TJ Math 4

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not grade inflation. Langley - 20% of the class has 4.5 weighted. TJ - maybe 3 kids get that ... when TJ kids have had about 10 more AP or post-AP classes than the average Langley kid. Just saying .... B-, B, even C - common grade at TJ -- on the report card.

Wow, 10 more AP classes than Langley students means even PE at TJ must be AP...because I know kids at base schools who are on track to take 15 AP or post-APs by the time they finish.
Gee, if they're so advanced, how is it that Langley has beaten them twice in the last three years at SO, without any of the amazing TJ resources and advanced curriculum at their disposal?
How is it that a good number of TJ kids don't score pass advanced on their math and science SOLs, which are minimum proficiency exams?
http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:18:::NO:0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID,P0_EDSL:300,0
(This is where you say, "they're too busy doing far more advanced things to care about extracurriculars or SOLs").

At base schools, a grade is a grade. I don't know of any classes that curve to begin with, let alone where only the bottom 5% (two standard deviations below the mean?) end up with a D or below as a result of the curve, which is what was claimed on this thread or its predecessor.

Ridiculous statements like the above are going to get you flamed with facts every time.

AP Physics C at McLean grades on a curve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not grade inflation. Langley - 20% of the class has 4.5 weighted. TJ - maybe 3 kids get that ... when TJ kids have had about 10 more AP or post-AP classes than the average Langley kid. Just saying .... B-, B, even C - common grade at TJ -- on the report card.

Wow, 10 more AP classes than Langley students means even PE at TJ must be AP...because I know kids at base schools who are on track to take 15 AP or post-APs by the time they finish.
Gee, if they're so advanced, how is it that Langley has beaten them twice in the last three years at SO, without any of the amazing TJ resources and advanced curriculum at their disposal?
How is it that a good number of TJ kids don't score pass advanced on their math and science SOLs, which are minimum proficiency exams?
http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:18:::NO:0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID,P0_EDSL:300,0
(This is where you say, "they're too busy doing far more advanced things to care about extracurriculars or SOLs").

At base schools, a grade is a grade. I don't know of any classes that curve to begin with, let alone where only the bottom 5% (two standard deviations below the mean?) end up with a D or below as a result of the curve, which is what was claimed on this thread or its predecessor.

Ridiculous statements like the above are going to get you flamed with facts every time.

The curve is to 71%. A D- So, 50% of kids get a D- or F. Half. Not 5%.

And TJ isn’t the base school. It’s math department routinely gives test that most kids are incapable of finishing and incapable of getting an A on, on points. The curves on some form of B. That is how the choose to challenge the .01% of math kids in FCPS. The math geniuses, even by TJ standards. It is also how math departments at may colleges operate. And in many ways— from academic expectations to no bells to you can eat lunch anywhere in the building you want, TJ operates more like college than HS.

[Anonymous]

There are routinely quizzes on which kids get Ds and Fs in many classes. If there are 3 questions and you get one wrong ... it's a 67. At the end of the semester the quizzes don't count for much of the grade, but it's possible to have a very low grade at any point in time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not grade inflation. Langley - 20% of the class has 4.5 weighted. TJ - maybe 3 kids get that ... when TJ kids have had about 10 more AP or post-AP classes than the average Langley kid. Just saying .... B-, B, even C - common grade at TJ -- on the report card.

Wow, 10 more AP classes than Langley students means even PE at TJ must be AP...because I know kids at base schools who are on track to take 15 AP or post-APs by the time they finish.
Gee, if they're so advanced, how is it that Langley has beaten them twice in the last three years at SO, without any of the amazing TJ resources and advanced curriculum at their disposal?
How is it that a good number of TJ kids don't score pass advanced on their math and science SOLs, which are minimum proficiency exams?
http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:18:::NO:0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID,P0_EDSL:300,0
(This is where you say, "they're too busy doing far more advanced things to care about extracurriculars or SOLs").

At base schools, a grade is a grade. I don't know of any classes that curve to begin with, let alone where only the bottom 5% (two standard deviations below the mean?) end up with a D or below as a result of the curve, which is what was claimed on this thread or its predecessor.

