50% of all high school seniors have an A average GPA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges receive a copy of the grading scale and weighting with the transcript, so they know MCPS grades are sketchy. I’m sure they adjust and recalculate before considering a student for admissions.

How do they recalculate if MCPS doesn’t provide number grades to the colleges?

If they don’t have numbers, they likely just assume the worst case scenario, and lean more on test scores. It seems like the top students in MCPS are screwed, and the mediocre students don’t even realize that they’re not the top students!

Agree

And yet, MCPS students do continue to get admitted to highly selective colleges. I agree with the PP who said that the admissions reps know what's up, and how to interpret and control for it.

Further, for the most part, MontCo students are coming against their classmates for these positions, not against someone from Kansas. And it's easier to compare two or three or ten kids from the same high school or school district, and determine who is the most qualified candidate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading a lot about grade inflation and easy A's at in AP classes. I have no idea what school district or specific schools you are talking about, but that's not happening at my kids school. There are no easy "A"s in AP classes

I have noticed that a lot (one or a few?) private school parents come on here to bash the public school system for grade inflation (ironic the article states that this is more prevalent in private schools). I never saw grade inflation at my children's MCPS. My kids were prepared very well for college by their high school, and I feel very thankful and blessed that I was able to send my children to the public school they attended. At the same time, I believe that being well prepared for college may also depend upon a person's personality (maybe personality is the wrong word here?)-- do they like school? do they work hard? do they care about school? etc. There are some kids who simply hate school and will not be prepared for college no matter what we do for them.

What the F are you smoking lady? MCPS is known everywhere in the DMV and by all Maryland college admissions to be the most inflated.

1. No final exams anymore since kids were doing so bad
2. Retakes on tests are allowed. The test scores aren't even combined. The 2nd score is the final score. Get a 64 on first test and a 90 on the second. You get a 90.
3. Projects, papers, and homework can be turned in late without penality
4. They have a weighted country-wide grade policy. No number grades are submitted to colleges for 100 point scale. All letter grades. A+B will always equal A for a semester. So a 79.5 + 89.5 always equals an A? In MCPS - absolutely!!
5. They give an entire GPA point for AP classes. So that 79.5 and 89.5 now all of a sudden equal a 5.0 on the GPA scale.
6. They give an entire GPA point higher for honors classes. Same as above
7. Most kids minus remedial are taking at least 2 honors courses Freshman year. Honors courses in MCPS are basic courses. There is nothing honors about them.
8. You are allowed to take college AP courses as a freshman and are unlimited the entire 4 years.


You have honestly have to be the biggest idiot to not get honor roll every semester at a MCPS school. This helps lazy kids and punishes the hard working kids. Nothing to distinguish between a child that gets a 97 and a 95 for their semester when a kid that gets a 79.5 and a 89.5 gets the SAME EXACT grade sent to college admissions. It is impossible for them to weed out the kids who are high achievers. Yes, certain tracks are tougher but barely scraping by getting A's and clearly mastering the class is two very different things. Having kids that are high achieving it is a terrible policy. But MCPS rather hide behind a grading table than a 100 point scale. They teach kids to find ways to master the system then to show colleges they have actually mastered the class.

I don't understand how those two grades just equal an A. It is obviously a B, not even a B+. How can MCPS just give an A for those grades?

79.5=B 89.5=A A+B=A

But it equals an 84.5 which is a B.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading a lot about grade inflation and easy A's at in AP classes. I have no idea what school district or specific schools you are talking about, but that's not happening at my kids school. There are no easy "A"s in AP classes

I have noticed that a lot (one or a few?) private school parents come on here to bash the public school system for grade inflation (ironic the article states that this is more prevalent in private schools). I never saw grade inflation at my children's MCPS. My kids were prepared very well for college by their high school, and I feel very thankful and blessed that I was able to send my children to the public school they attended. At the same time, I believe that being well prepared for college may also depend upon a person's personality (maybe personality is the wrong word here?)-- do they like school? do they work hard? do they care about school? etc. There are some kids who simply hate school and will not be prepared for college no matter what we do for them.

What the F are you smoking lady? MCPS is known everywhere in the DMV and by all Maryland college admissions to be the most inflated.

1. No final exams anymore since kids were doing so bad
2. Retakes on tests are allowed. The test scores aren't even combined. The 2nd score is the final score. Get a 64 on first test and a 90 on the second. You get a 90.
3. Projects, papers, and homework can be turned in late without penality
4. They have a weighted country-wide grade policy. No number grades are submitted to colleges for 100 point scale. All letter grades. A+B will always equal A for a semester. So a 79.5 + 89.5 always equals an A? In MCPS - absolutely!!
5. They give an entire GPA point for AP classes. So that 79.5 and 89.5 now all of a sudden equal a 5.0 on the GPA scale.
6. They give an entire GPA point higher for honors classes. Same as above
7. Most kids minus remedial are taking at least 2 honors courses Freshman year. Honors courses in MCPS are basic courses. There is nothing honors about them.
8. You are allowed to take college AP courses as a freshman and are unlimited the entire 4 years.


