Any hope Youngkin will bring back 0s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people just want to take away all decision making from locally elected bodies of government?

No, people have just given up on this local school board listening.

How short sighted of you. One day there may be a school board who favors your views and a Governor who does not but sure, let's cut off your nose to spite your face.

This. For every conservative in Fairfax wanting to crush local autonomy, there is a conservative in Grayson County who realizes the next governor may be a democrat and is fine with Fairfax doing whatever it wants as long as Richmond leaves them alone. Virginia may be purple, but there are very few purple counties. In a state like that, local decision making works for the vast majority.

I agree and make the same argument for people who want the government to be able to force you to receive an injection to live in society.

Sure, you may believe the latest injection is “safe and effective” and your current officials are competent and well-meaning, but what happens when the next administration or the one after that is neither and they get to decide what must be injected into your body?

Nope.

If current local government insists on lowering standards, you must adjust (private classes/camps/tutoring, homeschool, or go private). Communicate about the issues and perhaps enough voters will agree to a change.

Or move.

In the end those with the money and resources to pivot will fare better than those without. Government just cares so much!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCPS high school teacher here. The elimination of 0 grades has killed education. Kids have no consequences because they get 50 no matter what. I have students with 20 absences already, yet they still have a C. Kids are selective when they want to try because they know there is no consequences.

Don't even get me started on the social studies PBA instead of the SOL. What a farse. Kids just sneeze on a piece of paper and they get the verified credit.

I'm hoping Youngkin will get rid of the 50 minimum, SOL for social studies, truancy fines/punishments.

What are the odds any of these ever come back.

Whatever are you going on about? My kid is in HS and there are zeros entered if she misses assignments. It's my clue to get on her to get them done.

What policy, exactly, are you referring to here?

The one that says that eventually the teacher will be FORCED/MANDATED/OBLIGED/COERCED TO COMPLY in removing those zeros and entering a 50 in them. That policy, h0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A 50 is an F

Yup. But the grade is recoverable. Why put a struggling student into situation from which he cannot recover? Why would they even try if they know there is no hope of passing the class? I think the policy is a good one.

Because when they "graduate", that 50 percent policy instantly converts to 0 percent policy with real life consequences.

These kids aren't stupid. The idea that getting a 50% on a chemistry exam when they actually earned a 30% is somehow going to create adults who can't figure out how to be productive members of society is rather short sighted.

High school isn't "real life". It's a bubble we've artificially created where students learn random things that have no purpose in most of their futures. If you want kids to care and show up and participate fully, then we need to allow them to study things they are interested in instead of forcing every student to take algebra 2, biology, and literature at age 16.

I taught in Virgina schools from 1976 until 2013. I taught at all grade levels from 3 to 12. In the upper grades I taught only mathematics. In the "old days" it was accepted that some students progressed in mathematics more slowly than others. A few "slower" students, for example, might master in a year only half of what others learned. In Grade 6, they were mastering Grade 3 and 4 objectives. But, eventually, maybe in high school, they mastered basic arithmetic skills, including fractions, percents, and beginning alegebra skills. In recent decades, students have been moved along in math without mastery of prerequisite skills. Many enter Algebra 1 in high school with little understanding of fractions or percents, knowledge of -- in my opinion-- is more important than secondary algebra and geometry. So, grading policies that "help a student pass", such as the 50% policy and "test corrections" (getting half credit back for correcting a test answer as a teacher goes over answers) are necessary!

[Anonymous]

They should give the 50 once. After that it’s all zeros.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people just want to take away all decision making from locally elected bodies of government?

If the school board has said that a kid not turning in work still starts with a 50%, then yeah, that needs to go away. Attendance does not equal a grade. Students need to be turning in work on time. Students not turning in work should earn a 0 on the assignment. Students turning in work late should lose points for turning in the assignment late. I promise you that these types of policies are not doing students any good. It is inflating grades and moving kids ahead when they are not ready. They are not teaching kids habits that will help them in life.

When they do not turn in an assignment, not only should students earn a 0, they should get the additional assignment of having to use algebra to calculate their new overall class grade with that newly earned 0. If they don't turn in their grade calculation, that's another 0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people just want to take away all decision making from locally elected bodies of government?

If the school board has said that a kid not turning in work still starts with a 50%, then yeah, that needs to go away. Attendance does not equal a grade. Students need to be turning in work on time. Students not turning in work should earn a 0 on the assignment. Students turning in work late should lose points for turning in the assignment late. I promise you that these types of policies are not doing students any good. It is inflating grades and moving kids ahead when they are not ready. They are not teaching kids habits that will help them in life.

