Public school

[minkydog]

I know this is a hot topic, but honestly, my daughter's HS is just driving me crazy. Some of you know that DD17, now a senior, has struggled mightily with Algebra 2. She has literally been taking it for an entire 12 months and cannot seem to pass it. This is despite having 3 different tutors, including her own teacher. Two weeks ago, after withdrawing her from her second online course (both of which were suggested by the guidance counselor who now vehemetly denies it), I met with her GC. We agreed that DD will retake the Alg 2 yet again in a limited classroom where she can get extra help every day. And she will eventually be tested for LD. She still has to take Algebra 3.

Okay, yesterday was senior advisement where they get their schedules. In her schedule she is slated for Algebra 3 FIRST semester, followed by Algebra 2 SECOND semester. Her GCs response: "Well, we've lost 15 teachers this year and some courses had to be changed." Um, okay. Are NONE of the remaining teachers capable of looking at this schedule and seeing that IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE? What is wrong with these people? The GC offered to "try to get this fixed,but there's no guarantee." Are you kidding me? DD is in serious jeopardy of not graduating on time! GCs respond: "Well, then she might not graduate on time. Sorry."

THESE PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS. I hate public schools.

 

[freckles and boo]

I think it is very unfair to paint all public schools with a broad brush because your daughter struggles with algebra.

 

[kamik86]

As much as I understand your frustration I understand why the school can't fix this. My high school lost one of its 2 history teachers for my senior year and didn't have the money to hire anyone. One teacher could only handle half the grades so the juniors and seniors were being taught my English teachers with history minors... who had never taught history.

For your situation it would have been even worse since we had so few teachers you had to take algebra 1 your first year, then geometry, then algebra 2, then trig. No other options were offered. If you failed you took it in summer school. If you failed again you got kicked out to the other school nearby (mine was a vocation school, the other was normal and had more options for schedules).

Maybe your in a much bigger school but what I'm thinking is this: I"m guessing that its offered so that Algebra 1 is to be taken in the first semester then Algebra 2 in spring semester, Algebra 3 is also offered in fall as most students would take it the next semester after 2.

So the only students who may need Algebra 2 and even be eligible to take it in fall are those that failed it last year. That may not be a full class of students! meanwhile Algebra 1 and 3 which MANY students need may need all the teachers to have enough classes for everyone to fit it in. So they really may not be able to offer Algebra 2 the first semester not without having a very small class and additional teacher which is REALLY cost prohibitive if it will only effect a few students.

This is not only a problem in high school it gets more common with scheduling in college especially at small schools or small programs in schools. I had classes where failing them would guarantee that the student would graduate a year later, even if you only failed once, because they were only offered once a year and were in the middle of a sequence.

I may get flamed for this and its probably insensitive, however if a student has to work on a subject for 2 years and its one of the ones deemed necessary for a high school diploma I wouldn't expect them to graduate on time.

 

[Kathi OD]

Someone made a mistake. Clearly you can't pass Alg.3 if you didn't pass Alg.2. Why she would need Alg. 3 though is beyond me.

I'm sure that the classes she chose, along with every other students' choices were just entered into a computer, and the computer made the schedules based on classes the classes available. In most cases, this works out just fine and there are no conflicts. I'll bet a human never even looked at the schedule before it was sent out.

That being said,since school hasn't started yet, it shouldn't be difficult for them to make the adjustment to DD's schedule regardless of how many teachers the school has lost, unless they are only offering each class for that specific semester. (also a big problem with block scheduling)

As the PP stated, it's really not fair to paint all public schools with the same brush based on your own personal experiences. My own children attended both private and public schools. Based on the individual school, some were better than others, but whether they were private or public really didn't have anything to do with it. It was the quality and dedication of the administration that made all the difference.

 

[SpecialK]

At most high schools, student schedules are created by a computer program that is supposed to create the optimum use of classrooms and teachers. Because of your daughter's history with this subject, if the GC will not accomodate her, I would ask to speak to the director of the counseling office. Sometimes counselors are not the best informed, and sometimes they're overwhelmed by the number of students that they are assigned.

