MCPS Alg1 PARCC scores for MS went down

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say the kids are overtested, and they know these tests are meaningless. It doesn't count in their GPA, doesn't go on their college transcripts, doesn't count for placement anywhere, etc.. Our kids have enough to worry about, and are gaming the system to get what they want/need, and PARCC gets them nothing.

And for those holier-than-thou who think their little snowflakes would never do something like that, you are wrong.

As of 2016-2017 passing the Algebra PARCC is a graduation requirement in Maryland, so it's not meaningless.

Truth. The Maryland Dept of Ed is requiring certain scores (depending on what year your child is tested) on the algebra PARCC as high school graduation requirement. Here's the info:

725 in 2016 - 2017
733 in 2017 - 2018
741 in 2018 - 2019
750 in 2019 - 2020

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/hsa/

Does anyone really think MCPS will stick to their guns with this once it's realized that there's a significant "gap" along racial lines?

Not up to MCPS. It's a state requirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't say I've used algebra since I took it in HS. Basic math, everyday.

Algebra is just basic math formalized, not saying anyone needs to be writing out formulas but if they've learned the material they can put it to use. If you want to estimate how often to order the straws at Starbucks, Algebra. The person who balks at that level of thinking is in a lower caste.

My 4th grader can estimate and hasn't gotten anywhere near algebra. Schools need to realize that students cannot be pushed along year after year when they are failing and then be surprised that they can't pass algebra. My friend teaches and tells me that every year some of her students who fail everything pass the grade. Every year. She attends retention meetings and the school passes them anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Does anyone really think MCPS will stick to their guns with this once it's realized that there's a significant "gap" along racial lines?

It's a state requirement. Even assuming that MCPS wanted to do something, what could MCPS do?

20% of PG county kids met or exceeded expectations on the Algebra I PARCC. Are you telling me that they're going to stop 80% of the kids there from graduating?

I don't understand. Schools in Prince George's County are in PGCPS, not MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Does anyone really think MCPS will stick to their guns with this once it's realized that there's a significant "gap" along racial lines?

It's a state requirement. Even assuming that MCPS wanted to do something, what could MCPS do?

20% of PG county kids met or exceeded expectations on the Algebra I PARCC. Are you telling me that they're going to stop 80% of the kids there from graduating?

I don't understand. Schools in Prince George's County are in PGCPS, not MCPS.

PP mentioned that it was a state requirement, so MCPS would have no say. 40% passed in MCPS. The question remains whether the state will enforce this once the predicable racial gaps appear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't say I've used algebra since I took it in HS. Basic math, everyday.

Algebra is just basic math formalized, not saying anyone needs to be writing out formulas but if they've learned the material they can put it to use. If you want to estimate how often to order the straws at Starbucks, Algebra. The person who balks at that level of thinking is in a lower caste.

My 4th grader can estimate and hasn't gotten anywhere near algebra. Schools need to realize that students cannot be pushed along year after year when they are failing and then be surprised that they can't pass algebra. My friend teaches and tells me that every year some of her students who fail everything pass the grade. Every year. She attends retention meetings and the school passes them anyway.

But that is exactly what the PARCC is supposed to do, starting in 3rd grade catch whether students are on track. By HS passing the Alg exam is a graduation requirement. This really isn't too high a bar, certainly some students may do this much earlier, like your DC, but there's realy no one who is better served not learning this level of math by graduation. Similarly there's no one who is served by being unable to express their thoughts at the tenth grade English level, the other requirement.

Whether PARCC does what it says and whether the state sticks with the requirements are seperate issues but it is the designated replacement for the previous Maryland State Assessment.