"I thought 50% for no work was okay and I was wrong"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The article is about DC schools but FCPS has the same policy in place and it grossly inflates grades at all levels.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/10/23/dc-schools-grading-policy-50-percent-rule/

I don’t care about grade inflation since the object is for children to learn the material, not to have a bell curve of a grading system. That would just be utterly stupid.

I would say for more advanced classes intended for college-bound students, however, this does them no favors. So maybe in later AP courses teachers should have more stringent policies just as a matter of preparation.

But everyone else? It doesn’t matter if everyone gets an A if the work is done and the material mastered. And honestly I don’t understand the handwringing about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those rules are offensive to students who actually prioritize their schoolwork.

If they’re offended, they aren’t as smart as you think they are. Or certainly not as enlightened. You worry about you. Fretting that someone else gets a benefit you don’t think they deserve is petty, small and kind of makes you a shitty human being.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, this is one anecdotal point of view. I can give you an anecdote of the other side. My F students are continually trying because the D is close. They are working all year, vs. before when after 1st quarter they'd be behavior issues because there was statistically no way for them to pass unless they got As the rest of the year.

This is also Jay Matthews, historically not a fan of public schools.

No offense but is the goal really to try and pass through kids with D's? I mean, I suppose that gets us to the graduation percentage we seem to want but I don't take that as a sign of a an initiative working.

As the parent of a kid with a low IQ who D’d out of high school, I can tell you that it is absolutely a service to both kids and society to do what it takes to get a kid a HS diploma. A HS diploma is the gateway to a full time job with health insurance and paid sick leave,’all of which benefits both the kid and the rest of us who will not have to support him through Medicaid, public assistance and all of those other things that come with unemployment.

Kids who D out aren’t going to compete for college seats and educational monies. But they might be driving your public transportation buses and trains, fixing your cars and stocking your grocery shelves. We need them just as much as we need those who have the capability to go to college. And for those that think you can get a job that is full time with insurance and paid leave without a HS diploma, I am betting they never tried. Every vocational counselor will tell you, lack of a HS diploma is one of the most serious impediments to securing employment.

I would argue that this is why we need better VoTech programs in FCPS instead of looking to get people to graduate with D's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, the rule was (though I am dated) you had to attempt an assignment to get the 50%. If the work was not done, it was still a zero.

That's not the rule in FCPS. Nothing lower than 50%.

That's not true. How do I know? Well, my kids have received zeros for work not turned in. And it was stated at BTSN this year that kids get zeros if they turn nothing in... and a minimum of 50% if they attempt the assignment. FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, this is one anecdotal point of view. I can give you an anecdote of the other side. My F students are continually trying because the D is close. They are working all year, vs. before when after 1st quarter they'd be behavior issues because there was statistically no way for them to pass unless they got As the rest of the year.

This is also Jay Matthews, historically not a fan of public schools.

No offense but is the goal really to try and pass through kids with D's? I mean, I suppose that gets us to the graduation percentage we seem to want but I don't take that as a sign of a an initiative working.

As the parent of a kid with a low IQ who D’d out of high school, I can tell you that it is absolutely a service to both kids and society to do what it takes to get a kid a HS diploma. A HS diploma is the gateway to a full time job with health insurance and paid sick leave,’all of which benefits both the kid and the rest of us who will not have to support him through Medicaid, public assistance and all of those other things that come with unemployment.

Kids who D out aren’t going to compete for college seats and educational monies. But they might be driving your public transportation buses and trains, fixing your cars and stocking your grocery shelves. We need them just as much as we need those who have the capability to go to college. And for those that think you can get a job that is full time with insurance and paid leave without a HS diploma, I am betting they never tried. Every vocational counselor will tell you, lack of a HS diploma is one of the most serious impediments to securing employment.

I would argue that this is why we need better VoTech programs in FCPS instead of looking to get people to graduate with D's.

and how do you decide who gets votech instead of a college track?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, the rule was (though I am dated) you had to attempt an assignment to get the 50%. If the work was not done, it was still a zero.

That's not the rule in FCPS. Nothing lower than 50%.

I can assure you, my kid at Madison is definitely receiving zeros for work not turned in. Missing assignments are a constant struggle. I see the zeros and how they affect his overall grade until he completes them.

