Changes to grading for all MCPS high school students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have empathy for teachers who have to implement all of these changes (including returning work and tests) in the face of spoiled children and parents. But I doubt many teachers are concerned with over riding the grade book calculation to reduce a grade.

My just-graduated senior had a class that only met the minimum number of assignments because the teacher split everything into part A and part B, and only 1, 5-point assignment was graded in the 4th quarter before the seniors finished. It was like that all year -- the students never had any idea where they stood -- and I think that particular teacher will need to really regroup to meet the new expectations.

We had this too and its super frusterating as no one holds the teachers accountable. If you don't want to grade, do online assignments with auto grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have empathy for teachers who have to implement all of these changes (including returning work and tests) in the face of spoiled children and parents. But I doubt many teachers are concerned with over riding the grade book calculation to reduce a grade.

My just-graduated senior had a class that only met the minimum number of assignments because the teacher split everything into part A and part B, and only 1, 5-point assignment was graded in the 4th quarter before the seniors finished. It was like that all year -- the students never had any idea where they stood -- and I think that particular teacher will need to really regroup to meet the new expectations.

We had this too and its super frusterating as no one holds the teachers accountable. If you don't want to grade, do online assignments with auto grade.

Most teachers don’t have that autonomy. If you want teachers to have that option, tell the Board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So happy teachers will finally be expected to return to the student graded work within 10 school days.

I hope this applies to online assessments and essays so they can see what they got wrong. These assessments should be printed out and returned to students.

Tell MCPS to spend money on working printers and enough ink to get through each marking period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have empathy for teachers who have to implement all of these changes (including returning work and tests) in the face of spoiled children and parents. But I doubt many teachers are concerned with over riding the grade book calculation to reduce a grade.

My just-graduated senior had a class that only met the minimum number of assignments because the teacher split everything into part A and part B, and only 1, 5-point assignment was graded in the 4th quarter before the seniors finished. It was like that all year -- the students never had any idea where they stood -- and I think that particular teacher will need to really regroup to meet the new expectations.

We had this too and its super frusterating as no one holds the teachers accountable. If you don't want to grade, do online assignments with auto grade.

Most teachers don’t have that autonomy. If you want teachers to have that option, tell the Board.

Yes they do. So many of kids assignments now are online and auto graded whether setup/created by the teacher or one setup by CO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The finalized updated to the regulation has been published and is effective 8/26/25.

And they didn't address the rounding question. So, probably a semester average of 89.5 will still round up to an A.

It probably depends on the teacher. One class my kid got a 89.7 and it as still a B. Zero consistency.

The only way that’s possible is that the teacher overrode it. Synergy automatically rounds up.

DP. That sounds about right. There's a bitter teacher or two out there.

As a teacher, by the time I get to a final percentage, I have given so many opportunities for work to improve (test corrections, re-writes, etc.) that I feel no obligation to "round up." That doesn't make me bitter, it makes me someone who wants grades to reflect reality.

That's great you do, but you realize not all teachers do that, and that's what is unfair, as some teachers' grading is horrible, while others are more flexible. This teacher only gave about 10 assignments per semester each worth 10 points and they'd always mark something down so it was impossible to get more than a 9/10 and the teacher missed a lot of days so others were grading who were even more inconsistent. There were no test corrections, rewrites, nothing. This was for a regular class.

out of 10points is something we would have taken. We had teachers giving quizzes and assignments out of 3. So basically you got a 100 or failed.

[Anonymous]

Why are students being awarded 50% credit for 0% work completed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are students being awarded 50% credit for 0% work completed?

That’s going away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are students being awarded 50% credit for 0% work completed?

They aren't. Next question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The finalized updated to the regulation has been published and is effective 8/26/25.

And they didn't address the rounding question. So, probably a semester average of 89.5 will still round up to an A.

It probably depends on the teacher. One class my kid got a 89.7 and it as still a B. Zero consistency.