You have honestly have to be the biggest idiot to not get honor roll every semester at a MCPS school. This helps lazy kids and punishes the hard working kids. Nothing to distinguish between a child that gets a 97 and a 95 for their semester when a kid that gets a 79.5 and a 89.5 gets the SAME EXACT grade sent to college admissions. It is impossible for them to weed out the kids who are high achievers. Yes, certain tracks are tougher but barely scraping by getting A's and clearly mastering the class is two very different things. Having kids that are high achieving it is a terrible policy. But MCPS rather hide behind a grading table than a 100 point scale. They teach kids to find ways to master the system then to show colleges they have actually mastered the class.

I don't understand how those two grades just equal an A. It is obviously a B, not even a B+. How can MCPS just give an A for those grades?

79.5=B 89.5=A A+B=A

But it equals an 84.5 which is a B.

That isn't how they calculate it. Call it MoCo math. Read this page http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/assessment-strategy/faq.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges receive a copy of the grading scale and weighting with the transcript, so they know MCPS grades are sketchy. I’m sure they adjust and recalculate before considering a student for admissions.

lol @ gullible folks thinking they hyper-analyze everyone's school, course load and transcript. it's purely BOTTOM LINE driven. they spend a few minutes on your app, including the essay. BOTTOM LINE is all that matters.

[Anonymous]

weighted or unweighted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges receive a copy of the grading scale and weighting with the transcript, so they know MCPS grades are sketchy. I’m sure they adjust and recalculate before considering a student for admissions.

lol @ gullible folks thinking they hyper-analyze everyone's school, course load and transcript. it's purely BOTTOM LINE driven. they spend a few minutes on your app, including the essay. BOTTOM LINE is all that matters.

At big schools, they plug everything into the computer, which filters and adjusts. Your area rep will then analyze the apps that make it through, and area reps know everything about the school systems in their territory.

At small schools, they do actually sit down with your school profile and transcript in hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges receive a copy of the grading scale and weighting with the transcript, so they know MCPS grades are sketchy. I’m sure they adjust and recalculate before considering a student for admissions.

lol @ gullible folks thinking they hyper-analyze everyone's school, course load and transcript. it's purely BOTTOM LINE driven. they spend a few minutes on your app, including the essay. BOTTOM LINE is all that matters.

Jokes on you - yes, they literally do. It’s their ONE job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges receive a copy of the grading scale and weighting with the transcript, so they know MCPS grades are sketchy. I’m sure they adjust and recalculate before considering a student for admissions.

lol @ gullible folks thinking they hyper-analyze everyone's school, course load and transcript. it's purely BOTTOM LINE driven. they spend a few minutes on your app, including the essay. BOTTOM LINE is all that matters.

At big schools, they plug everything into the computer, which filters and adjusts. Your area rep will then analyze the apps that make it through, and area reps know everything about the school systems in their territory.

At small schools, they do actually sit down with your school profile and transcript in hand.

Bullsh*t. It's "how many A's" + counselor checking "hardest avail course load" on their school report + SAT score + SAT II scores

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So inflated grades have made GPA essentially meaningless, now it's all about top PSAT, SAT, SAT II, and AP exam scores?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/17/easy-a-nearly-half-hs-seniors-graduate-average/485787001/

I bet inflated GPAs con a hell of a lot of parents into sending unprepared children off to four-year universities. Pricey mistake.

That and the whole "college and career ready" movement in public schools. We aren't allowed to mention that certain students just aren't bright enough to go to college.

Thanks be to Obama for this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading a lot about grade inflation and easy A's at in AP classes. I have no idea what school district or specific schools you are talking about, but that's not happening at my kids school. There are no easy "A"s in AP classes

I have noticed that a lot (one or a few?) private school parents come on here to bash the public school system for grade inflation (ironic the article states that this is more prevalent in private schools). I never saw grade inflation at my children's MCPS. My kids were prepared very well for college by their high school, and I feel very thankful and blessed that I was able to send my children to the public school they attended. At the same time, I believe that being well prepared for college may also depend upon a person's personality (maybe personality is the wrong word here?)-- do they like school? do they work hard? do they care about school? etc. There are some kids who simply hate school and will not be prepared for college no matter what we do for them.

What the F are you smoking lady? MCPS is known everywhere in the DMV and by all Maryland college admissions to be the most inflated.

