We’ve had 13 days of school. How’s the new grading policy going?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers need 4 classes a day rather than 5. 3 plannning/grading/other stuff periods would make a big difference. This is how private schools do it

Pretty much the entire world gives teachers more planning time than the U.S.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a professor and I've also taught at the high school level.

Ten day turnaround is entirely reasonable. You have to grade them at some point. Why not grade them in a timely fashion so that the student can benefit from the feedback?

Can you recommend a way to do that?

Let’s say you have 150 essays. Each will take 15 minutes to score. That’s 37.5 sustained hours of grading for that assignment alone.

If you divide the work by 10 days, including weekends, you are adding 3.75 hours of work to each day. If you give yourself the weekend off, you’re adding 4.7 hours of work to each work day.

You have one planning period. Maybe you can get 40 minutes of grading in.

And that’s just for that one assignment. That doesn’t include emails, data, meetings, planning lessons, meeting with students, running clubs, other assignments, or other duties as assigned.

So, considering the circumstances, can you offer a recommendation? How did you get this done in 10 days?

Well said.

[Anonymous]

I used to work 70-80 hrs per week and my pay check was about 1600 every 2 weeks. I drove an hour and a half to school. The admin fired a bunch of teacher one year that had violence, fighting, rape, and kids running out of class everyday. There was no support and teachers were to blame about everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so depressing. Nobody wants their taxes to go up, but without more money, how do we prevent schools from being overcrowded and class sizes from being too big to be manageable and teachers’ workloads from being twice as many hours as they’re paid for?

I don’t want my taxes to go up. The county has the money, but they mismanage and spend on unnecessary pet projects instead of paying teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers need 4 classes a day rather than 5. 3 plannning/grading/other stuff periods would make a big difference. This is how private schools do it

they also need classes with fewer kids. My kid doesn’t have fewer than 34 kids in any of his classes this year. I don’t know how teachers manage that amount. I never understand why there is such minimal complaint from parents in MCPS about class sizes. All the energy seems to be sucked up by boundary changes and changes to special programs.

How do you get smaller class sizes without additional teachers and additional space?

My aunt told me that her high school had three shifts back in the 1950s. There was an early group that went 6-1, a middle group that went 9-4, and a late group that went 12-7. The first group had gym as their last period and the last group had it as their first. Otherwise, they didn’t really interact. It solved the space issue. This would also solve the issue of those students who need to sleep in.

How many students? Students only need one year of gym and while most take it Freshman year not all do. Also, what was the course offerings?

This might be a good first idea but at lot has changed about schools since 1950. For instance the number and types of courses and the number and types of activities. Some scheduling and logistics things need to be taken into account. First bus drivers would now need to do multiple HS runs. Second, schools would have to open much earlier and remain open much later. Third, Extracurricular activities, which many now meet during lunch would have to be moved to a point where schedules overlap or meet multiple times. Fourth, Course scheduling would have to allow for all courses to be taught multiple times per day or slated for specific hours. Fifth, what time would counselors cover. Sixth, depending on how the above is handled, more teachers might still be needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so depressing. Nobody wants their taxes to go up, but without more money, how do we prevent schools from being overcrowded and class sizes from being too big to be manageable and teachers’ workloads from being twice as many hours as they’re paid for?

I don’t want my taxes to go up. The county has the money, but they mismanage and spend on unnecessary pet projects instead of paying teachers.

And this continues to be why we can’t have nice things. How much do people think should be allocated per student in average. Multiply that by 165k and that will give you the minimum amount the county needs.

[Anonymous]

Is there a new policy that calls for admin to not coerce teachers to fraudulently inflate data to make admin look good. The power structure of admin firing honest hardworking teachers needs to change as well as changing mcea to back their dues paying teachers instead of being another obstacle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so depressing. Nobody wants their taxes to go up, but without more money, how do we prevent schools from being overcrowded and class sizes from being too big to be manageable and teachers’ workloads from being twice as many hours as they’re paid for?

I don’t want my taxes to go up. The county has the money, but they mismanage and spend on unnecessary pet projects instead of paying teachers.

Teachers are paid well and it’s ten months. Many other equal professions who work many hours are paid less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so depressing. Nobody wants their taxes to go up, but without more money, how do we prevent schools from being overcrowded and class sizes from being too big to be manageable and teachers’ workloads from being twice as many hours as they’re paid for?

I don’t want my taxes to go up. The county has the money, but they mismanage and spend on unnecessary pet projects instead of paying teachers.

And this continues to be why we can’t have nice things. How much do people think should be allocated per student in average. Multiply that by 165k and that will give you the minimum amount the county needs.

MCPS is one of the highest funded school systems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blame the teachers. Business as usual. Pay no mind for the fact that they need like 80 hours to do a proper job. It's a churn and burn profession with no respect.

Exactly. I spent most of my weekend grading. My family was out enjoying the fall weather while I sat at my dining room table for two days.

My morale is in the basement and I’m extremely worried about my health, but my grades are up to date.

Then, if something is going on quit or take a leave of absense.

Should all of us quit or take a leave of absence? Because this isn’t merely MY problem. When you have 150 students and no time to grade, it becomes your weekend work. Every weekend. Most of my colleagues were working, too. And the health issues? It’s chronic stress and many of us deal with it.

Who do you think is replacing the teachers who take your advice?

You make it sound like real health issues. Stress is not. Some of us have real health issues. I wish it were only stress.

There are always new teachers.

1. Stress leads to: cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal diseases, tension, weakened immune systems, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, sleep disturbances, etc. I’m seeing specialists right now because of stress-induced trauma on my body. So don’t discredit stress. It’s extremely disrespectful to those of us who deal with a lot of it.

