Poor DD...She's failing Alg 2 AGAIN

[minkydog]

I don't know how to help her. She failed Alg 2 last fall and retook it in the spring semester. Or at least, she took half the credit in an online course. She barely passed, but she moved on to the second half this summer. It's been a short semester, only 5 weeks, and it's online. She has two tutors and she's been to the school-supplied tutoring. She just cannot get it. I'm really worried. There is a middling chance that she may not graduate next spring. In GA you have to have 4 math credits, at least 1 of them above Alg 2. Personally, I believe she could take Algebra every day for the next 8 years and she will NEVER get it.

It's really tearing me up. We just got an email from the teacher telling me that in his opinion she will not pass the class. She has a 62 and the final is July 6. She would have to make As on every bit of homework AND the final--she's struggling to even make Ds! SHe just walked in and said she wants to give up her show choir to take this Algebra. I disagree, since dance is what she wants to major in. I'd rather she gave up her other elective, anatomy & physiology.

She's upset and I'm upset. Nobody wants to be told they're failing. ESpecially when they are trying their best. She has put hours and hours into this summer class--she has nothing else going on, no work, no dance. Just Algebra. This thing has taken over our whole family. She even gave up a chance to go see her grandmother who lives 400 miles away and we almost never get to see, just so she wouldn't have to miss Algebra.

I hate hate hate Algebra. About the only consolation is, she will NEVER use it again once she graduates from college(that is, if she even gets to college.)

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

I understand the feeling and I hope that she can find a way to pass it if not now but eventually before she needs to graduate. But if she is going in to college, most general studies programs and even specialized programs require Math Credits. So just prepare for the idea that she may have to take Algebra again.

I am currently going for my AA in Sign Language Interpretation. Yeah explain to me why I should be required to take College Algebra (Algebra IIish work) but I have to and currently am taking it and struggling as well but lucky that I am grasping the basic concepts so I just have to study hard to get the harder stuff.

Is she taking it with the same teacher each time? maybe if a different teacher offers the course she could take a different teacher and maybe their teaching style will help her grasp it?

I'm sorry she is struggling....I really dislike Algebra as well and wish her good luck!

 

[SydSim]

UGH!! So sorry that your Dd has to go thru this. Just a thought, but for someone who isn't necessarily a math person, taking Algebra II in a condensed time frame (meaing a semester long class) or online may not be the best thing for her. A year long class may work better for her (not sure if that is an option where you live. I know in our school district, they do split up Algebra I into two years for kids who need to take it a little more slowly). Online classes, for someone struggling with a concept like Algebra, may not be the best learning experience.

If theatre/dance is her intended major in college, A & P could easily be dropped (since I'm assuming it's an elective) to accomodate the mandatory math classes.

Good luck!

 

[minkydog]

I understand the feeling and I hope that she can find a way to pass it if not now but eventually before she needs to graduate. But if she is going in to college, most general studies programs and even specialized programs require Math Credits. So just prepare for the idea that she may have to take Algebra again.

Is she taking it with the same teacher each time? maybe if a different teacher offers the course she could take a different teacher and maybe their teaching style will help her grasp it?

OH, there is no question about whether she will take it again. She HAS to take Alg 2 AND Alg 3(!) to graduate and she has exactly 1 YEAR to do it!

She has had 3 different teachers and 4 tutors so far.

UGH!! So sorry that your Dd has to go thru this. Just a thought, but for someone who isn't necessarily a math person, taking Algebra II in a condensed time frame (meaing a semester long class) or online may not be the best thing for her. A year long class may work better for her (not sure if that is an option where you live. I know in our school district, they do split up Algebra I into two years for kids who need to take it a little more slowly). Online classes, for someone struggling with a concept like Algebra, may not be the best learning experience.

