HS Teachers Aren’t Keeping up on Grading

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know if parents realize this, but teachers lost a planning period this year. We now are required to spend one planning period doing random tasks for the school (like hall or lunch monitoring) and are losing hours a week of time that would’ve been dedicated to grading. It wasn’t always like this, but this, combined with the retake policy, is probably why teachers are particularly swamped this year.

Sorry not buying this. One of my DC’s teacher has managed to return 2 essays in the 3 month time period since the test was taken whereas this one teacher can’t even manage to get back one.

I’m the person you’re responding to, I am pretty good at grading (especially summatives) largely because I’m a single childless person who can afford to grade in my free time during evenings/weekends. My colleagues who struggle the most with grading often have young kids or second jobs (that they need) etc. that force them to try and get most of their work done during school hours. It’s just not physically possible to grade 150 essays in 3-5 hours of planning a week, which is down from half of what we used to have.

Also, I do know some colleagues who grade with AI :/ just saying. Faster grades ≠ better feedback.

This is a veteran teacher who has grown children that live out of the home. The teacher is a grandparent already too. Stop making excuses for them.

You don’t know the teacher’s individual circumstances. Also, you aren’t entitled to this teacher’s evening and weekend hours.

It’s unfortunate that’s when grading has to get done, but that’s the way the system is currently designed.

I don’t begrudge someone for putting their own lives before their jobs. Do I want my kids’ teachers to grade faster? Sure. But they should get time to do that during work hours. I’m not going to pitch a fit if they don’t give up family dinners and sleep for me.

You are the most exhausting person on this site. Just stop. You have a job, get it done. If you don't like it, find a different job.

I don’t understand. I do my job? I don’t need a different job, but thanks for the suggestion.

I just don’t think teachers should have to work as much as they do. Sorry that makes me exhausting.

I just don't think teachers work as much as they think they do. They certainly have a lot of time off. And can use their time more efficiently. It's work. We all work a lot!!

[Anonymous]

Admittedly, my kid goes to private so this isn't an issue for us, but I don't understand what the big deal is if teachers don't grade assignments right away. It will get graded eventually! I'm sure the teachers are trying their best grading all the students they have and managing their other job responsibilities.

[Anonymous]

The demands are so much more than they used to be, but the teaching model remains the same. Something has to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Admittedly, my kid goes to private so this isn't an issue for us, but I don't understand what the big deal is if teachers don't grade assignments right away. It will get graded eventually! I'm sure the teachers are trying their best grading all the students they have and managing their other job responsibilities.

I am talking about something that was taken before Thanksgiving break! It was a test with an essay. The essay will be a separate grade and has not been returned yet. It’s now February. How do the students get feedback and learn? When do they fit in a retake before the end of the quarter if they didn’t do as well as they thought?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The answer is that teachers should be adjusting their assignments to account for the time they have available for grading. If they don't have time to grade 150 essays, they shouldn't be assigning essays. Or if they do assign essays and can't get them graded within a certain timeframe, their weight for the student's grade should go down.

So you’re comfortable if your child writes no essays in high school?

HA this is my kids high school and no we are not comfortable at all with it. FCPS is a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The demands are so much more than they used to be, but the teaching model remains the same. Something has to change.

I wish the focus was on teaching and students. It's not and I agree something has to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know if parents realize this, but teachers lost a planning period this year. We now are required to spend one planning period doing random tasks for the school (like hall or lunch monitoring) and are losing hours a week of time that would’ve been dedicated to grading. It wasn’t always like this, but this, combined with the retake policy, is probably why teachers are particularly swamped this year.

I feel like this county is failing students and teachers. There is a lack of care from teachers and anger/frustration that is being directed at students. It's the message I don't need to grade or reteach because I have too many kids and not enough time. I wish parents and teachers would come together for the kids. FCPS is becoming a horrible school system. And no I don't know what the answer is but teachers fighting parents and parents fighting teachers is not the answer. The kids keep losing.

