DS has been accelerated a couple of years so that he will be studying GT geometry in 6th grade in the fall. For the last two years, he has been receiving instruction individually once a week from retired part-time teachers who are highly qualified and hired by the district to only provide instruction in this format. For Algebra I, he also completed an online Algebra course simultaneously as required/paid by the district, which also has a "teacher" who email/skype with him at least once per unit (usually more).
The presumption has been that DS will be placed in the classroom with 8th grade GT students for Geometry. Until he starts AP Calculus AB in 9th grade, this will be the only opportunity for him to be in a classroom setting during 4th through 8th grade. I think that DS is both excited and a little concerned (socially) about being in an 8th grade classroom next year. Now it has come to my attention that if there is a scheduling issue, then DS will continue with online plus 1 day a week instruction instead. I know that it costs the district thousands to do it this way and I am really grateful for the accommodation. There are both pros and cons to either approach. Under the circumstances, I am trying to figure out which is better for DS so that I can advocate or not as appropriate.
On the one hand, DS really likes to be in a classroom setting. On the other hand, it is a luxury to be able to speed things up He took less than 3 quarters to complete the online course and spent substantially less time during that period than students in the typical course in our district. Is it worth it to be in a classroom for one year out of five or will it help him to return to the classroom for AP Calculus AB in 9th grade? What are your thoughts?
