APS new policy on remediation

[Anonymous]

Last year kids could retake to infinity. This is better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year kids could retake to infinity. This is better

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year kids could retake to infinity. This is better

That’s not true. It depended on teacher/class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year kids could retake to infinity. This is better

That’s not true. It depended on teacher/class.

Well, most implemented it the way it was explained to them, which was to infinity. Why study if you know you can retake a test again and again until you succeed? That’s what my kid “learned.” I am glad, especially for teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year kids could retake to infinity. This is better

That’s not true. It depended on teacher/class.

Well, most implemented it the way it was explained to them, which was to infinity. Why study if you know you can retake a test again and again until you succeed? That’s what my kid “learned.” I am glad, especially for teachers.

Because there is a cost to each retake.

How many kids actually retook tests multiple times?

Retakes are great because they promote learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year kids could retake to infinity. This is better

That’s not true. It depended on teacher/class.

Well, most implemented it the way it was explained to them, which was to infinity. Why study if you know you can retake a test again and again until you succeed? That’s what my kid “learned.” I am glad, especially for teachers.

Because there is a cost to each retake.

How many kids actually retook tests multiple times?

Retakes are great because they promote learning.

Agreed, as long as the process involves a little pain like this. Otherwise, they’re learning the wrong things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was like this last year and we did not know DC had ADHD. This was the main thing that made us realize the problem. Sports plus remediation plus keeping up so they didn’t fail the next test times 5 - it was a lot. The best approach is to study the first time…and if it’s a serious problem, consider ADHD or learning difficulties if those weren’t previously identified.

If it’s too much, then you prioritize and cut the sports. Problem solved.

No, never. Sports help with mental balance, socialization, stability. We might miss a practice here or there but ditching them should never be an option - this goes for anyone and especially those with learning disorders. Strengths first, always.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was like this last year and we did not know DC had ADHD. This was the main thing that made us realize the problem. Sports plus remediation plus keeping up so they didn’t fail the next test times 5 - it was a lot. The best approach is to study the first time…and if it’s a serious problem, consider ADHD or learning difficulties if those weren’t previously identified.

If it’s too much, then you prioritize and cut the sports. Problem solved.

No, never. Sports help with mental balance, socialization, stability. We might miss a practice here or there but ditching them should never be an option - this goes for anyone and especially those with learning disorders. Strengths first, always.

+1. You could say the same thing about practicing an instrument, drama or any other extracurricular. Of course the child has to put academics first, but you don't imprison them and strip their life of any joy because they're struggling with a class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was like this last year and we did not know DC had ADHD. This was the main thing that made us realize the problem. Sports plus remediation plus keeping up so they didn’t fail the next test times 5 - it was a lot. The best approach is to study the first time…and if it’s a serious problem, consider ADHD or learning difficulties if those weren’t previously identified.

If it’s too much, then you prioritize and cut the sports. Problem solved.

No, never. Sports help with mental balance, socialization, stability. We might miss a practice here or there but ditching them should never be an option - this goes for anyone and especially those with learning disorders. Strengths first, always.

+1. You could say the same thing about practicing an instrument, drama or any other extracurricular. Of course the child has to put academics first, but you don't imprison them and strip their life of any joy because they're struggling with a class.

No one’s saying you ban sports forever, but if little larlo can’t be bothered to study, then sorry, you get to skip football till you get your grades back up.

Even college athletes aren’t eligible to play if they don’t keep their grades at an acceptable level.

What types of lessons are you teaching your kids?! “Oh sweetie, go ahead and go to baseball. Who cares if you’re failing?”

[Anonymous]

Here’s hoping their mediocre soccer skills pay the bills later in life. You know, when they lack the intellectual skills needed for a real career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was like this last year and we did not know DC had ADHD. This was the main thing that made us realize the problem. Sports plus remediation plus keeping up so they didn’t fail the next test times 5 - it was a lot. The best approach is to study the first time…and if it’s a serious problem, consider ADHD or learning difficulties if those weren’t previously identified.

If it’s too much, then you prioritize and cut the sports. Problem solved.

No, never. Sports help with mental balance, socialization, stability. We might miss a practice here or there but ditching them should never be an option - this goes for anyone and especially those with learning disorders. Strengths first, always.

+1. You could say the same thing about practicing an instrument, drama or any other extracurricular. Of course the child has to put academics first, but you don't imprison them and strip their life of any joy because they're struggling with a class.

If a kid isn't spending the time needed on schoolwork and is doing poorly but spends hours on video games and social media and their phone, those things get cut back until the kid puts the effort in and gets their grades up to satisfactory levels. Same with sports. Unfortunately, they've made commitments to a team when they sign up for a sport. Nevertheless, APS does have basic academic requirements to be eligible to participate on sports teams.

[Anonymous]

I think there’s room for nuance here.

Is the kid trying their hardest but having a hard time grasping the material? I’d be more inclined to figure out if they’re in the right level than banish the sports.

But if the kid is just lazy and not doing the work, that’s an entirely different thing. No more sports till you get your act together.

[Anonymous]

I got to say I really like the retake policy. My kid is in 6th and got his first poor grade ever (C+) on a test. He was beside himself (crying, saying how he was a failure, is not worth anything, is pathetic, and shouldn't even go to school). However, once he calmed down, he was able to email the teacher regarding a retake, recognize what he did wrong (in his case, misread the instructions) and is going to retake tomorrow.

So for kids like mine that experience academic stress (and yes we are seeking help) it is good that he knows that he has a chance to fix things if he makes a mistake.

[Anonymous]

Are teachers updating grades after the retakes? One of DC's teachers told them that grading retakes wasn't a priority so they won't see any updates to their grade until the end of the quarter. Interim progress reports should be released soon, and it seems somehow wrong that they won't know their current actual grade.

DC studied for the initial test and didn't do well and is anxiously waiting to see if the retake and extra remediation raised their grade. Part of the rationale behind this remediation policy as well as the homework-related policies is to give the kids a chance to learn the material and not give up on the class.

[Anonymous]

8:33 your child isn't alone. This is to me also an outcome of elementary schools not sufficiently challenging some kids so when they get to their first hard class they are completely unprepared for facing setbacks in the classroom.