The only reason she has been taking it online is because she couldn't get into an Alg 2 class in the spring. They don't offer Alg 2 as a 2-part class, other than summer school or online. Her guidance counselor was the one who advised to NOT do face-to-face summer school because the course is so difficult. That left the online class for credit recovery. At this point I think the ONLY option is to take the full course AGAIN, get new tutors AGAIN, a new teacher AGAIN, and hope like crazy that she passes. In Georgia, passing is a 70. Anything less is an F. One of the things that concerns me is that she has had all these different teachers. No wonder she isn't getting it!

IF she doesn't pass Alg 2 in the fall, she can't move on to Alg 3, required for graduation with a college prep diploma. If not for this dang algebra she would be in line for a Dual Diploma, fine arts & college prep, something that less then half the graduating senior accomplish. So, yeah, we're pretty upset around here.

 

[golfgal]

Do you have a post secondary option where she could take this class at a community college near you? Just another option that she could maybe take this in a classroom setting with more assistance??

Have you had her tested for any math problem/LD? Is there another math class she can take that isn't algebra that fulfills the math requirement?

 

[minkydog]

Do you have a post secondary option where she could take this class at a community college near you? Just another option that she could maybe take this in a classroom setting with more assistance??

Have you had her tested for any math problem/LD? Is there another math class she can take that isn't algebra that fulfills the math requirement?

Yes, she has been tested and did not meet the standard for LD, although I must presume that she in fact does have a learning disability in math. There is no other class that will take the place of Alg 2 on the college prep curriculum. Either you're smart enough to pass it, or you get a lesser diploma, simple as that.

If she never passes Algebra her only option will be community college. Not a terrible option, but we have NO community colleges in Georgia which have anything approaching a decent fine arts department. I can't see her being happy for 2 years stuck in a school she never wanted to go to, with no dance. For 2 years? I don't think she'd make it.

 

[yoopermom]

Minky, how long ago was she tested for l.d.? I see kids being tested in 1st/2nd grade, not quite "making it", then getting to 9th and being retested and passing. Check your state standards as to the possibility of her being retested if it's been awhile...

Hugs to you both, my greatest frustration as a sp.ed. teacher was the new math requirement for "all" high schoolers. Ridiculous!

Terri

 

[mnrose]

Which online course is she doing?

My children use Aleks.com for all their math, and while it has it's downfalls, one thing I like about it is that it breaks all subjects into very small, manageable chunks, even Algebra. My DS is a math whiz, and he just sails through it (which is fine for him), but my DD struggles with math, and it works for her too. She can take things as slow as she needs to. Plus, they constantly revisit areas/topics, and if they fail to show mastery of the topic, it goes back into their "pie" and needs to be repeated...as many times as necessary until it clicks. They also drill on core math concepts...which, in my experience, is where kids who struggle with math have the most problem. Math is a like a foreign language, where each new concept builds on the last, and if you didn't get the prior concept well, the new one isn't going to make any sense at all. If she never really understood Algebra I, there is no way to "get" Algebra II, IMO. Aleks would care for that need by going back and teaching her those essential Algebra I or even pre-Algebra concepts.

It offers, I think, a free trial period. Some students (as mine do) use it as their sole way of learning math, and some use it as a supplement to traditional classroom work. It definitely is worth at least looking at.

One other idea is to check out the book "Algebra for Dummies" from your local library. My DD uses this sometimes to help her through an area...for some reason, the way he explains things makes logical sense to her. We all learn differently!

Good luck to her! It's so hard to watch kids struggle with math!

 

[Notatourist]

Not much to say except I have been there. Personally. My dx was Math anxiety, and I know far too well how this goes.

Tell her to hang in there and x=y. Dang it.

 

[kamik86]

She may have to take it more in college, just a warning. I was in an Engineering program but we also had a fine arts school, ASL interpretting majors, and majors such as hotel management that only needed the minimum level of math for accredation of the degree and that generally ended up being a college algerbra course since that is the lowest level math class offered.