2. Who are these new teachers? Can you send them our way? Also, you’ll accept a revolving door of teachers for your child? Do you want skill and experience, or just any random body? For all that’s demanded of teachers, I find it fascinating that you find us so disposable and replaceable.

MCPS is mostly staffed.

You are disrespectful as many of us have equally hard jobs and REAL health issues. I've been seeing specialists for years and my issues are far worse than yours and genetic so I was born with them. I'm lucky I'm not dead yet. Want to trade?

Wow. I merely asked you not to be dismissive and disrespectful. You have no idea what REAL and chronic health issues I have that are exacerbated by my job. You fired back with disrespect, mockery and rudeness.

I’m sorry your life is rough. Sincerely. It must be to warrant that type of response.

Stress is not a serious health issue. Yes, some of us have real life long health issues so don’t tell us we don’t know when we do. Stress can be managed. Find a new profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so depressing. Nobody wants their taxes to go up, but without more money, how do we prevent schools from being overcrowded and class sizes from being too big to be manageable and teachers’ workloads from being twice as many hours as they’re paid for?

We don’t. And so teachers continue to leave.

New teachers, often career changers, don’t last because they aren’t properly prepared for the job’s demands. So we have a rotating door of people, few of whom stay long enough to mentor new teachers.

We need to fix the profession to improve schools. Teachers’ days need to be less chaotic; more time has to be devoted to private planning and grading. Teachers’ nights and weekends must not be considered fair game; work/life balance must be respected. We need twice as many teachers to pull that off, and there aren’t enough people willing and able to do the job.

Younger teachers, social workers, nurses often leave as they cannot afford child care and other basics. If you are unhappy find another job.

[Anonymous]

Does central spend there time doing dcum misinformation bc most level headed people know that violence and fraud are bad for education as is teachers who are fired for reporting crime

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so depressing. Nobody wants their taxes to go up, but without more money, how do we prevent schools from being overcrowded and class sizes from being too big to be manageable and teachers’ workloads from being twice as many hours as they’re paid for?

We don’t. And so teachers continue to leave.

New teachers, often career changers, don’t last because they aren’t properly prepared for the job’s demands. So we have a rotating door of people, few of whom stay long enough to mentor new teachers.

We need to fix the profession to improve schools. Teachers’ days need to be less chaotic; more time has to be devoted to private planning and grading. Teachers’ nights and weekends must not be considered fair game; work/life balance must be respected. We need twice as many teachers to pull that off, and there aren’t enough people willing and able to do the job.

Younger teachers, social workers, nurses often leave as they cannot afford child care and other basics. If you are unhappy find another job.

What are you going on about. Work/life balance is the topic here. If you can’t contribute to a conversation in a meaningful way, then please refrain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blame the teachers. Business as usual. Pay no mind for the fact that they need like 80 hours to do a proper job. It's a churn and burn profession with no respect.

Exactly. I spent most of my weekend grading. My family was out enjoying the fall weather while I sat at my dining room table for two days.

My morale is in the basement and I’m extremely worried about my health, but my grades are up to date.

Then, if something is going on quit or take a leave of absense.

Should all of us quit or take a leave of absence? Because this isn’t merely MY problem. When you have 150 students and no time to grade, it becomes your weekend work. Every weekend. Most of my colleagues were working, too. And the health issues? It’s chronic stress and many of us deal with it.

Who do you think is replacing the teachers who take your advice?

You make it sound like real health issues. Stress is not. Some of us have real health issues. I wish it were only stress.

There are always new teachers.

1. Stress leads to: cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal diseases, tension, weakened immune systems, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, sleep disturbances, etc. I’m seeing specialists right now because of stress-induced trauma on my body. So don’t discredit stress. It’s extremely disrespectful to those of us who deal with a lot of it.

2. Who are these new teachers? Can you send them our way? Also, you’ll accept a revolving door of teachers for your child? Do you want skill and experience, or just any random body? For all that’s demanded of teachers, I find it fascinating that you find us so disposable and replaceable.

MCPS is mostly staffed.

You are disrespectful as many of us have equally hard jobs and REAL health issues. I've been seeing specialists for years and my issues are far worse than yours and genetic so I was born with them. I'm lucky I'm not dead yet. Want to trade?

Wow. I merely asked you not to be dismissive and disrespectful. You have no idea what REAL and chronic health issues I have that are exacerbated by my job. You fired back with disrespect, mockery and rudeness.

I’m sorry your life is rough. Sincerely. It must be to warrant that type of response.

Stress is not a serious health issue. Yes, some of us have real life long health issues so don’t tell us we don’t know when we do. Stress can be managed. Find a new profession.

I really hope you aren’t a medical professional because stress 100% can lead to death if not treated. Please find another forum to troll. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so depressing. Nobody wants their taxes to go up, but without more money, how do we prevent schools from being overcrowded and class sizes from being too big to be manageable and teachers’ workloads from being twice as many hours as they’re paid for?

I don’t want my taxes to go up. The county has the money, but they mismanage and spend on unnecessary pet projects instead of paying teachers.

And this continues to be why we can’t have nice things. How much do people think should be allocated per student in average. Multiply that by 165k and that will give you the minimum amount the county needs.

MCPS is one of the highest funded school systems.

And also one of the largest and with lots of specialized programs at the HS and even MS level. So again I ask, what do you think should be the per pupil allocation? I’d also add how much do you think teachers and staff should be paid? What if anything are you willing to allow to be changed.

We could move sports from HS to the county level. We could reduce the number of special programs. We could require that all materials be provided for all students in school? We could require that primary grades have two teachers. We could require that lunch be really nutritious and recess actually occur for 45mins. We could decide that acceleration is not the goal but learning and becoming positive citizens.