More skills based grading at madison hs

[Anonymous]

Rage on!

[Anonymous]

It just seems strange that the admin would make this fairly dramatic change in grading and not provide a good reason why.

Other FCPS schools claim it's part of their equitable grading strategy, but I don't get the feeling that Madison has some huge disparity or inequity between the kids there where they would need to overhaul the whole grading system.

So what's the 'why' in this effort?

[Anonymous]

It’s supposed to lead to deeper learning.

[Anonymous]

But that would be a good question for admin - what is our why and what problem are we fixing?

Another complaint - does anyone feel that the rubrics are overly broad for the graded assignments? So it’s very easy to get a 2 or 3 and not understand why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But that would be a good question for admin - what is our why and what problem are we fixing?

Another complaint - does anyone feel that the rubrics are overly broad for the graded assignments? So it’s very easy to get a 2 or 3 and not understand why?

Why would that be a surprise? There will always be significant subjectivity on a written assignment, unless it's a math problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s supposed to lead to deeper learning.

Definite fail on this priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But that would be a good question for admin - what is our why and what problem are we fixing?

Another complaint - does anyone feel that the rubrics are overly broad for the graded assignments? So it’s very easy to get a 2 or 3 and not understand why?

Part of the design, makes it easier to skew lower performing kids grades upward. All about closing the gap, nothing more, nothing less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ehh... my kid doesn't care THAT much about grades. Of course we want him to do his best, but we aren't getting our panties in a bunch just because they tweak the grading system a little one way or the other.

Apparently the grading system isn't "demotivating" him or others too much. My kid scored a perfect score on the PSAT math and did pretty well on the Reading/Writing section. And if you saw the other thread, apparently, 40% of kids have a 4.0! I doubt that the grading policy is demotivating kids so much that they aren't learning what they need to learn. AP exams and SAT scores are objective measures of kids learning material or not.

Just learn. Do your best. Live life and carry on.

That's wonderful we don't have to worry about your child with a perfect psat score for whatever grading is decided going forward. A huge relief.

Kids CAN learn with whatever grading policy is used. I know some of you like to think the grading policy is THE most important piece of educating kids. I just don't think it is. And apparently a lot of kids are doing quite well by objective measures (even if a few kids/parents don't think the quality of classroom discussion is up to par or that their kids feel "demotivated" by the system). Adapt, people.

Or not. Don't fix something if it aint broke. I don't like the new grading system. Very little if anything of benefit and a lot wrong with it. You've said nothing beneficial other than come on guys, why are you making my new proposal so tough to implement? There are no benefits and you admit your straight A kid isn't affected so why even post if you have no agenda? You have some agenda beyond your kid. That's certain. People care about other stuff. It's just that this is the change that is going on so we're having a discussion on it. That's the topic here.

My "agenda" is observing overly dramatic parents making mountains out of molehills, and encouraging parents to step back and get some perspective. Grading policy tweaks are not the be-all-and-end-all of education. Kids ARE learning. Somehow! Take a breather and let it go. Your kid will be alright even if they don't get a special award for doing it faster than someone else. Namasté!

+1

Having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. So ridiculous.

Some people just like to complain. They get off on it.

Like you? You sat this doesn't affect you but then are on here day after day? Why? Do you get off on it? Project much? People just want the old grading system. That's actually the opposite of complaining. You could say this change is a complaint. At any rate you have no business being in this discussion because you have no pros or cons for the old or the new system. Your posts contribute nothing.

I never said it doesn’t affect me. You are confusing posters.

My point was that having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. It’s a ridiculous argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But that would be a good question for admin - what is our why and what problem are we fixing?

Another complaint - does anyone feel that the rubrics are overly broad for the graded assignments? So it’s very easy to get a 2 or 3 and not understand why?

Kids driven by grades, not learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ehh... my kid doesn't care THAT much about grades. Of course we want him to do his best, but we aren't getting our panties in a bunch just because they tweak the grading system a little one way or the other.

Apparently the grading system isn't "demotivating" him or others too much. My kid scored a perfect score on the PSAT math and did pretty well on the Reading/Writing section. And if you saw the other thread, apparently, 40% of kids have a 4.0! I doubt that the grading policy is demotivating kids so much that they aren't learning what they need to learn. AP exams and SAT scores are objective measures of kids learning material or not.

