Alex is good at math. When he was being homeschooled for second grade, I taught him to solve two equations in two variables. (I'd give him a word problem. He could set it up independently, and then needed a little help isolating one variable. Once that was done, he could solve for both variables on his own.) He has spent most of his math classes this year in the hall -- he would do well enough on the pretests, usually, that his teacher would send him out to work ahead.
So we were surprised when she was unenthusiastic about the spring placement test. He had a chance to test into pre-algebra, but she was not encouraging. No student from his school had ever passed the test. She didn't know what it covered. Maybe she could email the coordinator, she said, or maybe we should call the middle school. She never emailed and the school was similarly unhelpful. Alex took the test in early May, but we didn't know what to expect.
The results came in today's mail. He passed!
Congrats to Alex!
grr on the non-helpful school/teacher. Not helpful at all.
may it be a step toward more challenging math!
Posted by: Tracy | May 27, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Hurrah!
It can be as challenging having a gifted student as having a struggling one, I think.
Are you still considering the private school option for next year? Perhaps they will be more able to assist him?
Posted by: Sarah | May 27, 2008 at 06:02 PM
We decided, with some reservations, to send him to public school next year. He pleaded and pleaded to go with his friends. One factor in our decision was that our parish school has no gifted program -- it's all up to the teachers, if they choose to add enrichment activities. In the public schools, he's got some access to gifted services. Our elementary school experience has not been promising on that front, but perhaps junior high will be better. If not, there's always homeschooling.
Posted by: CJ | May 27, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Huzzah, huzzah! Go "Alex"!! And CJ, all mothers of math nerds everywhere salute you! (But don't tell him I said he was a nerd -- maybe wizard would be better?!
Posted by: Salome Ellen | May 27, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Congrats! Bravo!
Posted by: Jody | May 27, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Hooray! Hooray!
Posted by: gina | May 28, 2008 at 10:06 AM
That's fantastic! And what a strange response from the teacher. I'd be bending over backwards to help a student of mine in that situation.
Posted by: Pippi | May 28, 2008 at 11:21 AM