Madison H.S. Parents - Principal Survey and Skills-Based Grading

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Outside of all this, Madison had excellent results in EA and RD this year

That's fine, but for my senior, this year was stressful to the point that I wish I could have done something to alleviate it even if it meant going to another school for one year. The angst of the 2nd semester grades was unbelievable and just the not understanding what was going on in terms of grades. "I don't understand my grade at all. I have no idea what is going on," ect...voice trembling, eyes watering ect... I'm just furious. And for the principal to say, "yeah I know this year was a disaster but next year it's going to be better...." No one deserves a disaster in high school. This is when it matters most.

I've tried to understand the motivation and this has to be about how it helps the administration. I was told that administrators are rated on 1) how many students graduate 2) how many incidents occur at the school, and I'm assuming a 3rd has been added, how well low-income and underserved students perform. If they can lift the scores of that group by getting rid of assessments, then at the end of the year boost the grade based on demonstrating an upward trend, then that helps the administrator. In reality, the kids in the low-income group are actually learning less because now there is no incentive to pay attention in class.

[Anonymous]

What is EA and RD?

[Anonymous]

The way they used to grade assignments just for completion was to give them a 4 or a 0 and then that grade went towards a larger overall grade at a very small percentage.

[Anonymous]

Yes grades are going down with this new grading system. Every teacher is implementing it differently- many are confused.

[Anonymous]

PP at 11:45 "If they can lift the scores of that group by getting rid of assessments, then at the end of the year boost the grade based on demonstrating an upward trend"

I meant to write lift the scores by getting rid of classroom participation grade not assessments, which was only 10% before. The result of getting rid of the classroom participation grades: now none of the kids do the work and my kids tell me they don't have interesting conversations in class anymore because no one has done the reading, everyone regularly fails quizzes that don't count, ect...

EA is Early Action and RD is Regular Decision for college admission

[Anonymous]

Madison does a pretty great job with preparing kids for the college process. Maybe it's what all FCPS schools do, but their presentations on how to look at and apply to colleges were fantastic. Luckily the seniors have only had to deal with the new grading for a short timeframe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At Madison this las led to lower grades and tons of angst for the students. Each assessment can only receive an A, B, C, etc. and to get an A, there can be zero mistakes-my child has has come home multiple times with B grades where they have the right answer, but it will not be in the right format etc. Under a rational grading system, this would have merited an A-. So we are now expecting kids to get perfect grades in math at all times to get an A. If the goal is grade deflation, so be it. But I want all FCPS high schools doing this so Madison kids have a fair playing field against other FCPS stidehts in college admissions. I would be less irritated if they brought back A-, B+ grades on assessments.

I have an Oakton student. The goal seems to be lower grades, in my opinion. I would welcome a similar survey.

Another Oakton parent- totally agree. Bring down grades of honors kids. Biology honors has been changing syllabus midway to screw kids.

[Anonymous]

The teachers have reported that standards-based grading significantly increases their work load. In a system that is already burning out teachers at a rapid rate, why would we want to add fuel to the fire?

The families have reported that standards-based grading adds additional stress. Our kids are already under enough stress, so why would we want to magnify that?

FCPS would be foolish to adopt standards-based grading in all secondary schools unless their goal is to burn out teachers and students alike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids are compared to others at their school in college admissions, not others in their district.

This just isn’t true. Kids are compared to others nationally and internationally.

Of course, but gpas are compared against other applicants in their school and considered in context of the school profile.

[Anonymous]

This thread is confusing because some are complaining of lower grades and others are complaining FCPS just wants to give easy grades to everyone to achieve equity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is confusing because some are complaining of lower grades and others are complaining FCPS just wants to give easy grades to everyone to achieve equity.

Why - bring up the bottom and bring down the top is the second easiest way to achieve “equity,” right after just bringing down the top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is confusing because some are complaining of lower grades and others are complaining FCPS just wants to give easy grades to everyone to achieve equity.

Why - bring up the bottom and bring down the top is the second easiest way to achieve “equity,” right after just bringing down the top.

Yes - that does seem the be the overall effect of this, to compress the grade at both ends. I'm curious to see if everyone's grade gets bumped up at the end of the year because teachers and administrators keep saying things like don't worry, it will all be ok in the end, there are still grading opportunities (teachers), everyone will benefit (administrator). For kids with As, it currently looks like grade deflation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is confusing because some are complaining of lower grades and others are complaining FCPS just wants to give easy grades to everyone to achieve equity.

Why - bring up the bottom and bring down the top is the second easiest way to achieve “equity,” right after just bringing down the top.

Yes - that does seem the be the overall effect of this, to compress the grade at both ends. I'm curious to see if everyone's grade gets bumped up at the end of the year because teachers and administrators keep saying things like don't worry, it will all be ok in the end, there are still grading opportunities (teachers), everyone will benefit (administrator). For kids with As, it currently looks like grade deflation.

I meant to write for kids that used to have As.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is confusing because some are complaining of lower grades and others are complaining FCPS just wants to give easy grades to everyone to achieve equity.

Why - bring up the bottom and bring down the top is the second easiest way to achieve “equity,” right after just bringing down the top.

Yes - that does seem the be the overall effect of this, to compress the grade at both ends. I'm curious to see if everyone's grade gets bumped up at the end of the year because teachers and administrators keep saying things like don't worry, it will all be ok in the end, there are still grading opportunities (teachers), everyone will benefit (administrator). For kids with As, it currently looks like grade deflation.

I meant to write for kids that used to have As.

That’s the trend among districts across the country with the new Mastery Based Grading. Less A’s but less failures also. Students who don’t have the resources to do homework and complete other graded tasks at home are now able to have subject mastery evaluated st the end of the term, and retakes and supplemental instruction can be provided until students gain that mastery. Punctuality and deadlines in general are no longer punitive, and homework is optional.

According to the most recent data, the achievement gap is reduced via successful implementation of Mastery Based Grading. This is the first time districts are seeing the achievement gap narrow after decades of failed attempts. While controversial for now among parents, students and teachers, most districts will implement some form of skills based grading over the next few years. Likely a slow and gradual implementation to avoid the problems at Madison and other schools. Notably APS’ Wakefield HS paused the implementation in 2022 after teachers and parents alike were against it.

For good reading on the new grading system and what it entails: “Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms” by Joe Feldman.

[Anonymous]

How does it help against failures? I don't see this happening. I just saw someone post their grades in this pyramid and they are all F's with less than 20% completion rate and there is no disability. They just don't do any work and are online all day gaming and chatting.