Class Average on Exam 40% - WWYD?

[Anonymous]

Interesting to read the teacher perspectives. I think there is also a curriculum mismatch problem sometimes. My kid is in a magnet program. She studies like crazy as do most of her fellow students. She has still had tests where almost everyone fails. She says it’s typically when the test covers material that was not really covered in class or on the study guides/homework. She’s also had issued in math where the study guides had errors in them — sometimes the kids figure it out and alert the teacher and classmates. She has one teacher that is not capable of teaching the class she’s assigned (which I think everyone recognizes but the admin doesn’t have anyone else to teach it)—the kids are doing independent study to try to cover the material outside of class.

She’s started reviewing the Kaplan AP videos prior to the tests to make sure there are no gaps in what they covered in class. Unfortunately, she had some bad hits on grades before realizing how helpful that is.

For those teachers reading, if there are additional things you think would be helpful for kids to review, please let them know. A lot of these kids are killing themselves with study, but they may not be looking at the right things or studying in the right way. Unfortunately, mcps MS does not prepare them for advanced classes.

[Anonymous]

I have a different take on this.

Once my kid had a teacher that gave exams that consisted of only 4 questions.

Get one wrong get a C, two wrong 50%, 3 wrong 25%

Every test every quiz only four questions.

Besides the fact, his teacher was a complete and utter ass, used to tease kids and be a jerk. He could not do the math. In a meeting, he had no idea that having the tests with only four questions was problematic.

I hardly ever went to administration when my children were in HS. This was at a W school in MCPS. I had my child removed from this class. Not only because of the absurd grading but because he was literally a horrible teacher and my child would have learned nothing. Not to mention who grades like that?

Normally I would not have moved my kid for just a teacher being crappy because I truly believe my kid has to advocate for themselves and learn to work with people they don't like or are inadequate at their jobs. This one was an exception.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in a science class in a W high school where the average on the last test was 40%. The teacher allows corrections to raise the grades, but the most the average kid in the class will get is a C on this test.

There is a method to the teacher's approach, but it is clear that simply attending class and doing the assigned work does not prepare the students for the test. Would you approach the teacher about this situation?

You identified the problem right here. "Simply attending class" - how engaged are they? Are they taking notes? Are they asking questions? Are they thinking about the content? Students should be monitoring their own thinking and understanding of the content before, during, and after class, and they should be proactive in seeking help (textbook, video, teacher) when they don't understand something. "Doing assigned work" - again, are they thinking and actively engaged in the content? or are they just skimming and copying down notes, relying on peers to answer questions, and acting like a completed worksheet is the goal rather than a tool for gaining understanding. I've started giving open note, auto-graded, retake-able quizzes, based straight off of instructional worksheets so that students are held accountable to actually completing worksheets correctly and getting feedback on their understanding quickly. It's shocking how many students fail the first time around. They have many words on their papers, but no understanding of the meaning.

I'm a HS teacher and this problem has been growing over the years, and was exacerbated by virtual instruction and students passively watching lessons. Too many students don't understand that the purpose of school is to learn how to think. They are just focused on going through the process of school while missing the point. It's not the fault of the teacher that students are doing poorly. Test corrections are a good way for students to learn and very common in AP/IB science classes where there is a clear standard of achievement that students need to reach.

Yes, taking notes is key. Also, are they using the study guides and depth of materials in the online classroom?

I think with the retake it's fine. Median C is a little low for thes inflated times but not crazy. Also, if it's AP, there are probably concrete standards the teacher is using that will prepare them well for the exam. If there are plenty of other grades to counterbalance, look at it as a learning moment that is needed. And, remember, there is always the favorable semester grading of MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was one AP science teacher at my child's W school who was very, very tough. She expected kids to come in at 6:30 in the morning for review sessions. My understanding was that she was a very good teacher in that she knew her stuff, but some kids had a very tough time with her. Getting poor grades on her tests were pretty common but again, to get help she expected high school kids to make it into school ridiculously early in the morning. Not everyone has a ride to school before the buses start running etc.

Let me guess - this is Churchill right? One AP science teacher is notorious for being super hard. Some students rise to the challenge. Some crash and burn destroying their 4.0 GPA. Some students choose to not take the class because of its reputation.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the class as a whole is missing key concepts and probably have gaps in learning that predates this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a different take on this.

Once my kid had a teacher that gave exams that consisted of only 4 questions.

Get one wrong get a C, two wrong 50%, 3 wrong 25%

Every test every quiz only four questions.

Besides the fact, his teacher was a complete and utter ass, used to tease kids and be a jerk. He could not do the math. In a meeting, he had no idea that having the tests with only four questions was problematic.

I hardly ever went to administration when my children were in HS. This was at a W school in MCPS. I had my child removed from this class. Not only because of the absurd grading but because he was literally a horrible teacher and my child would have learned nothing. Not to mention who grades like that?

Normally I would not have moved my kid for just a teacher being crappy because I truly believe my kid has to advocate for themselves and learn to work with people they don't like or are inadequate at their jobs. This one was an exception.