 

[Pixiedust34]

http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/

The above is a link to a math program that explains math in easy-to-understand terms and this might help your dd find success with math. All the best to her!

 

[dicar123]

Poor girl...I passed Algebra 2 with a D+. I wonder if they've taken a full year of what used to be Alg 2 and added more, thus the second semester being Alg 3? Or if they've just renamed it?

There is no way I would have passed had it been accelerated like that. Maybe have her take a pre-Alg so she can graduate and work just on Algebra in CC? Maybe she could transfer then and not have to spend the two years? I feel for her. And you!

 

[clh2]

Minkydog - tell minky jr. that we are all pulling for her to pass her algebra class!!! I swear there is a math gene - and some people have it, and others do not, and no amount of tutoring will "transfer the gene to her". IMO - in case the state of GA is interested - 4 years of math will not make minky jr. a better dancer. The reality is - HS kids need a "math-finance" class a lot more than they need advanced algebra and trig.

Darn it all Minky - you need at least 1 thing to go right.

Give your DD a hug...she probably needs it!

 

[disney1990]

I have a good friend to went to community college and was studying criminal justice. She had honors grades in everything but math. She tried over and over again to get a passing grade and failed. She ended up dropping out without her degree. Very sad because I know, after she personally paid for the college tuition, that she gave it everything she could. Some people are just NOT math people and not everybody needs high level math.

 

[minkydog]

Minky, how long ago was she tested for l.d.? I see kids being tested in 1st/2nd grade, not quite "making it", then getting to 9th and being retested and passing. Check your state standards as to the possibility of her being retested if it's been awhile...

Hugs to you both, my greatest frustration as a sp.ed. teacher was the new math requirement for "all" high schoolers. Ridiculous!

Terri

She was last tested in 6th grade. I think you have a great idea, though. I'm going to call the school tomorrow and see if I can get that ball rolling. I know she has a lot of test anxiety, although that has not been officially diagnosed.

Which online course is she doing?

It's a program of our own school district. Unfortunately, in GA (or at least, in our HS) they do not accept non-traditional credits, homeschool credits or even private school credits unless that child can pass the final for that course, no matter how long ago they took it. THat came back to bite my BFFs child after he went to a well-respected private school and then transferred to public school in his senior year. They made him literally take every final for every course from 9th through 11th grade. After he failed one of the histories, they gave up and just homeschooled him the rest of the year.

IMO - in case the state of GA is interested - 4 years of math will not make minky jr. a better dancer. The reality is - HS kids need a "math-finance" class a lot more than they need advanced algebra and trig.

Darn it all Minky - you need at least 1 thing to go right.

Give your DD a hug...she probably needs it!

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Yes, we are having quite the summer, aren't we? I can promise you, DD17 will NEVER needs algebra in her line of work. Heck, I've been an RN for 34 years and I can count on one hand how many times I have needed algebra!

The thing that really steams me is that our school district totally changed all the math at the end of DDs freshman year. Out with the old, in with the new, system wide, K-12. Since that time math scores have bottomed out county-wide. In some schools teachers report that out of as many as 60 students, only 17 are passing. This is a travesty, IMO. At this point, they are only teaching to the test to get these kids through school.

I gave her the night off. She's gone off with friends for a sleepover. I hope she had a nice time. We're going to get our pedicures done tomorrow and I'm gonna let her drive some. And then we're going to plan our Fourth of July festivities. This class started the day after school ended in May. DD hasn't had a break since April.

 

[clh2]

he thing that really steams me is that our school district totally changed all the math at the end of DDs freshman year. Out with the old, in with the new, system wide, K-12. Since that time math scores have bottomed out county-wide. In some schools teachers report that out of as many as 60 students, only 17 are passing. This is a travesty, IMO. At this point, they are only teaching to the test to get these kids through school.

We're going to get our pedicures done tomorrow and I'm gonna let her drive some. And then we're going to plan our Fourth of July festivities. This class started the day after school ended in May. DD hasn't had a break since April.