 

[ccgirl]

OP - I am in the minority but I am with you. That is why my DD goes to private school. It is a very small school, one class per grade. Parents have a very large say in what goes on (if they want to).

Good luck with your DD.

 

[golfgal]

This isn't a "public school" problem, this is a your school problem. Our son had numerous schedule changes all last year because one class kept messing up his schedule. The GC was fantastic and bent over backwards to get things so they worked for DS.

I would check to see if there is a way to get your DD exempted from having to take Algebra 3. Clearly there is a LD here and I know in our state if you have attempted to pass a class enough times the school can apply for a variance so you can graduate. Even if she starts the LD testing right now, she won't have any resolution until at least the end of 1st quarter which will further mess up her schedule. If the GC can't help, see if another one can or move up the line to the principal.

edit: The schedule actually DOES make sense if they are short on teachers since mostly seniors will be taking Alg 3 and if any graduate early they can get that credit in-then the juniors taking Alg 2 can still take it in the spring.

 

[Robinrs]

As the PP stated, it's really not fair to paint all public schools with the same brush based on your own personal experiences. My own children attended both private and public schools. Based on the individual school, some were better than others, but whether they were private or public really didn't have anything to do with it. It was the quality and dedication of the administration that made all the difference.

My family has gone to a mix also, and the SCHOOL and the admin matters way more than the public v the private. I've dealt with private schools that cared more about the mighty dollar than education and I've dealt with public schools whose dedication to the student was unbelievable.

I am the graduate of public school... and I have two college degrees and have been in my business for 30 years. The broad brush may be a reaction to what you're going through but it's not exclusive to how the school is funded.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

At most high schools, student schedules are created by a computer program that is supposed to create the optimum use of classrooms and teachers.

These computer programs should be able to prevent a student from taking a class if he or she did not pass the prerequisite.

Either this district does not have software that is capable of doing that, or they don't know how to set it up correctly.

Or maybe they do their scheduling by hand.

 

[minkydog]

Someone made a mistake. Clearly you can't pass Alg.3 if you didn't pass Alg.2. Why she would need Alg. 3 though is beyond me.

As the PP stated, it's really not fair to paint all public schools with the same brush based on your own personal experiences. My own children attended both private and public schools. Based on the individual school, some were better than others, but whether they were private or public really didn't have anything to do with it. It was the quality and dedication of the administration that made all the difference.

Her school actually only requires 3 maths to graduate. However the Georgia university system requires 4 maths for admission, usually taken one class per year. So she has to pass all 4 or they won't even consider her. We can't afford out of state or private college tuition, so she's limited to in state schools.

We have had our 3 kids in public, private, and homeschool. Two of the kids have learning disabilities, DS23 has severe LD in math and DS15 is profoundly mentally handicapped. So we are very well schooled in how this works. Many, many of our interactions with the local public schools have been negative. When DS23 was in school his special ed advisor actually told him, in my presence, that he should just quit school and get a job. In my presence, she told him that he was not college material and he would never be successful. Unbelieveable! I have never hated anyone, but I hate that woman.

We live in the metro Atlanta area. Our county has great schools. Our kids have attended 3 different elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. Not every school has been bad, but we have had some bad experiences with each child. I think I have a right to my opinion.

 

[punkin]

I've had children in public schools and in private schools. The bottom line is that schools suck. If you want individualized attention and someone who cares and understands....homeschool!

Unfortunately, my children love the social aspects of school, so we deal with it.

 

[DebD4T]

Sorry to hear your DD is struggling and also having problems with scheduling.

I am just going to offer
since I do not want to be around when the "public vs private school" debate starts up.

 

[bored]

I've had children in public schools and in private schools. The bottom line is that schools suck. If you want individualized attention and someone who cares and understands....homeschool!

Unfortunately, my children love the social aspects of school, so we deal with it.

I absolutely agree with this entire post!

 

[jrmasm]

These computer programs should be able to prevent a student from taking a class if he or she did not pass the prerequisite.

Either this district does not have software that is capable of doing that, or they don't know how to set it up correctly.