Sounds like half the college exams I took.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was one AP science teacher at my child's W school who was very, very tough. She expected kids to come in at 6:30 in the morning for review sessions. My understanding was that she was a very good teacher in that she knew her stuff, but some kids had a very tough time with her. Getting poor grades on her tests were pretty common but again, to get help she expected high school kids to make it into school ridiculously early in the morning. Not everyone has a ride to school before the buses start running etc.

eventually a kid who relies on bussing is going to have a parent complain to MCPS about a lack of access and bias and that will be the end of 6:30 sessions

Realistically, everyone at a W school could figure out a way to school whenever they want to.

Some students at W schools are not from wealthy families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in a science class in a W high school where the average on the last test was 40%. The teacher allows corrections to raise the grades, but the most the average kid in the class will get is a C on this test.

There is a method to the teacher's approach, but it is clear that simply attending class and doing the assigned work does not prepare the students for the test. Would you approach the teacher about this situation?

Yes, that’s how it should be. They need to study and understand the material, that’s going beyond sitting in class and doing some worksheets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in a science class in a W high school where the average on the last test was 40%. The teacher allows corrections to raise the grades, but the most the average kid in the class will get is a C on this test.

There is a method to the teacher's approach, but it is clear that simply attending class and doing the assigned work does not prepare the students for the test. Would you approach the teacher about this situation?

Yes, that’s how it should be. They need to study and understand the material, that’s going beyond sitting in class and doing some worksheets.

OP here, and I agree with this, but I think the students need a nudge in the right direction regarding what to study. My kid is studying, but got only slightly above the median. Additional problem sets to work on with solutions in the style expected for the exam would be very helpful. I have not contacted the teacher. I have told my kid to discuss with the teacher. Fingers crossed for the next 2/3 of the quarter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in a science class in a W high school where the average on the last test was 40%. The teacher allows corrections to raise the grades, but the most the average kid in the class will get is a C on this test.

There is a method to the teacher's approach, but it is clear that simply attending class and doing the assigned work does not prepare the students for the test. Would you approach the teacher about this situation?

Yes, that’s how it should be. They need to study and understand the material, that’s going beyond sitting in class and doing some worksheets.

OP here, and I agree with this, but I think the students need a nudge in the right direction regarding what to study. My kid is studying, but got only slightly above the median. Additional problem sets to work on with solutions in the style expected for the exam would be very helpful. I have not contacted the teacher. I have told my kid to discuss with the teacher. Fingers crossed for the next 2/3 of the quarter

US public secondary schools generally do not teach study skills, although they ought to. More importantly, teacher education programs do not teach how to teach study skills. This means that even if a teacher somehow carved out the time to do it, they probably lack the pedagogy. I know what works for me, but it doesn’t always work for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely not approach the teacher. That sounds absurd to me. If the average kid gets a C on a test, so be it. It's one grade of many.

So you’d only approach the school if ALL classes seemed unfair? If it’s just one class, you let it go?

Strange logic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was one AP science teacher at my child's W school who was very, very tough. She expected kids to come in at 6:30 in the morning for review sessions. My understanding was that she was a very good teacher in that she knew her stuff, but some kids had a very tough time with her. Getting poor grades on her tests were pretty common but again, to get help she expected high school kids to make it into school ridiculously early in the morning. Not everyone has a ride to school before the buses start running etc.

Let me guess - this is Churchill right? One AP science teacher is notorious for being super hard. Some students rise to the challenge. Some crash and burn destroying their 4.0 GPA. Some students choose to not take the class because of its reputation.

You got it! And this has been going on for many years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell your kid to study more next time. There are sooo many kids at our W school who just don’t care and don’t do the work. When they run into a hard class or a hard teacher, it’s always the teacher’s fault. Yes, some aren’t great. My DC has one this year who doesn’t teach well. DC goes online and learns material himself. And you know what, he does well on those tests that others fail. That’s life. Not everything will always be spoon fed.

Wow, your kid sounds amazing!

And it is probably all due to your amazing parenting!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s bad teaching if everybody flunks. If you approach anyone, let it be an administrator.

This is the hand-out everyone is expecting -- good grades for not enough effort by oneself. The onus is on the student. Teacher is giving kids a chance to improve the grade. Is the teacher offering office hours? We are at a W school and that doesn't automagically mean everyone does well. Put in the work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was one AP science teacher at my child's W school who was very, very tough. She expected kids to come in at 6:30 in the morning for review sessions. My understanding was that she was a very good teacher in that she knew her stuff, but some kids had a very tough time with her. Getting poor grades on her tests were pretty common but again, to get help she expected high school kids to make it into school ridiculously early in the morning. Not everyone has a ride to school before the buses start running etc.

Let me guess - this is Churchill right? One AP science teacher is notorious for being super hard. Some students rise to the challenge. Some crash and burn destroying their 4.0 GPA. Some students choose to not take the class because of its reputation.

You got it! And this has been going on for many years.

Which class is this?