Public school

[wdwfan16]

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.

I hate to say it but if your DD cannot pass a class after taking it two times and with 3 tutors she will never pass it. What other math can she take to get her HS degree?

The school does not make the schedule around your daughter. Why should all the kids who passed Algebra 2 have to wait an entire semester to take Algebra 3 just so you DD can take Algebra 2 again?

If there is not teacher available then the school can't offer the course.



How is she going to get 4 maths when she only has one now and and two more semesters to go?

What will she do if she needs a math class in college?

I would pull her and homeschool her, even with losing the choir. Graduating is far more important than choir.


When did algebra go from a year class to three classes. We had to take algebra, geometry and trig to graduate. Calculus was offered and many took that too.

 

[HamTown]

Each state has different laws regarding home schooled students participating in extra-curricular activities. In VA, non-enrolled students may not participate. It may be that some districts allow it, but the State says "no".

Wishing on a star

As the parent of a child with an outside, reputable, diagnosis of a learning disability... my son will never walk back into our local public school system.

I realize that some schools are better than others, but I would think that with all the benefits and resources mandated by law for students with a true learning disability diagnosis that a public school would be the best option for educating a child.

I understand you don't agree.

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't live in GA, but this is simply wrong. You are entitled to take classes at a public school if you live in that district. There are hoops you have to jump through (NOT a doctor's note), but it CAN be done.

Not in all states. If you look, you'll see that the Federal courts have repeatedly rejected the argument that refusing to allow part-time enrollment or access to school-based teams and clubs violates Federal due process. They have remanded the issue to the states, therefore state law determines whether or not there is mandated access. At this time, in Georgia, the answer is that there is not.

Also, in regard to the testing issue, there is every possibility that the district has a waiting list for testing, and that is acceptable under federal law.

 

[arminnie]

I don't see how you think things would be different in a private school - there she would also be responsible for passing the classes needed to graduate and they would not be able to create a teacher's schedule that fits your daughter, but not anyone else in the senior class.

A good friend of mine teaches at an excellent private school. I asked her how often she fails a student. She laughed and said "No, no - we don't fail students. We are paid to make sure they pass." Sure they fail if they put in no effort - but the school will do whatever it takes to make sure the student passes. Way more effort and commitment than most public schools.

 

[Holly]

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.

Call the school immediately and schedule a PPT. Then type out a letter to the school documenting your PPT request and also telling them that they may consider the letter your permission to begin testing as soon as possible.

If there are concerns of LD, why hasn't she been tested? I don't think "eventually" is good enough when she's in danger of not graduating on time. The fact that she has taken it twice and had three different tutors and an online course is a good indicator that she may not have the ability to pass it as a regular ed course.

Then make a list and document everything that you have mentioned in this thread to bring with you to the meeting.

Since her advisor seems unconcerned about the possibility she may not graduate with her class I'd advise you be aggressive about this.

I don't blame you at all for being upset. Public schools are hit or miss. I'm lucky that my kids go to a great one but my sister's kids go to a school two towns over that is nothing but a three ring circus.

 

[leighe]

A good friend of mine teaches at an excellent private school. I asked her how often she fails a student. She laughed and said "No, no - we don't fail students. We are paid to make sure they pass." Sure they fail if they put in no effort - but the school will do whatever it takes to make sure the student passes. Way more effort and commitment than most public schools.

That is nether accurate nor fair. The public schools are expected to be all things to all kids - which any sane person knows isn't possible. However, many school policies are actually the result of state or federal laws passed by people who know nothing about true education or teaching. Private schools are not only able to be selective about their students, but also in some cases about which mandates they will comply with (standardized state testing, for example).

 

[Christine]

My experience with public schools wasn't great. I have found that for some students, the public schools in my area do a pretty darned phenomenal job. This is with the gifted students, the better than average students, and the students who have been diagnosed with something.

If you are just middle of the road, have some struggles, etc., you fall through the cracks. They are so busy cow-towing to the kids that have learning plans in place and kids that are shining stars, that the kids that need a little extra help and attention don't get it because the public school system is just overburdened.

I did move my daughter out of public school for this very reason. She is a VERY average student who struggles with math. I'm not saying that private school was the cure-all for this but, when I needed to talk to someone at the private school, they listened and didn't seem like they were bored out of their minds. If they did disagree with how I thought something needed to go, they clearly spelled out their reasoning and we were always able to compromise.

My regret is that I didn't push hard enough to investigate what learning disability my daughter probably has and then have the backup to get her what she needed. That's something I'll probably always kick myself over. But it all wore me down and I didn't know where to go.

I don't knock the public schools here, though, because I've seen them do really right by some kids but those kids usually fall into the categories above.

The best thing you can do for your daughter is get that suspected learning disability evaluated.

 

[dis75ney]

OP, is it possible that your DD might just have the worst luck in the world when it comes to math teachers?

My story: I am HORRIBLE at math. Absolutely stink at it. To me, math is and always has been the spawn of the devil. Yes, I'm that bad. And I have been tested for LD, and am dyslexic.