I’m not angry or frustrated at my students? I’m frustrated with admin for taking away 3 hours of planning time during our contract hours and forcing us to find time outside of school. Different teachers have different bandwidths for how much we can take home. And remember, we don’t get paid a penny of overtime.

I don’t blame the kids or even the parents at all, they didn’t do anything! This is all leadership’s fault.

I agree but we have seen teachers lashing out and taking their frustrations out on kids and their grades. It's very much a shrug of shoulders with actual instruction but then high school admins want to turn around and say kids should be more independent and getting ready for college. Yes very true that is why they are in high school...to learn the content and mature in their learning so they are ready for college. Teaching and learning is not a focus in FCPS and yes I also blame gatehouse and admin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know if parents realize this, but teachers lost a planning period this year. We now are required to spend one planning period doing random tasks for the school (like hall or lunch monitoring) and are losing hours a week of time that would’ve been dedicated to grading. It wasn’t always like this, but this, combined with the retake policy, is probably why teachers are particularly swamped this year.

Sorry not buying this. One of my DC’s teacher has managed to return 2 essays in the 3 month time period since the test was taken whereas this one teacher can’t even manage to get back one.

I’m the person you’re responding to, I am pretty good at grading (especially summatives) largely because I’m a single childless person who can afford to grade in my free time during evenings/weekends. My colleagues who struggle the most with grading often have young kids or second jobs (that they need) etc. that force them to try and get most of their work done during school hours. It’s just not physically possible to grade 150 essays in 3-5 hours of planning a week, which is down from half of what we used to have.

Also, I do know some colleagues who grade with AI :/ just saying. Faster grades ≠ better feedback.

This is a veteran teacher who has grown children that live out of the home. The teacher is a grandparent already too. Stop making excuses for them.

You don’t know the teacher’s individual circumstances. Also, you aren’t entitled to this teacher’s evening and weekend hours.

It’s unfortunate that’s when grading has to get done, but that’s the way the system is currently designed.

I don’t begrudge someone for putting their own lives before their jobs. Do I want my kids’ teachers to grade faster? Sure. But they should get time to do that during work hours. I’m not going to pitch a fit if they don’t give up family dinners and sleep for me.

You are the most exhausting person on this site. Just stop. You have a job, get it done. If you don't like it, find a different job.

I don’t understand. I do my job? I don’t need a different job, but thanks for the suggestion.

I just don’t think teachers should have to work as much as they do. Sorry that makes me exhausting.

I just don't think teachers work as much as they think they do. They certainly have a lot of time off. And can use their time more efficiently. It's work. We all work a lot!!

That’s a ridiculously uninformed opinion. I hate it that grading is slow too, but I would never blame the teacher, not nowadays. I don’t begrudge them their lives off the clock. I’m a fed, so I’m used to people accusing me of being lazy etc. who have no clue what it actually takes to do my job. I’ve only ever 2 teachers through 2 kids that I thought truly sucked. The rest are doing the best they could in a thankless job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know if parents realize this, but teachers lost a planning period this year. We now are required to spend one planning period doing random tasks for the school (like hall or lunch monitoring) and are losing hours a week of time that would’ve been dedicated to grading. It wasn’t always like this, but this, combined with the retake policy, is probably why teachers are particularly swamped this year.

Sorry not buying this. One of my DC’s teacher has managed to return 2 essays in the 3 month time period since the test was taken whereas this one teacher can’t even manage to get back one.

I’m the person you’re responding to, I am pretty good at grading (especially summatives) largely because I’m a single childless person who can afford to grade in my free time during evenings/weekends. My colleagues who struggle the most with grading often have young kids or second jobs (that they need) etc. that force them to try and get most of their work done during school hours. It’s just not physically possible to grade 150 essays in 3-5 hours of planning a week, which is down from half of what we used to have.

Also, I do know some colleagues who grade with AI :/ just saying. Faster grades ≠ better feedback.