Same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, the rule was (though I am dated) you had to attempt an assignment to get the 50%. If the work was not done, it was still a zero.

That's not the rule in FCPS. Nothing lower than 50%.

I can assure you, my kid at Madison is definitely receiving zeros for work not turned in. Missing assignments are a constant struggle. I see the zeros and how they affect his overall grade until he completes them.

Same.

Madison isn't going by the FCPS policy then.

If a student has been given multiple opportunities to complete work and has not done so, and parent contact has been made for major assessments, quizzes or tests (tasks weighted more than 10%), a score equivalent to an F ( i.e. 50 on a 100 point scale) may be entered in the gradebook in accordance with the reasonable late work policy established by the school or teacher teams.

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-and-reporting/secondary/grading-assignments-and-assessments

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, this is one anecdotal point of view. I can give you an anecdote of the other side. My F students are continually trying because the D is close. They are working all year, vs. before when after 1st quarter they'd be behavior issues because there was statistically no way for them to pass unless they got As the rest of the year.

This is also Jay Matthews, historically not a fan of public schools.

No offense but is the goal really to try and pass through kids with D's? I mean, I suppose that gets us to the graduation percentage we seem to want but I don't take that as a sign of a an initiative working.

As the parent of a kid with a low IQ who D’d out of high school, I can tell you that it is absolutely a service to both kids and society to do what it takes to get a kid a HS diploma. A HS diploma is the gateway to a full time job with health insurance and paid sick leave,’all of which benefits both the kid and the rest of us who will not have to support him through Medicaid, public assistance and all of those other things that come with unemployment.

Kids who D out aren’t going to compete for college seats and educational monies. But they might be driving your public transportation buses and trains, fixing your cars and stocking your grocery shelves. We need them just as much as we need those who have the capability to go to college. And for those that think you can get a job that is full time with insurance and paid leave without a HS diploma, I am betting they never tried. Every vocational counselor will tell you, lack of a HS diploma is one of the most serious impediments to securing employment.

I would argue that this is why we need better VoTech programs in FCPS instead of looking to get people to graduate with D's.

and how do you decide who gets votech instead of a college track?

In Europe exams and intelligent tests are given at about 8th grade. Those who do not do well are not on the college track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, this is one anecdotal point of view. I can give you an anecdote of the other side. My F students are continually trying because the D is close. They are working all year, vs. before when after 1st quarter they'd be behavior issues because there was statistically no way for them to pass unless they got As the rest of the year.

This is also Jay Matthews, historically not a fan of public schools.

No offense but is the goal really to try and pass through kids with D's? I mean, I suppose that gets us to the graduation percentage we seem to want but I don't take that as a sign of a an initiative working.

As the parent of a kid with a low IQ who D’d out of high school, I can tell you that it is absolutely a service to both kids and society to do what it takes to get a kid a HS diploma. A HS diploma is the gateway to a full time job with health insurance and paid sick leave,’all of which benefits both the kid and the rest of us who will not have to support him through Medicaid, public assistance and all of those other things that come with unemployment.

Kids who D out aren’t going to compete for college seats and educational monies. But they might be driving your public transportation buses and trains, fixing your cars and stocking your grocery shelves. We need them just as much as we need those who have the capability to go to college. And for those that think you can get a job that is full time with insurance and paid leave without a HS diploma, I am betting they never tried. Every vocational counselor will tell you, lack of a HS diploma is one of the most serious impediments to securing employment.

I would argue that this is why we need better VoTech programs in FCPS instead of looking to get people to graduate with D's.

and how do you decide who gets votech instead of a college track?

My high schools in Massachusetts and California, we moved during high school, allowed kids to apply to participate in the VoTech programs. My area in Massachusetts actually had an entire school that was VoTech only that required an application and interview to make sure that the kids who were attending wanted to be there and understood what the program entailed. They had all the VoTech options as well as the classes needed to earn a high school diploma. No one thought lesser of the people who choose that path because those kids landed some very good jobs after they graduated.

ie VoTech programs don't need to be tracked programs, people can select them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, this is one anecdotal point of view. I can give you an anecdote of the other side. My F students are continually trying because the D is close. They are working all year, vs. before when after 1st quarter they'd be behavior issues because there was statistically no way for them to pass unless they got As the rest of the year.