I took math classes every semester of my high school career and managed to scrape a "C" in three semesters, which was the requirement for my high school to graduate. I failed every other class I took, which did wonders for my GPA. sad2. My high school math teachers did whatever they could to help me pass, but I couldn't get the concepts for the life of me. My dad is a spare-time mathemetician and even he couldn't get through to me.

Fast forward to college. I had to take a remedial math class, which I expected and dreaded, as it would ruin the 4.0 GPA I had going at the time. The professor was HORRIBLE. She spent an entire three hour class period working on one problem because "the answer didn't look right." Even I was able to get the right answer on this problem. I "fired" her on the spot and headed to the math lab for assistance, where I was told that remedial math was "below their standards." Um, excuse me??? You dolts are PAID to help us math morons pass our classes! If you can help someone pass calculus, you can certainly help me with 2+X=5!

So I went to my husband, who was the only other person I knew that was good at math, and begged him for his help in exchange for a weekly visit to our neighborhood greasy spoon/hot dog shack. DH was the one person who could get these darned concepts through my thick math-hating skull. I started bringing DH to the math lab with me so I could get my hours in, but DH was my tutor. I don't know what it was about his style of teaching, but he did it. He got me through my remedial math class with an "A"! He even tutored me when I changed schools and had to take a math placement test (because the remedial class didn't transfer, which I knew going in), and I managed to pass out of college algebra and was "placed" in Trigonometry! Not that I would ever take it, but still! No more math classes for me EVER!!!

So my eventual point is that maybe it's not your daughter, although from what you have said, it is quite possible that there is a learning disability of some sort. Perhaps the teachers and tutors she had weren't the right fit for her...

I hope everything works out for her!

 

[LuvOrlando]

The most obvious point is the fact that the classes, Algebra 1, 2 & 3, are numbered. I don't see how anyone can argue around that fact. I find it alarming that we have laws like "No child left behind" and a nationwide initiative to tackle American kids' inadequate Math skills yet, in the same breath we have educators trying to justify stuff like this. I had this happen to 2 of my neighbors kids but thought it was just a freak mistake, guess it wasn't. Mind boggling. Just thinking of the millions of dollars dumped into studies on why US kids suffer with Math skills when this goes on without so much as a hiccup in the news is absurd.

Good luck OP, I know you are a seasoned child advocate so I know you are up to the job. Still, it would be nice if kids didn't need it so much.

PS, CUNY has an excellent program called SEEK that might be of interest to you.

 

[AllyCatTapia]

Her school actually only requires 3 maths to graduate. However the Georgia university system requires 4 maths for admission, .

I hate to say it, but those systems are made like that for a reason-- not everyone CAN pass 4 maths and not everyone should go into the state school system. Perhaps community college is in order here. They are often smaller classes and she can pass it there THEN move on. That's life sometimes.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

OP, I'm sorry this is happening to your daughter. However, don't blame her teachers for this mistake. This mistake was made in the school office, not in the classroom. The teacher's are given their schedule/students - they don't make them up themselves. This is how it is done in PA at least.

I am not very good in math. I failed a math class in college and when I retook it, I got a B. Although I wasn't crazy about my professor the first time, it wasn't his fault that I failed - it was mine.

As far as your daughter having a LD, I would contact the head of the special education department to see if she can be tested. It is an injustice to her if she does indeed have a LD and is not receiving services.

I don't remember which PP said about her friend teaching in a private school and that they are 'paid to pass the students' - that thought truly scares me. Teachers are paid to help the students, not just to push them through because it is 'their job'. I don't care if the child attends public or private school, if there is a reason to hold that child back, they should be allowed to do so.

It does bother me that so many posters just paint public schools with the same terrible brush. Not all schools are that way. My dad and my sister both teach in public schools - my dad in a rich district and my sister in an inner-city district. They both care very much about their students. I know that whatever they would recommend to the parent's would be in the students' best interest.

 

[richmond282]

In VA, non-enrolled students may not participate. It may be that some districts allow it, but the State says "no".

This is NOT true. I teach in VA and have taught home-schooled students who were enrolled in my band classes. They came to school for 1 class period to participate in the marching and concert band.

 

[ksjayhawks]

When did algebra go from a year class to three classes. We had to take algebra, geometry and trig to graduate. Calculus was offered and many took that too.

Many schools offer a year of each of the followoing:

Algebra 1
Algebra 2
Algebra 3

In our district, Algebra 3 is a repeat of Algebra 1 and 2 with a few more algebra concepts added to it. It is for the student who cannot take and pass an advanced math class such as trig, precalculus, calculus, statistics, etc.

It helps strengthen the algebra concepts that students need to pass their college algebra class.

If OP's dd cannot pass algebra 2, she will probably struggle as well with algebra 3. I know OP wants her dd to go to university upon graduation, but perhaps she and dd need to look at other options--such as community college for two years. This may change the requirements that she needs for graduation and help her to graduate on time. If she cannot graduate on time, many districts offer programs that seniors can take the summer after their senior year to finish their requirements.

