What does this mean? 9th grade “curriculum update”

[Anonymous]

“Starting this school year for students in Grade 9 (Class of 2027), the Maryland Comprehensive Assessments for biology and government will count as 20 percent of the student’s final grade in each course. A virtual parent night will be scheduled this fall to share additional information.”

My ninth grader isn’t taking government. Does this mean it’s required in 9th grade?

[Anonymous]

Government is required, so I’d guess they’ll take the assessment the year they take the class. The 9th grade probably means the rule kicks in for this year’s 9th grade class, regardless of when they take gov.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Government is required, so I’d guess they’ll take the assessment the year they take the class. The 9th grade probably means the rule kicks in for this year’s 9th grade class, regardless of when they take gov.

Yes, this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Starting this school year for students in Grade 9 (Class of 2027), the Maryland Comprehensive Assessments for biology and government will count as 20 percent of the student’s final grade in each course. A virtual parent night will be scheduled this fall to share additional information.”

My ninth grader isn’t taking government. Does this mean it’s required in 9th grade?

Both Biology and Government are required classes for graduation. When your student takes those classes the MCAP assessment for those classes will count as 20% of their grade.

[Anonymous]

I’m in shock that the test is not just pass/fail. It will be graded like a final exam that equals 20% of the final grade.

Is that being forced down by the State or was that a decision by MCPS?

[Anonymous]

I guess that’s one way to make students try their best on a State assessment.

[Anonymous]

It’s a state requirement: http://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DAAIT/Assessment/EOCs/index.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in shock that the test is not just pass/fail. It will be graded like a final exam that equals 20% of the final grade.

Is that being forced down by the State or was that a decision by MCPS?

State decision. I assume that kids who take AP Gov or AP Bio will need to pass with a 3 or higher to meet the graduation requirements (that is the current requirement). Not sure how AP scores will translate as a grade because students don’t know their grade until July.

[Anonymous]

Hey at least the MCAP acts as a final exam

[Anonymous]

Does this apply to the kids in AP govt? I’m concerned about this because historically the tests were poorly written — I’m afraid they are going to do this for a year or two and it will talk our current 9th graders GPA, then they’ll make the test easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does this apply to the kids in AP govt? I’m concerned about this because historically the tests were poorly written — I’m afraid they are going to do this for a year or two and it will talk our current 9th graders GPA, then they’ll make the test easier.

They probably have to do both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does this apply to the kids in AP govt? I’m concerned about this because historically the tests were poorly written — I’m afraid they are going to do this for a year or two and it will talk our current 9th graders GPA, then they’ll make the test easier.

They probably have to do both.

MCAP has not historically been given in AP Gov. I cannot figure out what the State is planning with this; test scores generally do not come out until Spring of the following year.

[Anonymous]

This makes no sense. Is this fake? How could they announce something like this at the last minute for the current class?

[Anonymous]

We were told tonight by the bio teacher at btsn this- MISA is 20% of 2nd semester grade, and is only 15 questions. She was emphasizing the importance to stay on top of your student’s second semester grade because a poor MISA grade could totally screw them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were told tonight by the bio teacher at btsn this- MISA is 20% of 2nd semester grade, and is only 15 questions. She was emphasizing the importance to stay on top of your student’s second semester grade because a poor MISA grade could totally screw them.

Glad to hear that you were given advice about this. MISA has been a poorly worded/designed test in prior iterations. Hopefully they have managed to fix it.