Son struggling in advanced math class - need feedback

January 3, 2011

FIRST - Sorry this is so long! If you're interested in providing feedback, I

suggest you get comfortable before attempting to read =)

My son is 14 and in his Freshman year of high school. He's taking one pre-AP

(advanced placement) course this year in Algebra. This means the subject matter

moves along more quickly and requires more in depth understanding of the

material. Dylan's most favorite subject is science but there was summer work to

complete if he went pre-AP biology so he chose pre-AP algebra, instead. This was

a typical reaction of D's - he doesn't like to do extra/harder/more advanced

work if it requires more time/effort on his end. He took a pre-AP course b/c he

thinks he's smart enough to have at least one on his schedule.

Fast forward to the end of the first semester and Dylan failed the semester with

a 68. He passed each of the six weeks, but failed the semester exam which

brought his grade below passing. He will be on probation for the 4th six weeks

period and if he fails it, it will be up to the principal and myself if he

should be removed from pre-AP algebra and placed in a regular education algebra

class. I'm clarifying a few things tomorrow with the school like what happens if

he passes the 2nd semester and pulls his overall grade to passing? Will he

receive a full credit for the year (right now his report card shows he didn't

receive a 1/2 credit for the first semester since he failed.)

So...my dilemna. My mom (who's retired) has been helping him w/ much of his

homework and she had a meeting (with my blessing) with the math teacher and

Dylan's SCORES teacher (autism program at school that provides support to D).

My mom and his pre-AP math teacher thinks he should move to regular ed now. The

kicker is that my son is adamant about not quitting. We got him a tutor at the

end of the semester and that will continue on a more regular basis from here on

out. He thinks between the tutor's help and his better understanding of what it

will take to pass the class, he can pass it and he wants to try. This is HUGE

for him. He usually takes the path of least resistance so for him to want to

try, I've decided to support his decision. The ramifications if he continues

but doesn't pass include summer school, minimally. I'm not clear what else

might happen. I think he would make better grades in the regular education math

class. I think it would be easier. I think it would require less homework

after school, something that takes him 2+ hours on most nights (just for math,

not including other subjects.) But he wants to keep trying and I feel like I

have to support his decision. Regardless of the outcome, I want him to know

that 1) I'll support his decision and 2) I believe in him. If he ends up failing

for the year, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I'm getting hung up on

how much I should influence him to change his mind. My mom thinks I'm wrong. His

math teacher thinks I'm wrong. My dad understands my position. Can I get your

thoughts?

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