Intermediate Level Math at NAPS - Possible to drop down to Foundation?

epiper

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Hello all, my DS is currently at NAPS and was surprised he was placed in intermediate level math after the INDOC placement test. Math has never been a strong area for him and he is already struggling despite extra instruction, etc. Just curious if anyone has had any experience with people being allowed to move down to the foundation level from intermediate and what that process might be? He would prefer to make the change asap if it is possible. Just curious if anyone had experience with this. Thanks everyone!
 
Here is my thinking after having just looked at the usna.edu/NAPS/ math levels. If your DS is struggling early in the academic year with math, and is uncomfortable, he should see his academic advisor before things get out of hand. Together they’d be able to come up with a solution and it just might entail dropping down to foundation level math. It’s important that he gets a sold math grounding and make good grades at NAPS. There is no getting around math and science at USNA. A weak math foundation will mean academic torture for him at USNA. Encourage him to see his academic advisor muy pronto. I wish him good luck.
 
I have absolutely no doubt if he should be in Foundation math they will move him.

That short math pre test they gave was all about trying to do what is best as far as placement for the MC .

His current teacher might be who he should talk to
 
Thanks so much everyone, makes me feel better that moving to foundation is indeed an option. He is going to give it another week and then will try speaking with folks if still necessary.
 
Here is my thinking after having just looked at the usna.edu/NAPS/ math levels. If your DS is struggling early in the academic year with math, and is uncomfortable, he should see his academic advisor before things get out of hand. Together they’d be able to come up with a solution and it just might entail dropping down to foundation level math. It’s important that he gets a sold math grounding and make good grades at NAPS. There is no getting around math and science at USNA. A weak math foundation will mean academic torture for him at USNA. Encourage him to see his academic advisor muy pronto. I wish him good luck.
Beyond being ‘torture at USNA’, performing poorly at NAPS could also ultimately mean no appointment to USNA. For sure have that convo early. Don’t get into a hole that he cannot get himself out of. They want him to succeed! But he has to express his struggles. Which is ALSO a very important skill. Recognizing when they need help. Before it’s ‘too late’.

Good luck!!
 
And now I wake up and one of the first things I think——-I wonder how this young man is doing in math now.

My feed back is that the special after class instruction is in full force and started from day one And continues daily even into the weekend.

I would not be surprised to see a head above water move without changing the class.

Either way I am now curious :)
 
First , let DS handle it..there are plenty of resources for EI, and the NAPS staff knows what they are doing. It is way to early to be thinking about dropping down.

Second , why did DS get selected for NAPS v. direct Admissions. There is always a reason, and enhanced academic preparation is often it. Pushing a MC is part of the process...the goal isn't to get them through NAPS, its to prepare them for the academic challenges that lay ahead at USNA. Bailing out and taking the easy road now isn't going to help in the long run.

Now for a story ... I was in DS' shoes 40 years ago. I don't know what the NAPS curriculum is now, but back in the day we had two Math Classes...and I got placed in high track, and literally got my A$$ kicked in both. My average was below 60 in both classes when I went home for Christmas,: my parents arranged a tutor over Christmas break and I still didn't catch on. I was doing weekly visits with the NAPS CO , who was encouraging and certainly recognized my efforts, but I was still getting kicked. Finally, just after the third trimester or reporting period stop, the powers to be moved me to middle track, where I was essentially retaking material that I had learned and failed before, and the light bulb clicked on. I graduated from NAPS, and did pretty well at USNA (close to top 10%). I credit NAPS for teaching me how to learn, and that wouldn't have happened if I had gotten moved down to middle track early in the program.,

Bottom line ..this is DS struggle, not yours. Encourage him to show the work ethic and make the effort that makes the NAPS faculty want to see him succeed, and communicate with his Chain of Command. It may be tough, but he'll make it.

Good luck.
 
First , let DS handle it..there are plenty of resources for EI, and the NAPS staff knows what they are doing. It is way to early to be thinking about dropping down.

Second , why did DS get selected for NAPS v. direct Admissions. There is always a reason, and enhanced academic preparation is often it. Pushing a MC is part of the process...the goal isn't to get them through NAPS, its to prepare them for the academic challenges that lay ahead at USNA. Bailing out and taking the easy road now isn't going to help in the long run.

Now for a story ... I was in DS' shoes 40 years ago. I don't know what the NAPS curriculum is now, but back in the day we had two Math Classes...and I got placed in high track, and literally got my A$$ kicked in both. My average was below 60 in both classes when I went home for Christmas,: my parents arranged a tutor over Christmas break and I still didn't catch on. I was doing weekly visits with the NAPS CO , who was encouraging and certainly recognized my efforts, but I was still getting kicked. Finally, just after the third trimester or reporting period stop, the powers to be moved me to middle track, where I was essentially retaking material that I had learned and failed before, and the light bulb clicked on. I graduated from NAPS, and did pretty well at USNA (close to top 10%). I credit NAPS for teaching me how to learn, and that wouldn't have happened if I had gotten moved down to middle track early in the program.,

Bottom line ..this is DS struggle, not yours. Encourage him to show the work ethic and make the effort that makes the NAPS faculty want to see him succeed, and communicate with his Chain of Command. It may be tough, but he'll make it.

Good luck.
Prof. Prassel kicked a lot of a$$ back then.
 
Hello all, my DS is currently at NAPS and was surprised he was placed in intermediate level math after the INDOC placement test. Math has never been a strong area for him and he is already struggling despite extra instruction, etc. Just curious if anyone has had any experience with people being allowed to move down to the foundation level from intermediate and what that process might be? He would prefer to make the change asap if it is possible. Just curious if anyone had experience with this. Thanks everyone!
Concur with WT Door comments about your DS seeking advise from an adviser/counselor. My DS received a US Naval Foundation Scholarship and ready to report to his foundation school. I spoke to his adviser and we all agreed that if he struggles in AP Chemistry and/or Advanced Calculus after three weeks, then he needs to switch to Chemistry Honors and Calculus. Hope this helps.
 
These exams are getting very tiring, good luck to everyone.
This is just preparation for the big time for you. Mulitiply by a factor of ten, and you might get close to what tiring actually is at your chosen SA. Hang tough, embrace the challenge and slip out to Thames street after exams. Good luck.
 
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