Just learn. Do your best. Live life and carry on.

That's wonderful we don't have to worry about your child with a perfect psat score for whatever grading is decided going forward. A huge relief.

Kids CAN learn with whatever grading policy is used. I know some of you like to think the grading policy is THE most important piece of educating kids. I just don't think it is. And apparently a lot of kids are doing quite well by objective measures (even if a few kids/parents don't think the quality of classroom discussion is up to par or that their kids feel "demotivated" by the system). Adapt, people.

Or not. Don't fix something if it aint broke. I don't like the new grading system. Very little if anything of benefit and a lot wrong with it. You've said nothing beneficial other than come on guys, why are you making my new proposal so tough to implement? There are no benefits and you admit your straight A kid isn't affected so why even post if you have no agenda? You have some agenda beyond your kid. That's certain. People care about other stuff. It's just that this is the change that is going on so we're having a discussion on it. That's the topic here.

My "agenda" is observing overly dramatic parents making mountains out of molehills, and encouraging parents to step back and get some perspective. Grading policy tweaks are not the be-all-and-end-all of education. Kids ARE learning. Somehow! Take a breather and let it go. Your kid will be alright even if they don't get a special award for doing it faster than someone else. Namasté!

+1

Having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. So ridiculous.

Some people just like to complain. They get off on it.

Like you? You sat this doesn't affect you but then are on here day after day? Why? Do you get off on it? Project much? People just want the old grading system. That's actually the opposite of complaining. You could say this change is a complaint. At any rate you have no business being in this discussion because you have no pros or cons for the old or the new system. Your posts contribute nothing.

I never said it doesn’t affect me. You are confusing posters.

My point was that having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. It’s a ridiculous argument.

Not PP your responding to. You keep ignoring that most classwork doesn’t count and that hardly anything is graded at all. I don’t even care about homework anymore - it’s not even assigned except for I’m math where it’s optional. Why do you keep going on about homework?

[Anonymous]

In math

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ehh... my kid doesn't care THAT much about grades. Of course we want him to do his best, but we aren't getting our panties in a bunch just because they tweak the grading system a little one way or the other.

Apparently the grading system isn't "demotivating" him or others too much. My kid scored a perfect score on the PSAT math and did pretty well on the Reading/Writing section. And if you saw the other thread, apparently, 40% of kids have a 4.0! I doubt that the grading policy is demotivating kids so much that they aren't learning what they need to learn. AP exams and SAT scores are objective measures of kids learning material or not.

Just learn. Do your best. Live life and carry on.

That's wonderful we don't have to worry about your child with a perfect psat score for whatever grading is decided going forward. A huge relief.

Kids CAN learn with whatever grading policy is used. I know some of you like to think the grading policy is THE most important piece of educating kids. I just don't think it is. And apparently a lot of kids are doing quite well by objective measures (even if a few kids/parents don't think the quality of classroom discussion is up to par or that their kids feel "demotivated" by the system). Adapt, people.

Or not. Don't fix something if it aint broke. I don't like the new grading system. Very little if anything of benefit and a lot wrong with it. You've said nothing beneficial other than come on guys, why are you making my new proposal so tough to implement? There are no benefits and you admit your straight A kid isn't affected so why even post if you have no agenda? You have some agenda beyond your kid. That's certain. People care about other stuff. It's just that this is the change that is going on so we're having a discussion on it. That's the topic here.

My "agenda" is observing overly dramatic parents making mountains out of molehills, and encouraging parents to step back and get some perspective. Grading policy tweaks are not the be-all-and-end-all of education. Kids ARE learning. Somehow! Take a breather and let it go. Your kid will be alright even if they don't get a special award for doing it faster than someone else. Namasté!

+1

Having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. So ridiculous.

Some people just like to complain. They get off on it.

Like you? You sat this doesn't affect you but then are on here day after day? Why? Do you get off on it? Project much? People just want the old grading system. That's actually the opposite of complaining. You could say this change is a complaint. At any rate you have no business being in this discussion because you have no pros or cons for the old or the new system. Your posts contribute nothing.

I never said it doesn’t affect me. You are confusing posters.

My point was that having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. It’s a ridiculous argument.

