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Foundation Level Maths suggested by teacher for average grades

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  • 05-03-2010 8:03pm
    #1
    ssaye
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,650 ✭✭✭


    My younger cousin is doing his Leaving Cert this year. He is doing 4 honours subjects and 3 pass(Biology, Maths and Irish) He has been getting 35-50% in maths in the last 2 years and the teacher has suggested that he do Foundation level. He is doing grinds in Maths twice outside school since Feb and my Aunt is wondering can the school force him to drop down or just suggest so and he can stay if he wishes.

    If there is any official documentation online for this that would be helpful though I suspect it is a matter of opinion on behalf of the school.


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    #2
    alexlyons
    Registered Users Posts: 2,182 ✭✭✭alexlyons


    not really sure on any official line, but the student fills out the form that is sent into the department of education, generally through the school, and he is free to put down whatever level in whatever subject he wants. the school can only guide him on suggested levels, and they generally do this, mainly so they can't be accused of negligence etc, but most teachers will suggest a level out of decency and a will to see the students pass the exams.


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    #3
    BrokenHeels_Ox
    Closed Accounts Posts: 92 ✭✭BrokenHeels_Ox


    No, they cannot force him to drop down. Chances are he has already signed for his levels (he can stil drop on the day) but the school cannot force him into foundation maths, or remove him from the ordinary maths class, they can suggest it all they like, but they cannot force him, it comes under his right to an education, had the same problem with my own cousin two years ago


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    #4
    ironictoaster
    Registered Users Posts: 4,143 ✭✭✭ironictoaster


    Nobody can force your cousin to do anything. It is student's decision on what level they take for LC.

    Teachers only advise their students on what level they take. He should wait til he gets mock results back before considering changing anything.


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    #5
    ssaye
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,650 ✭✭✭ssaye


    I will give her a call so, cheers


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    #6
    unknown13
    Registered Users Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭unknown13


    I am actually shocked that a teacher is suggesting someone do Foundation Maths when they are getting 35-50% in the past two years. I am doing Foundation Maths and I failed the majority of my Ordinary tests badly but the big issue with Foundation Maths is that you have to be very careful when picking courses for your CAO because a majority don't accept Foundation Maths. I am in the very fortunate position that the courses in the area I want to do don't require Maths and accept Foundation Maths.


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    #7
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,229 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    35%-50% is a pass OL level student.

    Foundation would be more for people who struggle to get 35% on an Ordinary Level paper.


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    #8
    PhosphoricAcid
    Registered Users Posts: 90 ✭✭PhosphoricAcid


    Is there a huge difference between Foundation and Ordinary?


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    #9
    partyatmygaff
    Registered Users Posts: 10,992 ✭✭✭✭partyatmygaff


    PhosphoricAcid wrote: »
    Is there a huge difference between Foundation and Ordinary?
    Massive difference. Not only in difficulty but in value.

    A foundation maths paper is essentially worthless for points (An A1 is 10 points afaik) and it's not accepted in most universities to begin with.


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    #10
    unknown13
    Registered Users Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭unknown13


    PhosphoricAcid wrote: »
    Is there a huge difference between Foundation and Ordinary?

    Yes there is a big difference. No theorms, no options questions at the end of paper 2, it is worded easier aswell.

    A1 is worth 20 points. You should check qualifax if you decide to drop because choice of course can be limited


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    #11
    infinite123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭infinite123


    Def don't drop down to foundation.. it's not worth anything!!

    I hate that when teachers take that lousy attitude! :-(

    And no way can they force someone down... you could take them to court if they did!!!


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    #12
    sesna
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭sesna


    Dont drop down, its not worth a damn.

    And employers dont view foundation level knowledge of mathematical concept as being much use ((John has two apples and eats one. How many apples does John have now?)


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    #13
    infinite123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭infinite123


    sesna wrote: »
    Dont drop down, its not worth a damn.

    And employers dont view foundation level knowledge of mathematical concept as being much use ((John has two apples and eats one. How many apples does John have now?)

    ....ouch! :-p


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    #14
    ayumi
    Registered Users Posts: 676 ✭✭✭ayumi


    in my school,one of the ordanairy class was told and messages sent to parents telling their parents that they should do foundation level,the highest in their class was 37% soooo the teacher has no right but i do understand bec no one had tired their best,left qs blank etc


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    #15
    unknown13
    Registered Users Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭unknown13


    infinite123 wrote: »
    Def don't drop down to foundation.. it's not worth anything!!

    An A1 is worth the same than a D1 in Ordinary. If you can't do Ordinary level maths that well than it is a good alternative providing your course does accept foundation maths.
    sesna wrote: »
    Dont drop down, its not worth a damn.

    Yes, it is see my previous posts.
    sesna wrote: »
    And employers dont view foundation level knowledge of mathematical concept as being much use ((John has two apples and eats one. How many apples does John have now?)

    If someone has a degree in Law the employers are not going to see what level maths he did in the LC. Also Foundation maths isn't an easy A1 for people that suspect it is.


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    #16
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,229 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    ayumi wrote: »
    in my school,one of the ordanairy class was told and messages sent to parents telling their parents that they should do foundation level,the highest in their class was 37% soooo the teacher has no right but i do understand bec no one had tired their best,left qs blank etc

    If they got 37% leaving out a question, they should stick with ordinary.


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