Door-2-Math Blog

“A car is a car,” a new prospective parent announced during the assessment feedback portion of my assessment of his daughter’s math. “It takes you from point A to point B.”

“A beat up For will do if grocery shopping is all you need,” I countered. “I sure want at least a reliable Toyota if my daughter wants to drive from Tucson to Boston for Hrvard medical school, wouldn’t you?”

“But she’s getting A’s and B’s, why would I part with that much money and ‘rebuild her math’ as you say she needs?”

“How sure are you about the A’s and B’s?” I asked. “Are you willing to let your daughter’s dream of being a pediatrician on it?” The 9th grader attends one of the private schools in town that is famous for grade inflation.

“Look, all I’m saying is, with my program or not, your daughter’s math is equivalent of a beat up Ford. If all she wants  is to attend a local community college and find a regular 9-5 job, then you’re right, why spend more on top of private tuition. But she wants to go further than that. Then I’m telling you her current math foundation will not take her there. It will not be enough to pass Calculus II which is required for medical school.”

“Honey, let Dr. Pan talk. You don’t have to like the message, but don’t shoot the messenger,” added his wife. “Look I grew up in Communist China, I sure am suspicious when it comes to “being sold”, ” I continued to address the father. “Just think about it when you go home. Ask your daughter how important it is for her to go after her dream. She just entered 9th grade, we still have time.”

So dear reader, what math vehicle does your child have? If it is in good shape to take your child where she/he wants to go? “Ford” is good enough for rudimentary entry level jobs, “Toyota” is much more reliable; Mercedes would be great while Bentley makes a statement.

Did the dad sign up his daughter? You bet. Was it worth it? Seven years later, his daughter passed her required Calculus II and got into medical school. You tell me.