New grading system, everyone gets a P no one gets an ES?

[Anonymous]

At our back to school night the teacher proceeded to tell everyone that she doesn't plan to give out any grade beyond a P. The teachers in the other classes did not go as far to say this but several parents find it odd that random worksheets are coming homes with Ps on them even though everything is correct on the sheet.

Is this happening at other schools or is it just some craziness introduced by our school? What is the point of have a 4 point scale if you only plan to assess on a 3 pt scale?

[Anonymous]

I work for MCPS, and the most important thing for you (and all parents) to understand is that it is NOT a 4 point scale. There is no numerical value to the letters.

P means proficient. P is the goal. It is hard for us when we went to school and A was the best, so that is what you would strive for. P is the best, really. ES is a designation for when your child demonstrates an above and beyond exceptional understanding of the grade level standard. Everything correct on a worksheet would equal P. Everything correct does not mean exceptional understanding-it means your child has met the expectations of that standard, thus the P.

The teacher should not be able to say now that no one will get an ES ever, because what if someone does demonstrate they have an exceptional understanding beyond the grade level standard? That is irresponsible of her. It sounds more like she is still learning the new grading system and that she doesn't really understand how to use it yet.

[Anonymous]

MCPS employee, you are just demonstrating the problems with the new curriculum and grading system. It's not possible to stretch above the grade level. P is the highest grade. We were told this at Back to School Night, that the goal is for all children to score P by the end of the year. Teachers will do whatever they have to do to get a good performance review. So they are motivated to simply follow the guidance put out by the central office, which has decided, under Starr, that there will be no stretching above grade level. Not even consistent Ps from the beginning of the school years seems to trigger the school system to offer a child more.

[Anonymous]

Institutionalizing mediocrity is basically what you are describing.
I love the MCPS employee description of "doing everything correctly on the sheet would = P" but doesn't necessarily demonstrate exceptional understanding beyond the grade level...yet doing the worksheet and getting a P is the goal "for all children to score by the end of the year."
This sums up the problem that so many parents have with 2.0!! We WANT our children to be given MORE material and RICHER material so they will have the OPPORTUNITY to reach an exceptional level of understanding. We don't want teachers to stop with a worksheet that the central office deems to be a proficient level of understanding of some subject. That is why parents think 2.0 is about dumbing down the students.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully there are some tasks (not worksheets) that would allow a child to show something beyond proficiency? In some ways though when I see what gets an A under the old system..there is really nothing exceptional about it. It means you met the requirements. You followed the rubric. There were 3 examples. Your name was on the paper. It wasn't late. Congratulations..you are excellent! In someways it feels more like it should be a "P" than an "A"

[Anonymous]

Did you catch the part about homework not counting towards the grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Institutionalizing mediocrity is basically what you are describing.
I love the MCPS employee description of "doing everything correctly on the sheet would = P" but doesn't necessarily demonstrate exceptional understanding beyond the grade level...yet doing the worksheet and getting a P is the goal "for all children to score by the end of the year."
This sums up the problem that so many parents have with 2.0!! We WANT our children to be given MORE material and RICHER material so they will have the OPPORTUNITY to reach an exceptional level of understanding. We don't want teachers to stop with a worksheet that the central office deems to be a proficient level of understanding of some subject. That is why parents think 2.0 is about dumbing down the students.

PP, why are you assuming that your child is getting work that is easy. Perhaps the work is so challenging that all he can get is a P. If he gets an ES, isn't that an indication that the work is too easy for him -- he was able to go beyond what was presented.

I also don't think you can fault the teacher for teaching the curriculum. MCPS have been penalized for not doing so. I have never met a teacher that was happy being forced to strictly follow the curriculum from the central office (as opposed to using it as a starting point), since it infringes on the teacher's creativity.

If you don't like the curriculum, direct your complaints to the central office.

[Anonymous]

I fail to see the logic that a system with four points of measurement is not a four point scale. The worksheets that we have seen come home do not offer ability to distinguish yourself as exceptionally above grade level. An ES measurement would make sense in the old system where acceleration was an option in the curriculum. However, Curriculum 2.0 does not allow acceleration. The enrichment sheets that we have seen are no different than the regular sheets. Its an increase in quantity not depth or level.

It sounds like ES will be given as an arbitrary or subjective grade to kids whom the teacher perceives as being far ahead entering the class.

I also think the broader problem is that kids are not learning how to work hard or challenge themselves to achieve something. I taught and I was known as very tough but fair. I fought against grade inflation but I also made sure that it was clear to my students what was required to reach the highest score. I strove to create a classroom where merit was rewarded because this is the true driver for future success. It may have been difficult for kids who didn't come in knowing everything already to achieve the top score but it was defined and within reach if they applied themselves.

If its easy for everyone to get a P but not defined nor achievable to get an ES then you are just teaching kids not to care about school work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Institutionalizing mediocrity is basically what you are describing.
I love the MCPS employee description of "doing everything correctly on the sheet would = P" but doesn't necessarily demonstrate exceptional understanding beyond the grade level...yet doing the worksheet and getting a P is the goal "for all children to score by the end of the year."
This sums up the problem that so many parents have with 2.0!! We WANT our children to be given MORE material and RICHER material so they will have the OPPORTUNITY to reach an exceptional level of understanding. We don't want teachers to stop with a worksheet that the central office deems to be a proficient level of understanding of some subject. That is why parents think 2.0 is about dumbing down the students.

PP, why are you assuming that your child is getting work that is easy. Perhaps the work is so challenging that all he can get is a P. If he gets an ES, isn't that an indication that the work is too easy for him -- he was able to go beyond what was presented.

