My kid’s report card has never been so great, lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader has all As for the first
Time and he’s in all honors
For him, it’s bc he struggles terribly with executive function
He forgets to turn in assignments. Often had a C or D mid year in the past
He loves that Everything is online and in one place. Everything is organized and he learned in our office
There’s no forgetting to write it down or losing the assignment book.

OP here, and I think that’s part of it for us except *I* am able to keep an eye on what he is supposed to do and nudge him about important stuff (or some of it). I dread middle school where he will be on his own. I wish they kept some sort of online portal for assignments that we could check together.

OP, now is the time to work with him, monitor everything and make sure it gets done. And, in middle, get in regular contact with his teachers or consider an 504 for support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have a 5th grader, and while her school isn’t assessing the students this semester, the teacher did provide comments. And the comments reflected that she did not know my child’s weaknesses, whatsoever! Quite hilarious really. Agree that I don’t know where to laugh or cry. Sad situation.

The report card comments I wrote were always rosy as could be. I learned my lesson when I was reamed out in a parent-teacher conference for saying a child’s project was “fine.” There was also the family with an oppositional-defiant kid who told me to stop contacting them for any reason and just “deal with it.” Given the tenor of public comments from parents this year, I would never stick my neck out by mentioning anything negative in a written comment. If I were truly concerned a child was falling severely behind, I’d call home, but I’d have a learning specialist or admin conferenced in. In the best of years, four times out of ten families get abusive when they hear what they perceive as bad news. If we have to work together all year, I’m doing whatever it takes to preserve the relationship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have a 5th grader, and while her school isn’t assessing the students this semester, the teacher did provide comments. And the comments reflected that she did not know my child’s weaknesses, whatsoever! Quite hilarious really. Agree that I don’t know where to laugh or cry. Sad situation.

The report card comments I wrote were always rosy as could be. I learned my lesson when I was reamed out in a parent-teacher conference for saying a child’s project was “fine.” There was also the family with an oppositional-defiant kid who told me to stop contacting them for any reason and just “deal with it.” Given the tenor of public comments from parents this year, I would never stick my neck out by mentioning anything negative in a written comment. If I were truly concerned a child was falling severely behind, I’d call home, but I’d have a learning specialist or admin conferenced in. In the best of years, four times out of ten families get abusive when they hear what they perceive as bad news. If we have to work together all year, I’m doing whatever it takes to preserve the relationship.

Mcps does not allow for comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a ton of kids that are much happier now that they are doing DL.

Teachers can't be mean and rude to kids on the camera.

Agree. I love hearing the entire class. I think classes should be recorded when students are back in the building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is doing DL at a public school. Got his report card yesterday and he has gotten glowing reviews like never before.
Above grade level in math and reading, on grade level for everything else.
At the same time, he never turns his camera on. He participates in small groups projects but not much else. He does math because I am able to see what he is doing, push him to do it the proper way, and help him when he needs it. For writing he only did a couple of assessments/essays and one of them was subpar in my opinion.
I have a feeling that teachers are just afraid to say anything less than glowing and positive because of the potential pushback from the angry and frustrated parents, and because they are motivated to show progress in kids. The admin will then make a case of DL being a success and kids reaching learning goals etc.
It just makes me sad and wanting to laugh hysterically at the same time. We will be manipulated because data is so arbitrary.

That's fantastic, OP!
I'm so happy for you, but more so your kid... what a confidence boost for him, bravo!

Mine are in high school and it's not as easy as elementary school, but we're working on it.
It's a LOT of work to do on his own... a lot, a lot, but we've hired online tutors and although he is struggling, we're definitely seeing progress.

I do have to say that his teachers at MCPS have been incredibly patient, understanding and well, patient again, lol.

It takes a village right? 😊

Congratulations to all who's kids had great report cards, you should be so proud!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is also getting all As while taking 2 math classes (geometry and algebra 2) in 8th grade. No way he could do this during a regular year with all the typical distractions.

That said, my very social kids (i have 3) are begin to struggle with the isolation. They probably get more face time than many kids (each played a (distanced) fall sport and see kids for bike rides etc several times a week) but it's HARD. it's just draining to be on a computer for so many hours. they have no real relationships with their teachers or classmates. They have their long-term friendships (thank goodness) but this is no substitute for everyday interactions with a variety of kids like school generally provides.

I am a HS math teacher and have many more As than any other year I’ve taught. I do not think my students know the material better than previous years, the expectations are much lower in DL. Everything can be resubmitted for full credit, no late penalty and you can use notes on any assessment. Take these grades with a large grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader has all As for the first
Time and he’s in all honors
For him, it’s bc he struggles terribly with executive function
He forgets to turn in assignments. Often had a C or D mid year in the past
He loves that Everything is online and in one place. Everything is organized and he learned in our office
There’s no forgetting to write it down or losing the assignment book.

This has been my 9th grader's experience too.

Executive function difficulties have improved because he has his own office where he can focus without the distractions and noise of a crowded classroom.

