Madison H.S. Parents - Principal Survey and Skills-Based Grading

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perspective from a student:

1. I don't like that every class has a different grading policy.

2. Some teachers really stress that certain assignments are mandatory (even though they aren't graded). They really try to get us to do the assignments. Other teachers do not push the idea of "mandatory" assignments.

3. (Me: how has your in-class experience changed from prior years when there was a different grading policy -- when homework/practice was given a grade vs. SBG where it isn't graded) Student: It's pretty much the same. There have always been people who don't do the preparation work for class.

4. (Me: the reason I'm asking about SBG is b/c some people are complaining about it.) Student: well, you should argue against them (meaning Student LIKES SBG better than previous system).

5. Student: If you know how to do something, then you don't need to do the practice. But, if you are not doing well on the assessments, then that's on you for choosing not to do the practice work.

6: Me: Do people NOT do retakes much anymore b/c they know there will be another chance to be assessed on a skill? Student: People still do lots of retakes (in classes where retakes are allowed).

__________________

In some sense, SBG gives the student MORE control over how they engage in the learning process. Some kids like that, and it works for them.

Ok Admin - we hear you loud & clear. We have kids too

[Anonymous]

I would have less of a problem with it if they brought back +/- grades. I think the only reason those were eliminated was to suppress grades at the top to reduce inequity with the struggling students. They should instead focus on actually helping these kids.

[Anonymous]

Just read that the Madison PTA funded training for at least two school officials on skills based grading. It also noted that the principal is focused in better “communication” on the program rather than actual changes. The latch-up between the PTA and the administration on this issue is probably why skills based grading is here to stay. I don’t feel comfortable registering concerns with the PTA for fear of it having blowback on my kid socially But no more PTA donations if we have money to spare for this kind of nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just read that the Madison PTA funded training for at least two school officials on skills based grading. It also noted that the principal is focused in better “communication” on the program rather than actual changes. The latch-up between the PTA and the administration on this issue is probably why skills based grading is here to stay. I don’t feel comfortable registering concerns with the PTA for fear of it having blowback on my kid socially But no more PTA donations if we have money to spare for this kind of nonsense.

This is true and there’s more to say but not on this public forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just read that the Madison PTA funded training for at least two school officials on skills based grading. It also noted that the principal is focused in better “communication” on the program rather than actual changes. The latch-up between the PTA and the administration on this issue is probably why skills based grading is here to stay. I don’t feel comfortable registering concerns with the PTA for fear of it having blowback on my kid socially But no more PTA donations if we have money to spare for this kind of nonsense.

I agree and felt like asking for my money back. I will not be donating anymore money either and will tell other people not to as well. I’m not worried about social blowback to my kids. I am worried about admin giving them a hard time. I have some ideas and would love to talk to like-minded parents but need another forum than this. Was thinking about forming an FB group but people could post anonymously and it would be private.

[Anonymous]

Someone told me there is a meeting to go over the new grading policies. Does anyone have the information or link for it? Thank you

[Anonymous]

Madison’s newsletter has information about a survey on grading and assessments from instructional services that closes tomorrow. Has anyone received the survey link?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Madison’s newsletter has information about a survey on grading and assessments from instructional services that closes tomorrow. Has anyone received the survey link?

Saw that. Looked in Spam box for it. Never received anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Madison’s newsletter has information about a survey on grading and assessments from instructional services that closes tomorrow. Has anyone received the survey link?

Saw that. Looked in Spam box for it. Never received anything.

I’ve asked about it and was told it hasn’t gone out yet. I’ve also been told Reid is considering forming a committee to look into the lack of consistency in grading policies across FCPS. That is the bigger issue to me. This shouldn’t be happening at all. An Edison parent on this thread said principals weren’t supposed to move forward with changes until Reid had a chance to look into this.

[Anonymous]

A lot of talk here, but not sure those in favor this program aren’t being swayed by consultant promises of what SBG is supposed to do. And rather wouldn’t benefit from
Putting themselves in the shoes of a kid with personal goal to attend college programs that only accept 5-10% or applicants. It matters to them, a lot!

Before SBG: No midterms or finals at Madison to avoid test anxiety. And practice often counted 20% of a grade.

Then Covid happened and teen anxiety has reached an all time high.