When they do not turn in an assignment, not only should students earn a 0, they should get the additional assignment of having to use algebra to calculate their new overall class grade with that newly earned 0. If they don't turn in their grade calculation, that's another 0.

and then the kid realizes that even though it's only October, there's basically nothing they can do to pass the class. and then what? they just sit there. and distract others. and don't learn anything. they have no motivation to. that's why I have very mixed feelings on the no zero policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is ridiculous. I think it is ridiculous that parents allow their kids to get away with this crap.

Agree that the parents play a role. I have a number of friends who accept their kids grades, knowing that htey are getting the benefit of this, knowing their kids can submit late assignments for full credit, knowing their kids can do re-takes to increase grades if the initial grade is low enough.

Have some standards for your children.

At our MS you can retake any test. You can retake a 98% if you want. Guess who's kid re-takes a majority of her tests? Mine. I have standards and want my kid to get the best grade possible. Don't think taking retakes says otherwise. She's never score less than an 89% on any original test but why settle for a B+ or A- when you can get an A.

You are going to hurt your child with that attitude. A's are great but studying and getting a B+ or an A- on a test is not a bad thing. Those are good grades. Your kid is being taught that they are only doing well if they score an A and that is going to hurt her when she gets to a place where retakes are not allowed. She is going to freak out about having a B+ or an A- for no good reason.

Our standard is that DS makes his best effort. Did he do his homework and study? Then he earned the grade that he earned and we can accept that. If he needs a tutor because he is not fully understanding the concepts, then fine. But making an kid with an A- retake a test is a bit much. I mean, you are going to do your thing but there can be some negative consequences to that type of extra pressure on a kid who is doing well in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is ridiculous. I think it is ridiculous that parents allow their kids to get away with this crap.

Agree that the parents play a role. I have a number of friends who accept their kids grades, knowing that htey are getting the benefit of this, knowing their kids can submit late assignments for full credit, knowing their kids can do re-takes to increase grades if the initial grade is low enough.

Have some standards for your children.

At our MS you can retake any test. You can retake a 98% if you want. Guess who's kid re-takes a majority of her tests? Mine. I have standards and want my kid to get the best grade possible. Don't think taking retakes says otherwise. She's never score less than an 89% on any original test but why settle for a B+ or A- when you can get an A.

You are going to hurt your child with that attitude. A's are great but studying and getting a B+ or an A- on a test is not a bad thing. Those are good grades. Your kid is being taught that they are only doing well if they score an A and that is going to hurt her when she gets to a place where retakes are not allowed. She is going to freak out about having a B+ or an A- for no good reason.

Our standard is that DS makes his best effort. Did he do his homework and study? Then he earned the grade that he earned and we can accept that. If he needs a tutor because he is not fully understanding the concepts, then fine. But making an kid with an A- retake a test is a bit much. I mean, you are going to do your thing but there can be some negative consequences to that type of extra pressure on a kid who is doing well in school.

Unfortunately, these games need to be played to stand a chance at the more competitive colleges. I agree that aiming for perfectionism with retakes isn't innately helping children be better learners, but it's the kind of thing that you have to do because everyone else is doing it. It's another way that grades are inflated and the floor is higher as a result. And that 0.33-0.5 GPA difference is meaningful enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people just want to take away all decision making from locally elected bodies of government?

If the school board has said that a kid not turning in work still starts with a 50%, then yeah, that needs to go away. Attendance does not equal a grade. Students need to be turning in work on time. Students not turning in work should earn a 0 on the assignment. Students turning in work late should lose points for turning in the assignment late. I promise you that these types of policies are not doing students any good. It is inflating grades and moving kids ahead when they are not ready. They are not teaching kids habits that will help them in life.

When they do not turn in an assignment, not only should students earn a 0, they should get the additional assignment of having to use algebra to calculate their new overall class grade with that newly earned 0. If they don't turn in their grade calculation, that's another 0.

and then the kid realizes that even though it's only October, there's basically nothing they can do to pass the class. and then what? they just sit there. and distract others. and don't learn anything. they have no motivation to. that's why I have very mixed feelings on the no zero policy.

Yup. The 50% policy has actually created more engagement than 0s ever did. Kids no longer have an excuse to check out. In college they can drop the course, in high school they have to sit there until June even when it's obvious they have 0 chance of passing. With the 50% rule, there is never an excuse to totally stop trying--passing is always a possibility with some effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people just want to take away all decision making from locally elected bodies of government?

If the school board has said that a kid not turning in work still starts with a 50%, then yeah, that needs to go away. Attendance does not equal a grade. Students need to be turning in work on time. Students not turning in work should earn a 0 on the assignment. Students turning in work late should lose points for turning in the assignment late. I promise you that these types of policies are not doing students any good. It is inflating grades and moving kids ahead when they are not ready. They are not teaching kids habits that will help them in life.

