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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My kids were advised by counselors as part of a large group that it was not advisable to take all intensified classes at Yorktown. I asked them (2 kids during different years) to check in with their teachers and a counselor before registering for classes. The teachers and the counselor both said “oh, no. That wasn’t meant for you. You could easily do it.” My kids are smart but not special.  I don’t know why the counseling staff scares kids and parents off these classes. Unfortunately, I can’t report back because neither kid ended up going to Yorktown.[/quote]

I am OP and yes it's this exact dynamic that happened to my daughter.

Smart kid, nothing over the top.  Recommended for all intensified and they tried to scare the crap out of her.  Why are you recommending them for these classes then?[/quote]

You will find the counselors at WMS (1 in particular) create WAY too much stress for these kids. Everything is dramatic, they stress that 12 yo MS students need to be concerned about college now, advanced diploma is a must, etc. I have been blown away at how awesome our YHS counselor is. They truly believe in balance and what's right for the individual kid. My DS has all As at WMS and struggled with all intensified classes at YHS (particularly the English/History block).  I met with the Counselor and they said [b]kids didn't all learn proper homework and study skills in MS[/b]. Most were doing their HW during class, never had to study and still got As. Then they go to YHS and  first quarter is a whole new world, and some of them struggle- because they lack those skills. We got him back on track quickly thank goodness but if your kid doesn't have good study/HW skills in MS, be prepared to be on them first quarter in HS![/quote]

APS and parents pushing for no homework and other "equitable grading" policies are doing all students a disservice. At the same time, teachers complain that they don't have any time to do any grading; so they also are doing students a disservice by not giving more significant assignments. The whole effort to minimize work is antithesis to my efforts as a parent to teach my kids to do more than the bare minimum. Why do I suspect the parents pushing for "equitable grading" are parents of kids who are high achieving students and/or who give their kids the help or can afford to hire the help their kids need? The ones whose kids aren't going to be irreparably hindered or harmed by them.[/quote]

I’m a teacher. I have a solution for the grading issue. We need smaller class sizes.  You can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip.[/quote]
So, tell me - what size would be small enough for you? And what assignments would you then give? 
And where are you going to find enough teachers to be able to create these sufficiently small classes?
It would be better for parents and admin to stop requiring teachers to be social workers and conduct SEL lessons and community circle discussions.
My high school teachers had classes of mid-twenties and managed to grade multiple papers and essays, including full-length term papers.[/quote]

I know I have 30 in every single class, with a variety of special needs.  I know 150 students is too many.  How long did it take your super duper high school teacher to read those “full-length term papers”, do you think?  What’s full length?  4 pages? 5?  Multiply that by 150 and tell me if you think that’s reasonable.  Keep in mind that the teacher is also teaching classes.  Planning for that instruction.

If we want to attract more teachers, I have a solution for that as well…

I definitely agree about the SEL stuff.  Everybody wants us to solve all of the world’s problems now.[/quote]

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