I'd keep them for reference until he's done with college math. He might need to look stuff up at some point.

This is a good point, but it does depend on the psychology of your kids. Consider this, OP. Is your kid going to enjoy having math be easy, or are they going to start balking because it's easy?

Saxon 8/7 IS pre-algebra.

Heh, I was going to Math Without Borders to look up the TOC and found: "If you are wondering whether to skip from Algebra 2 directly to Calculus or whether to take Precalculus first, the answer (almost always) is to take Precalculus first. Gaining depth is more important than racing ahead, and the depth offered through this course is tremendous." Chapters 1-2 should be review. Chapter 6 looks VERY similar to chapter 15 from the algebra and trigonometry book. Chapter 7 should be mainly review although I find 7-7 very interesting. Chapter 9 looks very similar to chapter 12 from algebra/trigonometry. Chapter 14 looks quite similar to 11 from algebra and trigonometry although the part on partial sums will probably be new. If you were doing a bare-minimum precalc course to go to calc as fast as possible the algebra/trigonometry book would probably suffice. I'd prefer, though, to just skip 11-15 or 12-15 from the algebra/trig (they're re-covered in precalculus) and move to precalculus earlier, if hurrying is desired.

I guess if you lace it with enough to be that intoxicating, it would be more like a kid sneaking a shot of hard liquor. It is also possible to lace it with smaller amounts, of course. But I will reiterate, that I see no real difference between giving a kid enough pot to be intoxicated and enough alcohol to be intoxicated. As a matter of fact, I don't see a real difference between giving them pot at all and alcohol at all, barring the potential exception of communion wine. That sort of stuff needs to stay out of the hands of kids. Arguing that alcohol is somehow more benign is dodging the issue entirely.

Not sure if you noticed, but she quoted your paragraph on the negative financial effects on families, not the one about the laced baked goods. I would definitely agree with her that tobacco and alcohol also have negative financial effects on families. With respect to your latest, I will give you the cigarette -- the effects are longer-term -- but how is a child who is intoxicated due to being slipped alcohol materially better/safer than one who's in an altered state of mind due to being slipped mind-altering substances in baked goods? Both should be illegal and in both cases the providers should be prosecuted for procuring for minors.

Parents who are so high they're neglecting their kids, or who are driving kids while high, should absolutely be in trouble, just like parents who drive their kids while drunk, or leave their kids in the car to go gambling. I don't think we need separate new laws, though -- if they're neglectful, we already have laws on the books, and if they're not neglectful, why are we interfering?

Of course it will open up a whole new slew of issues, but why do you assume that people just haven't thought through the consequences? I have been thinking about it for years. I do respect that other people can think through it and come to different conclusions than I have.

As an adult ex-homeschool kid, I get that all the time. I also get "Really? But you seem so normal."

HAHAHAHA ... no.

You know, I did have an ex who smoked pot regularly -- as a matter of fact, we were engaged, and he broke it off. A large part of it was paranoia due to the marijuana usage. But -- I learned that his father was an alcoholic, who drank himself to death after losing two wives to divorce and contact with all of his children due to alcoholism. His grandfather was also an alcoholic, and his father had run away from home very young to get away from it. I can't really blame the pot itself for what seems to be an intergenerational pattern of substance abuse and troubled relationships. I still don't smoke myself and favor legalization (although, clearly with restrictions on selling to children, operating vehicles under the influence, etcetera). I have other friends who occasionally indulge on a Friday night and manage their lives just fine.

I would recommend testing through with chapter tests rather than skipping entirely to uncover unsuspected holes.

Many of the Heinlein books involve colonies on the moon, mars, etc. -- and yet still have people using slide rules for calculations.

Can he finish the book he was using in school? Otherwise, here are some of the most important topics freqently misunderstood by algebra students: 1) Fractions. 2) Fractions. 3) Fractions. 4) Decimals. 5) Percents. 6) Ratio/proportion. 7) Order of operations. 8) A genuine understanding what it means for two quantities to be equal. A student who really understands this will not make mistakes, for example, such as changing '2x - 4 = x + 3' into '2x = x + 3 - 4'.

Yes. This would also work -- he should be enough at the same level to participate in any activities.

Yes. Quite honestly -- the good thing is that Saxon's computation skill practice is solid enough that even if the program doesn't end up being a good fit for her, she should be able to transfer to another algebra course and test through part of it without losing a lot of ground.

I think that'd be way too much math. If they won't let him opt out, I *would* go ahead and supplement with interesting, conceptual, non-writing math at home, but I would put him in the lower class due to handwriting issues. I *would* look into just doing your own math though.

Advanced mathematics covers everything required for pre-calculus. I would transcript it as pre-calculus so that it is blindingly obvious to admissions officials.

I'd be hesitant to change what's clearly working for him -- (math mammoth) -- is there any way that they'd let you continue to provide math instruction at home using those books, and have him just work with the class on whatever they're doing for the one day he's there?

Can you still get a free trial of Aleks? Their diagnostic might be just perfect.

Yes. Also, if a student does well in their math, but is unable to apply it in other classes such as chemistry or physics, I would also consider that a sign that the program (whatever it is) is not working for your student.

Jacobs Algebra has a lot of Pre-A review. I think she'd be fine. If she starts to struggle, you can slow down and seek out supplementary worksheets for any topics that cause trouble.

Unless Saxon is not working or she loathes it, get through pre-algebra before you consider switching again.

Either that or just an overabundance of nerdiness, which is why I learned :)

Yes. For some calculations you may need a calculator. Others you can do by hand, but they may be far more tedious than necessary. I would recommend using a calculator where you were told to use a slide rule, and otherwise doing calculations manually.