Could you please share *success* stories with TT?

[Mommy7]

I have read lots of threads about TT that so bash it. I am using TT right now with my 7th and 4th graders. They are loving it and doing well.
My 7th grader says that the way they explain things has helped her to understand math for the first time. Her only complaint is maybe not enough practice with new concepts, which is easily rectified adding the Key To Series or LOF.

I would just love to hear from people that have had a good result. People that have had their children go on to college without having to take remedial math courses or something. Is there anyone out there like that? I'm sure I have read bits and pieces of these type of testimonies in the different threads. But, I have had to wade through so much that says it is not good that the main impression I get is that people don't go for TT.

Don't get me wrong, if it is not a good math program, I want to know and find something that *is*. I guess I am having a hard time deciding because I know that everyone's child is different. What one person calls easy is not easy to another. What one calls user-friendly is the next teacher's nightmare. So, is the criticism mainly from really mathy, mathy people? Because we are your average math folks. *I* get stumped on their word problems sometimes, so I need a program that will do a great job with me just coming alongside it, instead of the other way around. I do have a college education and I did well in Algebra. But, it did not come easy to me...I am one of those type that have to work for it. I think my dc are the same way.

Neither do I want my dc to go all the way through TT and not be prepared for a tougher class one day. Anyone have any answers??? (can't afford a tutor, either)

Btw, I am always available for questions due to rough spots. I would love the luxury of actually teaching math to my 7th grader. But, realistically, that just won't happen...I am teaching 6 dc...5 different grades and we have some health issues, so I have to make some compromises from my ideals and use what works for my situation...the program that gets the job done and doesn't require lots from me.

Thank you so much for your encouragement!!! :001_smile:

[Liza Q]

I would just love to hear from people that have had a good result. People that have had their children go on to college without having to take remedial math courses or something.



Maybe our story will help you. I am being specific as I think that is what you are looking for - if you are not, sorry in advance for all the detail!

My oldest just finished her first semester at a small Catholic Liberal Arts College. She used TT in 9th (Alg 1), 10th (Alg 2) and 11th (Geometry). On her transcript I gave her an A- in Alg 1, an A in Alg 2 and a B- in Geometry. She received a 540 on the Math portion of the SAT (taken in the spring of 11th grade) and did not want to study and take it again :glare: It would have really made a difference - she got a 760 on the Verbal and 780 on the Writing, so her Math score was noticeably low. As a senior I had her do a semester of Consumer Math and Life Skills and I gave her an A.

After she decided to attend this college she was given a math proficiency test for placement and was placed in College Algebra, not remedial math or the Math they have for LA majors who do not want or need to do too much math. She had forgotten a great deal of what she had learned in high school and was quite freaked out at first. But the school has a great tutoring system and she got enough help during the first month to get an 18/20 on the first exam. She felt comfortable after that, worked steadily, got 20/20 on all the other exams, turned in all the homework and got an A in the class.

I asked her about her experience and she told me a few things. First, she thinks she did so well because she had a good teacher, which we both know she never had in me!! Second, she thinks that if she had done more math as a senior and more algebra as a junior, she would not have forgotten so much and would not have been so freaked out. Third, she knows that she hated Geometry and did not work hard, which was coloring her memories of math, if that makes sense. She thinks that TT was an ok program and I think that it is certainly better then me trying to teach math myself. But the bottom line is her level of effort.

That said, my 16yo is currently using TT and LOF as a supplement when needed. She will be doing the Chalk Dust SAT review this spring before the SAT and we are considering going on to the next TT level as a senior, so she does not forget as much before college. I would love to get her a tutor but I think it is unlikely. Neither of my older girls care for math and they are not planning careers in any fields that will require much math, so our goals are modest. And I am still using TT for my younger children.

HTH!

[Karin]

Somewhere there is at least one thread where TT users mentioned the success they had with TT, but I'm not sure which TT link it is anymore. It's still quite new, so it doesn't have a long track record.

Regardless of your math savvy, or lack thereof, or the math method you use, I suggest using something else to be sure you really have it.

