28 replies to this topic

[Sulate]

So, I was hoping to drop Spanish III and/or Pre-Calculus for my junior year. I think I have some legitimate reasons and I'm curious if anyone has any experience with procedures to drop classes? I went to my guidance counselor last year but he just sent me to the Math AP who rudely rejected me.

Should I get a parental permission? Talk to someone in particular? Any help would be appreciated.

PS. Can I puhlease have a purple name? I've been fighting for one for a year <3

[kwamdefreshman]

Yes and it's easy.
Last year I dropped DE after finding out i had a terrible, evil, teacher. It's quite simple, just go to your counselor and demand that he/she changes your class and if they're nice, you'll have success.

[Sulate]

I've gone to my counselor, asked nicely, got told I should ask the AP and got denied.

[Kevin2013]

Kwame you dropped DE? wtf

[newbie]

LOL. I'm having the same problem.(but diff classes) I guess you could email your guidance counselor before school starts and ask to drop the course.thats what i did.

[AnAdrenalin]

You. Dropped. DE.
-bows to thy godlyness-



But I thought DE was a mandatory class?

[Bleh]

I'd like to drop math and my language too. I know for a fact calculus isn't mandatory. Not so sure about Chinese III, but I already have 6 language credits (including the ones from Spanish I I got in 8th grade). Don't see the point in taking more classes than mandatory, especially since they're non AP and don't have regents for them. Because these classes aren't mandatory (presumably), is it legal for the school to force you into classes against your will? And if you do drop a class, does your entire schedule get changed?

Of course, I'm doing this partly because according to ratemyteachers, the teachers I got this year aren't so great. And I really want a 1- 8.

[kwamdefreshman]

oh whoops, major typo o.o... I meant I wanted to drop de

[Sulate]

Bleh, on 03 September 2011 - 10:22 PM, said:

I'd like to drop math and my language too. I know for a fact calculus isn't mandatory. Not so sure about Chinese III, but I already have 6 language credits (including the ones from Spanish I I got in 8th grade). Don't see the point in taking more classes than mandatory, especially since they're non AP and don't have regents for them. Because these classes aren't mandatory (presumably), is it legal for the school to force you into classes against your will? And if you do drop a class, does your entire schedule get changed?

Of course, I'm doing this partly because according to ratemyteachers, the teachers I got this year aren't so great. And I really want a 1- 8.

I'm faced with the same predicament. I know for a fact any math past Pre-Cal isn't mandatory to graduate from NY. However, I mentioned that to our Math AP who insisted as long as she was the AP in Tech, everyone would have four years of math. I explained that I simply couldn't with my over packed schedule and commute time especially since the course isn't even required and she proceeded to throw me out her office.

I wish I could talk to my counselor now but her contact info isn't listed on the school site. Anyone know Ms. Ambroise's email?

[Bleh]

Sulate, on 03 September 2011 - 10:41 PM, said:

I'm faced with the same predicament. I know for a fact any math past Pre-Cal isn't mandatory to graduate from NY. However, I mentioned that to our Math AP who insisted as long as she was the AP in Tech, everyone would have four years of math. I explained that I simply couldn't with my over packed schedule and commute time especially since the course isn't even required and she proceeded to throw me out her office.

I wish I could talk to my counselor now but her contact info isn't listed on the school site. Anyone know Ms. Ambroise's email?

Shame how screwed up the school is. Maybe we can get a lawyer and make her drop the classes. I never spoke with the math AP, but she sounds a bit like Gaddafi (especially the defying logic part). I also speculate that we have to take math so the teachers keep their jobs

My reasons for dropping the class are much more superficial - I don't wanna stay in school and want a better schedule.

As for the emails, go here http://www.bths.edu/...office_info.jsp

Hopefully they go to an email that gets checked.

[xMrStrife]

hey,
If I have one Spanish credit from 8th grade does that mean I only need to take Chinese till level 2?

[Chappy]

Tech makes you take up to level 3 for language, so I don't think they're going to let any of you drop it.

[xMrStrife]

That means I'll have Chinese for 2 more years ..
Thanks for clarifying.

[NickC]

Regardless of language, NYS requires that you take a language and pass the regents - the way to do this is taking the highest level of that language required to do well on the exam. Highest level does not mean you need to be enrolled in AP because that is no longer high school credit but college credit is offered if applicable at the school in which you will attend after graduating from Tech.

[blackmanor1000]

For a Tech diploma, you're required to take Digital Electronics (Soph. Tech) and three years of Math at Tech, but for a NYS Regents Diploma, you have to take three years of language and pass the regents.

[R. Asher]

Some clarification:

• Everyone must take three years of the same language (most students take year one in 8th grade).
  
• DE is mandatory. DDP is required to graduate (meets your art credit requirements).
  
• Students must take three years of math at Tech and need at least six math credits to graduate. Senior math is optional but if you signed up for it, it will not be dropped.
  
• We will not drop elective AP classes such as LOTE or Math - you chose to sign up for these courses.
  
• Schedules will not be changed based on teachers or early/late preferences.
  
• Don't take the word of random students regarding particular teachers. Some of the toughest teachers in the school are also some of the best.
  
• Ther are class size limits that make some changes impossible. Many students would love to take certain electives but we can't always make it work. There are also often schedule conflicts with major periods.
  
• If you have extenuating circumstances, speak to your guidnace counselor but be aware that they must bring your case to either Ms. Bonds or myself before any "special" changes can be made.

[Sulate]

Is the three years of math at tech mandatory only for a BTHS diploma? I'd much rather take math senior year than junior year.

Also, with the elimination of the language regents altogether, I don't see how taking Spanish III would be required.

[Bleh]

Well I probably wouldn't mind taking a third year of language or a third year of math. The problem was that I signed up for statistics and didn't get in, and got stuck in regular calculus. Can I skip math this year and try for statistics again for senior year?

And what if I were to choose not to get a Tech diploma? Besides English, language, and gym requirements, I believe I have met all the criteria for a Regents diploma. What are the benefits of a Tech diploma?

As for schedule changes - I have an actual error in my program. What are the chances that my entire schedule will change?

Regarding teachers - I don't particularly mind a difficult class or teacher. But I do get worried when people say a teacher is unfair or can't teach.

[Becca95]

I know for this year, no one got into AP Calc or AP Stats if they didn't already take one year of calc/pre-calc/trig honors(out of everyone I talked to at least). Calculus is important to know, just take it and chances are you can get into Stats next year once you've taken Calc.

It depends on the error in your schedule and where else open spots are available, so you never know how much your schedule will change.

The thing about teachers is, everyone has a different experience. Even look on ratemyteachers, some kids will say the teacher is the best they ever had and others will say they really didn't like them and thought they were unfair. That's all personal opinion.

[ClEMeNt]

Sulate, on 04 September 2011 - 09:42 AM, said:

Is the three years of math at tech mandatory only for a BTHS diploma? I'd much rather take math senior year than junior year.

Also, with the elimination of the language regents altogether, I don't see how taking Spanish III would be required.

There's no more language regents? What?