The Honors Push
“I want to take honors next year. Should I?”
Translation: “Mom wants me to take honors next year”
It is that time of year when teachers and tutors hear their students’ voices but often the words spoken stem from their parents. My first response to the student is always, “Why?” The typical answer includes the desire to be more challenged, it will look better on my transcript, and, of course, the desire to have the additional GPA boost that some schools give for honors/AP classes. Honors and AP courses are hard work and should not be taken without the consideration of the commitment to do the requisite work, course load (even beyond the upcoming year), and the impact on a maintaining a good balance between academics, busy schedules, and healthy living.
When I was a classroom teacher, I began thinking about placement long before Christmas, and I put a great deal of thought and analysis into my teacher recommendations. I analyzed assessments, standardized scores, met with their previous math teachers, considered work ethic, other courses they were taking, and what I felt was in the student’s best interest. Qualifying assessments were also useful tools to determine if the prerequisite skills were there. I would speak with students who I felt were capable and needed motivation to reach their potential. These bright students were honors material but really didn’t want to do the work. They were happy with doing less work, content with mediocre grades, yet their standardized test scores showed unbelievable potential. The parent of one such student pushed hard to have her son move to honors. He had been making low B’s on all of his tests/quizzes and directly told me that he was happy to remain where he was. Teachers see students in a different setting than their parents and generally want the students to be successful. Their recommendations are generally not made in haste and strive to do what is best for each of their students.
Teenagers can be very busy beyond the school day with sports, activities, and work. It is widely known that students do not get enough sleep which results in teens being more stressed, overly caffeinated, and experiencing greater mental health issues. As parents, we often push our kids to do more rather than support doing less. We want our students to do all they can so they can have what it takes to get into the right schools, get top ACT/SAT scores, push, push, push…then what? It becomes a road to nowhere too fast as students burn out too young. One of the best movies that addresses this craziness is The Road to Nowhere. It should be required viewing for all parents, long before their child reaches middle school.
Is it in a student’s best interest to take Algebra I in seventh grade? Take all honors classes? Just because a student can take more challenging courses does not mean they should. Recently a parent asked me if their son should be accelerated in seventh grade. “Johnny” was a good student and certainly capable of the Algebra I course. The more important question should be would he be mature enough and cognitively ready to handle the more abstract courses down the road such as Precalculus or AP Calculus at an earlier age. I have seen very bright students pushed ahead too early and too fast; leading them down the road to despise the subject they once loved because the were not cognitively ready. There are certainly students who have a passion and gift for a subject. I have been blessed to have taught several. These students were up to the challenge and were ready; supported by their teachers, parents, and everyone to take the leap. They blossomed and soared to great academic heights.
I encourage families to take a good look at the academic path of their students. They should consider the student’s readiness, courses down the road, academic passions and strengths, extra-curricular activities, and life balance. Listen to the teachers, the administrators, and, yes, listen to the student. The decision affects them the most and they have to live out the decision. If all agree, then do so. If all don’t, take an honest look at the reasons and take a pause. Be sure that the decision is not a “Road to Nowhere.”