Ridiculous statements like the above are going to get you flamed with facts every time.

You obviously are on this thread only to complain. You don't have a student in Math 4, so why don't you find something else to do toady.

[Anonymous]

Wondering what has contributed to the low scores in Math 4. Is the class just incredibly hard? Was the RS in summer school too condensed and didn't cover enough material? Or is it just the new teachers?

[Anonymous]

OP here -- for people who don't have a child in TJ Math 4 right now, those of us who do aren't interested in your thoughts on the matter so please refrain from commenting. And please stop with the lecturing about how we should let our kids advocate for themselves, how we shouldn't push our kids, how they can't always get As, how we all need to relax . . . I, for one, am sick of hearing that crap. I have multiple kids at TJ, so I don't need lecturing on how it works. The issue with TJ Math 4 right now is very clear: the tests and quizzes are too long and too hard. Case in point: the quiz they took yesterday had a question on it that was on something that hadn't been taught or covered and it was 50% of the points on the quiz. I'm all for putting a question or two on a test that challenges kids to go beyond the material, but to have something like that on a quiz and have it be worth so much of the grade --- something is seriously wrong. I won't sit by and let my child get a crappy grade in the class because of that kind of stuff. Period.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid in the class. Let the kids advocate for themselves. We can blather on all we want on the forum, but I think it would be a mistake to intervene as parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what has contributed to the low scores in Math 4. Is the class just incredibly hard? Was the RS in summer school too condensed and didn't cover enough material? Or is it just the new teachers?

Probably all 3. Plus, the general consensus is that the content of the test was less of a problem than the length. Most kids did not finish it— by a long shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- for people who don't have a child in TJ Math 4 right now, those of us who do aren't interested in your thoughts on the matter so please refrain from commenting. And please stop with the lecturing about how we should let our kids advocate for themselves, how we shouldn't push our kids, how they can't always get As, how we all need to relax . . . I, for one, am sick of hearing that crap. I have multiple kids at TJ, so I don't need lecturing on how it works. The issue with TJ Math 4 right now is very clear: the tests and quizzes are too long and too hard. Case in point: the quiz they took yesterday had a question on it that was on something that hadn't been taught or covered and it was 50% of the points on the quiz. I'm all for putting a question or two on a test that challenges kids to go beyond the material, but to have something like that on a quiz and have it be worth so much of the grade --- something is seriously wrong. I won't sit by and let my child get a crappy grade in the class because of that kind of stuff. Period.

Thank you OP. I have a math 4 kid too and am also tired of hearing from people who have no idea WTF TJ is or does. They can start another “Why TJ sucks” thread. This one is about a problem with a specific class. Not Asians or cheating or Langly or APs or sit back and relax, your kid will handle it. My kid has tried, and has still not even seen the test. I would be a lot more relaxed if someone at TJ — the math department, the principal— someone— noticed there was a problem and said— hey, this was a problem. This is what we are doing so future assessments are more fair. This is what we are doing to ensure the Math 4 grade distribution will be in line with past years. But no one is saying anything, and one wonders if the math department chair or the principal even know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid in the class. Let the kids advocate for themselves. We can blather on all we want on the forum, but I think it would be a mistake to intervene as parents.

The kids are advocating. Mine has talked to the teacher and the counselor. Has not seen the test. Has not gotten any answers about what is being done to keep unit 2 from being a repeat. Was told he could earn up to 10 points back on a “bonus quiz,” but that still puts the class average at a C- if all the kids get all the points, which they won’t. Ultimately the average will be a D— when a typical curve would be a mid B.

I get that you are new to TJ. But have you met any TJ kids? Do you really think they are sitting there saying, well, whatever? They want top engineering schools— which don’t take D math students. Even from TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid in the class. Let the kids advocate for themselves. We can blather on all we want on the forum, but I think it would be a mistake to intervene as parents.

I’m guessing a freshman. Because you really have no idea how things get changed at TJ for large scale problems (instead of one kid needing a peer tutor). It isn’t kids talking to brand new teachers and counselors.

