Confused about HS grading policy - Withdrawal after 25 days but before end of quarter

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[Post New]10/21/2022 18:40
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Anonymous
My DC is almost failing a class, and it’s near the end of the quarter. The counselor says if DC withdraws now, the transcript will show an incomplete class and the grade at time of withdrawal (but grade won’t be calculated into GPA). However, in another thread, someone said there are no quarter grades on transcripts. Maybe it iS better to withdraw now, instead of taking the hit and trying to get the grade up next quarter (for a hopefully higher semester grade).

I will clarify with the counselor but wanted to make sure I’m understanding all the nuances and options. Thanks.
[Post New]10/21/2022 18:47
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Anonymous
Are you sure your child is in fact failing? One of my kid’s teachers has only inputted three all takes leaving my kid to feel uneasy about his grade. I would touch base with the teacher.
[Post New]10/21/2022 19:27
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Anonymous
It's correct that quarter grades are not on transcripts, only semester grades are. The class you're withdrawing from is still a semester-long class.
[Post New]10/21/2022 19:37
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Anonymous
OP-- if you find out, please let us know. I'm also confused. I assume you are saying you would have the kid drop and take another class in second quarter (same subject, a step easier?) We're thinking about the same thing and I've been assuming that means the kid's first quarter grade in class A would be "averaged" (combined in the MCPS manner) with second quarter grade in class B to get the semester grade. But I've no idea...
[Post New]10/21/2022 19:50
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Anonymous
What class is it?
[Post New]10/21/2022 20:22
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Anonymous
OP here, it’s Hon Algebra 2 - DC should switch to Regular Algebra 2. The question is, when is the most advantageous to do so?

- Drop now, with a W. Failing grade will be on report card but not in GPA (?) and not on transcript (?)
- Keep going, finish out Semester 1. Tutor and hope for a better semester grade for transcript and GPA. Switch to regular for Semester 2. **if it’s really terrible, retake Semester 1 over the summer (?)

This is what I can sort out, but not sure if this is correct. And if there are other options. Thank you!
[Post New]10/23/2022 12:37
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:OP here, it’s Hon Algebra 2 - DC should switch to Regular Algebra 2. The question is, when is the most advantageous to do so?

- Drop now, with a W. Failing grade will be on report card but not in GPA (?) and not on transcript (?)
- Keep going, finish out Semester 1. Tutor and hope for a better semester grade for transcript and GPA. Switch to regular for Semester 2. **if it’s really terrible, retake Semester 1 over the summer (?)

This is what I can sort out, but not sure if this is correct. And if there are other options. Thank you!


If your student drops now, the course grade for Sem 1 will be a W. The W is the grade on the transcript. There is no other grade ("failing" or otherwise.)

Can your student change into regular Alg 2 without disrupting the rest of the current schedule?

Has your child spoken to the teacher about catching up, going to supplemental sessions over lunch or before/after school?
[Post New]10/24/2022 09:10
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Anonymous
We were in the same boat last year. Obviously confirm with your counselor, but for our child, the current grade does not show - just a W with the date of withdrawal. Our child switched down to regular Alg 2 (they did fine in geometry so there was no sense repeating that) and regular was so much better for them. They are in regular pre-calc this year and doing fine. Others may disagree, but I would drop regardless of the grade issue. It was the right call for our child who has much more confidence now. I just regret not switching out of the advanced track sooner.
[Post New]10/24/2022 17:21
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:We were in the same boat last year. Obviously confirm with your counselor, but for our child, the current grade does not show - just a W with the date of withdrawal. Our child switched down to regular Alg 2 (they did fine in geometry so there was no sense repeating that) and regular was so much better for them. They are in regular pre-calc this year and doing fine. Others may disagree, but I would drop regardless of the grade issue. It was the right call for our child who has much more confidence now. I just regret not switching out of the advanced track sooner.


Thank you, OP here. Great point about dropping to the right level, sooner rather than later. Thanks!
[Post New]10/27/2022 17:32
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:OP-- if you find out, please let us know. I'm also confused. I assume you are saying you would have the kid drop and take another class in second quarter (same subject, a step easier?) We're thinking about the same thing and I've been assuming that means the kid's first quarter grade in class A would be "averaged" (combined in the MCPS manner) with second quarter grade in class B to get the semester grade. But I've no idea...


Hi it’s OP, both classes would be listed on the transcript. Class A would say W, and Class B would list the second quarter grade as the semester grade. HTH!
[Post New]10/27/2022 18:44
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Anonymous
My DC was in same boat last year. Got a tutor to get quarter grade up to C (barely!) and then second quarter up to B for a B for the semester. I’m glad DC stuck it out. But I might not be if they hadn’t gotten the grade up.
[Post New]10/27/2022 20:17
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We were in the same boat last year. Obviously confirm with your counselor, but for our child, the current grade does not show - just a W with the date of withdrawal. Our child switched down to regular Alg 2 (they did fine in geometry so there was no sense repeating that) and regular was so much better for them. They are in regular pre-calc this year and doing fine. Others may disagree, but I would drop regardless of the grade issue. It was the right call for our child who has much more confidence now. I just regret not switching out of the advanced track sooner.


Thank you, OP here. Great point about dropping to the right level, sooner rather than later. Thanks!


We’re also in this boat. The counselor said W and the grade will appear on the transcript but not be averaged into GPA. He also said the current grade would carry into the on level class and that would be my child’s starting point. Dropping down also required a schedule change from a class kid really enjoyed. So we decided that since there is no way to get our kid a clean slate plus the schedule change, we’d stay until the end of the semester.
[Post New]10/27/2022 20:31
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My DC was in same boat last year. Got a tutor to get quarter grade up to C (barely!) and then second quarter up to B for a B for the semester. I’m glad DC stuck it out. But I might not be if they hadn’t gotten the grade up.


What did you do the next semester/year?
[Post New]04/28/2023 17:05
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Anonymous
How does this work if one has a B in 3rd quarter and then withdraws in 4th quarter? Does the grade in the 4th quarter appear on transcript if one withdraws from the class?
[Post New]04/28/2023 17:54
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:How does this work if one has a B in 3rd quarter and then withdraws in 4th quarter? Does the grade in the 4th quarter appear on transcript if one withdraws from the class?


Looks like it does:

"If the student withdraws after the 25th school day of the semester in which the class begins, a notation of “W,” or “Withdrew,” the date of the withdrawal, and the average grade at the time of withdrawal will be entered on the permanent record, transcript, and report card."

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/ikcra.pdf
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