This is also Jay Matthews, historically not a fan of public schools.

No offense but is the goal really to try and pass through kids with D's? I mean, I suppose that gets us to the graduation percentage we seem to want but I don't take that as a sign of a an initiative working.

As the parent of a kid with a low IQ who D’d out of high school, I can tell you that it is absolutely a service to both kids and society to do what it takes to get a kid a HS diploma. A HS diploma is the gateway to a full time job with health insurance and paid sick leave,’all of which benefits both the kid and the rest of us who will not have to support him through Medicaid, public assistance and all of those other things that come with unemployment.

Kids who D out aren’t going to compete for college seats and educational monies. But they might be driving your public transportation buses and trains, fixing your cars and stocking your grocery shelves. We need them just as much as we need those who have the capability to go to college. And for those that think you can get a job that is full time with insurance and paid leave without a HS diploma, I am betting they never tried. Every vocational counselor will tell you, lack of a HS diploma is one of the most serious impediments to securing employment.

I would argue that this is why we need better VoTech programs in FCPS instead of looking to get people to graduate with D's.

and how do you decide who gets votech instead of a college track?

In Europe exams and intelligent tests are given at about 8th grade. Those who do not do well are not on the college track.

That is problematic for a variety of reasons. Not everyone scores well on those tests for a variety of reasons, tracks should be a choice and not a requirement.

That said, I do think there should be prereqs for honors and AP classes and people who choose to take a class that they have not meet the requirements should know that they are responsible for the grade that they receive and that the class is not going to be slowed down to help someone stay on pace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, the rule was (though I am dated) you had to attempt an assignment to get the 50%. If the work was not done, it was still a zero.

That's not the rule in FCPS. Nothing lower than 50%.

I can assure you, my kid at Madison is definitely receiving zeros for work not turned in. Missing assignments are a constant struggle. I see the zeros and how they affect his overall grade until he completes them.

Same.

Madison isn't going by the FCPS policy then.

If a student has been given multiple opportunities to complete work and has not done so, and parent contact has been made for major assessments, quizzes or tests (tasks weighted more than 10%), a score equivalent to an F ( i.e. 50 on a 100 point scale) may be entered in the gradebook in accordance with the reasonable late work policy established by the school or teacher teams.

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-and-reporting/secondary/grading-assignments-and-assessments

My Madison student’s first AP math test was an F. I think a 25. There were 4 questions, no partial credit was given. No retakes given either. All high grades since then, no retakes ever, and the 25 is still in the grade book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, this is one anecdotal point of view. I can give you an anecdote of the other side. My F students are continually trying because the D is close. They are working all year, vs. before when after 1st quarter they'd be behavior issues because there was statistically no way for them to pass unless they got As the rest of the year.

This is also Jay Matthews, historically not a fan of public schools.

No offense but is the goal really to try and pass through kids with D's? I mean, I suppose that gets us to the graduation percentage we seem to want but I don't take that as a sign of a an initiative working.

As the parent of a kid with a low IQ who D’d out of high school, I can tell you that it is absolutely a service to both kids and society to do what it takes to get a kid a HS diploma. A HS diploma is the gateway to a full time job with health insurance and paid sick leave,’all of which benefits both the kid and the rest of us who will not have to support him through Medicaid, public assistance and all of those other things that come with unemployment.

Kids who D out aren’t going to compete for college seats and educational monies. But they might be driving your public transportation buses and trains, fixing your cars and stocking your grocery shelves. We need them just as much as we need those who have the capability to go to college. And for those that think you can get a job that is full time with insurance and paid leave without a HS diploma, I am betting they never tried. Every vocational counselor will tell you, lack of a HS diploma is one of the most serious impediments to securing employment.

I would argue that this is why we need better VoTech programs in FCPS instead of looking to get people to graduate with D's.

There are good vo techs. And I agree there should be more programs. But That doesn’t fix the problem. A HS diploma still requires English and Math every year, two years of foreign language, etc. And jobs require a HS diploma even if you have a trade skill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MCPS, the rule was (though I am dated) you had to attempt an assignment to get the 50%. If the work was not done, it was still a zero.

That's not the rule in FCPS. Nothing lower than 50%.

