Moving out of Algebra I
The decision to drop from Algebra I is important. The information below is meant to help families as they face this decision.
First let’s talk credit:
As you are aware, your student is currently taking Algebra I. Since this is a high school credit course, students receive 0.5 credit for the first semester of Algebra I and 0.5 credit for the second semester of Algebra I. To earn credit for each semester, a student must have an overall semester grade of 70% or higher. An additional way of earning credit for Algebra I is through grade averaging. Essentially, if a student failed one of the semesters of Algebra I but passed the other semester in a way where the overall average for the whole year was above a 70%, the student would earn the 1.0 credit for Algebra I.
Next let’s talk PACE track in high school:
A student who continues on the accelerated track in high school will have the following sequence:
9th: Advanced Geometry or Regular Geometry
10th: Advanced Alg II or Regular Alg II
11th: Advanced Pre-Calc or Regular Pre-Calc
12th: AP Calculus (or AP Statistics)
While it is an option for a student to end their math courses after their 11th grade year with four credits in high school math, this is not recommended by LISD or most colleges. We advise taking a math all four years of high school.
Next let’s talk about decelerating:
I’d really reflect on this decision as a family and make sure you make it with as much information as possible. Something you may want to reflect on is how your student did in prior math classes. In other words, are there gaps in her learning which is making Algebra I difficult for your student? While your family ultimately can make the decision to stay or move back to Math 8, I would make sure to get as much information and include the teacher in the dialogue as well.
Timing of the deceleration:
If a student does not have huge gaps in the 8th grade material, the timing of the drop back to Math 8 is not a concern. In other words, if a child has shown mastery of the content for the first 12 weeks of Math 8, then there is no hurry to move that student to Math 8 as the material is a repeat. In this case, we might as well allow the student every opportunity to stay in Algebra I. I usually suggest that the student stick with Algebra I as long as possible assuming a few things: (1) It isn’t completely wrecking the students overall world (including UIL eligibility), (2) greater gaps in learning are not being created, and (3) other classes are not being adversely affected.
If the environment is good, I suggest making the decision to stay in Algebra I or drop to Math 8 prior to the end of the first semester. That way your student will not have earned the 0.5 credit and can take Algebra I at VHS for original credit for both semesters. If your student stays all the way through the semester and then drops, their grade will be reflected on their high school transcript even after the course is retaken in high school. If the family is absolutely certain, dropping just before the semester makes certain that the student has a clean slate to take the course again at VHS. This is one option in timing. There are other ways to look at this as well and each decision will be unique for each child’s individual circumstances.
If my student receives credit for Algebra I, can he/she take Algebra I again at VHS?
Some families decide to wait the whole year in Algebra I. Then, with a full year under the belt as well as the End of Course exam, the family can decide if they want the student to take Algebra I again at VHS and decelerate at that time. This is a conversation you would need to have with your child's VHS counselor.