MCPS policy on not returning quizzes, tests and exams to students

[Anonymous]

Yes this is MCPS policy to not return home any county-wide tests, which are many of them (at least in middle school, and they are referred to as formatives). The reason I was told by a teacher is that there is a fear of cheating (visualize a suburban mom black market test ring). I started a thread on this last spring. When I went in a couple times I got my notebook out to note down the types of problems missed and was told I was not allowed to take notes!

This is the most wrong-headed attitude towards children's learning--not to provide adequate feedback so kids can learn from their mistakes. They do sometimes show the test to the kids but mine can't process the errors well enough to know how to improve, nor remember and report what feedback they did see.

It is similar with writing. MCPS does not return it to students often and I also don't see a lot of written feedback (spelling, grammar, style) on the writing that I insisted on seeing. If I hadn't asked for the assignment back at the end of the year they would have been thrown out. Very strange and inefficient way of teaching. But lets buy every kid laptops so they can get even less specific feedback. Yay!

[Anonymous]

Everybody write a quick note to this guy with your feelings about this policy of not returning tests. It will never change if nobody gives feedback directly to the administration:

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you talking about class tests or standards assessment tests? Class tests policy is probably teacher specific. For standards, I think most are supposed to be mailed to the parents. I've certainly received several of DC's test scores in the mail.

Just scores? Not actual tests?

A lot of the assessment tests are taken online, and no you don't get them back. I don't ever remember getting my SAT tests back, only the test scores.

True, you don't get your SAT tests back, but that was the FIRST test I didn't get back in my entire education. So I don't think that proves that this is normal.

That's bizarre.

As both a public and private school student, I took standardized tests every year from about 3rd grade. I never saw the tests again. Where did you go to school?

MCPS has gone to common assessments across the county. So, every student in Algebra 2 takes the same unit test. That way they can assure that students are getting the same material, and proving mastery at the same level. Obviously, having put a lot of effort into developing tests, they want them to be secure.

Tests that are created by the teacher are usually returned, in my experience.

As a public and private school student, I didn't take standardized tests every year. I took the SAT, the SSAT, some kind of assessment to get into my private HS, and an IQ test to get into a gifted program. Other than that, it was normal tests, which were marked up and graded and sent home. I went to public schools in MD, NM, VA, and private schools in MD.
Look, if you want to tell me that MCPS will give us all tests except an annual assessment that doesn't affect the kid's grade, then I can be happy with that. But we both know that's not what's happening here. Kids are being deprived the extremely valuable experience of being able to learn from their own mistakes.

PP again -- you realize, of course, that they can do common assessments across the county and still send tests home. It just means creating a new test each year. Not that hard.

Exactly - so they put in "a lot of effort" one year and then take then next several years off until they finally out common core as a failure and have to come up with something else. But in the mean time lets sit back and chill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes this is MCPS policy to not return home any county-wide tests, which are many of them (at least in middle school, and they are referred to as formatives). The reason I was told by a teacher is that there is a fear of cheating (visualize a suburban mom black market test ring). I started a thread on this last spring. When I went in a couple times I got my notebook out to note down the types of problems missed and was told I was not allowed to take notes!

This is the most wrong-headed attitude towards children's learning--not to provide adequate feedback so kids can learn from their mistakes. They do sometimes show the test to the kids but mine can't process the errors well enough to know how to improve, nor remember and report what feedback they did see.

It is similar with writing. MCPS does not return it to students often and I also don't see a lot of written feedback (spelling, grammar, style) on the writing that I insisted on seeing. If I hadn't asked for the assignment back at the end of the year they would have been thrown out. Very strange and inefficient way of teaching. But lets buy every kid laptops so they can get even less specific feedback. Yay!

+ 1 million!!!

Write Starr, ask to see every test unless it is a 100. Force a change. Don't accept less. Don't be lazy.

[Anonymous]

And the board of ed. Ask if they are serious about education or if they think just going through the motions is good enough for your vote.

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Exactly - so they put in "a lot of effort" one year and then take then next several years off until they finally out common core as a failure and have to come up with something else. But in the mean time lets sit back and chill.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with either the Common Core standards or with Montgomery County's Curriculum 2.0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Oh, but it's much more important that they all have Ipads in elementary school. Idiots.

The Chromebooks (not iPads) for the PARCC tests. And the PARCC tests are to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

[Anonymous]

^^^The Chromebooks are for the PARCC tests.

