Have the HOPE Rating Scales already been filled out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got my DS's application package today, and his HOPE scale is dated 11/XX/2023. I was so surprised that it was done so early.

On another thread someone posted on 12/XX2023 that she got a copy of her child's HOPE scale. So I think she got to see it soon after it was filled out, and I am being a dummy to wait until now.

The person who had posted their scores had applied from a private school so the application process was different. I would be surprised if your child’s was completed in November given that applications were not due until December.

On the HOPE scale sheet it has a date on the upper right corner, it says 11/XX/2023. The AAP package summary sheet has Feb. 2024 date. I don't want to ask AART for such trivial thing, but I assume the Nov. date is there because that's the time they filled it out. My child is a typical 2nd grader candidate, being with FCPS from K etc.

The HOPE scale my DS got isn't great. Best rating was "Often", not a single Always or Almost Always, as compared to that "private school" sample. Kind of relieved it's from private school and wondering if FCPS scores are universally lower? Not going to lie but I strongly disagree with the rating. Respect the teachers and it's what it is, can't argue with the score card even it is wrong. We'll see if he gets in.

I think kids don’t always show the same things in school as they do at home. So while you may disagree, it may be what she is seeing in the classroom.

NP — it’s one teacher’s opinion and is given a ridiculous amount of weight in the application process. DC had a teacher who had no idea what she was doing last yr and GBRS reflected that. Unsurprisingly, that class had low AAP acceptance rates vs. other classes at the same school. What I learned in the appeal process is that GBRS (I’m assuming HOPE is being used the same way as GBRS, but not entirely sure about that) is assessed every year before 2nd (w/o commentary, just scores) so I requested scores from 1st. My kid had all consistently observed and 1 frequently observed on the 1st grade ratings. A few months later, in fall of 2nd, she suddenly had all frequently observed w/ the new teacher. It’s absurd.

It's given a large amount of weight in the application process because report cards are meaningless (3? 4? 2?) and because test scores are unreliable (test prepping has really taken off in the past few years and, while not universal, is widespread especially in some areas). So that leaves the HOPE/GBRS. This is what parents have led the schools to value because it's the only thing that is not being gamed by parents.

Parents try and game the system with the GBRS/HOPE scores. One of the reason that Teachers are told to not discuss AAP with parents is to prevent that but the posts here clearly demonstrate that different schools handle AAP differently. Some schools have AARTs that will review parent referals and work samples for parents while others have a strict no discussion policy. You don't think that the schools were AARTs and Teachers who are openly working with parents are not prone to HOPE scores being influenced? DS's school did not discuss AAP with parents. We mentioned that we were thinking about applying for him in Second grade and his Teacher was very clear that it was not something they could discuss. We were fine with that and respected that line. I trusted what they put for GBRS comments because the examples they gave and explanations were honest, the vast majority were positive but one was critical. My friends reported that their GBRSs were less flattering. The comments and scores I hear people talk about the GBRS they got from Teachers at schools were there is more open discussion about AAP seem to be very different then what we saw. And yes, I suspect that the Committee knows what schools ignore the "Don't discuss AAP" rule.

It's not one monolothic Committee. It's a situtation where, say, Churchill Road and Canterbury Woods teachers review packets from Wakefield Forest and Wakefield Forest and Lemon Road review packets from Little Run or some such. It's just a big group of AARTs and 2nd grade teachers.

[Anonymous]

^^^

Oh and they are comparing them to each other. So your kid at Wolftrap ES is only compared to other Wolftrap kids, or whatever. So it doesn't really matter if Haycock reviews parent packets while Wolftrap doesn't, because Haycock kids aren't being compared against Wolftrap kids.

Or that's what our AART said at the county-approved presentation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got my DS's application package today, and his HOPE scale is dated 11/XX/2023. I was so surprised that it was done so early.

On another thread someone posted on 12/XX2023 that she got a copy of her child's HOPE scale. So I think she got to see it soon after it was filled out, and I am being a dummy to wait until now.

