Wants to quit school class
Beth Mouser
First, sorry Kelly that you are having a problem getting your
response to me. Maybe the rest of the list can help out.
My 12-YO son has CHOSEN to take several classes at the Junior High.
He loves the show "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" and was
hoping junior high would be just like that(LOL).
Now he is saying that the computer class he is taking is boring and
he wants to quit. Another complaint is that the teacher talks too
fast and he can't keep up with what he is saying. This is my son
with Asperger's who has attentional difficulties...I asked him if he
wants to quit mainly because he is struggling with the work. He said
no, that he also isn't enjoying the material. Based on the hand-
outs, it is very dry learning. He is enjoying the PE class (they're
rollerblading right now).
If he quits, he will, of course, receive an F. If he continues
wanting to take a class or two at the school over the years, and then
if he decides he doesn't want to finish the class, what effects will
be from Fs on his transcripts? I don't want to force him to finish
the class, but I'm not thrilled with him getting Fs either. He says
he definitely wants to go to college. I wish there was a grace
period where he could drop a class within several weeks or so without
getting an F. As I recall, didn't they do that in college?
Thanks for any help.
Beth
response to me. Maybe the rest of the list can help out.
My 12-YO son has CHOSEN to take several classes at the Junior High.
He loves the show "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" and was
hoping junior high would be just like that(LOL).
Now he is saying that the computer class he is taking is boring and
he wants to quit. Another complaint is that the teacher talks too
fast and he can't keep up with what he is saying. This is my son
with Asperger's who has attentional difficulties...I asked him if he
wants to quit mainly because he is struggling with the work. He said
no, that he also isn't enjoying the material. Based on the hand-
outs, it is very dry learning. He is enjoying the PE class (they're
rollerblading right now).
If he quits, he will, of course, receive an F. If he continues
wanting to take a class or two at the school over the years, and then
if he decides he doesn't want to finish the class, what effects will
be from Fs on his transcripts? I don't want to force him to finish
the class, but I'm not thrilled with him getting Fs either. He says
he definitely wants to go to college. I wish there was a grace
period where he could drop a class within several weeks or so without
getting an F. As I recall, didn't they do that in college?
Thanks for any help.
Beth
Michelle Leifur Reid
On 10/17/06, Beth Mouser <mouser4@...> wrote:
they are transcripts. And very few (if any) colleges even look at
middle school transcripts. I didn't carry my middle school grades on
to college with me.
Forcing him to finish the class just so he won't get an F isn't going
to benefit him in anyway. If anything it is going to make learning
seem dull and horrid rather exciting and new. You, yourself, have
noticed that the class is dull. Wasn't he taking these classes because
he had an interest in them? Seems like the interest is gone. Have
you truly explored all the options available. You mention two: drop
the class and fail or continue the class miserably. What about a
third? What about completing the classwork at home? What about
talking to the instructor about the material or his dificulties in
keeping up with her fast talking? What about exploring the same class
with a different (more interesting) instructor? Does an F weigh more
than your son's joy?
Michelle
> If he quits, he will, of course, receive an F. If he continuesTrust me, colleges are much more interested in SAT and ACT scores than
> wanting to take a class or two at the school over the years, and then
> if he decides he doesn't want to finish the class, what effects will
> be from Fs on his transcripts? I don't want to force him to finish
> the class, but I'm not thrilled with him getting Fs either.
they are transcripts. And very few (if any) colleges even look at
middle school transcripts. I didn't carry my middle school grades on
to college with me.
Forcing him to finish the class just so he won't get an F isn't going
to benefit him in anyway. If anything it is going to make learning
seem dull and horrid rather exciting and new. You, yourself, have
noticed that the class is dull. Wasn't he taking these classes because
he had an interest in them? Seems like the interest is gone. Have
you truly explored all the options available. You mention two: drop
the class and fail or continue the class miserably. What about a
third? What about completing the classwork at home? What about
talking to the instructor about the material or his dificulties in
keeping up with her fast talking? What about exploring the same class
with a different (more interesting) instructor? Does an F weigh more
than your son's joy?
