPS classes, but S still did not like them. For us the best solution would be to stick with the current class at school and supplement with a tutor. Also, have a look at Khan Academy.
[Khan</a> Academy](<a href=“http://www.khanacademy.org/]Khan”>http://www.khanacademy.org/)</p>

<p>Yes, we may end up doing that. At this point, I am trying to help her salvage what is left of the year of math. Next semester will be all trig, so it might be possible to do a class online. She is already working with a tutor, who feels that, rather than tutoring, she is teaching my daughter the material. That is ok, but she does not have enough time to do a daily lesson. I am at this point exploring a variety of options. This is not an advanced student (i.e., those taking differential equations at a college by the time they are juniors in high school). God bless those kids; it is hard to make sure their needs are met. But, this is a situation of a student on the regular academic math track at her school (Algebra 8, Geom 9, Alg 2 10, precalc 11, and AP Calc 12th). It is just that she got three years in a row teachers who have an extremely poor reputation (per older D who went through the same school) AND math does not come easily to her AND because her grades were good, we were not aware that the grades and the math knowledge were not that highly correlated. Now it is junior year, and with tutoring 3x a week, she is pulling just barely a C. That is not the end of the world, but tutor did strongly suggest we look at another option rather than having her remain in the same classroom. Sorry for the long reply, and most appreciative of your suggestion. Khan academy has not helped, and I am not quite sure why. I don’t know if it is because she is not strong enough in math to get the topics if presented differently than her text presents them, or what???</p>

<p>Hi mamita-</p>

<p>My son was in the same boat with Algebra 1 and Geometry; he got excellent grades and didn’t learn much due to a combination of poor teaching and low teacher/school expectations. Before he started Algebra 2 I had him use the ALEKs program (aleks.com) for review. It isn’t an online class for credit, but more online tutoring, and it worked well for him. It is also quite reasonable price-wise. It might not be quite what you are looking for in this instance, but may be useful in the future. Good luck with this; I can relate to you and your daughter’s frustration.</p>

<p>I am familiar with aleks.com
Give it a try - I think they have 48 hour free try out period. Maybe the school will let her work on aleks in clasroom? Altought I am not sure how far in math aleks goes, don’t remember.
What grade did your daughter have in previous math class?</p>

<p>I would second the recommendation for the Art Of Problem solving classes. Very good classes + a community of smart math students.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the suggestions. Sincerely, I knew I’d get great input here. I will be talking to the school later this week to try to “iron out the wrinkles” prior to next semester. I have some wonderful options to suggest to them, since I think it is more helpful to come in with some possible solutions to a problem. Let’s see what they do. (Personally, I’m trying to stay focused – and help her stay focused–on what she needs to master this year’s math, rather than fretting-- or playing into her fretting-- about the hit to the GPA that this semester’s math grade might do, given that this is a hs junior, and college apps will be next Fall. I have one kid in a “tippy top” uni, but the college search for this next kiddo will be very different. In general, a solid, but not stellar student.) Take care!</p>