That's interesting that you are able to see the HOPE scores and that you received the application packet already. Our AART told parents at my child's school earlier this week that parents cannot receive a copy of the packet until "the screening committee" finalizes the review in mid-March. It seems as though the timeline is that the school sends the applications to the central committee now, so what's the problem in giving the application packet to parents once the school portion is over? This is just more evidence (I guess) that every AART is different. Sigh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got my DS's application package today, and his HOPE scale is dated 11/XX/2023. I was so surprised that it was done so early.

On another thread someone posted on 12/XX2023 that she got a copy of her child's HOPE scale. So I think she got to see it soon after it was filled out, and I am being a dummy to wait until now.

That's interesting that you are able to see the HOPE scores and that you received the application packet already. Our AART told parents at my child's school earlier this week that parents cannot receive a copy of the packet until "the screening committee" finalizes the review in mid-March. It seems as though the timeline is that the school sends the applications to the central committee now, so what's the problem in giving the application packet to parents once the school portion is over? This is just more evidence (I guess) that every AART is different. Sigh!

This strongly implies decisions will be out the Friday before spring break as usual, which answers this thread: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1185942.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got my DS's application package today, and his HOPE scale is dated 11/XX/2023. I was so surprised that it was done so early.

On another thread someone posted on 12/XX2023 that she got a copy of her child's HOPE scale. So I think she got to see it soon after it was filled out, and I am being a dummy to wait until now.

The person who had posted their scores had applied from a private school so the application process was different. I would be surprised if your child’s was completed in November given that applications were not due until December.

On the HOPE scale sheet it has a date on the upper right corner, it says 11/XX/2023. The AAP package summary sheet has Feb. 2024 date. I don't want to ask AART for such trivial thing, but I assume the Nov. date is there because that's the time they filled it out. My child is a typical 2nd grader candidate, being with FCPS from K etc.

The HOPE scale my DS got isn't great. Best rating was "Often", not a single Always or Almost Always, as compared to that "private school" sample. Kind of relieved it's from private school and wondering if FCPS scores are universally lower? Not going to lie but I strongly disagree with the rating. Respect the teachers and it's what it is, can't argue with the score card even it is wrong. We'll see if he gets in.

I think kids don’t always show the same things in school as they do at home. So while you may disagree, it may be what she is seeing in the classroom.

NP — it’s one teacher’s opinion and is given a ridiculous amount of weight in the application process. DC had a teacher who had no idea what she was doing last yr and GBRS reflected that. Unsurprisingly, that class had low AAP acceptance rates vs. other classes at the same school. What I learned in the appeal process is that GBRS (I’m assuming HOPE is being used the same way as GBRS, but not entirely sure about that) is assessed every year before 2nd (w/o commentary, just scores) so I requested scores from 1st. My kid had all consistently observed and 1 frequently observed on the 1st grade ratings. A few months later, in fall of 2nd, she suddenly had all frequently observed w/ the new teacher. It’s absurd.

It's given a large amount of weight in the application process because report cards are meaningless (3? 4? 2?) and because test scores are unreliable (test prepping has really taken off in the past few years and, while not universal, is widespread especially in some areas). So that leaves the HOPE/GBRS. This is what parents have led the schools to value because it's the only thing that is not being gamed by parents.

Parents try and game the system with the GBRS/HOPE scores. One of the reason that Teachers are told to not discuss AAP with parents is to prevent that but the posts here clearly demonstrate that different schools handle AAP differently. Some schools have AARTs that will review parent referals and work samples for parents while others have a strict no discussion policy. You don't think that the schools were AARTs and Teachers who are openly working with parents are not prone to HOPE scores being influenced? DS's school did not discuss AAP with parents. We mentioned that we were thinking about applying for him in Second grade and his Teacher was very clear that it was not something they could discuss. We were fine with that and respected that line. I trusted what they put for GBRS comments because the examples they gave and explanations were honest, the vast majority were positive but one was critical. My friends reported that their GBRSs were less flattering. The comments and scores I hear people talk about the GBRS they got from Teachers at schools were there is more open discussion about AAP seem to be very different then what we saw. And yes, I suspect that the Committee knows what schools ignore the "Don't discuss AAP" rule.