Michelle
Deb
--- In [email protected], "Beth Mouser"
<mouser4@...> wrote:
he took classes - you can roll the ones he keeps into a transcript
that you write up for his college application. After all, taking a
class here and there does not equal graduating from the school. You
might consider having him take dual enrollment classes at a
community college instead - he'd likely find it more challenging and
interesting and as you noted there is usually a couple weeks to drop
a class without it showing up at all on a transcript. After all, if
he stays in the class and is bored, he's just as likely to get an F
as if he drops it.
--Deb
<mouser4@...> wrote:
>You don't *have to* submit the transcript necessarily just because
> If he quits, he will, of course, receive an F. If he continues
> wanting to take a class or two at the school over the years, and
>then
> if he decides he doesn't want to finish the class, what effects
>will
> be from Fs on his transcripts?
he took classes - you can roll the ones he keeps into a transcript
that you write up for his college application. After all, taking a
class here and there does not equal graduating from the school. You
might consider having him take dual enrollment classes at a
community college instead - he'd likely find it more challenging and
interesting and as you noted there is usually a couple weeks to drop
a class without it showing up at all on a transcript. After all, if
he stays in the class and is bored, he's just as likely to get an F
as if he drops it.
--Deb
Beth Mouser
Interesting ideas...at the age of 12, can he take a community college
class? If he fails at that level, however, won't the grades be known
later when he applies for college? Sorry, but I am not very
knowledgeable about grades, transcripts, and getting into college.
He was elementary age last year.
So, can he just keep the grades of the classes that he finishes to
put on college applications? I agree that colleges are not going to
look at transcripts from middle school. I was thinking before I
posted this, that an F at this level isn't a big deal.
Thanks for helping me with this Deb and Pam.
Beth
-- In [email protected], "Deb" <soggyboysmom@...>
wrote:
class? If he fails at that level, however, won't the grades be known
later when he applies for college? Sorry, but I am not very
knowledgeable about grades, transcripts, and getting into college.
He was elementary age last year.
So, can he just keep the grades of the classes that he finishes to
put on college applications? I agree that colleges are not going to
look at transcripts from middle school. I was thinking before I
posted this, that an F at this level isn't a big deal.
Thanks for helping me with this Deb and Pam.
Beth
-- In [email protected], "Deb" <soggyboysmom@...>
wrote:
>and
> --- In [email protected], "Beth Mouser"
> <mouser4@> wrote:
> >
> > If he quits, he will, of course, receive an F. If he continues
> > wanting to take a class or two at the school over the years, and
> >then
> > if he decides he doesn't want to finish the class, what effects
> >will
> > be from Fs on his transcripts?
>
> You don't *have to* submit the transcript necessarily just because
> he took classes - you can roll the ones he keeps into a transcript
> that you write up for his college application. After all, taking a
> class here and there does not equal graduating from the school. You
> might consider having him take dual enrollment classes at a
> community college instead - he'd likely find it more challenging
> interesting and as you noted there is usually a couple weeks todrop
> a class without it showing up at all on a transcript. After all, if
> he stays in the class and is bored, he's just as likely to get an F
> as if he drops it.
>
> --Deb
>
Michelle Leifur Reid
On 10/17/06, Beth Mouser <mouser4@...> wrote:
"educational transcripts" that colleges look through. And even if he
did fail at the college level, any college he looks at would see that
he took it at such a young age. And who knows, he may take the course
later in life and make an A or he may take the course now and make an
A *and* most colleges do have a "withdraw without failing" period
(which I used extensively when trying to pass college algebra :-) )
he made an F. Who cares? Did he enjoy himself and did he get
anything out of it that he could use. Those are the concerns that you
should have. And there are other options to taking classes. Find a
friend who is a computer geek (that's a compliment BTW in the computer
world) and ask if s/he could show your son a few things on the
computer. Find a "for Dummies" that interests him (some, such as the
html one, even have CD-ROMs that go with them) Shoot get one of those
Mr. Computer (or whatever his name is - they guy who offers a free
learning program for first time users) learning sets (just pay
shipping and handling LOL!)
there are more options than school and not school.
Michelle
> Interesting ideas...at the age of 12, can he take a community collegeOnly if you submit them. :-) There isn't a huge database of
> class? If he fails at that level, however, won't the grades be known
> later when he applies for college? Sorry, but I am not very
> knowledgeable about grades, transcripts, and getting into college.
