Why are kids mad about the new grading?

[Anonymous]

I’m a current MCPS student and heard that students are going to board meetings to talk about the new grading. Why is it such a problem? I’m a rising junior, by the way, and it would just seem that you should keep with your current output of work and your grades will be fine. It seems to only be a problem if you’re slacking off, so I would understand a few stragglers, but even in my own inner circle, people are really mad. Is there something I don’t know? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

You should probably ask your fellow students if you want the real answer. Getting answers from adults who aren't involved isn't going to help

[Anonymous]

Maybe the new policy makes kids earn their grades? But I doubt that. MCPS wouldn't do that.

[Anonymous]

It's a mystery. Not only are they mad, they think it will negatively affect their mental health. What hot house flowers.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think you’re a student. Regardless, because A’s will be harder to come by, obviously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re a student. Regardless, because A’s will be harder to come by, obviously.

Why don’t you think I am?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re a student. Regardless, because A’s will be harder to come by, obviously.

I don't think so either but whatever.

[Anonymous]

Under the policy MCPS has been using, for any given semester, if you got an A one quarter and a B the other quarter, MCPS gave you an A for your semester grade. That meant that if you got an A (at least 89.5%) in the first quarter of any semester, you knew you had an A for your semester grade even if you got an 79.5% for the second quarter. That allowed A/B students some grace in the second half of semesters. It’s the 4th quarter. Need more time to study for AP exams? Have a huge year-end project due? No problem, you can put in minimal effort on a few small assignments or turn them in late and let your grade slip to B without your GPA taking any hit, as long as you had an A for the 3rd quarter.

Under the new policy, your percentage for each quarter in a semester will be averaged to determine your semester grade. Let’s say you get a 92% in the third quarter and an 86% for the 4th quarter. Your semester grade would be 89% — a B. Under the old grading system it would have been an A. You’ll end up with a lower GPA under the new policy.

The old policy is more popular with students because it gave them a little wiggle room for the second and fourth quarters, which often have more projects and more content covered on tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Under the policy MCPS has been using, for any given semester, if you got an A one quarter and a B the other quarter, MCPS gave you an A for your semester grade. That meant that if you got an A (at least 89.5%) in the first quarter of any semester, you knew you had an A for your semester grade even if you got an 79.5% for the second quarter. That allowed A/B students some grace in the second half of semesters. It’s the 4th quarter. Need more time to study for AP exams? Have a huge year-end project due? No problem, you can put in minimal effort on a few small assignments or turn them in late and let your grade slip to B without your GPA taking any hit, as long as you had an A for the 3rd quarter.

Under the new policy, your percentage for each quarter in a semester will be averaged to determine your semester grade. Let’s say you get a 92% in the third quarter and an 86% for the 4th quarter. Your semester grade would be 89% — a B. Under the old grading system it would have been an A. You’ll end up with a lower GPA under the new policy.

The old policy is more popular with students because it gave them a little wiggle room for the second and fourth quarters, which often have more projects and more content covered on tests.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re a student. Regardless, because A’s will be harder to come by, obviously.

Why don’t you think I am?

Because nobody thinks a 16 year old is contemplating grade policies and posting on a parenting forum on a Saturday night in August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re a student. Regardless, because A’s will be harder to come by, obviously.

Why don’t you think I am?

Because nobody thinks a 16 year old is contemplating grade policies and posting on a parenting forum on a Saturday night in August.

Why pretend to be a student?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re a student. Regardless, because A’s will be harder to come by, obviously.

Why don’t you think I am?

Because nobody thinks a 16 year old is contemplating grade policies and posting on a parenting forum on a Saturday night in August.

Touché, but here I am.

[Anonymous]

We know a lot of families in MCPS, since all of my kids attended and now only one is still in high school... and none of them care at all. They were never the recipients of the previous, easier grading policy. ***My oldest, who struggled with special needs and had an IEP for many years, WAS NOT EVER a recipient of the 50% rule, for example.*** I'm very happy about the new grading. I don't think it helps anyone, and especially not the most vulnerable.

If you're not a troll, are you the Student Rep? A good life lesson to learn, OP, if you care about these things, is that the loudest people are sometimes NOT the most representative in the community!

[Anonymous]

^ clarification - I don't think the old grading helped anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
We know a lot of families in MCPS, since all of my kids attended and now only one is still in high school... and none of them care at all. They were never the recipients of the previous, easier grading policy. ***My oldest, who struggled with special needs and had an IEP for many years, WAS NOT EVER a recipient of the 50% rule, for example.*** I'm very happy about the new grading. I don't think it helps anyone, and especially not the most vulnerable.

If you're not a troll, are you the Student Rep? A good life lesson to learn, OP, if you care about these things, is that the loudest people are sometimes NOT the most representative in the community!

No not the student rep. And also really appreciate the insight.