Superintendent Taylor admits there is grade inflation in MCPS during BoE meeting
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Anonymous
If these kids are learning math that the parents and school board members don't understand, maybe MCPS isn't doing so bad after all? |
Anonymous
MCPS has overhauled math education TWICE since my kids started K. Curriculum 2.0 / Common Core, and then the switch to Eureka / Illustrated. (Eureka /Illustrated might even count as two more, since they switched from one to another for some grades.) |
Anonymous
| I don't think it should be called grade inflation. The issue is the curriculum, lack of classwork, and homework. They need to bring back old-style math with textbooks, classwork, and homework. Teachers need to teach a lesson, assign work, go over the work and test. We've only had one teacher in pre cal teach that way and it was wonderful. |
Anonymous
No, Eureka is for elementary school math. Illustrative Mathematics is the middle school curriculum. |
Anonymous
To be clear many adults generally have a problem w/superficial understanding of math. This makes it difficult to explain a concept in a different way or with different language. Eureka helps with this somewhat because it teaches multiple strategies to solve a problem. The premise being that a) one of those ways is more likely to be understandable by students, and b) as you go deeper in math certain strategies work better for solving certain problems. Eureka does have a lot of reading in all grades, which while a concern is not in itself a problem because there are pictures and modeling that teachers can do while they read aloud a question. However, that won’t be the conditions under which students will be tested for state testing. Also, when a students literacy and/or math comprehension skills come together, particular in K-3 is not the same for all kids. This is made worse by the fact that because kids are tested every year we focus on math and literacy by removing time from the other subjects where they really are utilized which often helps kids make connection. Yes there is spiraling in Eureka which can be beneficial in that if kids missed something or haven’t seen it in awhile they get practice, which keeps the skill fresh and gives kids more repetition which helps to cement said skill. Also, if everyone is solid in that skill teachers could skip it. That’s essentially what compacted and accelerated math classes do. They teach a skill at a higher level the first time thereby removing some of the spiraling and lesson build up. Eureka doesn’t emphasize learning the strategies over learning the math. We as society create that condition. If I give you 20+ random kids with 3-4 vary levels and 2-3 languages and 1-2 with learning disabilities and weeks dedicated to testing and limited time for moving around what are the odds that all the students will be at some pre-defined point by the end of a SY. |
Anonymous
My apologies. I accept this correction. |
Anonymous
That's exactly why there is a problem and they need to fix the curriculum. |
Anonymous
Common Core is not a curriculm. It is the federal guidelines as to what should happen in each grade so its consistent around the country. |
Anonymous
 That is the whole discussion here: are they actually LEARNING.
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Anonymous
One reason I am grateful for MCAP and MAP testing. I feel I get a much better sense of how my kid is ACTUALLY doing I’m so sick of the grade inflation! |
Anonymous
“My kid is doing great! Who cares about anyone else in the system?” |
Anonymous
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I’ve taught on level math in MCPS MS and HS for 19 years. A math coach is not the answer. The problem I see is students in secondary schools who don’t know basic math skills. What’s 7x3? Shoulder shrug. Show me where (3 , -2) is - shoulder shrug. Part of that problem is that they stare at their phone for much of class, and in HS, many students don’t see the importance in consistent attendance. Another new issue is the updated criteria to qualify for certificate track. I teach 2 students with IQs lower than 60. They are struggling tremendously (that’s a separate thread), but their scores and data are included in these reports.
If the answer is scrutinizing grade books, and sending in “math coaches” to help teachers with authentic grade books, grade inflation will continue. The root cause of poor math skills is way deeper than supporting teachers. |
Anonymous
| Folks need to realize that the Loznaks at central are not the decision makers. That starts with Hazel, who has some latitude, and goes up. Those below, even if preparing the presentations to the BOE, have that reviewed and edited. When your slide that would hint at an uncomfortable truth gets altered by a superior to obfuscate that, you become loath to respond when the board asks a related question. |
Anonymous
Many kids are learning, but they may not be learning enough and with enough depth to be considered in grade level by the Common Core standards and thus state testing. The curriculum at every grade assumes kids are on grade level with math and literacy (really why would it not). It also assumes teachers really understand the standards and are planning, because the curriculum can’t account for the variables in a classroom. Example-A curriculum might provide extra resources for a student struggling to understand a topic. However a teacher needs both the resource and additional time to be able to work with that student. Also, math is meaningless in isolation. It’s a universal language design to explain/help solve problems in other subjects. Which means students need reps not just in practice the math but also using/applying it in real context. |
Anonymous
They do this at my kids MCPS schools so not sure where you're living. |