"New Math" curriculum at Berkeley High - good preparation for college?
My daughter just finished her freshman year at BHS, did not place in advanced Math 1. She's no math genius, but she is a very strong student, does not struggle at all in math. In fact, Math 1 was a total joke, and she finished with 99%. She took some kind of placement test for advanced math 2, and has not heard anything, so it looks like she'll be tracked for regular math at Berkeley High. She is trying to calm my nerves, telling me that she'll still take calculus her senior year. My concern is that this new math curriculum totally sucks, and will be horrible preparation for college, should she decide to keep taking some math classes. Additionally, I keep hearing from other parents, that "colleges want to see you taking the most challenging curriculum at your school".
Now, if she's not in the advanced math track because of this lame system at BHS, this is clearly putting her at a disadvantage wrt college admission. Also, there doesn't seem to be any other advanced classes in the sophomore year, except chemistry AP. I've been told that's that hardest class at BHS, and no, she is not going for the sciences. I really appreciate any feedback and perspective. Thank you!
frazzled parent
Parent Replies
My daughter took a summer class at BCC and tested into a higher math class. My suggestion is to stop focusing so much on these things. I too worried about my daughter's curriculum and getting into college to the point it caused her a lot of anxiety. When I finally backed off, she was a much happier girl. Isn't it more important to have a happy child than a super stressed student? Next summer have her take a class at BCC and relax and let her enjoy her time as a teenager.
I agree, the math department at BHS totally sucks. My daughter (a rising BHS senior) has always excelled at math. But she needed a tutor for the duration of her junior year in order to improve her ACT scores.
Overall, I've liked BHS, but I haven't liked their math curriculum. Try getting her a tutor, signing her up for classes at community college, or getting her engaged some other way.
Two things: 1. CALM down! Your anxiety (your daughter is telling you not to worry) is not good for your daughter. You don't want her to spend 4 years of high school just thinking about college. That would be awful. She will get into college. If she does interesting things, and writes about them compellingly, colleges will value them. Passion 'is more important than which math class she takes. the UC's just care about GPA anyway but private schools actually read the essays. 2. If your daughter wants to take the advanced class- you 2 can go see the math VP (not sure who that is- used to be Erin but she's the principal now/ call the front desk during the first week of school and ask who that is) and her counselor and protest her placement. Show them her 99% score and insist (nicely) they change her class. I think any parent can insist their child takes a different class- but she can't drop out once she's been changed.
Dear Frazzled Parent,
Some thoughts: --Celebrate your daughter's 99%. The math curriculum at BHS has changed in the last two years which makes success in it hard to compare to the experience of older children. It covers a lot of good stuff and if your daughter is learning it well and is understanding the ideas and implementing them well and feels good about it then it should be a source of excitement. --It seems important to be aware that there is a gap between advanced math and regular math in the sense that there are students who have struggled to succeed in advanced math (i.e. F, D, C grades) who have switched classes and exhibit complete mastery in regular math. Everyone is entitled and should welcome a challenge and I don't mean to suggest that your daughter wouldn't succeed and love the advanced class. That said, I know families that would describe themselves as you have who have had a damaging experience in advanced math. And the combined experience of frustration, low grades (even with private tutors), and stress from parents in math is not a recipe for a lifelong curiosity and comfort for quantitative things. --She will know where she is going to college before she takes the Calculus AP test her senior year. --I'd echo the thoughts about reducing anxiety about this. Easier said then done of course. It sounds like you have strong beliefs about what needs to happen for your daughter to get into a school you think she should get into; it might help to figure out where that came from and whether it is based on accurate information. --I too have lost track of this at various times and I've found it helpful to remind myself that the finish line is not having my children get into well respected schools. All in all, I'd say in this case, your daughter has a pretty good point. Good luck.
As long as your daughter takes Calc AB or AP Stats senior year, she'll be fine in terms of college admission. The new curriculum covers the topics in a different order than the old curriculum, but all the essential topics for Calc AB and AP Stat are covered. Some things in the new curriculum like Transformational Geometry and the emphasis on functions are better preparation for Calculus than the old progression. Unless she does math for recreation, and/or is interested in science/engineering the honors track doesn't make a lot of sense. Many students in the old "regular" track were admitted to highly competitive colleges and this will be the same for students in the new "regular" track. In terms of ACT/SAT she can always take the pre-test and see if she'll need to take a tutorial course. In general, students who do well in their math classes, and have a good reading skills and a good memory don't need that.