It's different types of homework. At our school it partly depends on the teacher but my experience is there are lot more books to read, essays to write in the honors/AP english & history classes.
Day one of school is over. And I'll admit that it looks like English (regular non-honors) is going to be the bane of his existence. It's a brand new teacher and I just read her syllabus. For juniors in H.S. the teacher is going to be checking that all homework is written in the planner for homework points. Really? Not that this isn't a skill my son still needs to work on. But checking planners on all kids in this class for juniors in H.S. really? IT sounds like she is going to post it online, but the kids will be required to copy it down even if they turn it in online. And he is going to be required to take Cornell notes in class also as part of his grade. (UGGG) He is OK with taking Cornell notes while he reads a book, but while a teacher lectures in a boring class???
Calculus is just math.. more of the same. Homework every night but most of the grade is based on test/quizzes. Teacher is good, it's the slower Calc class so it should be easy for him. AP Biology is with one of the best teacher in the school IMO. It's going to be a huge amount of reading (5 chapters in the next 1 1/2), with outlining recommended but not required, with the grade mostly based off tests and 20% on labs and a tiny amount of homework. Classes where grades are based on tests play to DS's strengths so I think he will do well with this. Spanish 3 isn't offered in a honors version and shouldn't be a huge problem.
So while both AP/honors classes could be a lot of work none of it's is useless busy work. This makes a huge difference. Its seems the difference is how much they trust the kids to learn the material without a lot of hand holding.
Problem is they won't let DS into the AP English Literature because of his writing struggles. The stress of the amount of writing in the AP class would overwhelm him and make us all miserable. But in the AP class both the reading level and class discussion are what would make him happier. (The kid read at 3 and is still way above grade level at reading.) He gets so frustrated at the slow speed the literature is read. What frustrates me is our school only has two levels "regular" or AP for English and they aren't willing to consider a independent study for this course.
I guess I'll be tracking down his counselor to make sure someone goes over his 504 with the English teacher. Maybe I can ask for some modifications to do with the note taking.
Modification...Student will demonstrate that he knows how to take Cornell Notes by completing 3 assignments correctly in that format. After he completes those three assignments in the Cornell style, student may choose the style of notes that works for him (as indicated by successful grades on quizzes and tests).
Which is what I think it should be for 100% of the students. You as a teacher like Cornell Notes, fine Cornell Notes yourself silly. Want to share the Cornell Notes love, fine teach it. Have students use it for a week. If they like it, let them use it. If they hate it, let them find their own style. If they aren't getting good grades on other stuff, insist they go back to Cornell until the grades come up.
I think many public school teachers are some of the most misguided, controlling, power hungry, obnoxious people I have every met (used to be one, not a controlling one, and am married to one, not a controlling one).