Not PP your responding to. You keep ignoring that most classwork doesn’t count and that hardly anything is graded at all. I don’t even care about homework anymore - it’s not even assigned except for I’m math where it’s optional. Why do you keep going on about homework?

Point still stands. Having homework/classwork not count doesn’t make the top students suddenly stop working. If it did then they weren’t really top students. If it hurts anyone it will be the kids who aren’t performing as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ehh... my kid doesn't care THAT much about grades. Of course we want him to do his best, but we aren't getting our panties in a bunch just because they tweak the grading system a little one way or the other.

Apparently the grading system isn't "demotivating" him or others too much. My kid scored a perfect score on the PSAT math and did pretty well on the Reading/Writing section. And if you saw the other thread, apparently, 40% of kids have a 4.0! I doubt that the grading policy is demotivating kids so much that they aren't learning what they need to learn. AP exams and SAT scores are objective measures of kids learning material or not.

Just learn. Do your best. Live life and carry on.

That's wonderful we don't have to worry about your child with a perfect psat score for whatever grading is decided going forward. A huge relief.

Kids CAN learn with whatever grading policy is used. I know some of you like to think the grading policy is THE most important piece of educating kids. I just don't think it is. And apparently a lot of kids are doing quite well by objective measures (even if a few kids/parents don't think the quality of classroom discussion is up to par or that their kids feel "demotivated" by the system). Adapt, people.

Or not. Don't fix something if it aint broke. I don't like the new grading system. Very little if anything of benefit and a lot wrong with it. You've said nothing beneficial other than come on guys, why are you making my new proposal so tough to implement? There are no benefits and you admit your straight A kid isn't affected so why even post if you have no agenda? You have some agenda beyond your kid. That's certain. People care about other stuff. It's just that this is the change that is going on so we're having a discussion on it. That's the topic here.

My "agenda" is observing overly dramatic parents making mountains out of molehills, and encouraging parents to step back and get some perspective. Grading policy tweaks are not the be-all-and-end-all of education. Kids ARE learning. Somehow! Take a breather and let it go. Your kid will be alright even if they don't get a special award for doing it faster than someone else. Namasté!

+1

Having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. So ridiculous.

Some people just like to complain. They get off on it.

Like you? You sat this doesn't affect you but then are on here day after day? Why? Do you get off on it? Project much? People just want the old grading system. That's actually the opposite of complaining. You could say this change is a complaint. At any rate you have no business being in this discussion because you have no pros or cons for the old or the new system. Your posts contribute nothing.

I never said it doesn’t affect me. You are confusing posters.

My point was that having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. It’s a ridiculous argument.

Not PP your responding to. You keep ignoring that most classwork doesn’t count and that hardly anything is graded at all. I don’t even care about homework anymore - it’s not even assigned except for I’m math where it’s optional. Why do you keep going on about homework?

Point still stands. Having homework/classwork not count doesn’t make the top students suddenly stop working. If it did then they weren’t really top students. If it hurts anyone it will be the kids who aren’t performing as well.

So what’s the point of it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ehh... my kid doesn't care THAT much about grades. Of course we want him to do his best, but we aren't getting our panties in a bunch just because they tweak the grading system a little one way or the other.

Apparently the grading system isn't "demotivating" him or others too much. My kid scored a perfect score on the PSAT math and did pretty well on the Reading/Writing section. And if you saw the other thread, apparently, 40% of kids have a 4.0! I doubt that the grading policy is demotivating kids so much that they aren't learning what they need to learn. AP exams and SAT scores are objective measures of kids learning material or not.

Just learn. Do your best. Live life and carry on.

That's wonderful we don't have to worry about your child with a perfect psat score for whatever grading is decided going forward. A huge relief.

Kids CAN learn with whatever grading policy is used. I know some of you like to think the grading policy is THE most important piece of educating kids. I just don't think it is. And apparently a lot of kids are doing quite well by objective measures (even if a few kids/parents don't think the quality of classroom discussion is up to par or that their kids feel "demotivated" by the system). Adapt, people.

