Changes to grading for all MCPS high school students

[Anonymous]

OK, official now:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14eLJDsHHaFPUdw3Agm8xuQH0_ztil2Vt/view

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn't something the BOE votes on. It's a regulation, not a policy, so it's up to Taylor and CO to rewrite it.

True, but when they informed the BOE about it maybe a month ago, and said they planned to do a phased roll-out, the BOE pushed back. That's why it's 6-12 now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure I understand why it's so bad for next year's 11th & 12th graders to have the grading policy change. Can someone explain it?

I think the concern would be that it would hurt
some kids in college admissions, either because their grades would show a drop of because kids who took harder classes earlier in high school would be at an advantage compared to their classmates who took those same classes but later in high school under the new policy.

PP you responded to. Now I understand. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Now if they implement an attendance policy, I’ll really be happy but this is a fantastic way to make our county better and more rigorous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, official now:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14eLJDsHHaFPUdw3Agm8xuQH0_ztil2Vt/view

This document doesn’t say anything about rounding/not rounding grades to the closest percentile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't something the BOE votes on. It's a regulation, not a policy, so it's up to Taylor and CO to rewrite it.

True, but when they informed the BOE about it maybe a month ago, and said they planned to do a phased roll-out, the BOE pushed back. That's why it's 6-12 now.

Really unhappy with the BOE on this one. My rising current high schooler is in tears over the anticipated additional stress next year. She could manage with the one quarter on, next quarter relax pace, but constant pressure to perform all year will be felt. Especially when there are 4 tests on the same day. Ugh, Ugh, Ugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't something the BOE votes on. It's a regulation, not a policy, so it's up to Taylor and CO to rewrite it.

True, but when they informed the BOE about it maybe a month ago, and said they planned to do a phased roll-out, the BOE pushed back. That's why it's 6-12 now.

My objection isn't to the policy it's to the process. Don't publicly announce you're planning one thing and then do another without any notice or any explanation.

Making unannounced last-minute changes doesn't inspire trust and feels like a bait and switch. They could really easily have said, Hey, we were planning a phased implementation but decided to do it all at once, here's why. Still not ideal but I agree with OP that the lack of transparency here isn't right and is actually counter-educational: A system that doesn't hold itself to public account does not inspire students' trust.

The juniors and seniors are gonna be justifiably mad--not because it's not good policy, but because it's bad governance--and honestly that's not a great starting place for anyone for next year.

My kid has never had a B quarter grade and only stands to benefit from this, in theory. In practice, it's just one more indication that the system they are subject to is not actually interested in them as full-fledged human beings with opinions, thoughts, and voices of their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't something the BOE votes on. It's a regulation, not a policy, so it's up to Taylor and CO to rewrite it.

True, but when they informed the BOE about it maybe a month ago, and said they planned to do a phased roll-out, the BOE pushed back. That's why it's 6-12 now.

My objection isn't to the policy it's to the process. Don't publicly announce you're planning one thing and then do another without any notice or any explanation.

Making unannounced last-minute changes doesn't inspire trust and feels like a bait and switch. They could really easily have said, Hey, we were planning a phased implementation but decided to do it all at once, here's why. Still not ideal but I agree with OP that the lack of transparency here isn't right and is actually counter-educational: A system that doesn't hold itself to public account does not inspire students' trust.

The juniors and seniors are gonna be justifiably mad--not because it's not good policy, but because it's bad governance--and honestly that's not a great starting place for anyone for next year.

My kid has never had a B quarter grade and only stands to benefit from this, in theory. In practice, it's just one more indication that the system they are subject to is not actually interested in them as full-fledged human beings with opinions, thoughts, and voices of their own.

So well said!

[Anonymous]

My rising senior is super pissed that they can change the way the game is played 3/4 of the way through for some kids. Of course they can’t just phase in changes; MCPS is gonna MCPS.

[Anonymous]

I hope everyone is expressing their opinions, whatever they are, directly to Taylor, Hazel and the BOE as suggested by the OP. They need to hear from parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't something the BOE votes on. It's a regulation, not a policy, so it's up to Taylor and CO to rewrite it.

True, but when they informed the BOE about it maybe a month ago, and said they planned to do a phased roll-out, the BOE pushed back. That's why it's 6-12 now.

My objection isn't to the policy it's to the process. Don't publicly announce you're planning one thing and then do another without any notice or any explanation.

Making unannounced last-minute changes doesn't inspire trust and feels like a bait and switch. They could really easily have said, Hey, we were planning a phased implementation but decided to do it all at once, here's why. Still not ideal but I agree with OP that the lack of transparency here isn't right and is actually counter-educational: A system that doesn't hold itself to public account does not inspire students' trust.

The juniors and seniors are gonna be justifiably mad--not because it's not good policy, but because it's bad governance--and honestly that's not a great starting place for anyone for next year.

My kid has never had a B quarter grade and only stands to benefit from this, in theory. In practice, it's just one more indication that the system they are subject to is not actually interested in them as full-fledged human beings with opinions, thoughts, and voices of their own.

This is Taylor’s way. MCPS ducks accountability, fails to show its work and does not want genuine parent or student input or feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope everyone is expressing their opinions, whatever they are, directly to Taylor, Hazel and the BOE as suggested by the OP. They need to hear from parents.

Yes! People need to be vocal about their disgust with MCPS’s lack of transparency and collaboration with the public.

[Anonymous]

I really wish the MCR and SGA's weren't so anemic. They could be representing students and not just padding resumes and planning HoCo. Though obviously that's not up to me!

Students are stakeholders. Some are legal adults! And most older students are very nearly so. It's such poor form not to notify them at all, much less solicit feedback, much less change the game 3/4 of the way in.

Can't wait to be done with all this. Less than 12 months to go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op is right that it’s weird to average the two quarters instead of skit giving a semester grade. For the AP classes there are almost no assignments 4th quarter so it’s weird to weigh it as heavily as third quarter.

I have a rising junior and somehow missed the earlier thread about this. Amy change is incredibly nerve wracking at this point. We are already so stressed out aboit the whole thing. And I feel like the first year always has tough adjustments as the teachers figure it out. I really hate for the experimentation heat to be his junior year when we’re already sort of mentally hanging on by a thread. Teachers will neeec to develop new finals that they’ve never given before and it won’t necessarily all work immediately for all teachers. It might be helpful if they all bring back curved grading — my oldest is at a challenging college and often the teacher overshoots on the final, everyone gets a D and so the teacher says “sorry, I wrote a bad test — don’t worrry I’ve curve it.” Currently McPS teachers don’t have that ability. I just think there are gojng to be unanticipated wrinkles that will take a year or two to iron out.

What are you talking about no assignments 4th quarter for AP classes. There are plenty of assignments. There has to be because all the students who are not seniors need grades. It’s one of the reasons why I and others absolutely hate when school starts and how classes are setup because for AP students they have to take exams early May at almost the start of 4th qtr but then have like 6wks remaining for class. My kid has had whole projects and papers that had to be done post exams.

Are you aware of what those assignments actually are? As a mother of current junior, I found the multiple assignments requiring students to plan trips interesting but not exactly reflective of the subject.

Yes I’m acutely aware of the assignments are and can see the grades. And while even my kids will admit these assignments are more interesting and enjoyable, the absolutely are still requiring time and focus. They are just more project based assignments.

Yes. It’s very “project based” to plan a teacher’s vacation. <eye roll>

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not fair that my 89.45 didn't round to 89.5 to round to 90 to round to 100/An

You should probably relearn the rules of rounding. Some of you are telling on yourselves.