It's not one monolothic Committee. It's a situtation where, say, Churchill Road and Canterbury Woods teachers review packets from Wakefield Forest and Wakefield Forest and Lemon Road review packets from Little Run or some such. It's just a big group of AARTs and 2nd grade teachers.

I thought all identifying information was removed so they don't know what school the child goes to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got my DS's application package today, and his HOPE scale is dated 11/XX/2023. I was so surprised that it was done so early.

On another thread someone posted on 12/XX2023 that she got a copy of her child's HOPE scale. So I think she got to see it soon after it was filled out, and I am being a dummy to wait until now.

The person who had posted their scores had applied from a private school so the application process was different. I would be surprised if your child’s was completed in November given that applications were not due until December.

On the HOPE scale sheet it has a date on the upper right corner, it says 11/XX/2023. The AAP package summary sheet has Feb. 2024 date. I don't want to ask AART for such trivial thing, but I assume the Nov. date is there because that's the time they filled it out. My child is a typical 2nd grader candidate, being with FCPS from K etc.

The HOPE scale my DS got isn't great. Best rating was "Often", not a single Always or Almost Always, as compared to that "private school" sample. Kind of relieved it's from private school and wondering if FCPS scores are universally lower? Not going to lie but I strongly disagree with the rating. Respect the teachers and it's what it is, can't argue with the score card even it is wrong. We'll see if he gets in.

I think kids don’t always show the same things in school as they do at home. So while you may disagree, it may be what she is seeing in the classroom.

NP — it’s one teacher’s opinion and is given a ridiculous amount of weight in the application process. DC had a teacher who had no idea what she was doing last yr and GBRS reflected that. Unsurprisingly, that class had low AAP acceptance rates vs. other classes at the same school. What I learned in the appeal process is that GBRS (I’m assuming HOPE is being used the same way as GBRS, but not entirely sure about that) is assessed every year before 2nd (w/o commentary, just scores) so I requested scores from 1st. My kid had all consistently observed and 1 frequently observed on the 1st grade ratings. A few months later, in fall of 2nd, she suddenly had all frequently observed w/ the new teacher. It’s absurd.

It's given a large amount of weight in the application process because report cards are meaningless (3? 4? 2?) and because test scores are unreliable (test prepping has really taken off in the past few years and, while not universal, is widespread especially in some areas). So that leaves the HOPE/GBRS. This is what parents have led the schools to value because it's the only thing that is not being gamed by parents.

Parents try and game the system with the GBRS/HOPE scores. One of the reason that Teachers are told to not discuss AAP with parents is to prevent that but the posts here clearly demonstrate that different schools handle AAP differently. Some schools have AARTs that will review parent referals and work samples for parents while others have a strict no discussion policy. You don't think that the schools were AARTs and Teachers who are openly working with parents are not prone to HOPE scores being influenced? DS's school did not discuss AAP with parents. We mentioned that we were thinking about applying for him in Second grade and his Teacher was very clear that it was not something they could discuss. We were fine with that and respected that line. I trusted what they put for GBRS comments because the examples they gave and explanations were honest, the vast majority were positive but one was critical. My friends reported that their GBRSs were less flattering. The comments and scores I hear people talk about the GBRS they got from Teachers at schools were there is more open discussion about AAP seem to be very different then what we saw. And yes, I suspect that the Committee knows what schools ignore the "Don't discuss AAP" rule.

It's not one monolothic Committee. It's a situtation where, say, Churchill Road and Canterbury Woods teachers review packets from Wakefield Forest and Wakefield Forest and Lemon Road review packets from Little Run or some such. It's just a big group of AARTs and 2nd grade teachers.

I thought all identifying information was removed so they don't know what school the child goes to.

Ha! No. Did you get your child’s packet yet? The identifying info is all in there.

[Anonymous]

Schools are listed.