How does new semester grading work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is supposed to be the numerical average of the two end-of-quarter percentages. They have not stated how many decimal places they will go out. Also, there are numerous examples of MCPS changing things up at the last minute.

But where does this numerical average grade get shown? All I can see on parentvue are report cards that show each marking period (Q1-4). Is there a different report card that only shows the average grade for each of the two semesters?

What grade is your kid in?

For my HS kid, the report card shows quarter grades and semester grades (although just letter grades, not numeric; I don’t know if that will change with the new grading system). The SGGCR shows only semester grades.

[Anonymous]

My kid is a ninth grader, and this new policy transformed his work ethic. He coasted in middle school, barely ever turned in assignments, and just didn't care.

The consequences of this policy were very clear to him and he has the best grades he has had since elementary school and is motivated to work hard.

I'm glad the change was made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is supposed to be the numerical average of the two end-of-quarter percentages. They have not stated how many decimal places they will go out. Also, there are numerous examples of MCPS changing things up at the last minute.

But where does this numerical average grade get shown? All I can see on parentvue are report cards that show each marking period (Q1-4). Is there a different report card that only shows the average grade for each of the two semesters?

What grade is your kid in?

For my HS kid, the report card shows quarter grades and semester grades (although just letter grades, not numeric; I don’t know if that will change with the new grading system). The SGGCR shows only semester grades.

I have an 8th grader--do they have an SGGCR too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is supposed to be the numerical average of the two end-of-quarter percentages. They have not stated how many decimal places they will go out. Also, there are numerous examples of MCPS changing things up at the last minute.

But where does this numerical average grade get shown? All I can see on parentvue are report cards that show each marking period (Q1-4). Is there a different report card that only shows the average grade for each of the two semesters?

What grade is your kid in?

For my HS kid, the report card shows quarter grades and semester grades (although just letter grades, not numeric; I don’t know if that will change with the new grading system). The SGGCR shows only semester grades.

I have an 8th grader--do they have an SGGCR too?

No, they get generated starting midway through 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is supposed to be the numerical average of the two end-of-quarter percentages. They have not stated how many decimal places they will go out. Also, there are numerous examples of MCPS changing things up at the last minute.

But where does this numerical average grade get shown? All I can see on parentvue are report cards that show each marking period (Q1-4). Is there a different report card that only shows the average grade for each of the two semesters?

What grade is your kid in?

For my HS kid, the report card shows quarter grades and semester grades (although just letter grades, not numeric; I don’t know if that will change with the new grading system). The SGGCR shows only semester grades.

I have an 8th grader--do they have an SGGCR too?

No, they get generated starting midway through 9th grade.

So is it correct to say that in some ways, semester grading matters "less" for middle school students? For example, if a student earns a B in MP1 and an A in MP2, anyone who reviews that student's middle school grades will see all 4 MPs because there's no official document that shows only the semester grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is supposed to be the numerical average of the two end-of-quarter percentages. They have not stated how many decimal places they will go out. Also, there are numerous examples of MCPS changing things up at the last minute.

But where does this numerical average grade get shown? All I can see on parentvue are report cards that show each marking period (Q1-4). Is there a different report card that only shows the average grade for each of the two semesters?

What grade is your kid in?

For my HS kid, the report card shows quarter grades and semester grades (although just letter grades, not numeric; I don’t know if that will change with the new grading system). The SGGCR shows only semester grades.

I have an 8th grader--do they have an SGGCR too?

No, they get generated starting midway through 9th grade.

So is it correct to say that in some ways, semester grading matters "less" for middle school students? For example, if a student earns a B in MP1 and an A in MP2, anyone who reviews that student's middle school grades will see all 4 MPs because there's no official document that shows only the semester grades.

The SGGCR does include high school credit classes taken during middle school, and they only show the semester grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is supposed to be the numerical average of the two end-of-quarter percentages. They have not stated how many decimal places they will go out. Also, there are numerous examples of MCPS changing things up at the last minute.

But where does this numerical average grade get shown? All I can see on parentvue are report cards that show each marking period (Q1-4). Is there a different report card that only shows the average grade for each of the two semesters?

In ParentVUE, go to the menus/button that says Grades. It will tell you the actual percentage the student has in the class and from there you can even see what they earned on each assignment.

[Anonymous]

Sorry. Grade Book. Not Grades

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a HS teacher the only thing i am concerned with and have not recieved guidance on is how we handle the kids who mathematically cannot pass. There are apparently as many as 500 kids in our school in that situation. How do you manage and control that many lids who have no real reason to follow the program for 9 weeks?

Eek! As a non-teacher, I am surprised they didn't figure this out ahead of time. Some sort of plan for in-semester grade recovery would be a good idea.

These kids knew and know about it. At my school, they've been pulled by numerous staff (when they're in school) and teachers have told kids that if they earn less than a 30% for quarter 1, they will fail the semester.

It's about the be the biggest case of FAFO we've seen in a long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids that are feeling the effects of this new policy the hardest are the 9th graders. They spent the last 3 years in a system that had zero academic consequences. They were conditioned to "lock in" for the last 4-5 days of the Marking Period to salvage their grades. I cannot tell you the amount of e-mails I have received from students and parents begging and pleading for grades to somehow jump 15-20% over this final week. Its sad but they desperately need this wake up call.

Actually the kids feeling the effects the hardest are Juniors and Seniors. While it may be needed they are adapting while taking the hardest classes and having this be the years grades are most consequential.

+10000

[Anonymous]

Sorry but not sorry for the juniors and seniors who thought they could slack off 1 quarter each semester and still end up with the A's they want and need to go to their dream schools. Those kids should know better and do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry but not sorry for the juniors and seniors who thought they could slack off 1 quarter each semester and still end up with the A's they want and need to go to their dream schools. Those kids should know better and do better.

How should they know better when what you describe was literally the former MCPS grading system?

[Anonymous]

It’s already pathetic that MCPS got rid of midterms and final exams. Who came up with that stellar idea? Let’s set up the educational system so kids have to learn almost nothing and do very little work. And then let’s hand out As and Bs like candy

[Anonymous]

I haven’t read the whole thread, but shouldn’t quarter grades be numeric not letter grades under the new policy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t read the whole thread, but shouldn’t quarter grades be numeric not letter grades under the new policy?

They are both. We will find out in like 2 weeks if the report cards will display both the letter and the percentage