The only way that’s possible is that the teacher overrode it. Synergy automatically rounds up.

DP. That sounds about right. There's a bitter teacher or two out there.

As a teacher, by the time I get to a final percentage, I have given so many opportunities for work to improve (test corrections, re-writes, etc.) that I feel no obligation to "round up." That doesn't make me bitter, it makes me someone who wants grades to reflect reality.

That's great you do, but you realize not all teachers do that, and that's what is unfair, as some teachers' grading is horrible, while others are more flexible. This teacher only gave about 10 assignments per semester each worth 10 points and they'd always mark something down so it was impossible to get more than a 9/10 and the teacher missed a lot of days so others were grading who were even more inconsistent. There were no test corrections, rewrites, nothing. This was for a regular class.

This is a deeper issue with grading.

Teachers don't take it seriously. They deduct complete arbitrary numbers of points, like "anything imperfect in any way is B+/A-"
with no holistic sense or standard for what constitutes "A quality" work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So happy teachers will finally be expected to return to the student graded work within 10 school days.

I hope this applies to online assessments and essays so they can see what they got wrong. These assessments should be printed out and returned to students.

yes but how is this going to be enforced and what supports are teachers going to be given? Especially English/History/IB.

As a parent, I have found that subject has less to do with prompt grading than the teacher's organization and motivation. Many great English and SS teachers have returned work promptly.

Our history teachers have been the best in terms of teaching, grading, consistency, structure, expectations.

Ours just give "vibe check" grades and have never, ever given substantive feedback on creative written work.

[Anonymous]

New policy approved: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/07/18/mcps-new-grading-policies/

Cna someone replace Jawando with a sound board where every button just yells "That's racist!" It would be cheaper and easier than carting him around everywhere, and nothing would be lost.

[Anonymous]

Garbage in, garbage out.

They are playing with the calculations but doing nothing about mapping performance to numbers, except in the zifty (zero/fifty percent) case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New policy approved: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/07/18/mcps-new-grading-policies/

Cna someone replace Jawando with a sound board where every button just yells "That's racist!" It would be cheaper and easier than carting him around everywhere, and nothing would be lost.

Um he didn't say racist he said culture competency and reflection of the anti-racist audit and frankly other audits of the system that have shown culture competency and fairness to be a problem. Also, there is a relevant question of subjectivity. While I and many other parents agree that the 50%rule should require a good level of effort, there is nothing wrong with provide more detail on what that level of effort actually should look like so both teachers and students are aware. If anything it protects teachers.

As has been called out in this thread, there are many teachers in MCPS who do a great job when it comes to turning around graded assignments, providing feedback and teaching. That said, there is a good number who need some serious coaching or to be shown the door. Whether due to incompetence or just being ready to retire/over it, they are doing a disservice. My DC has had a couple of these teachers in their time. One in particular it was ridiculous. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but after a parent teacher conference with myself, husband, and her, even my husband was like, yeah she needs to retire even if it means being allowed to retire early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Garbage in, garbage out.

They are playing with the calculations but doing nothing about mapping performance to numbers, except in the zifty (zero/fifty percent) case.

Oh they are, and the people who are going to be held to account on that part are the principals. Taylor promised MCPS schools would achieve 4 star or above ratings on the School report card, and they are mapping SIP plans directly with MCAP scores. These are also mapped more directly into the Strategic Plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Garbage in, garbage out.

They are playing with the calculations but doing nothing about mapping performance to numbers, except in the zifty (zero/fifty percent) case.

Oh they are, and the people who are going to be held to account on that part are the principals. Taylor promised MCPS schools would achieve 4 star or above ratings on the School report card, and they are mapping SIP plans directly with MCAP scores. These are also mapped more directly into the Strategic Plan.

Yup. Which is why I'm confused as to why MCAAP does not see how they are being set up and get busy holding Taylor's feet to the fire?