1. No final exams anymore since kids were doing so bad
2. Retakes on tests are allowed. The test scores aren't even combined. The 2nd score is the final score. Get a 64 on first test and a 90 on the second. You get a 90.
3. Projects, papers, and homework can be turned in late without penality
4. They have a weighted country-wide grade policy. No number grades are submitted to colleges for 100 point scale. All letter grades. A+B will always equal A for a semester. So a 79.5 + 89.5 always equals an A? In MCPS - absolutely!!
5. They give an entire GPA point for AP classes. So that 79.5 and 89.5 now all of a sudden equal a 5.0 on the GPA scale.
6. They give an entire GPA point higher for honors classes. Same as above
7. Most kids minus remedial are taking at least 2 honors courses Freshman year. Honors courses in MCPS are basic courses. There is nothing honors about them.
8. You are allowed to take college AP courses as a freshman and are unlimited the entire 4 years.


You have honestly have to be the biggest idiot to not get honor roll every semester at a MCPS school. This helps lazy kids and punishes the hard working kids. Nothing to distinguish between a child that gets a 97 and a 95 for their semester when a kid that gets a 79.5 and a 89.5 gets the SAME EXACT grade sent to college admissions. It is impossible for them to weed out the kids who are high achievers. Yes, certain tracks are tougher but barely scraping by getting A's and clearly mastering the class is two very different things. Having kids that are high achieving it is a terrible policy. But MCPS rather hide behind a grading table than a 100 point scale. They teach kids to find ways to master the system then to show colleges they have actually mastered the class.

Lady-- You lose all credibility with a statement like that. You don't know what you are talking about. Your post comes from a place of ignorance based on that statement alone. We will just have to agree to disagree. You are not a nice person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges receive a copy of the grading scale and weighting with the transcript, so they know MCPS grades are sketchy. I’m sure they adjust and recalculate before considering a student for admissions.

lol @ gullible folks thinking they hyper-analyze everyone's school, course load and transcript. it's purely BOTTOM LINE driven. they spend a few minutes on your app, including the essay. BOTTOM LINE is all that matters.

At big schools, they plug everything into the computer, which filters and adjusts. Your area rep will then analyze the apps that make it through, and area reps know everything about the school systems in their territory.

At small schools, they do actually sit down with your school profile and transcript in hand.

Bullsh*t. It's "how many A's" + counselor checking "hardest avail course load" on their school report + SAT score + SAT II scores

1. You must have a kid in MCPS

2. Have you ever actually spoken to a college admissions director? Because I have spoken to several, and they actually do analyze everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading a lot about grade inflation and easy A's at in AP classes. I have no idea what school district or specific schools you are talking about, but that's not happening at my kids school. There are no easy "A"s in AP classes

I have noticed that a lot (one or a few?) private school parents come on here to bash the public school system for grade inflation (ironic the article states that this is more prevalent in private schools). I never saw grade inflation at my children's MCPS. My kids were prepared very well for college by their high school, and I feel very thankful and blessed that I was able to send my children to the public school they attended. At the same time, I believe that being well prepared for college may also depend upon a person's personality (maybe personality is the wrong word here?)-- do they like school? do they work hard? do they care about school? etc. There are some kids who simply hate school and will not be prepared for college no matter what we do for them.

What the F are you smoking lady? MCPS is known everywhere in the DMV and by all Maryland college admissions to be the most inflated.

1. No final exams anymore since kids were doing so bad
2. Retakes on tests are allowed. The test scores aren't even combined. The 2nd score is the final score. Get a 64 on first test and a 90 on the second. You get a 90.
3. Projects, papers, and homework can be turned in late without penality
4. They have a weighted country-wide grade policy. No number grades are submitted to colleges for 100 point scale. All letter grades. A+B will always equal A for a semester. So a 79.5 + 89.5 always equals an A? In MCPS - absolutely!!
5. They give an entire GPA point for AP classes. So that 79.5 and 89.5 now all of a sudden equal a 5.0 on the GPA scale.
6. They give an entire GPA point higher for honors classes. Same as above
7. Most kids minus remedial are taking at least 2 honors courses Freshman year. Honors courses in MCPS are basic courses. There is nothing honors about them.
8. You are allowed to take college AP courses as a freshman and are unlimited the entire 4 years.


You have honestly have to be the biggest idiot to not get honor roll every semester at a MCPS school. This helps lazy kids and punishes the hard working kids. Nothing to distinguish between a child that gets a 97 and a 95 for their semester when a kid that gets a 79.5 and a 89.5 gets the SAME EXACT grade sent to college admissions. It is impossible for them to weed out the kids who are high achievers. Yes, certain tracks are tougher but barely scraping by getting A's and clearly mastering the class is two very different things. Having kids that are high achieving it is a terrible policy. But MCPS rather hide behind a grading table than a 100 point scale. They teach kids to find ways to master the system then to show colleges they have actually mastered the class.