Enter skills based grading. My child has had straight As since middle school and is one of those extra advanced math kids, and the kid that takes the almost difficult stem classes available at their grade. Even within the Madison math department different teachers are implementing the rules differently. What’s wrong with SBG? Pretty much everything….

1) Kids text anxiety has skyrocketed. Now they’re « tested 1-2 per week » AND they have SUPER important comprehensive tests.

Asked my kid how other kids are managing, and they said the less dedicated students are dropping out of AP/honors, dumbing down the classses -/ much as possible to get through. That’s my kids’ perspective,

2) I ask myself how it’s even possible that if a kid gets an A B A and has an average A- on that skill, can totally be replaced/cancelled/overridden. Hère thé kid is thinking they’re doing great with that grade for that skill. But NO It can be totally replaced at the end of the year. A single compressive test or a « forced retesting of skills » may earn a C in that same skill. But magically we ignore/drop/erase the first A earned on that skill. Now we say this student has the following grades for that skill B A C , meaning an average of a B on that skill.

It really is happening that way. A child with an A- on a skill can easily move to a B on a skil with one comprehensive test.

So we went from not midterms and finals, to a method in which assessments are too frequent and the comprehensive tests are most important.

This method is 100% causing anxiety in our precious teens. Why would any method that ignores early assessment grades, and relies on later grades be good at all?

3) parents can no longer rely on the grade book. The grades from those cumulative assessments are not being entered on a timely basis. Since those are often « replacement » grades it’s impossible for a parent to know which grades count and which grades are being disregarded. And I’m only talking about assessments. Those cumulative grades are not even in the grade book when the student has to make reassess decisions.

4) as said here. Grading method is not consistent within FCPS that’s unfair. It’s not consistent within a single department at Madison, that’s unfair!

Some drop the 1st grade after the 4th test(as listen above), some override a the entire skill based on the assessment of its higher than the prior average (talk about test anxiety - for that tes!), some require retests even if a child at AAA and once again if that retest is lower such as B, the last three grades are averaged and the child’s grade falls!

[Anonymous]

Why is everyone always trying to reinvent the wheel? Just go back to precovid ways. It was fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perspective from a student:

1. I don't like that every class has a different grading policy.

2. Some teachers really stress that certain assignments are mandatory (even though they aren't graded). They really try to get us to do the assignments. Other teachers do not push the idea of "mandatory" assignments.

3. (Me: how has your in-class experience changed from prior years when there was a different grading policy -- when homework/practice was given a grade vs. SBG where it isn't graded) Student: It's pretty much the same. There have always been people who don't do the preparation work for class.

4. (Me: the reason I'm asking about SBG is b/c some people are complaining about it.) Student: well, you should argue against them (meaning Student LIKES SBG better than previous system).

5. Student: If you know how to do something, then you don't need to do the practice. But, if you are not doing well on the assessments, then that's on you for choosing not to do the practice work.

6: Me: Do people NOT do retakes much anymore b/c they know there will be another chance to be assessed on a skill? Student: People still do lots of retakes (in classes where retakes are allowed).

__________________

In some sense, SBG gives the student MORE control over how they engage in the learning process. Some kids like that, and it works for them.

Ok Admin - we hear you loud & clear. We have kids too

Definitely PP was some kind of admin pushing this crap. Typical FCPS. Way more work for teachers, everyone hates it, and in a few years it will be mandated in every school and all the admins will be patting themselves on the back for "giving students more control over how they engage in the learning process."

[Anonymous]

The worst thing was that Madison was a high school that was somewhat traditional, generally worked, and was highly coveted. No more. Now the clowns have found a way to tear it down. Thanks, FCPS.

[Anonymous]

I also find the gaslighting by the administration really frustrating. They are going full-steam ahead with their plan, while dismissing parent concerns. How difficult would it be to share with the parents and teachers the stats on how this has changed GPAs overall. if it hasn’t, I will stop complaining. But I suspect grades have dropped and they are refusing to tell the parents because the goal is to compress the grades at the top and raise the grades at the bottom to artificially improve equity. Everyone loses, but on paper the principal looks great. I also find it hypocritical that they say they care about mental health, but institute a system that increases stress with more tests and harsher grading. The kids who are doing better under this are those who are happy they don’t have to do the homework now. What kind of messed up system are we implementing?

[Anonymous]

Are all high schools moving toward this type of grading?? We have another year before my child enters high school. Praying it doesn’t change.