It sounds like OP has tried everything--regular classes, tutors, online (which I think are hard for the average student, let alone one who struggles). Her dd may just be one of those students who cannot do higher level math and I have had several of them in my teaching career.

I would work the system to get dd tested for learning disabilities and the help that comes with it--I guess I have to ask why this has not been done before? Set up another meeting with the gc and perhaps the principal to discuss your concerns and see what can be done to assist your daughter. Take careful notes and be very calm and polite in your interactions, yet firm so that they know you mean business. Good luck!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I don't remember which PP said about her friend teaching in a private school and that they are 'paid to pass the students' - that thought truly scares me. Teachers are paid to help the students, not just to push them through because it is 'their job'. I don't care if the child attends public or private school, if there is a reason to hold that child back, they should be allowed to do so.

I did not interpret her post in the same way you did. I read it to mean that the teacher would find a way to teach the child to the point where they understood the material enough to pass. Not that they were giving grades based on bribery or social promotion. I could be wrong, but I assumed it meant they were paid to pass the students as in "paid to teach the students the academic content to a mastery level...for all students".

OP, good luck getting her schedule sorted out, and I hope the algebra "clicks" for your DD this year.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I did not interpret her post in the same way you did. I read it to mean that the teacher would find a way to teach the child to the point where they understood the material enough to pass. Not that they were giving grades based on bribery or social promotion. I could be wrong, but I assumed it meant they were paid to pass the students as in "paid to teach the students the academic content to a mastery level...for all students".

I could have very well have misunderstood her post...didn't have enough sleep last night! LOL!

 

[Tinijocaro]

This is NOT true. I teach in VA and have taught home-schooled students who were enrolled in my band classes. They came to school for 1 class period to participate in the marching and concert band.

How do trumpet players greet each other?
"Hi, I'm better than you!"

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Well clearly if the school can't do simply math then how do they expect to teach your child? Not all schools are like that but I would be very annoyed too. Why would she take a higher level class if she couldn't pass the lower level one? That is pretty stupid if you ask me.

 

[Sparx]

Minky,

I took pre algebra, algebra one, algbra two, geometry, and trig in high school (in that order) . Trig was definitely my favorite. From what I remember it was a different *kind* of math and much easier for me. Especially right-angle trig. I'd be a math major right now if all I had to do was do right angle trig all day long.

If she cannot pass algebra 2, the likelyhood of a successful algebra 3 class (so close to graduation!) is slim. Is there any way she could take geometry or trig instead of alebra 2/3?

 

[MoniqueU]

I was just ranting on another board bout the priorities in public schools. I have a son in a private high school that will be a senior this year. He had to retake spanish both years in summer school and this year chemistry. Had he been in public I am sure it would of been exactly the same only they only let you retake it if you have an F. So his GPA isn't all that bad and I don't believe he in a HUGE public high school would of made it this far.

My rant was about our jr high that has a ton of plasma tvs, dance dance revolution machines, two sets of textbooks one for class one for home and if I understood my daughter correctly 4 computer labs of which the one she was a TA in wasnt getting used. Anyway they have twice as many applicants for the 8th grade spanish course as they have teachers for. This is not new yet they have not hired another spanish teacher to serve the rest of the kids. So I wont know til schedule day if she got in or not. My other rant is my oldest daughter tested and got in for gate, my oldest son failed the test but got in on teacher reccomentations. My yougest daughter that got the same grades and presedntial award as her sister that passed the gate test may not be put in honors classes. The gate kids no matter their grades get those spots. I have been to nearly every award ceremony at the school and the higher the grade the less kids make high honors. The gate class this year that my youngest wasnt in didn't have any more high honors students then my daughters non gate class, so I guees their grades dont reflect their resting but they will get an advnced class my daughter won't.

It doesnt work like that at my sons private school, it is all merrit based and he screwd off and lost his spot but tough for him, however my youngest daughter busts her *** and isn't going to be challenged.

If I could put both my girls in the same private school my son is in I would. But they dont have water polo which my oldest dd plays and my dh thinks is more important then anything.

So my advice is see about a private school if it is an option.

 

[simba20]

I hate to say it, but those systems are made like that for a reason-- not everyone CAN pass 4 maths and not everyone should go into the state school system. Perhaps community college is in order here. They are often smaller classes and she can pass it there THEN move on. That's life sometimes.

Living in GA, and graduating from a GA PUBLIC high school, and having a MIL who works for the University System Board of Regents, I can say that all colleges in the state of GA are on the same level, whether it's a small school like West Georgia or a larger school like GA Tech, all colleges have the same entrance requirements -- i.e courses taken in high school (not SAT scores and the like).

I am not sure if the state has done away with it, but I know that last year (or maybe the year before) high school's still had two diploma tracks that students could use to be on and fulfill high school credits -- one was a vocataonal track and the other was college prep. I know there was talk of having all schools go to college prep and doing away with "lesser" tracks, but I don't know if that has happened yet.