Or not. Don't fix something if it aint broke. I don't like the new grading system. Very little if anything of benefit and a lot wrong with it. You've said nothing beneficial other than come on guys, why are you making my new proposal so tough to implement? There are no benefits and you admit your straight A kid isn't affected so why even post if you have no agenda? You have some agenda beyond your kid. That's certain. People care about other stuff. It's just that this is the change that is going on so we're having a discussion on it. That's the topic here.

My "agenda" is observing overly dramatic parents making mountains out of molehills, and encouraging parents to step back and get some perspective. Grading policy tweaks are not the be-all-and-end-all of education. Kids ARE learning. Somehow! Take a breather and let it go. Your kid will be alright even if they don't get a special award for doing it faster than someone else. Namasté!

+1

Having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. So ridiculous.

Some people just like to complain. They get off on it.

Like you? You sat this doesn't affect you but then are on here day after day? Why? Do you get off on it? Project much? People just want the old grading system. That's actually the opposite of complaining. You could say this change is a complaint. At any rate you have no business being in this discussion because you have no pros or cons for the old or the new system. Your posts contribute nothing.

I never said it doesn’t affect me. You are confusing posters.

My point was that having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. It’s a ridiculous argument.

I’m not worried about my kids failing. What I am worried about is a lot more Bs and Cs that make them less competitive for selective schools (not Ivys) just because the admin has decided to mess around with a new system explicitly intended to lower GPAs of top students. I am under no delusions that this is catastrophic, it’s not. My kids and most kids at Madison will still go to college. But it is unfair and I see no reason for this to continue because it seems like an initiative done not for the students but to give the principal something for their resume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ehh... my kid doesn't care THAT much about grades. Of course we want him to do his best, but we aren't getting our panties in a bunch just because they tweak the grading system a little one way or the other.

Apparently the grading system isn't "demotivating" him or others too much. My kid scored a perfect score on the PSAT math and did pretty well on the Reading/Writing section. And if you saw the other thread, apparently, 40% of kids have a 4.0! I doubt that the grading policy is demotivating kids so much that they aren't learning what they need to learn. AP exams and SAT scores are objective measures of kids learning material or not.

Just learn. Do your best. Live life and carry on.

That's wonderful we don't have to worry about your child with a perfect psat score for whatever grading is decided going forward. A huge relief.

Kids CAN learn with whatever grading policy is used. I know some of you like to think the grading policy is THE most important piece of educating kids. I just don't think it is. And apparently a lot of kids are doing quite well by objective measures (even if a few kids/parents don't think the quality of classroom discussion is up to par or that their kids feel "demotivated" by the system). Adapt, people.

Or not. Don't fix something if it aint broke. I don't like the new grading system. Very little if anything of benefit and a lot wrong with it. You've said nothing beneficial other than come on guys, why are you making my new proposal so tough to implement? There are no benefits and you admit your straight A kid isn't affected so why even post if you have no agenda? You have some agenda beyond your kid. That's certain. People care about other stuff. It's just that this is the change that is going on so we're having a discussion on it. That's the topic here.

My "agenda" is observing overly dramatic parents making mountains out of molehills, and encouraging parents to step back and get some perspective. Grading policy tweaks are not the be-all-and-end-all of education. Kids ARE learning. Somehow! Take a breather and let it go. Your kid will be alright even if they don't get a special award for doing it faster than someone else. Namasté!

+1

Having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. So ridiculous.

Some people just like to complain. They get off on it.

Like you? You sat this doesn't affect you but then are on here day after day? Why? Do you get off on it? Project much? People just want the old grading system. That's actually the opposite of complaining. You could say this change is a complaint. At any rate you have no business being in this discussion because you have no pros or cons for the old or the new system. Your posts contribute nothing.

I never said it doesn’t affect me. You are confusing posters.

My point was that having homework not count towards a final grade isn’t going to make all of the top-performing kids suddenly start to fail. It’s a ridiculous argument.

I’m not worried about my kids failing. What I am worried about is a lot more Bs and Cs that make them less competitive for selective schools (not Ivys) just because the admin has decided to mess around with a new system explicitly intended to lower GPAs of top students. I am under no delusions that this is catastrophic, it’s not. My kids and most kids at Madison will still go to college. But it is unfair and I see no reason for this to continue because it seems like an initiative done not for the students but to give the principal something for their resume.

Who is more stressed out about grades and getting ahead of the Jones'? Kids or parents?

Might be the parents.