Course Advising Tips for 2005-2006 Preregistration - Mathematics

1. What courses are required?
Each student is required to take:

•  Algebra I
•  Geometry
•  Algebra II
•  College Algebra and Trigonometry (a.k.a. CA/Trig)

2. Is the above sequence required?
No, it is strongly recommended, but an exception can be made for swapping Geometry and Algebra II.

3. Can a student take a math year off in the middle of the sequence?
No, a student should take math each year until the requirement is satisfied. The required courses can be completed in the junior year if the student takes Algebra I in the eighth grade (normal).

4. If a student completes the sequence in his junior year, should he be advised to take math in his senior year?
Yes, the student is better prepared for his college math.

5. What senior math course should a student take if he completes the required sequence in his junior year?
A student should take calculus in his senior year. If he is on the honors track, he should take AP Calculus BC for our very best math students or AP Calculus AB for our better math students. If he is on the regular track he may take AP Calculus AB if he is a top student and has the recommendation of his CA/Trig teacher. Otherwise, a regular math student should take Calculus (first semester) and Statistics (second semester).

6. Should a student be allowed to move from regular math into honors?
A student earns the move to honors by his previous math grades and a recommendation by his current math teacher. His math course grades should be 90 or better to move into honors. To move from regular Geometry to Algebra II Honors, his Algebra I grade is often a better predictor of his Algebra II performance than is his Geometry grade. Please obtain Math Department concurrence before assigning a regular math student to an honors math course.

7. Should a student with a low passing math grade in honors be allowed to stay in honors math?
No, a student in honors math who completes the year with a grade below 80 should move into regular math.

8. Where does AP Statistics fit in a student’s math course planning?
AP Statistics has these “good fit” scenarios.

•   a) an honors math student who wants AP courses in both calculus and statistics and is able to take two math courses in his junior or senior year
  
• * b) a good math student who has an “extra math year” such as:
  • - a student who took Algebra I in the seventh grade
  • - a student who took both Geometry and Algebra II in his freshman year
  • - a transfer student who is a year ahead in the sequence
    
•  c) a good math senior who (even though advised to the contrary) just does not want to take calculus

* When an honors student takes AP Statistics because he has an extra year, he should take AP Statistics in his sophomore year after he completes Algebra II and before he takes Honors CA/Trig. This way he takes Honors CA/Trig in his junior year and AP Calculus in his senior year. The calculus is then fresh on his mind when he enters college.

Revised 1/26/2004