I can assure you, my kid at Madison is definitely receiving zeros for work not turned in. Missing assignments are a constant struggle. I see the zeros and how they affect his overall grade until he completes them.

Same.

Madison isn't going by the FCPS policy then.

If a student has been given multiple opportunities to complete work and has not done so, and parent contact has been made for major assessments, quizzes or tests (tasks weighted more than 10%), a score equivalent to an F ( i.e. 50 on a 100 point scale) may be entered in the gradebook in accordance with the reasonable late work policy established by the school or teacher teams.

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-and-reporting/secondary/grading-assignments-and-assessments

My Madison student’s first AP math test was an F. I think a 25. There were 4 questions, no partial credit was given. No retakes given either. All high grades since then, no retakes ever, and the 25 is still in the grade book.

Very similar situation at Langley. Who do I contact?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, this is one anecdotal point of view. I can give you an anecdote of the other side. My F students are continually trying because the D is close. They are working all year, vs. before when after 1st quarter they'd be behavior issues because there was statistically no way for them to pass unless they got As the rest of the year.

This is also Jay Matthews, historically not a fan of public schools.

No offense but is the goal really to try and pass through kids with D's? I mean, I suppose that gets us to the graduation percentage we seem to want but I don't take that as a sign of a an initiative working.

As the parent of a kid with a low IQ who D’d out of high school, I can tell you that it is absolutely a service to both kids and society to do what it takes to get a kid a HS diploma. A HS diploma is the gateway to a full time job with health insurance and paid sick leave,’all of which benefits both the kid and the rest of us who will not have to support him through Medicaid, public assistance and all of those other things that come with unemployment.

Kids who D out aren’t going to compete for college seats and educational monies. But they might be driving your public transportation buses and trains, fixing your cars and stocking your grocery shelves. We need them just as much as we need those who have the capability to go to college. And for those that think you can get a job that is full time with insurance and paid leave without a HS diploma, I am betting they never tried. Every vocational counselor will tell you, lack of a HS diploma is one of the most serious impediments to securing employment.

I would argue that this is why we need better VoTech programs in FCPS instead of looking to get people to graduate with D's.

There are good vo techs. And I agree there should be more programs. But That doesn’t fix the problem. A HS diploma still requires English and Math every year, two years of foreign language, etc. And jobs require a HS diploma even if you have a trade skill.

Foreign language is not required. My son recently dropped it. Maybe he wouldn’t have if his teachers used the 50% rule! That was another class where the actual grade was put in and it was clear from the first few weeks he was struggling with level 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, this is one anecdotal point of view. I can give you an anecdote of the other side. My F students are continually trying because the D is close. They are working all year, vs. before when after 1st quarter they'd be behavior issues because there was statistically no way for them to pass unless they got As the rest of the year.

This is also Jay Matthews, historically not a fan of public schools.

No offense but is the goal really to try and pass through kids with D's? I mean, I suppose that gets us to the graduation percentage we seem to want but I don't take that as a sign of a an initiative working.

As the parent of a kid with a low IQ who D’d out of high school, I can tell you that it is absolutely a service to both kids and society to do what it takes to get a kid a HS diploma. A HS diploma is the gateway to a full time job with health insurance and paid sick leave,’all of which benefits both the kid and the rest of us who will not have to support him through Medicaid, public assistance and all of those other things that come with unemployment.

Kids who D out aren’t going to compete for college seats and educational monies. But they might be driving your public transportation buses and trains, fixing your cars and stocking your grocery shelves. We need them just as much as we need those who have the capability to go to college. And for those that think you can get a job that is full time with insurance and paid leave without a HS diploma, I am betting they never tried. Every vocational counselor will tell you, lack of a HS diploma is one of the most serious impediments to securing employment.

I would argue that this is why we need better VoTech programs in FCPS instead of looking to get people to graduate with D's.

There are good vo techs. And I agree there should be more programs. But That doesn’t fix the problem. A HS diploma still requires English and Math every year, two years of foreign language, etc. And jobs require a HS diploma even if you have a trade skill.

Foreign language is not required. My son recently dropped it. Maybe he wouldn’t have if his teachers used the 50% rule! That was another class where the actual grade was put in and it was clear from the first few weeks he was struggling with level 2.

It is in some districts. And that is a major impediment for some kids.