[Anonymous]

I feel like an obnoxious parent asking to see the test for my child who struggles in some subjects, taking the teacher's time, etc. Maybe I'll try just emailing next time and asking what types of problems were incorrect--but that feels like nitpicking, calling the teacher to account. Imagine if all parents did this. And yet not doing it, the child, who put in time studying and comes away not having a clue about why they got the grade they got, gets cheated. Just wait OP till you see the sheer number of quizzes and tests your child will be subjected to each year. MCPS is very pro-testing but it is only for their own purposes, facts, and figures. Not for educating kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes this is MCPS policy to not return home any county-wide tests, which are many of them (at least in middle school, and they are referred to as formatives). The reason I was told by a teacher is that there is a fear of cheating (visualize a suburban mom black market test ring). I started a thread on this last spring. When I went in a couple times I got my notebook out to note down the types of problems missed and was told I was not allowed to take notes!

This is the most wrong-headed attitude towards children's learning--not to provide adequate feedback so kids can learn from their mistakes. They do sometimes show the test to the kids but mine can't process the errors well enough to know how to improve, nor remember and report what feedback they did see.

It is similar with writing. MCPS does not return it to students often and I also don't see a lot of written feedback (spelling, grammar, style) on the writing that I insisted on seeing. If I hadn't asked for the assignment back at the end of the year they would have been thrown out. Very strange and inefficient way of teaching. But lets buy every kid laptops so they can get even less specific feedback. Yay!

+ 1 million!!!

Write Starr, ask to see every test unless it is a 100. Force a change. Don't accept less. Don't be lazy.

I think you mean don't let the school district be lazy. Not turning back tesst so they recycle the same/highly similar test each year = lazy. And selfish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like an obnoxious parent asking to see the test for my child who struggles in some subjects, taking the teacher's time, etc. Maybe I'll try just emailing next time and asking what types of problems were incorrect--but that feels like nitpicking, calling the teacher to account. Imagine if all parents did this. And yet not doing it, the child, who put in time studying and comes away not having a clue about why they got the grade they got, gets cheated. Just wait OP till you see the sheer number of quizzes and tests your child will be subjected to each year. MCPS is very pro-testing but it is only for their own purposes, facts, and figures. Not for educating kids.

I do it. I expect my kids' schools to prove their worth and educate my kid. I've even threatened to bill them my hourly rate for "getting access to my kid's corrected test" at 3pm ET. Oh whoa is me. Everyone at my office knows MCPS is incompetent at handing out curriculum tests or shooting straight. Next time I'm asking for in writing why I can't snap a photo of the questions my kid got wrong. Bunch of idiots. Maybe I just won't pay my property tax bill citing my new policy of basic education expectations.

Going over tests - It's how I learned from mistakes in k-20, reworking problems I did incorrectly. I also put little stars on questions that I guessed on so when I got the test I'd know if I got it right by fluke and then made sure I learned it well.

[Anonymous]

At my child's school, they go over tests in great detail and the teachers will answer any and all questions the students have. Students can also go in and get help from the teacher before and after school or at lunch time.

Cheating is a bigger problem today than in the past. I don't know if this is true or not, but supposedly kids at my child's school have been asked to remember and write down test questions for the tutoring service they go to so that the service can help kids in future years prepare for tests. Kids have to sign an honor code saying that they will not provide test questions to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my child's school, they go over tests in great detail and the teachers will answer any and all questions the students have. Students can also go in and get help from the teacher before and after school or at lunch time.

Cheating is a bigger problem today than in the past. I don't know if this is true or not, but supposedly kids at my child's school have been asked to remember and write down test questions for the tutoring service they go to so that the service can help kids in future years prepare for tests. Kids have to sign an honor code saying that they will not provide test questions to others.

Is your child in mcps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like an obnoxious parent asking to see the test for my child who struggles in some subjects, taking the teacher's time, etc. Maybe I'll try just emailing next time and asking what types of problems were incorrect--but that feels like nitpicking, calling the teacher to account. Imagine if all parents did this. And yet not doing it, the child, who put in time studying and comes away not having a clue about why they got the grade they got, gets cheated. Just wait OP till you see the sheer number of quizzes and tests your child will be subjected to each year. MCPS is very pro-testing but it is only for their own purposes, facts, and figures. Not for educating kids.

PP here who has managed to find a workable solution to this problem. I have never once been made to feel like I am a bother, an inconvenience or obnoxious. One of my kids struggles a lot with school and a other is special needs so I ask a lot. I bet not a week goes by without me needing to contact the teachers. So don't feel bad. Teachers love involved parents.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. That's helpful. But it is so maddening that I should have to spend several hours of my time to see a regular test. I had to do this for math and English tests last year. I also have a struggling student. And that is the teacher's after school time. It's ridiculous and the student gets nothing out of it. I'd like my child to rework the exact problems he missed. Instead I have to note the type of problem and then make up a similar one. Truly ridiculous.