<p>Help! My D is at a state school in Texas, where they have alot of core requirements -- her problem is math. You have to pass the THEA test (or equivalent) by the end of sophomore year to continue at the university, and then pass math through college algebra. Well, she qualified for "developmental" algebra 2 (which she passed in high school) but got an F last semester. They want her to repeat the class til she passes and then go on to the next one. Besides being stressful and a waste of time and money, I don't think it is humanly possible for her to meet the TX requirements because of all the tests involved. She clearly has dyscalculia but has never been documented for it in high school. What do we do?? Do we get her tested with a psychologist? How do otherwise smart kids with a specific disability get through this system? She loves the program she is in and does not want to transfer to a school without a math requirement.</p>
<p>I just want to tell you I feel for you. One of my kids had this same problem except-- amazingly enough-- did not have a disability. As a matter of fact, when tested, she comes out very gifted in math ability (IQ)-- yet always struggled. I think it's just a mental block. </p>
<p>Does the school have math tutoring? Could she take the class at a comm college and transfer the requirement?</p>
<p>Could she possibly do Texas college algebra as a UT extension class, by correspondence? The advantage to the extension correspondence classes is that you have nine months University</a> Extension :: Online College Credit Courses Overview to finish the class. Maybe she could work on the class slowly but surely, on her own time, with a tutor.
<a href="http://web.austin.utexas.edu/courses/dec/college/coursedetails.cfm?CourseID=273&CourseTitle=College%20Algebra%5B/url%5D">http://web.austin.utexas.edu/courses/dec/college/coursedetails.cfm?CourseID=273&CourseTitle=College%20Algebra</a></p>
<p>Can she take it in the summer at a community college and then transfer the credit to her university?</p>
<p>I am SURE that PackMom posted before I did. How do these posts get out of order?</p>
<p>My D had problem with another subject in HS. She just worked much harder on it, spending some unreasonably ridiculous hours on something that she absolutely hated. She received the grade that she wanted. Just get tutor (my D got help from her father), work hard and get it over with. I do not know any other way.</p>
<p>I do appreciate the sentiment about working harder but she tried that last semester and not only did she not pass the test, but she re-took the placement test right after finishing the course and did worse than before she took the class. Did that make sense? Anyway the extension idea is interesting. Think we are going to go ahead and have her tested for a learning disability. The school is encouraging us to use the psych program on campus for testing. Does anyone know if if would make a huge difference to go off campus and hire an area doctor? That would be costly and difficult logistics for a kid with no car...</p>
<p>And yes, she could take it at a community college, but she just took the placement test there over break and doesn't even qualify now. She would have to take the class before the one she already took...It is quite sad.</p>
<p>If this is the only hurdle in what would otherwise be a successful college career, I think I would pay whatever it costs for high quality private tutoring to make sure she gets through it. It probably isn't beyond her ability if all else is going well, and maybe there just has not yet been a good instruction match. </p>
<p>Funny how math requirements vary. My D's college accepts microeconomics to meet the math distribution requirement - I was surprised.</p>
<p>No great input here, but sympathy. As I posted on another thread here recently, I am 47 and STILL have nightmares about failing math. I was an A/A- student in everything but math, where, with tutoring, I was able to raise my D's and F's to low C's (barely). Luckily there was no math requirement for journalism majors at the school I attended!</p>
<p>I would second the community college suggestion. Also-- is there anyone on staff in the math dept. who she could speak with candidly? There's a good chance they've run into this kind of situation before. They might be able to brainstorm a bit.</p>
<p>Testing sounds like the best way to start. Even if they don't let her out of the requirement they should learn some things about how her brain works to give her better ideas about how to approach it. You might want to check outhttp://<a href="http://www.allkindsofminds.org/">www.allkindsofminds.org/</a> for more ideas.</p>
<p>Good private tutor might make a huge difference. Math needs a very good teacher. Once something is missing from earlier instructions, it will pile up to unmanageable levels. Good tutor will identify what is missing in understanding of the basics.</p>
<p>I'd start with the school's testing service, since they are encouraging it, know what they need, and it's presumably free.</p>
<p>My friend's D has a math "inequality" also. She would take her math classes in the summer--when it would be her only class--and she had a tutor. When the math class was the only item on the agenda, she was able to get passing marks. I think it would be very hard to try the same thing during a regular semester when you have so much else on your plate.</p>
<p>Good luck...Math has always come easy to me, but I can sympathize. I have absolutely no rhythm...if colleges had a dance core requirement, I'd be in big trouble.</p>