He has been able to take honors classes for the first time because his focus has improved so much. He is also not so rushed with assignments because of the lack of a commute and reduction in wasted time transitioning during the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid is doing DL at a public school. Got his report card yesterday and he has gotten glowing reviews like never before.
Above grade level in math and reading, on grade level for everything else.
At the same time, he never turns his camera on. He participates in small groups projects but not much else. He does math because I am able to see what he is doing, push him to do it the proper way, and help him when he needs it. For writing he only did a couple of assessments/essays and one of them was subpar in my opinion.
I have a feeling that teachers are just afraid to say anything less than glowing and positive because of the potential pushback from the angry and frustrated parents, and because they are motivated to show progress in kids. The admin will then make a case of DL being a success and kids reaching learning goals etc.
It just makes me sad and wanting to laugh hysterically at the same time. We will be manipulated because data is so arbitrary.

This year, your kid might be the head of the class based on who's around him. Maybe in school where everyone is there, he doesn't shine. Now, so many kids aren't doing anything that just him doing something makes him stand out. Plus, it's public school. IMO, if you show up, behave yourself, do your work and hand it in on time, you're ahead of the game.

No it’s not the case. Same kids as last year. Also it’s not a competition; his grades are “above grade level” for the first time in math. We do math together for 15-30 mins a day. Just school math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should have higher expectations for him and in your home. Review his work and expect camera on.

Why? Half of the school stuff is busy work. I try to review the important stuff which is like 10% of it.

That was normal before DL. And the reason I daydreamed and doodled in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a ton of kids that are much happier now that they are doing DL.

Teachers can't be mean and rude to kids on the camera.

Agree. I love hearing the entire class. I think classes should be recorded when students are back in the building.

They should have cameras in every classroom for safety. They are so inexpensive now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should have higher expectations for him and in your home. Review his work and expect camera on.

Why? Half of the school stuff is busy work. I try to review the important stuff which is like 10% of it.

That was normal before DL. And the reason I daydreamed and doodled in class.

OP here: I didn’t realize that. My kid says school is boring. It was marketed as a special school with a ton of extra stuff (parent participation) but still a lot of busywork I guess...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid is doing DL at a public school. Got his report card yesterday and he has gotten glowing reviews like never before.
Above grade level in math and reading, on grade level for everything else.
At the same time, he never turns his camera on. He participates in small groups projects but not much else. He does math because I am able to see what he is doing, push him to do it the proper way, and help him when he needs it. For writing he only did a couple of assessments/essays and one of them was subpar in my opinion.
I have a feeling that teachers are just afraid to say anything less than glowing and positive because of the potential pushback from the angry and frustrated parents, and because they are motivated to show progress in kids. The admin will then make a case of DL being a success and kids reaching learning goals etc.
It just makes me sad and wanting to laugh hysterically at the same time. We will be manipulated because data is so arbitrary.

That's fantastic, OP!
I'm so happy for you, but more so your kid... what a confidence boost for him, bravo!

Mine are in high school and it's not as easy as elementary school, but we're working on it.
It's a LOT of work to do on his own... a lot, a lot, but we've hired online tutors and although he is struggling, we're definitely seeing progress.

I do have to say that his teachers at MCPS have been incredibly patient, understanding and well, patient again, lol.

It takes a village right? 😊

Congratulations to all who's kids had great report cards, you should be so proud!

Thank you but I am not sure I share your enthusiasm. As confirmed by the teacher PP above the reports are inflated to a large degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader has all As for the first
Time and he’s in all honors
For him, it’s bc he struggles terribly with executive function
He forgets to turn in assignments. Often had a C or D mid year in the past
He loves that Everything is online and in one place. Everything is organized and he learned in our office
There’s no forgetting to write it down or losing the assignment book.

I am a teacher. You are not the only parent who has said something like this. For many kids who struggle with executive functioning being online has been a real benefit. One other thing that you didn't mention is that kids can go back online to revisit the Nearpod, Desmos or Kami documents. I also get a lot of kids during my Office Hours who love the extra one-on-one attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should have higher expectations for him and in your home. Review his work and expect camera on.

Expect more from your kids, folks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is also getting all As while taking 2 math classes (geometry and algebra 2) in 8th grade. No way he could do this during a regular year with all the typical distractions.

That said, my very social kids (i have 3) are begin to struggle with the isolation. They probably get more face time than many kids (each played a (distanced) fall sport and see kids for bike rides etc several times a week) but it's HARD. it's just draining to be on a computer for so many hours. they have no real relationships with their teachers or classmates. They have their long-term friendships (thank goodness) but this is no substitute for everyday interactions with a variety of kids like school generally provides.

I am a HS math teacher and have many more As than any other year I’ve taught. I do not think my students know the material better than previous years, the expectations are much lower in DL. Everything can be resubmitted for full credit, no late penalty and you can use notes on any assessment. Take these grades with a large grain of salt.

I also am a secondary math teacher. We're administering the same tests as last year, modified only in the case of changes of the standards being taught (our framework was modified), but the same questions worth the same value. Our grading scale has not changed. I am seeing an increase, smallish but an increase nonetheless, in conceptual understanding. I also am seeing a big change in grades because of the way we are communicating assignments using Canvas. The more organized display of assignments and my increased contact using email to send reminders about assignments is increasing assignment submissions. And THAT is making a huge difference in grades.