Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Should I be concerned that my child has a "B" rather than an "A" in science?
Usually not, provided that your son or daughter is putting forth an honest effort to do his/her best. Students who are enrolled in Honors Science 8 are receiving a curriculum that contains many new and difficult concepts. Students who receive an "A" in Honors Science 8 must demonstrate a solid understanding of the subject material not just a willingness to study it.
My son/daughter spends many hours studying, but still cannot seem to get an "A" or his/her test.
During the last couple of years I have conducted some informal studies on student performance. You would think that students who study the most will do the best. This is NOT true. Often honors students who study the most may do so because they do not understand the material when it is presented to them. Generally speaking students who study between ½ - 1 ½ hours do the best on their tests. There are also many students who do not study at all and still get A's on tests, much to the annoyance of their fellow students. This does not mean that if your child who was studying 4 hours only studies one, that he/she will do better. Sorry. It has much more to do with basic listening and reading comprehension.
How can I help my son or daughter do better in honors science?
Emphasize the positive. Focus on what he/she is learning and less upon the grade. Avoid sharing how easy or difficult learning science was for you. Your son or daughter already may feel insecure about how he/she is doing; this will only tend to reinforce it. Talk about science. If you have a science career, share experiences about science. Now that you have talked about it, show him/her. Take him/her on science outings to the beach, park, Yosemite, a wildlife refuge, or a trip on the Bay. Sending you son or daughter on the outing IS NOT the same as taking him/her.
Should I be concerned that my child is receiving a "C" in honors science?
Yes you should. A "C" grade falls below expected academic standards. However, many students who initially receive a "C" grade can work their "way out" of the problem. It is important to determine whether the "C" comes from a lack of effort or a lack of understanding of the subject matter. Students who are receiving a "C-" or better grade will be permitted to continue in honors science throughout the year. Students who receive a "C+" or lower semester grade in Honors Science 8 will not be recommended for the honors level science in high school, but may still be eligible to enroll under Fremont Unified District policies. Students who have semester grades of a "C-" or below will not be recommended for Honors Biology for next year.
What happens if my son or daughter wants to move to the "regular science" level?
Make sure that this decision has been made very carefully. Many students will improve after having initial difficulty. However, once your child has been moved from the honors science track, he/she will be lacking the necessary prerequisite to move on to Honors Biology. Your child would be placed in a regular science class upon entering high school. With or without honors science your child can enter an excellent university, if he/she does well in his/her classes in high school.
Should my son or daughter take honors science in high school?
If he/she is receiving a "B-" or better in Honor�s Science this year and wish to continue, then he/she should be enrolled in 9th grade honors science. If he/she is receiving a "C+" or less, the decision should be made with careful consideration. Remember the high school grades, unlike junior high grades are considered by the colleges before acceptance.
Will it affect my son or daughter chances to enter a good college if he/she does not take honors science in high school?
No, absolutely not, unless your child is planning an advanced engineering or math career. It is far more important that your child do well in whatever science class he/she chooses to take, than whether he/she takes the honors level courses. Many schools no longer give additional "honors grade points" for honors classes.