Is your child only being allowed to take certain math courses, based on their prior performance in other math classes? Could this be happening without your knowledge?
In a word, yes. Many elementary and middle schoolers are being routed through math courses based on ho
w they did in previous classes, and parents may not necessarily be involved in this process. Such “math tracking” is becoming more routine in American schools, according to a 2013 report by the Brookings Institute, and sometimes parents will only know its happening if they notice their child is really bored or otherwise struggling in their math courses.
A recent GreatSchools report echoes this advice — read it here to get information about how to prevent “math misplacement” — the possibility that such math tracking can lead your child to taking math courses that won’t set them up for success in the long-term.
Resources
Kelmon, J. (march 2016). “Is Your Child Being Tracked at Math?”. GreatSchools. Accessed October 10, 2016 at http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/algebra-middle-school-math-track/
Loveless, T. (March 2013). “The Resurgence Of Ability Grouping And Persistence Of Tracking”. The Brookings Institution. Accessed October 10, 2016 at https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-resurgence-of-ability-grouping-and-persistence-of-tracking/