[maxrecursion]

I learned this as a teenager when I went from great at math to terrible because I got stuck with crappy teachers. Then, in 11th grade, I got put in algebra 2 with a great teacher and was tutoring other kids.

Math is completely different than other subjects. You can't catch up by cramming or reading a book over the weekend. You have to consistently learn and use it over the years. And have competent teachers to teach it to you.

Once you get placed in the remedial math, where they are just corralling misbehaving teenagers, and slapping out worksheets so kids can pass, you are basically screwed, unless you can get out of that situation.