I don't understand how those two grades just equal an A. It is obviously a B, not even a B+. How can MCPS just give an A for those grades?

79.5=B 89.5=A A+B=A

But it equals an 84.5 which is a B.

That isn't how they calculate it. Call it MoCo math. Read this page http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/assessment-strategy/faq.aspx

This is the most apparent grade inflation I have ever seen. My child goes to a college prep private and they all receive number grades, no honors courses (as all college prep courses are considered honors) and did away with AP’s last year. She has never received below an 86 in any quarter but they add all 4 and divide by 4 for your final and factor in a final exam of 10%. No one gets above a 92/93 because the teachers grade so hard. She has so many B’s that would not only be A’s be 5.0 on her GPA if she went to this county school.

I just don’t get it. That table and rationale make no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So let's take these one at a time:


1. No final exams anymore since kids were doing so bad WHY IS THIS A BAD THING? WHO SAYS TESTING IS THE BEST EVIDENCE THAT YOU LEARNED THE MATERIAL?
2. Retakes on tests are allowed. The test scores aren't even combined. The 2nd score is the final score. Get a 64 on first test and a 90 on the second. You get a 90. AGAIN, IF THE GOAL IS TO DEMONSTRATE MASTERY OF THE MATERIAL, WHY IS THIS BAD? ARE YOU SAYING THE KID DIDN'T LEARN THE MATERIAL TO GET THE 90?
3. Projects, papers, and homework can be turned in late without penality DITTO -- FINE YOU MISS A DEADLINE, THAT'S NOT GREAT. BUT IF YOU DO THE WORK...
4. They have a weighted country-wide grade policy. No number grades are submitted to colleges for 100 point scale. All letter grades. A+B will always equal A for a semester. So a 79.5 + 89.5 always equals an A? In MCPS - absolutely!! IS THIS REALLY UNCOMMON? I DON'T THINK SO?
5. They give an entire GPA point for AP classes. So that 79.5 and 89.5 now all of a sudden equal a 5.0 on the GPA scale. I THINK THIS IS COMMON AND NOT SURE IT'S 'INFLATION.'
6. They give an entire GPA point higher for honors classes. Same as above OK THIS IS A BIT UNUSUAL
7. Most kids minus remedial are taking at least 2 honors courses Freshman year. Honors courses in MCPS are basic courses. There is nothing honors about them. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS
8. You are allowed to take college AP courses as a freshman and are unlimited the entire 4 years. THAT IS UNUSUAL TOO


BTW, Virginia schools (Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun I'm familiar with) really aren't like the above. Some MSs allow retakes, but you can rarely get more than an 80. And you def get docked a letter grade for late projects.

1. Why do colleges have finals then? They do, they are important, and high school kids need to learn how to take them.
2. If you bomb a test and have more time to learn the material than your peers, understand how the actual test will be given by your teachers, and can get a higher grade in the end - yes, that is gaming the system.
3. A kid making a deadline vs a kid missing a deadline are two very different type of people in all aspects of life. If a kid is given extra time for a better grade, you believe that is just fair?
4, 5, and 6. Yes it is absolutely uncommon for a high C and a high B to equal a 5.0 on a GPA scale for countless AP and honors courses given. Have your seen the grading table for MCPS? An A and a D automatically equal a B. No matter if the A and the D were the lowest grades. Still equals a B. Then if it was an honors course, it equals an A with an entire point increase. That is massive grade inflation.

I think this likely depends on the program. When I was in college (1989-1993), there was a lot more emphasis on final papers and projects rather than final exams. But I was in a liberal arts/interdisciplinary studies program. I'm sure the accountants had finals.

You seem really obsessed with capturing snapshots in time when the real goal of high school and college is that students learn the material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So inflated grades have made GPA essentially meaningless, now it's all about top PSAT, SAT, SAT II, and AP exam scores?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/17/easy-a-nearly-half-hs-seniors-graduate-average/485787001/

I bet inflated GPAs con a hell of a lot of parents into sending unprepared children off to four-year universities. Pricey mistake.

That and the whole "college and career ready" movement in public schools. We aren't allowed to mention that certain students just aren't bright enough to go to college.

Thanks be to Obama for this!

It's not on Obama, but there's been a definite shift towards accepting students who lack the skills and ability to do college level work and graduate with a meaningful degree.

[Anonymous]

What do students do who transfer from private to MCPS public after 9th or heaven forbid 10th? How can they make up those lost booster points without "Honors" coursework?