Equity Grading at local private schools??

[Anonymous]

I recently became aware that the high school of my child's indepdent school (child is younger) has started an equity grading program.
According to the school newspaper,
"Students are allowed to retake any major assessments; teachers must provide a rubric for major assignments; students must not be given a grade lower than 50%; and students are not penalized for submitting assignments late, as long as it is submitted within four weeks of the due date. "

Apparently guided by this:
https://gradingforequity.org/
https://www.educationnext.org/time-to-pull-plug-on-traditional-grading-supporters-say-mastery-based-grading-could-promote-equity/

I'm a little confused, to be diplomatic. I mean, a rubric for major assignments seems reasonable...

Is this happening at other local private schools too?

[Anonymous]

Never heard of it - kid at private school

[Anonymous]

Oops I mean I have kids at private school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently became aware that the high school of my child's indepdent school (child is younger) has started an equity grading program.
According to the school newspaper,
"Students are allowed to retake any major assessments; teachers must provide a rubric for major assignments; students must not be given a grade lower than 50%; and students are not penalized for submitting assignments late, as long as it is submitted within four weeks of the due date. "

Apparently guided by this:
https://gradingforequity.org/
https://www.educationnext.org/time-to-pull-plug-on-traditional-grading-supporters-say-mastery-based-grading-could-promote-equity/

I'm a little confused, to be diplomatic. I mean, a rubric for major assignments seems reasonable...

Is this happening at other local private schools too?

I certainly hope not! Sounds like MCPS. What private school is doing this now?

[Anonymous]

My child's middle school allows retakes. I don't know if the high school does. It's not about equity, but about wanting the kids to learn the content, even if it takes some kids longer. Without retakes, if a kid gets a bad grade, they shrug and move on. With this policy, they have to keep working until they're successful.

Ditto with the late assignments. I think there is some penalty, but the teachers still want the assignment to be completed!

I don't know about the 0 vs 50%. And, as you say, having a rubric seems obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently became aware that the high school of my child's indepdent school (child is younger) has started an equity grading program.
According to the school newspaper,
"Students are allowed to retake any major assessments; teachers must provide a rubric for major assignments; students must not be given a grade lower than 50%; and students are not penalized for submitting assignments late, as long as it is submitted within four weeks of the due date. "

Apparently guided by this:
https://gradingforequity.org/
https://www.educationnext.org/time-to-pull-plug-on-traditional-grading-supporters-say-mastery-based-grading-could-promote-equity/

I'm a little confused, to be diplomatic. I mean, a rubric for major assignments seems reasonable...

Is this happening at other local private schools too?

What are you confused about?

If you are not confused but trying to dog whistle, that's not diplomatic at all.

[Anonymous]

Just trying to keep up with public schools

[Anonymous]

It's just the treadmill of "reformers" trying to push the next gimmick to sell books and consulting hours.

Of course any individual element can be discussed and debated, but the "movement" is just snake oil sellers and fad chasers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just trying to keep up with public schools

LOL

[Anonymous]

It's funny that they call it "equity" , though, because assigning grades based on final exam score is the worst way to cover up differences in ability.

[Anonymous]

I genuinely can't wait to employ these kids in the labor force when they're done with college.

Boss: We're going to need to submit the purchase order to the market by 4 pm today.

New Employee: Ok (realizing that there are no real issues with waiting to do this until 4 weeks after the due date)

... 8 weeks later.

Boss: Wow! That transaction really made our quarter. The stock is up 150% since we purchased.

New Employee: Well, I waited until 4 weeks later to purchase it, so our basis cost was actually $45 / share - not $20.

Boss: You're Fired

Ex - New Employee: That's ok. I have to remain on your medical plan for 6 months; you must pay me a healthy severance, and I have a trip planned to Punta Cana next week anyway.

Boss: How do I file for bakruptcy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently became aware that the high school of my child's indepdent school (child is younger) has started an equity grading program.
According to the school newspaper,
"Students are allowed to retake any major assessments; teachers must provide a rubric for major assignments; students must not be given a grade lower than 50%; and students are not penalized for submitting assignments late, as long as it is submitted within four weeks of the due date. "

Apparently guided by this:
https://gradingforequity.org/
https://www.educationnext.org/time-to-pull-plug-on-traditional-grading-supporters-say-mastery-based-grading-could-promote-equity/

I'm a little confused, to be diplomatic. I mean, a rubric for major assignments seems reasonable...

Is this happening at other local private schools too?

I certainly hope not! Sounds like MCPS. What private school is doing this now?

I have a child at MCPS and a highly sought after private school. Neither do this, according to the teachers both my kids have had in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I genuinely can't wait to employ these kids in the labor force when they're done with college.

Boss: We're going to need to submit the purchase order to the market by 4 pm today.

New Employee: Ok (realizing that there are no real issues with waiting to do this until 4 weeks after the due date)

... 8 weeks later.

Boss: Wow! That transaction really made our quarter. The stock is up 150% since we purchased.

New Employee: Well, I waited until 4 weeks later to purchase it, so our basis cost was actually $45 / share - not $20.

Boss: You're Fired

Ex - New Employee: That's ok. I have to remain on your medical plan for 6 months; you must pay me a healthy severance, and I have a trip planned to Punta Cana next week anyway.

Boss: How do I file for bakruptcy?

Boss: I need this done by 4pm today. I'm not going to do anything with it until tomorrow morning, but I still need it this afternoon.

Kid, at 4:05: Shoot! I've been working hard all afternoon and got a little behind. Since I'm late, I guess it's not worth doing.

Boss: Your written report was fine, but needs these changes.

Kid: Nope, I did my best the first time and there are no retakes.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t heard of this at any privates we’ve been at, but it makes a lot of sense. Hear me out.

At our private, privileged kids whose parents went to prep schools or elite colleges know how to work the system. Get a bad grade? Go in to the teacher and say “how can I improve my grade?”. Often, teacher offers an additional assignment or extra credit work. Overwhelmed by travel sports? Parents will often ask ahead for extensions on behalf of the kid.

However, if you’re a first generation private school family or from abroad or a stricter school, you probably have NO idea that you can work the system like this. I think making the secret behind-the-scenes system of grading/assignments/teacher relations public is what makes this “equity”. It’s exposing a shadow system of teacher-student interaction and making it available to all students. Kind of brilliant!

[Anonymous]

PS I’m the PP above and didn’t know until my sophomore year at an Ivy League school that all of those kids walking up to the professor during exams to get “clarification on question” knew to do it because professors would give leading answers or clues. No one told me about asking for extra work or assignments or extensions, either!