Some kids will excel in math regardless of program, some will struggle regardless of program, and some will benefit from a specific program. For at least some, TT seems to have made all the difference, but I'd still say try something else to be sure. I do that and my dc are above average in math, but I would do it if they were average or below average in math ability. It's helpful to see math different ways regardless of the "rigour" of a program.

[Mommy7]

Would the Key to series fit the bill? Or should I get Lial's BCM for the Pre-Algebra "other text" to check understanding? Or would LOF be okay?

Thank you, again, Karin...:001_smile:

[Sara R]

I thought that the main complaint about TT was that the Algebra 2 course is mislabeled. If you understand that TT Algebra 2 roughly corresponds to the 2nd semester of Algebra 1 in other courses, and plan accordingly, you ought to be okay?

[CO MOM]

Here is another BTDT story for you. My dd is a senior, not math oriented, and did TT Alg. 1 in 9th, Geom. in 10th, and Alg. 2 in 11th. She did every problem in every lesson, every test, and listened and/or read every lecture. She scored in the 90's, so received A's. We chose TT for the very reason that it was slower paced, because it took my dd so long to "get" basic math, that she wasn't ready for a more rigorous program. It was perfect for her because it reviewed some of the more basic concepts and they did problems over and over again until they finally made sense. We did use Chalkdust SAT prep in addition for SAT/ACT review (600, 28 scores respectively). Not great, but OK. Did they cover every aspect of higher math? No. Will it matter? We'll see, but probably not as she is not going into a math or science field. I think if she had completed the Pre-calc level that would have covered some of the other missing topics, but she is doing something else this year instead (Statistics).

Will we repeat using TT for her brother? Probably not, though I haven't fully decided. He did TT 7 and really liked it, but he is more math adept and will probably do something where I don't feel like we need to fill in the blanks later. I think the solution might be to do each level at a year or two earlier than suggested and then supplement at test time with the Chalkdust Test Prep program, because there are definitely some topics on the SAT/ACT that are not covered if you've only gotten through Alg. 2 by that time.

Not sure if that helps at all since there are so many different variables - a lot depends on your/their goals and interests. Mainly you have to use what works best for your individual child and situation.

[Karin]

Would the Key to series fit the bill? Or should I get Lial's BCM for the Pre-Algebra "other text" to check understanding? Or would LOF be okay?

Thank you, again, Karin...:001_smile:

Perhaps. We haven't used Key to Algebra, but have used the Key to Fractions. The one I wouldn't rely on, based on what I was advised on this forum, is Key to Geometry which is merely constructions. Constructions are helpful, but that's not all Geometry is. I ended up buying a different constructions book, but my eldest has ended up doing the constructions in her text.

I personally prefer LoF to Lial's, but we only bought the Lial's Algebra and I bought the wrong one (the other one has more explanation in it, and I don't recall the two titles.) My dd liked Lial's and Dolciani, but she prefers LoF to all of that (not that she gets the final say in all of this.) She didn't like TT because she thought it was too easy, but we didn't know how the scope and sequence of TT differed from the books she'd already done. For those not familiar with me, my eldest has done Algebra 1 twice and the first time we tried a variety of texts. At the rate we're going, we may have quite the library of high school math texts by the time all my dc are done!

[creekland]

Ok, I guess we're one of the success stories for TT. I teach math (substituting since I only want part time) at our local public high school, but even though I COULD teach math to my own boys, I prefer they be independent learners - in all their subjects. I LIKE TT and feel it has done a great job preparing my boys. Admittedly, instead of consulting the solution CD's when they have questions they just consult mom or dad, but still...

My oldest is a senior this year - doing Chalkdust's Calculus without problems - and scored 700 on the SAT in March of his Junior year - 32 on the ACT Math fall of his Senior year. Both of these scores were slightly under what he got in practice testing, but both are quite good percentage wise across the nation (94th percentile for SAT, 97th percentile ACT - if I remember correctly on that one). He had gone through their PreCalc program prior to the ACT, was doing it during the SAT.

