More skills based grading at madison hs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC experience is similar that some classes have no retakes allowed and those that do, have cannot get more than 3 so maxed out— so effectively if get 100%, get a 4. If get 1 or 2, can retake to get a 3. Hope enough parents go to voice concerns about system.

An example from a math test today. There were five questions. Four out of five questions 100% correct. For one question, my DC got one part out of the four part question wrong. Grade on the entire test dropped to a B. Not an A- or B+, but a B. Pretty frustrating for my kid who is a super hard worker. They just want to give up at this point. It is just so much pressure for each test.

Ugh. FCPS is such a mess these days. Is there anything they can do right, or have these stupid equity initiatives destroyed just about everything that was once admirable about the system?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

Is it possible that it's implemented differently in the two schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

Is it possible that it's implemented differently in the two schools?

It does seem like it is mostly Madison kids and parents unhappy. Maybe other schools are using + and - grades in every class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

Is it possible that it's implemented differently in the two schools?

There are definitely differences in implementation. And yes, Herndon still uses the 100 point scale and there are + and -. But the roll out of this in Herndon was done without proper training or preparation and decisions had been made (are being made) throughout the year. I teach in Herndon but I am not Herndon parent. Herndon parent would be better equipped talking about implementation across departments/teachers. I do believe they would say grade book is a mess and every CT is doing it differently. But I haven’t seen any discussions of SBG in Herndon here. So may be Herndon parents are actually happy. Teachers are trying their best to be good teachers (often despite what admins are making them do).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe there will be more support when this is rolled out across FCPS.

More objections is also a possibility.

I meant more support for the people frustrated by SBG.

I agree, it is just so confusing. But one of my main frustrations with SBG is that it is only at a few schools. If it was implemented county-wide, I’d be less concerned at least about the impact to college admissions.

Please don’t try to get it implemented elsewhere. Work to get it eliminated from your school instead.

Yeah, no. If the school system is headed towards this trash, everyone should suffer with it. You make it sounds like Barbara Eden is nearby and will just fix this for us.

So drag everyone down with your crap? You suck.

“My crap?” It isn’t my crap. It’s a grading system in the same county your children are in. If changing things in FCPS was easy, sure. It’s not and since the district it looked at as a whole, in addition to each school, I want it applied county wide. What idiot would say, best keep it at jmhs only so only our kids are hurt? Much, much fairer if it’s applied throughout the county and when college app time comes, it’s a fairer assessment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC experience is similar that some classes have no retakes allowed and those that do, have cannot get more than 3 so maxed out— so effectively if get 100%, get a 4. If get 1 or 2, can retake to get a 3. Hope enough parents go to voice concerns about system.

An example from a math test today. There were five questions. Four out of five questions 100% correct. For one question, my DC got one part out of the four part question wrong. Grade on the entire test dropped to a B. Not an A- or B+, but a B. Pretty frustrating for my kid who is a super hard worker. They just want to give up at this point. It is just so much pressure for each test.

Ugh. FCPS is such a mess these days. Is there anything they can do right, or have these stupid equity initiatives destroyed just about everything that was once admirable about the system?

Sadly you have hit the nail on the head. FCPS is a shell of its former self and unlikely to be able to recover. Won’t be long before it hits rock bottom. Feel sorry for the kids that have no path of escape from a failed system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

Is it possible that it's implemented differently in the two schools?

It does seem like it is SOME Madison kids and parents unhappy. Maybe other schools are using + and - grades in every class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

Is it possible that it's implemented differently in the two schools?

It does seem like it is SOME Madison kids and parents unhappy. Maybe other schools are using + and - grades in every class.

Yes, would agree. Most of the parents at the focus group had kids who were high-achievers so frustrated at the push to keep the grades in the middle. If you have a more laid back kid already in the middle or a kid struggling just to pass, this system is probably looking pretty good to you. Wish there was a way to make more people happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

Is it possible that it's implemented differently in the two schools?

It does seem like it is SOME Madison kids and parents unhappy. Maybe other schools are using + and - grades in every class.

