New Biology grading

[Anonymous]

What kind of homework was graded in the past?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My student's biology grade appears to include classwork and labs, but not homework.

Good, because grading homework is ridiculous.

Assigning homework that isn't graded is equally ridiculous.

Homework is supposed to review or practice what was learned in class. If you keep up with it, you generally don’t have to cram for a test. The thing with homework is that parents usually check it at home and make sure it’s all correct. So how can that possible be indicative of a student’s actual understanding of the subject if they got help? It cant. That’s why it’s not graded. It’s more of an effort or completion grade but they don’t care how many you get right or wrong. Generally kids who do well on homework or have parental help will also do well on the tests. That’s what really counts.

I seriously doubt that parents are checking over their high school student's Biology homework to ensure it is correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My student's biology grade appears to include classwork and labs, but not homework.

Good, because grading homework is ridiculous.

Assigning homework that isn't graded is equally ridiculous.

Homework is supposed to review or practice what was learned in class. If you keep up with it, you generally don’t have to cram for a test. The thing with homework is that parents usually check it at home and make sure it’s all correct. So how can that possible be indicative of a student’s actual understanding of the subject if they got help? It cant. That’s why it’s not graded. It’s more of an effort or completion grade but they don’t care how many you get right or wrong. Generally kids who do well on homework or have parental help will also do well on the tests. That’s what really counts.

I seriously doubt that parents are checking over their high school student's Biology homework to ensure it is correct.

It depends on the kid. I would. I’m an involved parent and a former teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My student's biology grade appears to include classwork and labs, but not homework.

Good, because grading homework is ridiculous.

Assigning homework that isn't graded is equally ridiculous.

Homework is supposed to review or practice what was learned in class. If you keep up with it, you generally don’t have to cram for a test. The thing with homework is that parents usually check it at home and make sure it’s all correct. So how can that possible be indicative of a student’s actual understanding of the subject if they got help? It cant. That’s why it’s not graded. It’s more of an effort or completion grade but they don’t care how many you get right or wrong. Generally kids who do well on homework or have parental help will also do well on the tests. That’s what really counts.

I seriously doubt that parents are checking over their high school student's Biology homework to ensure it is correct.

You couldn’t be more wrong. Just like essays - parents will read it and correct it.

[Anonymous]

Oakton high school: H bio-all labs and work are reported in SIS but only the tests are reported for grades. So my kid has done all sorts of work but only has two grades-the unit tests.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is in regular bio at South lakes and her homework and labs are graded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid knows all the material but the split grading of tests into different categories is lowering the grades.

I don’t understand. If he knows all the material, wouldn’t he do well no matter how it’s divided up?

Yes. A 20 question test covering 5 standards and 5 gradebook entries is the same as a 20 question test covering 5 standards with one gradebook entry. It’s just that you could hide never understand a standard before (15/20, C) while now it says 5/5, 5/5, 5/5, 0/5. Same C average, but you’ll see an F.

It’s actually a much clearer way to communicate student understanding. It’s just new/different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid knows all the material but the split grading of tests into different categories is lowering the grades.

I don’t understand. If he knows all the material, wouldn’t he do well no matter how it’s divided up?

Yes. A 20 question test covering 4 standards and 4 gradebook entries is the same as a 20 question test covering 4 standards with one gradebook entry. It’s just that you could hide never understanding a standard before (15/20, C) while now it says 5/5, 5/5, 5/5, 0/5. Same C average, but you’ll see an F as one entry. Won’t affect overall grade any differently though.

It’s actually a much clearer way to communicate student understanding. It’s just new/different.

Sorry, I’m spacey. Fixed.

[Anonymous]

Wasn't FCPS steamling grading across schools? Why are schools grading differently now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wasn't FCPS steamling grading across schools? Why are schools grading differently now?

Grades are NOT even streamlined with the same HS. Each class is different.

Some classes treat quizzes as summative, others treat them as formative. Some classes allow extra credit, others do not. Some allow retakes and some do not. Of those who allow retakes, some allow it up to 90%, others up to 80%, some take highest grade. This is all within the same HS. It is department and/or teacher dependent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's only Sept. and my kid is struggling in Bio H. I wish all the fluff was graded.

ugh, FCPS can't win. They grade the "fluff", it's grade inflation...our kids are gonna be so unprepared for college!! they don't grade the fluff, OMG THEY'RE RUINING MOMMY'S SPECIAL GIRL'S GPA.

[Anonymous]

All I know is, my kid has one lab from early September that is making of 70% of grade. It is split into 4 standards grades, but it was one lab. The teacher said there is no opportunity to bring up grade because they will use grade replacement. So basically, it sounds like the last lab of the year will be 70% of final grade. And it has nothing to do with actual bio content knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oakton high school: H bio-all labs and work are reported in SIS but only the tests are reported for grades. So my kid has done all sorts of work but only has two grades-the unit tests.

This is bizarre, because my kid is also in H Bio at Oakton and has never had a unit test, just "process" quizzes and one lab.

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen a new grade for about 3 high school classes in 2 months. No idea what my kid is doing. Nothing comes home. They don't get graded assignments back either. Stupid system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what's graded now? Homework isn't grade anymore?
just Test?

This is one part of the new Racial Equity Grading which FCPS has adopted.