My middle son (sophomore) has just started TT PreCalc after taking the PSAT this past fall. He got a 61 on the math - not a terribly good score (for him - it is 94th percentile among sophomores that took the test). However, he did have a major excuse. In the first math section the teacher in his room decided to count down the minutes for the last 5. My son had been working too slowly - and the countdown did him in. He got all the problems ahead of the countdown correct - and missed all 7 after it. Now that he has his scores back he has been looking over what he missed and he can't believe he missed them! In the second math section he picked up his pace - and just missed 2 questions overall - both of which he now considers dumb mistakes (and I concur, but those happen). I plan to have him take the SAT and ACT this spring. The extra testing will help him settle down his nerves for the real tests his junior year. He's already testing higher than his older brother on practice tests. Many times on practice tests he doesn't miss any.

My youngest son is math challenged. He'd be lost without TT. He's in 8th grade and just in Alg 1 (my other two started Alg 1 in 7th). He still struggles, but the slow pace of TT is perfect for him. It helps him really learn the basics and he would still test far ahead of many kids I see in our ps (this isn't hard, our ps math is really horrid - it's why I'm homeschooling my own - most kids in our ps need remedial math when they go to college). I only expect him to score in the 600's on his SAT for math - no matter how hard he tries at it. His gifts lie elsewhere - and there's no shame in that. However, he'll need the math score to help get into a decent college, so we work at it.

For all, I recommend signing on to the SAT Question of the Day since it's free and does a math question every third day. We also are fans of Barron's test prep books.

Yes, there are a few things TT doesn't cover - and doesn't cover as early as other texts do, but for ensuring the basics in math are well-known, I don't think you can beat it. Some friends I know have their mathy kids do TT first (quickly), then move on to more challenging books - only doing in them what is more advanced. That's an idea I'm considering for my middle son as we'll need to fill in a math for next year (I only want Calc his senior year). For matrices in Pre-Calc, I added a little bit more that I felt should have been in there.

DEFINITELY move TT up a year. Their Math 7 should be for 6th graders, and so on. Alg 1 should be done no later than 8th grade IMO. You do want Pre-Calc done PRIOR to the Junior college tests.

And, for what it's worth, I used to bring home ps tests for my oldest two to do - just for my confidence that they were learning as well as their peers. They easily surpassed them. I no longer worry about it.

[KaciMI]

We've used TT Algebra 1, and Geometry. My daughter will be starting Algebra 2 in a couple of weeks. She is 15, took the College Placement test for Dual enrollment here in Florida a few days ago. She score perfectly on her English and Reading but scored average in math. The test placed her half-way into Algebra 2 which is interesting since she hadn't taken Algebra 2 yet.
Kaci

[Corraleno]

We've used TT Algebra 1, and Geometry. My daughter will be starting Algebra 2 in a couple of weeks. She is 15, took the College Placement test for Dual enrollment here in Florida a few days ago. She score perfectly on her English and Reading but scored average in math. The test placed her half-way into Algebra 2 which is interesting since she hadn't taken Algebra 2 yet.
Kaci

Actually that does make sense, because the first 1/2 to 2/3 of Alg II is a review of Alg I, since most kids do a year of Geometry in between.

Jackie

[KaciMI]

Then she needs to test ahead in Algebra 2 (to save time) and start up further into the book. When I mentioned that she tested half way into Algebra 2, it was the CPT test, not a placement test for TT.


Does anyone know anything about TT's Pre-Cal? I believe that is as high as TT goes.

[rosehaven]

thank you for taking the time to give your opinions and experience.

We wil be starting TT 7 in Jan.

Blessings.....

[Sandy in Indy]

DS did Alg. 1, Alg. 2 and Pre-Calc. Taught himself as I know NOTHING about higher level math. Took the SAT and got 650. Tested into Calculus at the CC his senior year of high school--got the highest grade in the class. Received credit this fall at university for the course as well as 4 units of A toward his automatic advancement into the professional pharmacy program.

It was enough for us.

[Tap, tap, tap]

ds15 did TT Alg 1&2, TT Geom, Part of TT pre-calc. As a mid year sophomore... He just took his college placement tests for dual enrollment in the fall. He tested firmly into College Calculus and received comments and kudos from both the testing reviewer and the dual enrollment office for his high scores (highest in math).

He really likes math and found that TT was a great program for him because it didn't bore him, moved along at good pace and had review built in.