Or maybe they do their scheduling by hand.

It sounds like her classes were entered with the assumption that she would pass Alg 2. Class selections are done way in advance.

Two weeks ago, after withdrawing her from her second online course

OP, sounds like the GC is an idiot or having a bad day.

 

[minkydog]

I've had children in public schools and in private schools. The bottom line is that schools suck. If you want individualized attention and someone who cares and understands....homeschool!

Unfortunately, my children love the social aspects of school, so we deal with it.

If our school system would allow her to participate in her show choir, I'd homeschool her in a minute. We homeschooled her very successfully until 5th grade when DH got sick.

OP, sounds like the GC is an idiot or having a bad day.

Seriously. This is the same idiot GC who had DS23. I am SERIOUSLY hoping that DS15 doesn't move up to this school next year.

 

[laurafergie]

I could write a book about personnel in schools issues - public and private. There is no difference when you run across a person who is either overwhelmed with their job or doesn't care about their job. Things just don't get done.

The High Schools say that they won't fix scheduling issues mainly to keep the kids away that want to change class to be with their BFF or that they hate that teacher or some other ridiculous reason - NOT because legitimate reasons such as this.

OP - Please make an appointment asap with the HEAD of Guidance. Call and follow up via email outlining the problem. Keep your tone pleasant and "we can fix this if we work together". This meeting should fix her scheduling problem. If you still have issues - follow up to the Principal. You now have email communication to back you up.

Now for as PSA - always start communications with your school regarding your child via email - you will always have a paper trail and people can't "forget" they said things as easily.

 

[NotUrsula]

Minkydog, does the school not have any other math classes she can take?

I just looked at the Georgia regents page, and it looks like though they require 4 units of math, it doesn't appear that they require the courses to be particular ones, though they do suggest emphasis on Alg 1 & 2, and also Geometry. Could she take something like a business math class to fulfill the 4th class requirement, instead of Algebra 3? (Not to mention that for anyone in a non-technical major, some understanding of business math is usually a much more useful thing than advanced algebra.)

The regents page also says that students can make up deficiencies in the 16 CPU requirements after admission, as long as they do it as part of their first 20 credits of college work. I think that if she has a diagnosed LD and there is evidence that she did try to complete the classes, at least some of the state schools would allow her in on a probationary status. Maybe not UGA or Ga. Tech, but based on what I read it doesn't look like she would be locked out completely over high school algebra.

Good luck to her anyway; I know you have experience with thinking outside the box, and I'm confident you'll find some kind of workable solution.

 

[punkin]

If our school system would allow her to participate in her show choir, I'd homeschool her in a minute. We homeschooled her very successfully until 5th grade when DH got sick.

Yeah and I have an 11 yo (going into 7th grade) who would kill me if I took her out of Orchestra, so we are stuck. I am also having problems with her math placement, but since she is not in danger of not graduating, I am simply sucking it up and looking at the bright side...lot's of friends, orchestra, etc.

 

[vettechick99]

I was in advanced math classes - took Algebra I in 8th grade when most kids were still in basic math. Even though I placed ahead, I struggled with Algebra I, II and Trig. I also had tutors but just couldn't grasp the concepts. I ended up failing Trig my Jr year. Thank GOD I was able to take it again my Sr year or I would have been in big trouble. Math is not an easy concept, so my first blame wouldn't be to the school. Sure that schedule doesn't make sense, but it's not their fault she's failing. Just like it wasn't my school's fault I failed.

ETA: their not her!!!

 

[creativeamanda]

If our school system would allow her to participate in her show choir, I'd homeschool her in a minute. We homeschooled her very successfully until 5th grade when DH got sick.

In our state, homeschooled children are allowed to participatei n extracurricular activities. Homeschooled children if they have a disability are not precluded from special education services provided by the schools.

Your child can be in show choir if she is homeschooled.

I think the guidance counselor is not doing the best she can, but at the same time, I can see how the computer would mess up the scheduling in that manner. At the same time, if your child has taken anf failed Algebra 2 that many times, it would stand to reason that she might have a difficult time in college.