I also don't think you can fault the teacher for teaching the curriculum. MCPS have been penalized for not doing so. I have never met a teacher that was happy being forced to strictly follow the curriculum from the central office (as opposed to using it as a starting point), since it infringes on the teacher's creativity.

If you don't like the curriculum, direct your complaints to the central office.

I'm not the poster you're responding to, but it's clear that the central office is not interested in parent feedback. It's only the start of week 4 so I'm doing my best to withhold judgment but what I've heard from MCPS so far makes me concerned. School should be more than child care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I fail to see the logic that a system with four points of measurement is not a four point scale. The worksheets that we have seen come home do not offer ability to distinguish yourself as exceptionally above grade level. An ES measurement would make sense in the old system where acceleration was an option in the curriculum. However, Curriculum 2.0 does not allow acceleration. The enrichment sheets that we have seen are no different than the regular sheets. Its an increase in quantity not depth or level.

It sounds like ES will be given as an arbitrary or subjective grade to kids whom the teacher perceives as being far ahead entering the class.

I also think the broader problem is that kids are not learning how to work hard or challenge themselves to achieve something. I taught and I was known as very tough but fair. I fought against grade inflation but I also made sure that it was clear to my students what was required to reach the highest score. I strove to create a classroom where merit was rewarded because this is the true driver for future success. It may have been difficult for kids who didn't come in knowing everything already to achieve the top score but it was defined and within reach if they applied themselves.

If its easy for everyone to get a P but not defined nor achievable to get an ES then you are just teaching kids not to care about school work.

Thank you, well said.

[Anonymous]

Are all the schools under Curriculum 2.0 implementing, I, P, ES scheme?
Or are some schools still using A, B, C even when they implement Curriculum 2.0?
It seems it would be unfair to compare two students from different schools, if they implement different grading systems.

[Anonymous]

taught in the past

You are no longer the expert then, right? Times change.

Curriculum 2.0 is basically a step closer to IB, which is the highest level. It's one of the 7 Keys, in fact. So unless you know much about the IB framework, which includes PYP/MYP/DP, I don't think you can challenge the thinking behind Curriculum 2.0.

I would rather know that my child is being taught to think critically instead of blowing through indicator after indicator. Put your teacher hat on again and research the Common Core Standards. They help students to develop critical thinking skills. Maybe you'll begin to see the big picture.

I AM a teacher trained in IB, AP and common core. So I know of what I speak.

Anonymous wrote:I fail to see the logic that a system with four points of measurement is not a four point scale. The worksheets that we have seen come home do not offer ability to distinguish yourself as exceptionally above grade level. An ES measurement would make sense in the old system where acceleration was an option in the curriculum. However, Curriculum 2.0 does not allow acceleration. The enrichment sheets that we have seen are no different than the regular sheets. Its an increase in quantity not depth or level.

It sounds like ES will be given as an arbitrary or subjective grade to kids whom the teacher perceives as being far ahead entering the class.

I also think the broader problem is that kids are not learning how to work hard or challenge themselves to achieve something. I taught and I was known as very tough but fair. I fought against grade inflation but I also made sure that it was clear to my students what was required to reach the highest score. I strove to create a classroom where merit was rewarded because this is the true driver for future success. It may have been difficult for kids who didn't come in knowing everything already to achieve the top score but it was defined and within reach if they applied themselves.

If its easy for everyone to get a P but not defined nor achievable to get an ES then you are just teaching kids not to care about school work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are all the schools under Curriculum 2.0 implementing, I, P, ES scheme?
Or are some schools still using A, B, C even when they implement Curriculum 2.0?
It seems it would be unfair to compare two students from different schools, if they implement different grading systems.

All schools are using Curriculum 2.0 in K-3. All schools are also using the new grading system up to grade 3. Grades 4 and 5 will join next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:taught in the past

You are no longer the expert then, right? Times change.

Curriculum 2.0 is basically a step closer to IB, which is the highest level. It's one of the 7 Keys, in fact. So unless you know much about the IB framework, which includes PYP/MYP/DP, I don't think you can challenge the thinking behind Curriculum 2.0.

I would rather know that my child is being taught to think critically instead of blowing through indicator after indicator. Put your teacher hat on again and research the Common Core Standards. They help students to develop critical thinking skills. Maybe you'll begin to see the big picture.

I AM a teacher trained in IB, AP and common core. So I know of what I speak.

Anonymous wrote:I fail to see the logic that a system with four points of measurement is not a four point scale...

If its easy for everyone to get a P but not defined nor achievable to get an ES then you are just teaching kids not to care about school work.

Not the teacher here. Would you define PYP/MYP/DP in your response so non-MCPS employees can follow along? The idea that Common Core promotes development of critical thinking skills is a matter of opinion. You might talk about the IB framework and why you think C2.0 is a good step toward IB, which you say is the highest level (of what?)

[Anonymous]

I think so much of this stems from the fact that everyone considers their child to be a perfect flower that deserves a ES. I know for a fact that my DS doesn't not deserve a DS in writing. He has A LOT of work to go, the fact that he is receiving I's is indicitive of what he is actually doing. I would be very pleased if he received a "P" in writing. I have seen kids in his class that are far and above everyone else and they have received ES. You can see the difference between grade level and above. So teacher's are pushing kids but there is room for the kids to do better. I know that when I see my son's work. Can you honestly say you believe your child deserves an ES? Or do you just want to feel that they are the smartest kid out there. There IS a difference between the work for a "P" and "ES". Let's face it truely gift children are only in the 3% of the class the rest are good but not gifted.