There was wide scale sexual harassment last year. Girls complained to teachers, counselors, APs. Nothing happened until they wrote and distributed a “Your Title 1 rights” guide, mass distributed it on every TJbwensite and FB page and forum, and it started to get publicity outside current students. Then, the Admin was all over it with emails and assemblies and 14 point plans and student body education. Not when the victims came forward and used the self advocacy guidelines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- for people who don't have a child in TJ Math 4 right now, those of us who do aren't interested in your thoughts on the matter so please refrain from commenting. And please stop with the lecturing about how we should let our kids advocate for themselves, how we shouldn't push our kids, how they can't always get As, how we all need to relax . . . I, for one, am sick of hearing that crap. I have multiple kids at TJ, so I don't need lecturing on how it works. The issue with TJ Math 4 right now is very clear: the tests and quizzes are too long and too hard. Case in point: the quiz they took yesterday had a question on it that was on something that hadn't been taught or covered and it was 50% of the points on the quiz. I'm all for putting a question or two on a test that challenges kids to go beyond the material, but to have something like that on a quiz and have it be worth so much of the grade --- something is seriously wrong. I won't sit by and let my child get a crappy grade in the class because of that kind of stuff. Period.

Thank you OP. I have a math 4 kid too and am also tired of hearing from people who have no idea WTF TJ is or does. They can start another “Why TJ sucks” thread. This one is about a problem with a specific class. Not Asians or cheating or Langly or APs or sit back and relax, your kid will handle it. My kid has tried, and has still not even seen the test. I would be a lot more relaxed if someone at TJ — the math department, the principal— someone— noticed there was a problem and said— hey, this was a problem. This is what we are doing so future assessments are more fair. This is what we are doing to ensure the Math 4 grade distribution will be in line with past years. But no one is saying anything, and one wonders if the math department chair or the principal even know.

I have a math 4 kid too. He has been working for at least 3 hours+ each day of the past weekend doing the problems as he is very much upset with his current grade. He is losing confidence in math because of the unit test, quizzes etc. Why can't the math department come out and mail on how the kids can prepare better? So it is only this year's math 4 distribution different than previous years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- for people who don't have a child in TJ Math 4 right now, those of us who do aren't interested in your thoughts on the matter so please refrain from commenting. And please stop with the lecturing about how we should let our kids advocate for themselves, how we shouldn't push our kids, how they can't always get As, how we all need to relax . . . I, for one, am sick of hearing that crap. I have multiple kids at TJ, so I don't need lecturing on how it works. The issue with TJ Math 4 right now is very clear: the tests and quizzes are too long and too hard. Case in point: the quiz they took yesterday had a question on it that was on something that hadn't been taught or covered and it was 50% of the points on the quiz. I'm all for putting a question or two on a test that challenges kids to go beyond the material, but to have something like that on a quiz and have it be worth so much of the grade --- something is seriously wrong. I won't sit by and let my child get a crappy grade in the class because of that kind of stuff. Period.

Thank you OP. I have a math 4 kid too and am also tired of hearing from people who have no idea WTF TJ is or does. They can start another “Why TJ sucks” thread. This one is about a problem with a specific class. Not Asians or cheating or Langly or APs or sit back and relax, your kid will handle it. My kid has tried, and has still not even seen the test. I would be a lot more relaxed if someone at TJ — the math department, the principal— someone— noticed there was a problem and said— hey, this was a problem. This is what we are doing so future assessments are more fair. This is what we are doing to ensure the Math 4 grade distribution will be in line with past years. But no one is saying anything, and one wonders if the math department chair or the principal even know.

I have a math 4 kid too. He has been working for at least 3 hours+ each day of the past weekend doing the problems as he is very much upset with his current grade. He is losing confidence in math because of the unit test, quizzes etc. Why can't the math department come out and mail on how the kids can prepare better? So it is only this year's math 4 distribution different than previous years?

sounds like some people need to drop out of TJ this is what pushing your kids gets you morons. If they can't handle it they should drop out. TJ graduate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- for people who don't have a child in TJ Math 4 right now, those of us who do aren't interested in your thoughts on the matter so please refrain from commenting. And please stop with the lecturing about how we should let our kids advocate for themselves, how we shouldn't push our kids, how they can't always get As, how we all need to relax . . . I, for one, am sick of hearing that crap. I have multiple kids at TJ, so I don't need lecturing on how it works. The issue with TJ Math 4 right now is very clear: the tests and quizzes are too long and too hard. Case in point: the quiz they took yesterday had a question on it that was on something that hadn't been taught or covered and it was 50% of the points on the quiz. I'm all for putting a question or two on a test that challenges kids to go beyond the material, but to have something like that on a quiz and have it be worth so much of the grade --- something is seriously wrong. I won't sit by and let my child get a crappy grade in the class because of that kind of stuff. Period.