> He was elementary age last year.
"educational transcripts" that colleges look through. And even if he
did fail at the college level, any college he looks at would see that
he took it at such a young age. And who knows, he may take the course
later in life and make an A or he may take the course now and make an
A *and* most colleges do have a "withdraw without failing" period
(which I used extensively when trying to pass college algebra :-) )
>Also quit thinking about letter grades in relation to unschooling. So
> So, can he just keep the grades of the classes that he finishes to
> put on college applications? I agree that colleges are not going to
> look at transcripts from middle school. I was thinking before I
> posted this, that an F at this level isn't a big deal.
>
he made an F. Who cares? Did he enjoy himself and did he get
anything out of it that he could use. Those are the concerns that you
should have. And there are other options to taking classes. Find a
friend who is a computer geek (that's a compliment BTW in the computer
world) and ask if s/he could show your son a few things on the
computer. Find a "for Dummies" that interests him (some, such as the
html one, even have CD-ROMs that go with them) Shoot get one of those
Mr. Computer (or whatever his name is - they guy who offers a free
learning program for first time users) learning sets (just pay
shipping and handling LOL!)
there are more options than school and not school.
Michelle
Joyce Fetteroll
On Oct 17, 2006, at 1:42 PM, Beth Mouser wrote:
one thing!
I think it's great that he's trying school so he knows from personal
experience what it's like. But he shouldn't see it as his only
resource. Inundate him with possibilities.
And if you're way out away from things and there aren't a lot of
opportunities, make them! :-) Find people who are willing to share
the things they love.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> If he continuesWhat about classes outside of school? They're usually shorter, for
> wanting to take a class or two at the school over the years, and then
> if he decides he doesn't want to finish the class, what effects will
> be from Fs on his transcripts?
one thing!
I think it's great that he's trying school so he knows from personal
experience what it's like. But he shouldn't see it as his only
resource. Inundate him with possibilities.
And if you're way out away from things and there aren't a lot of
opportunities, make them! :-) Find people who are willing to share
the things they love.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Elissa Jill Cleaveland
So, can he just keep the grades of the classes that he finishes to
put on college applications?***********
YOU are going to write his transcript. YOU get to put in whatever you feel like putting in there!There is no nationwide school transcript office that keeps track of every thing your children do.
Here's something the schools don't want you to know: There is NO SUCH THING as a "Permanent Record" <gasp!>
Think of a transcript as a resume. A resume essentially "sells" someone. It point out strengths pertaining to the goal. One person may want to point out different things they've done based on who the audience is. For example, as a waitress, I would talk up my speed and accuracy when applying to a 200 seat diner, but highlight my knowledge of etiquette and fine ingredients when applying to a 40 seat French restaurant.
In the case of a kid who wants to go to college, you would make different transcripts bases on where he is going, why he is going, (ie Harvard vs. one of those cool make your own course of study colleges.
But at this point, I would just take a year off and not worry about this stuff AT ALL.
Elissa Jill
A Kindersher saychel iz oychet a saychel.
"A Child's wisdom is also wisdom." ~Yiddish Proverb
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
put on college applications?***********
YOU are going to write his transcript. YOU get to put in whatever you feel like putting in there!There is no nationwide school transcript office that keeps track of every thing your children do.
Here's something the schools don't want you to know: There is NO SUCH THING as a "Permanent Record" <gasp!>
Think of a transcript as a resume. A resume essentially "sells" someone. It point out strengths pertaining to the goal. One person may want to point out different things they've done based on who the audience is. For example, as a waitress, I would talk up my speed and accuracy when applying to a 200 seat diner, but highlight my knowledge of etiquette and fine ingredients when applying to a 40 seat French restaurant.
In the case of a kid who wants to go to college, you would make different transcripts bases on where he is going, why he is going, (ie Harvard vs. one of those cool make your own course of study colleges.
But at this point, I would just take a year off and not worry about this stuff AT ALL.
Elissa Jill
A Kindersher saychel iz oychet a saychel.
"A Child's wisdom is also wisdom." ~Yiddish Proverb
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]