This is a veteran teacher who has grown children that live out of the home. The teacher is a grandparent already too. Stop making excuses for them.

You don’t know the teacher’s individual circumstances. Also, you aren’t entitled to this teacher’s evening and weekend hours.

It’s unfortunate that’s when grading has to get done, but that’s the way the system is currently designed.

I don’t begrudge someone for putting their own lives before their jobs. Do I want my kids’ teachers to grade faster? Sure. But they should get time to do that during work hours. I’m not going to pitch a fit if they don’t give up family dinners and sleep for me.

You are the most exhausting person on this site. Just stop. You have a job, get it done. If you don't like it, find a different job.

I hope your children have stronger reading stamina than you do. I also hope they’re more compassionate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know if parents realize this, but teachers lost a planning period this year. We now are required to spend one planning period doing random tasks for the school (like hall or lunch monitoring) and are losing hours a week of time that would’ve been dedicated to grading. It wasn’t always like this, but this, combined with the retake policy, is probably why teachers are particularly swamped this year.

Sorry not buying this. One of my DC’s teacher has managed to return 2 essays in the 3 month time period since the test was taken whereas this one teacher can’t even manage to get back one.

I’m the person you’re responding to, I am pretty good at grading (especially summatives) largely because I’m a single childless person who can afford to grade in my free time during evenings/weekends. My colleagues who struggle the most with grading often have young kids or second jobs (that they need) etc. that force them to try and get most of their work done during school hours. It’s just not physically possible to grade 150 essays in 3-5 hours of planning a week, which is down from half of what we used to have.

Also, I do know some colleagues who grade with AI :/ just saying. Faster grades ≠ better feedback.

This is a veteran teacher who has grown children that live out of the home. The teacher is a grandparent already too. Stop making excuses for them.

You don’t know the teacher’s individual circumstances. Also, you aren’t entitled to this teacher’s evening and weekend hours.

It’s unfortunate that’s when grading has to get done, but that’s the way the system is currently designed.

I don’t begrudge someone for putting their own lives before their jobs. Do I want my kids’ teachers to grade faster? Sure. But they should get time to do that during work hours. I’m not going to pitch a fit if they don’t give up family dinners and sleep for me.

You are the most exhausting person on this site. Just stop. You have a job, get it done. If you don't like it, find a different job.

I don’t understand. I do my job? I don’t need a different job, but thanks for the suggestion.

I just don’t think teachers should have to work as much as they do. Sorry that makes me exhausting.

I just don't think teachers work as much as they think they do. They certainly have a lot of time off. And can use their time more efficiently. It's work. We all work a lot!!

As a parent of four kids, and as a parent who has seen the level of work my children's teachers put forth, I think your opinion is completely ill-informed and incorrect. Teachers work extraordinarily hard. Other professionals do, as well, but this isn't a competition. It is insane thet you'd claim teachers don't work as much as they think they do.

You're correct that teaching is work. Work, however, is not life. Therefore, if teachers have the "audacity" to spend time with their own families, taking care of themselves, or doing something thst makes them happy in the time they have off, they have every right to it. They do not owe us or our children all of their energy and attention 24/7.

[Anonymous]

I see this issue similar to a PCP Medical professionals. They have x number of patients each day at a fixed salary. But on top of your obligatory face to face time, there are insane amount of documentations, answering messages, answering calls, and meetings. Notes and documentations take a lot of time and need to be done in a timely manner or you don’t get paid — there are consequences. If not finish at work, you bring it home. At the end of the day, you do your job because you love it, no one likes paperwork. Burn out happens and that’s when one decide to quit or change career/retire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see this issue similar to a PCP Medical professionals. They have x number of patients each day at a fixed salary. But on top of your obligatory face to face time, there are insane amount of documentations, answering messages, answering calls, and meetings. Notes and documentations take a lot of time and need to be done in a timely manner or you don’t get paid — there are consequences. If not finish at work, you bring it home. At the end of the day, you do your job because you love it, no one likes paperwork. Burn out happens and that’s when one decide to quit or change career/retire.