Thank you OP. I have a math 4 kid too and am also tired of hearing from people who have no idea WTF TJ is or does. They can start another “Why TJ sucks” thread. This one is about a problem with a specific class. Not Asians or cheating or Langly or APs or sit back and relax, your kid will handle it. My kid has tried, and has still not even seen the test. I would be a lot more relaxed if someone at TJ — the math department, the principal— someone— noticed there was a problem and said— hey, this was a problem. This is what we are doing so future assessments are more fair. This is what we are doing to ensure the Math 4 grade distribution will be in line with past years. But no one is saying anything, and one wonders if the math department chair or the principal even know.

I have a math 4 kid too. He has been working for at least 3 hours+ each day of the past weekend doing the problems as he is very much upset with his current grade. He is losing confidence in math because of the unit test, quizzes etc. Why can't the math department come out and mail on how the kids can prepare better? So it is only this year's math 4 distribution different than previous years?

Yes. This is way outside the starboard math 4 distribution. And outside the math department’s SOP and written advocacy guidelines about returning tests before future assessments, making retakes available promptly, etc. and what parents are told, which is that tests fall outside the curve significantly, the admin will look at why and communicate with parents about a plan. This is very, very off. Not because kids flunked, but because of how the admin and department has handled the situation after the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- for people who don't have a child in TJ Math 4 right now, those of us who do aren't interested in your thoughts on the matter so please refrain from commenting. And please stop with the lecturing about how we should let our kids advocate for themselves, how we shouldn't push our kids, how they can't always get As, how we all need to relax . . . I, for one, am sick of hearing that crap. I have multiple kids at TJ, so I don't need lecturing on how it works. The issue with TJ Math 4 right now is very clear: the tests and quizzes are too long and too hard. Case in point: the quiz they took yesterday had a question on it that was on something that hadn't been taught or covered and it was 50% of the points on the quiz. I'm all for putting a question or two on a test that challenges kids to go beyond the material, but to have something like that on a quiz and have it be worth so much of the grade --- something is seriously wrong. I won't sit by and let my child get a crappy grade in the class because of that kind of stuff. Period.

Thank you OP. I have a math 4 kid too and am also tired of hearing from people who have no idea WTF TJ is or does. They can start another “Why TJ sucks” thread. This one is about a problem with a specific class. Not Asians or cheating or Langly or APs or sit back and relax, your kid will handle it. My kid has tried, and has still not even seen the test. I would be a lot more relaxed if someone at TJ — the math department, the principal— someone— noticed there was a problem and said— hey, this was a problem. This is what we are doing so future assessments are more fair. This is what we are doing to ensure the Math 4 grade distribution will be in line with past years. But no one is saying anything, and one wonders if the math department chair or the principal even know.

I have a math 4 kid too. He has been working for at least 3 hours+ each day of the past weekend doing the problems as he is very much upset with his current grade. He is losing confidence in math because of the unit test, quizzes etc. Why can't the math department come out and mail on how the kids can prepare better? So it is only this year's math 4 distribution different than previous years?

sounds like some people need to drop out of TJ this is what pushing your kids gets you morons. If they can't handle it they should drop out. TJ graduate

Question TJ graduate. Did 1/2 of your sophomore call flunk pre-calc? Do you think it’s okay if 1/2 of this class does? Do you really think 1/2 of TJ kids in only one class can’t pass pre-calc? How would you have dealt with failing pre-calc? Or is it maybe possible that there was a bad assessment written by new teachers with a new principal, and there is a breakdown in leadership and communication?