Switching from honors to regular class in the middle of semester

Parents Forum
1

<p>I just got a call from my son's Spanish teacher recommending that he switches from Spanish 3X (honors) to 3G (regular). </p>

<p>She said he really struggles and will probably get a D at the end of a semester. Son's school really discourages switching, so I know that the circumstances are out of ordinary for a teacher to make the recommendation.</p>

<p>I talked to my son. He is really disappointed in himself. He is afraid that if he switches, he will have W on his transcript, because deadline to withdraw classes was two days ago. He thinks that if he works hard he can turn it around. I doubt this, because he got C last semester and he really tried.</p>

<p>His teacher thinks he will do really good in regular class, maybe even get an A. My understanding that they will still use his grades from honors class to determine the grade for regular class this semester.</p>

<p>What would you recommend?</p>

<p>P.S. All his other classes are either honors or AP and he is doing really good in them.</p>

2

<p>Ask the school if he can make the switch without a penalty. Perhaps with the teacher’s approval, he can do it. No way to know if you don’t ask!</p>

<p>As for your son feeling bad about it, he shouldn’t. He doesn’t have to be an honor student in everything! :)</p>

3

<p>Drop down! Don’t worry about it! Both of my kids struggled with foreign language. Some things are hard for some kids.</p>

4

<p>I agree. Don’t see the point in staying in the honors class when in all likelihood he’ll have a D or worse at the end of the semester. If he drops down now there is still time for him to get some good grades and bring his average up to somewhere decent.</p>

5

<p>Definitely drop down! This struggle has probably been drawing time and resources away from other classes. It will probably be a tremendous relief to have some pressure off.</p>

<p>My daughter had to do this with Physics this year, it was a hard decision but it has worked out wonderfully for her.</p>

6

<p>Yes, I agree with the others. I wish my D’s teacher would have suggested she drop down in the middle of her first semester of Honors Chemistry. D had a horrible semester because of it and I had her drop down the second semester and she did much much better. Sometimes it’s the material, sometimes it’s the teacher, or some combination. I would always prefer my kids to learn something really well rather than race through and come out not knowing anything in a faster paced class.</p>

7

<p>Talk to the powers that be to confirm that he won’t get a W, then drop down.
I’m a physician who stuggled mightily in foreign language classes. Everyone is good at some things and weak at other things.</p>

8

<p>I would follow the recommendation of your son’s Spanish teacher. She’s given you great advice.</p>

9

<p>After thinking it over this weekend and reading everyone’s suggestions, my son decided to switch to 3G irregardless the grading and/or withdrawal policy. </p>

<p>Early this morning I drove him to his school so he can take a 3G version of the test he was postponing taking in 3X class. He is taking 1.5 extra credits over full time load at his H.S. With 3 AP tests coming up in May and extra course load he decided it just does not make sense to worry about class he really does not care about. He only took it because of foreign language requirements in college admittance policies.</p>

10

<p>I think you will both find this a huge relief and your son will not regret taking the teacher’s advice.</p>

11

<p>Good call! My S did the same thing a few weeks ago. He is doing better in everything as a result. I only wish we would have done it sooner!</p>

12

<p>I wish my son had been able to do this but they only have the 1st 5 days of the semester to do this.</p>