Geez - not a change in curriculums too...I know exactly what the problem is - the "Everyday Math" and "Connected Math" programs SUCK. Those types of crriculums should have been phased in at the lower grades - and not shoved on the H>S> students. (If you aren't doing those programs - it is probably something similar.) And - no matter HOW much training the teachers ahve had with it - if it is still failry new - they probably don't understand the concepts either. FWIW - I HATE those programs. Just hate them. And I LOVED math class growing up - even 3 semesters of calculus was OK and differential equations in college. My DD switched to one of these "circular" math programs in 4 or 5th grade. What a waste!!!

Now - beyond the curriculum - a pedicure will do wonders for both of you. And honestly - I think you need one just as bad as she does!!!

 

[torinsmom]

I am SOOO sorry! I feel your pain! My DS took algebra twice before he (barely) passed it. His high school has one semester courses and the simply moved too fast for him to keep up. He DOES have an IEP including math, and that really doesn't exempt you from classes. He is lucky in that his was the last year that kids could graduate without having to take Algebra 2 and one higher math. He is able to take Algebra 1 and Tech Math 1 and 2 to graduate. We have resigned ourselves to him doing his general ed classes at community college(including getting that Algebra 2 in) and then transferring if he wants to.

OP, have you talked to your DD's guidance counselor to find out her options? Maybe there are some you are not aware of. I honestly don't think algebra should be required. Computer application classes are not required and that is a lot more useful to kids than algebra.

Oh and there is a poster on the boards by the name of damo who was nice enough to give me some tips when DS was stuck on some problems and how to do them. Maybe that's worth a try!



Marsha

 

[minkydog]

Geez - not a change in curriculums too...I know exactly what the problem is - the "Everyday Math" and "Connected Math" programs SUCK. Those types of crriculums should have been phased in at the lower grades - and not shoved on the H>S> students. (If you aren't doing those programs - it is probably something similar.) And - no matter HOW much training the teachers ahve had with it - if it is still failry new - they probably don't understand the concepts either. FWIW - I HATE those programs. Just hate them. And I LOVED math class growing up - even 3 semesters of calculus was OK and differential equations in college. My DD switched to one of these "circular" math programs in 4 or 5th grade. What a waste!!!

Now - beyond the curriculum - a pedicure will do wonders for both of you. And honestly - I think you need one just as bad as she does!!!

I think it *is* Everyday Math and I know for a fact that teachers hate it. It was shoved down their throats and it's apparently a completely new way of doing math. Not that I would understand it. If I were in school today I know I would be diagnosed with a math disability(and DS23 was diagnosed with math LD, too.) So, she gets ZERO help from me other than transportation to and from tutoring.

Yes, we do love our pedis. We call it Girls Day Out and it consists of her driving the Jeep to the mall (woo-hoo!), shopping, looking at shoes, getting the pedi, and eating an ice cream cone or Chinese food. It takes about 2-3 hours, very therapeutic.

Did I mention that part of my house fell off last week and landed on my precious Jeep? Tore up the rag top and bent the fender. Yeah, about $2500 worth. I am ready for this summer to be over.

 

[quentina]

UGH!! So sorry that your Dd has to go thru this. Just a thought, but for someone who isn't necessarily a math person, taking Algebra II in a condensed time frame (meaing a semester long class) or online may not be the best thing for her. A year long class may work better for her (not sure if that is an option where you live. I know in our school district, they do split up Algebra I into two years for kids who need to take it a little more slowly). Online classes, for someone struggling with a concept like Algebra, may not be the best learning experience.

If theatre/dance is her intended major in college, A & P could easily be dropped (since I'm assuming it's an elective) to accomodate the mandatory math classes.

Good luck!

I agree....math and online don't mix well. I think a regular semester, in the classroom, would be best.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

Just a hug for you and your daughter ...