+1 on this. Complaining and not grading and trying to explaining it away ad nauseum is tiring. As a person, I would rather fulfill the duties of my job (grading on time) than trying to scapegoat endlessly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see this issue similar to a PCP Medical professionals. They have x number of patients each day at a fixed salary. But on top of your obligatory face to face time, there are insane amount of documentations, answering messages, answering calls, and meetings. Notes and documentations take a lot of time and need to be done in a timely manner or you don’t get paid — there are consequences. If not finish at work, you bring it home. At the end of the day, you do your job because you love it, no one likes paperwork. Burn out happens and that’s when one decide to quit or change career/retire.

+1 on this. Complaining and not grading and trying to explaining it away ad nauseum is tiring. As a person, I would rather fulfill the duties of my job (grading on time) than trying to scapegoat endlessly.

I don’t understand why parents complain on this forum where you won’t get results. If a teacher hasn’t graded any work all quarter, if you’ve reached out to the teacher at least once and nothing was done, why don’t you email the principal, the AP responsible for the relevant department, and your child’s counselor? My high school requires teachers to enter a certain number of formative and summative grades per quarter, and our APs check our grade books during the quarter
to make sure we are on track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see this issue similar to a PCP Medical professionals. They have x number of patients each day at a fixed salary. But on top of your obligatory face to face time, there are insane amount of documentations, answering messages, answering calls, and meetings. Notes and documentations take a lot of time and need to be done in a timely manner or you don’t get paid — there are consequences. If not finish at work, you bring it home. At the end of the day, you do your job because you love it, no one likes paperwork. Burn out happens and that’s when one decide to quit or change career/retire.

+1 on this. Complaining and not grading and trying to explaining it away ad nauseum is tiring. As a person, I would rather fulfill the duties of my job (grading on time) than trying to scapegoat endlessly.

I don’t understand why parents complain on this forum where you won’t get results. If a teacher hasn’t graded any work all quarter, if you’ve reached out to the teacher at least once and nothing was done, why don’t you email the principal, the AP responsible for the relevant department, and your child’s counselor? My high school requires teachers to enter a certain number of formative and summative grades per quarter, and our APs check our grade books during the quarter
to make sure we are on track.

Because that would out a target on our children’s backs. Once the teacher gets wind of who complained, game over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see this issue similar to a PCP Medical professionals. They have x number of patients each day at a fixed salary. But on top of your obligatory face to face time, there are insane amount of documentations, answering messages, answering calls, and meetings. Notes and documentations take a lot of time and need to be done in a timely manner or you don’t get paid — there are consequences. If not finish at work, you bring it home. At the end of the day, you do your job because you love it, no one likes paperwork. Burn out happens and that’s when one decide to quit or change career/retire.

+1 on this. Complaining and not grading and trying to explaining it away ad nauseum is tiring. As a person, I would rather fulfill the duties of my job (grading on time) than trying to scapegoat endlessly.

I don’t understand why parents complain on this forum where you won’t get results. If a teacher hasn’t graded any work all quarter, if you’ve reached out to the teacher at least once and nothing was done, why don’t you email the principal, the AP responsible for the relevant department, and your child’s counselor? My high school requires teachers to enter a certain number of formative and summative grades per quarter, and our APs check our grade books during the quarter
to make sure we are on track.

Because that would out a target on our children’s backs. Once the teacher gets wind of who complained, game over.

I’m a teacher. Please don’t assume I’m some terrible monster. I’m simply trying to keep from drowning. I know I’m behind and I can’t help it. If you email me, you’re going to get a huge, sincere apology and I’m going to put that assignment at the top of my to-do list. (Pushing other late staff down, but that can’t be helped. There’s too much and not enough hours.) I’m not going to take it out on your child. If anything, I’m simply going to thank them for being patient.