There are students who think with a creative mindset and then their are those who think with numbers and logic.

It seems plausible to have math classes that fit to each of those students as well as ensure that classes are not moving at a too fast of pace for students who struggle in math to really get down the concepts that are to be taught.

Perry High School offers on level courses as well as honors and AP in the math department, but are the on level classes really helping students who struggle in math succeed?

On level courses should move at a slower pace and be more repetitive with the material if they are to allow students to grasp the lessons and do well.

It could be understood that this is no easy task for teachers and that you can only spend so much time on one concept.

It would seem that simply having an alternate math course would be preferable to those who do not excel in math. Senior year Perry students have a choice of taking Mathematics Year 4 which according to the course catalog “students will master algebraic methods and properties….with a focus on modeling and solving real world problems.” This is perfect for Seniors who had taken and did well in Algebra 2 their Junior year, but what about Juniors who took Algebra 2 their Sophomore year and are failing or doing poorly in Pre-Calc since that is the next class to take when in the accelerated program?

Juniors who are a year ahead their grade level should not be limited to such rigorous class options when they are already so far ahead. A suggestion is to have a class like Mathematics Year 4 but for Juniors who have already taken Algebra 2 and wish to not take on the high level math that is in Pre-Cal and other Calculus classes.

A course like Applied Mathematics or Financial Applications would not be a bad option for Juniors to take and may be more beneficial when planning their life after high school during their Senior year.

We all have different strengths and if having a secondary option for Juniors who will not succeed in the world of Calculus and have already endured the world of Algebra is possible then why do we not have such a class?