Here in California as of 2004-05 they have required as far as Algebra1 to graduate, with the added math that is as good as that ( paraphrased) for two more years? They claim we need 2years of math to get a High School Diploma, but the colleges say 2 or 3 suggested. I read one place that said only one year , Algebra1 is actually required, now I am totally messed up! My ds16 wants to only take waht is required for some dumb reason next year in his senior year. Can you read my attitude? I would learn for ever, I took tons of extra classes in my senior year just for fun! He doesnt want to learn anything but what is required, that means he HAS to take History and English next year, and thats it. He could do SOS and do it all before Christmas if he wanted, or he could have fun with it, I mean seriously I am thinking he wants to go out to the Church school just to get away without having to work.. he does not have a clue as to what trouble there will be if he messes up there.
I am not homeschooling a high schooler yet, but I took Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry & Trig/Pre-cal in High School, but I liked math. A lot of it depends on what your ds wants to major in. If it's something like engineering than he needs to take more math. I majored in nursing originally and then switched to social work and psychology and I never had to take a math class in college. I tested out of math my freshman year. If it's not necessary for his major or college admission I wouldn't stress about it. just my opinion Julia
In NY you are only required to do two years of Math. In the ps for a regents dipolma you need to do three years. I think that is what most colleges look for, algebra, geometry and trigonometry (at least in some form). I know for sd we are doing Algebra 1, 2 ,Advanced Math and then Calculus and Consumer Math. If he is not planning on college he could just do a consumer math class. If he does not want to do one at home what about taking a math class at a community college?
I was going to mention a community college too. Although it would be nice if he did go above and beyond what is required for a diploma. But when I think about it, how many people do have to go through a junior college to get to where they need or want to be.
I'd check out Consumer Math or maybe an Accounting class. I had Alg 1 in 8th grade and then in HS, took Alg 2, Alg 3 (trig/pre-calc...Saxon calls it something else now), and then Calculus my sr year. Plus I took an acctg class because I was interested (I'm ended up getting my bachelors and masters in accounting). The only good thing about having had all the math...I took the AP Calc test and scored high enough to get college credit so I had ZERO math in college (except for Business statistics.....plus all my acctg classes). If his future plans don't include math related jobs, then I'd check the minimums req'd by his college picks (if he's headed that direction).
Coming from a math and science education my suggestions are: University Math/Science majors: 8th: Algebra I 9th: Geometry and Algebra II(full text) 10th: Trig(full text) 11th: Cal I and Intro the Statistics 12th Cal II and finish Statistics(take AP cal test and AP Statistics test) Non math/science majors: 9th: Algebra I 10th: Algebra II 11th: Algebra III 12th: Take a night College Algebra class at a community college.
I think it greatly depends on what your ds wants to do after graduation. If he plans to go to a vocational school, a junior college, or some other route that is not a four-year college, then he probably does not need the math. If you are homeschooling in California under a PSA then you get to set the graduation requirements, not the State. If he plans to go to Junior College, have you thought at all about graduating him at the end of this school year and letting him begin his college journey in the fall? I'm not sure how old he would have to be for a vocational school, but if that is the route you could check if they would accept a 16 year old. If he wants to go straight to a 4-year college/university then he should continue with math. My oldest is at a school of the arts and even though her major when she goes to college will be music, she has been told that universities like to see lots of math. I also think it keeps her options open to take a rigorous academic schedule. If you decide to let him take a very light senior year then I would highly recommend he volunteer somewhere at least a couple of days a week or gets a part-time job. My thought is that if he is not doing school full-time then he needs to contribute to the community or the house on a regular basis. -Cheryl dd-14(school of the arts) homeschooling ds-12 and ds-11
What kind of people take math for fun. Just kidding, I am not a math person and neither was my oldest. My second daughter is not interested in taking any more than she has to take. She got a little behind in math in the school she was attending so we began homeschooling. She is in 9th grade and is finishing up pre-Algebra. We will begin work right away on Algebra and over the summer she will do some work two or three days a week. I decided that after Algebra, she will take Geometry and then Consumer's Math. That will be a math class each year until graduation--three High School classes total. She is not looking to go into a field with a math requirement. My son, on the other hand, is more interested in math and I plan on him working on as much as he can before college. Personally, I think three years of math in High School is enough for someone who is not looking for a major with a lot of math. I would also highly recommend Consumer's Math for any student, either in Jr. High or High School. Most kids have no clue how things work in everyday business. Just my two cents.
okay well he has already had ALgebra1, Geometry and now is in Algebra2/calc/trig mixed in there. The teacher teaches at our local Community College as well as the high school he attends so he uses some BJU and some "packets" he has put together from some unknown source. When I read off his list of what he has learned just from the BJU course he has the same things my nephew will take in 11th grade next year that is Calc and Trig. So he may have enough but I would like to see him take the Consumer Math as well I told him so he can have a 'household business' type of knowledge as well. So many of us go into life not having a clue as to how to have a back account or invest or anything and I would like my kids all to know how to handle thier money so they don't end up as some of my relatives have. He plans to be 'something to do with computers' and or special effects person for movies. He does have a gifting in this area and has already done several short films for school projects that exceed the rest of the classes capabilities. The teachers at his school call on him to come fix thier computers when they mess it up, so that is an area he is knowledgeable in. Considering the two work together we are encouraging him in this area. He also wants to take Biblical studies as he feels 'God is leaning towards him being a Youth Pastor some day' as well. I can see how all of these can work together, in His time. So the more math is probably the better? IS that what I am reading for his plans?
If he is leaning towards a Computer Science major (and that includes animation/special effects) he is going to need a lot of math. It would help him to go ahead and take calculus next year because it will help him with the college calculus series. He'll probably have to do the whole series of calc classes and differential equations, plus statistics and probability.
k thanks! I will inform him.... that is what I was thinking too but other peoples info often helps to encourage them that its not just MOM talking hehe
Dh is working on his BS in Information Technology. He was required to take Calculus I, II and Discrete Math. The more math your son takes now the better off he will be if he is planning on going into computers.
I want to thank you all for your posts, you helped me explain to my son why he should take Math and Science courses next year as well. He thought on it a moment and said, youre right! SIgh, those words don't come all that often when you deal with a teen! hehe THANKS FOLKS!