When they do not turn in an assignment, not only should students earn a 0, they should get the additional assignment of having to use algebra to calculate their new overall class grade with that newly earned 0. If they don't turn in their grade calculation, that's another 0.

and then the kid realizes that even though it's only October, there's basically nothing they can do to pass the class. and then what? they just sit there. and distract others. and don't learn anything. they have no motivation to. that's why I have very mixed feelings on the no zero policy.

The no zero is an excellent policy and should remain for this very reason. And no my kids do not get zeros. I have high achievers. But it's not all about me and mine all the time. Wish more people would think about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is ridiculous. I think it is ridiculous that parents allow their kids to get away with this crap.

Agree that the parents play a role. I have a number of friends who accept their kids grades, knowing that htey are getting the benefit of this, knowing their kids can submit late assignments for full credit, knowing their kids can do re-takes to increase grades if the initial grade is low enough.

Have some standards for your children.

At our MS you can retake any test. You can retake a 98% if you want. Guess who's kid re-takes a majority of her tests? Mine. I have standards and want my kid to get the best grade possible. Don't think taking retakes says otherwise. She's never score less than an 89% on any original test but why settle for a B+ or A- when you can get an A.

You are going to hurt your child with that attitude. A's are great but studying and getting a B+ or an A- on a test is not a bad thing. Those are good grades. Your kid is being taught that they are only doing well if they score an A and that is going to hurt her when she gets to a place where retakes are not allowed. She is going to freak out about having a B+ or an A- for no good reason.

Our standard is that DS makes his best effort. Did he do his homework and study? Then he earned the grade that he earned and we can accept that. If he needs a tutor because he is not fully understanding the concepts, then fine. But making an kid with an A- retake a test is a bit much. I mean, you are going to do your thing but there can be some negative consequences to that type of extra pressure on a kid who is doing well in school.

Unfortunately, these games need to be played to stand a chance at the more competitive colleges. I agree that aiming for perfectionism with retakes isn't innately helping children be better learners, but it's the kind of thing that you have to do because everyone else is doing it. It's another way that grades are inflated and the floor is higher as a result. And that 0.33-0.5 GPA difference is meaningful enough.

This.

[Anonymous]

I think if this is the biggest issue you have to worry about, then life is pretty darn good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is ridiculous. I think it is ridiculous that parents allow their kids to get away with this crap.

Agree that the parents play a role. I have a number of friends who accept their kids grades, knowing that htey are getting the benefit of this, knowing their kids can submit late assignments for full credit, knowing their kids can do re-takes to increase grades if the initial grade is low enough.

Have some standards for your children.

The goal of school is to learn the material. Why does it matter if they do retakes — they demonstrate they have learned the material. If you fail the bar exam you can take it again. If you fail your drivers license exam you can retake. So why should school be any different?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS high school teacher here. The elimination of 0 grades has killed education. Kids have no consequences because they get 50 no matter what. I have students with 20 absences already, yet they still have a C. Kids are selective when they want to try because they know there is no consequences.

Don't even get me started on the social studies PBA instead of the SOL. What a farse. Kids just sneeze on a piece of paper and they get the verified credit.

I'm hoping Youngkin will get rid of the 50 minimum, SOL for social studies, truancy fines/punishments.

What are the odds any of these ever come back.

I agree that zeros need to return, but seriously, you guys all voted for this stupidity when you blindly checked the all blue ballot when electing your school board and county supervisors.

You voted for this.

Next time, vote better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a 50 makes sense. Why are elementary grades only 1-4 (why did they get rid of the five) and yet grades in high should range from 0-100? It never made sense. 50-100 is a reasonable range and it’s even. 50 is F. 60 is D. 70 is D. 80 is B. 90 is A. Except I think actually FCPS starts their D to A at the 4 so there is actually a 14 point spread from F to D.

A 50% makes sense for someone who doesn't turn in any work? My kid doesn't turn in homework and gets a 50%? No, my kid turned in nothing, that is a 0% because they did 0 work. 0-59% is an F. It is a wider grade range but it allows for people to receive what they actually earn. Turn in nothing and earn nothing.

But that makes no sense. Its still failing. If you HAVE to have a zero than the top score should be a 50. Turning it in but not doing it correctly isn't worth 55 points. And tests are done in school so you have to do them. Also in high school if you aren't keeping up with the work they ask you to drop the class, so Grandma I'm not sure why you are so hung up on the turning in of assignments. When you were growing up you likely had easier assignments (my son's assignments are harder than what I had in high school and we both took honors and AP courses) and likely your teacher allowed you to turn an assignment or two in late or gasp didn't even grade some assignments. The grading metric never made sense with the 0-100 range. You'd have to fill it with different stepping stones at 10 increments for it to make sense. As it is an A is a 94. That's pretty high. When I went to school it used to be a 90. Do you complain about this change too?