Is it true that starting from 2017-2018 Wilson HS won't offer honors classes in 9th grade?
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Anonymous
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A friend just pointed me to this news:
http://thewilsonbeacon.com/wilson-to-remove-on-level-freshman-biology-and-english-next-year/ Looks like that starting from the upcoming 2017-2018, freshman Biology and English courses will be Honors courses for all students. I.e. the option of for freshman students to take on-level versions of the classes will be removed. According to Martin, this change will help to close the achievement gap. While I have a full appreciation for Ms Martin's objectives, as a parent of an an advanced 8th grader planning to feed into Wilson next year, I am very concerned about the lack of self-selection, based on skills and motivation, of students in these two important classes. I do not think that mixing up weaker and less motivated students with advanced and dedicated students will help either category. My kid went through a very rough 6th grade year at Hardy MS (before differentiation through honors classes kicked in 7th), coming home with headaches due to the noise, lack of focus and disruptions in her classes. Everything improved in 7th grade, when differentiation kicked in and she was placed together with motivated and disciplined peers. I am very concerned about the lack of differentiation in English and Biology in 9th grade. Teaching all students at honors level (i.e. with increased workload and homework) makes no sense. All high school teachers would agree on this. This is very bad news for us. If confirmed, I do not know what we will do. I know, my kid won't be on board with Wilson when I'll share the news with her. This was not mentioned to us during the school open house. Can someone tell me if this is confirmed? Has someone been able to explain Ms Martin that what she is doing is reducing the achievement gap by leveling all down? Wilson- feeder non-white mom (let me be clear on that, just to make sure trolls do not star with calling me names, racists , etc.) |
Anonymous
| That is a horrible idea -- unless it will be used as a way to force the non-academic students out. |
Anonymous
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This is unbelievably stupid. If a kid is below grade level in math and reading, how the hell can they do advanced science or anything else?
Mediocrity for all. |
Anonymous
| Can they hold back 9th graders if they don't pass English? |
Anonymous
| Isn't this how Deal is run now? |
Anonymous
| So will all classes be called "honors" now, but some of the classes will be mor "honorable" than others? |
Anonymous
Looks like 8th grade is supposed to be the year where students can be held back or sent to summer school if their scores are not up to grade level. https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/DCPS%20Chapter%2022.%20Grades,%20Promotion,%20and%20Graduationpdf.pdf |
Anonymous
More than likely, the "honors" classes will be dumbed down to the lower students vs taught at the advanced level. It is closing the achievement gap by lowering the top students. |
Anonymous
Exactly. If you cant raise the bottom, chop off the top. Brilliant. |
Anonymous
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This is brilliant because now, just like in Lake Wobegon, all the children will be above average.
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Anonymous
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From the article, if anyone bothered to read it all the way through:
"Martin said the classes will continue to be officially designated as Honors courses and that the curriculum for the courses will be considered, “modified, adopted, Honors curriculum, but [still] Honors curriculum.” I read that as there being different levels within the same curriculum. Some kids will take the full Honors curriculum while others will take a modified version. OP, your kid will sit next to kids that are able to handle the full Honors curriculum. -A Wilson parent |
Anonymous
| Well that's as clear as mud. |
Anonymous
| See I didn't really read it as that. I read it as everyone will be taking the same level class. |
Anonymous
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I think this is a case when the commas can change the meaning.
It could be a) an adopted, modified honors class (meaning modified from the current honors class or b) 3 variations on each honors class -- adopted honors, modified honors or honors After all, it's a student newspaper -- and the plan has some details to be worked out as Martin said. |
Anonymous
| Especially if they are trying to close the achievement gap, the research shows that when struggling kids are in class with high achievers it benefits the struggling kids and does no measurable harm to the high achievers. |