Yes, would agree. Most of the parents at the focus group had kids who were high-achievers so frustrated at the push to keep the grades in the middle. If you have a more laid back kid already in the middle or a kid struggling just to pass, this system is probably looking pretty good to you. Wish there was a way to make more people happy.

They said they wanted equal outcomes for all and this is one way they are going to achieve them. Round up, round down, and push the grades to the middle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

Is it possible that it's implemented differently in the two schools?

It does seem like it is SOME Madison kids and parents unhappy. Maybe other schools are using + and - grades in every class.

Yes, would agree. Most of the parents at the focus group had kids who were high-achievers so frustrated at the push to keep the grades in the middle. If you have a more laid back kid already in the middle or a kid struggling just to pass, this system is probably looking pretty good to you. Wish there was a way to make more people happy.

They said they wanted equal outcomes for all and this is one way they are going to achieve them. Round up, round down, and push the grades to the middle.

Then make it universal across the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

Is it possible that it's implemented differently in the two schools?

It does seem like it is SOME Madison kids and parents unhappy. Maybe other schools are using + and - grades in every class.

Yes, would agree. Most of the parents at the focus group had kids who were high-achievers so frustrated at the push to keep the grades in the middle. If you have a more laid back kid already in the middle or a kid struggling just to pass, this system is probably looking pretty good to you. Wish there was a way to make more people happy.

They said they wanted equal outcomes for all and this is one way they are going to achieve them. Round up, round down, and push the grades to the middle.

Then make it universal across the county.

That is the goal. Mediocrity for all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC experience is similar that some classes have no retakes allowed and those that do, have cannot get more than 3 so maxed out— so effectively if get 100%, get a 4. If get 1 or 2, can retake to get a 3. Hope enough parents go to voice concerns about system.

An example from a math test today. There were five questions. Four out of five questions 100% correct. For one question, my DC got one part out of the four part question wrong. Grade on the entire test dropped to a B. Not an A- or B+, but a B. Pretty frustrating for my kid who is a super hard worker. They just want to give up at this point. It is just so much pressure for each test.

4 correct questions out of 5 is 80%. Your child didn't get a B- they got a B. How is that unfair? I never got partial credit in high school math. I double checked and triple checked my work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC experience is similar that some classes have no retakes allowed and those that do, have cannot get more than 3 so maxed out— so effectively if get 100%, get a 4. If get 1 or 2, can retake to get a 3. Hope enough parents go to voice concerns about system.

An example from a math test today. There were five questions. Four out of five questions 100% correct. For one question, my DC got one part out of the four part question wrong. Grade on the entire test dropped to a B. Not an A- or B+, but a B. Pretty frustrating for my kid who is a super hard worker. They just want to give up at this point. It is just so much pressure for each test.

4 correct questions out of 5 is 80%. Your child didn't get a B- they got a B. How is that unfair? I never got partial credit in high school math. I double checked and triple checked my work.

DP. No one wants high school tests with only five questions unless you can get partial credit for incorrect answers.

I'm guessing you're happy with all this as long as everyone ends up with a passing, mediocre grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DC experience is similar that some classes have no retakes allowed and those that do, have cannot get more than 3 so maxed out— so effectively if get 100%, get a 4. If get 1 or 2, can retake to get a 3. Hope enough parents go to voice concerns about system.

An example from a math test today. There were five questions. Four out of five questions 100% correct. For one question, my DC got one part out of the four part question wrong. Grade on the entire test dropped to a B. Not an A- or B+, but a B. Pretty frustrating for my kid who is a super hard worker. They just want to give up at this point. It is just so much pressure for each test.

4 correct questions out of 5 is 80%. Your child didn't get a B- they got a B. How is that unfair? I never got partial credit in high school math. I double checked and triple checked my work.

I’d be surprised if other high schools aren’t giving partial credit. But kind of doubt it given the number of 4.6 GPAs. But if all the high schools are grading this way, then I have less of a problem. That seems fair to me. But I’m guessing Madison is an outlier on this.