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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Dusting this off, mid-term grades came this week and for many 9th graders it was the first time receiving letter grades. Am hearing lots of stories of Bs and Cs popping up in at least a class or two. This seems a stark contrast to the bevy of As that people report receiving in public school.

I know GDS doesn't track GPAs, but does anyone have a sense of what the median is? Also, is it sort of standard that the first mid-term grades are typically on the low side and that kids rebound? [/quote]

In our GDS experience, the mid-term grades are always a nudge to my kid to try harder. In most cases, he's been able to raise his grade one step above the mid-term grade (so B+ to A-, etc.) with speaking more with the teacher about questions on quizzes prior to tests, hunkering down, and more focus. I don't think GDS teachers give artificially low mid-term grades that automatically go up at the semester--the kid has to put in the effort to raise the grade.  The thing about GDS is that the teachers do not inflate grades (in fact some are notoriously tough graders), but they do have the scaffolding for students to do well in school--the most important being teachers are very available to talk through topics that may confuse students, review quizzes/tests, suggest study strategies, talk through essay thesis, etc. Successful GDS students speak with their teachers independently of class or during work time in class to clarify challenging topics. [/quote]

Thank you for this thoughtful response. It was my sense as well that mid-terms are essentially a wake-up call, especially for Freshman. [/quote]

Yes definitely an adjustment for freshmen to get Bs (and Cs in some cases)- those rising from GDS 8th aren't used to any grades; those coming from the K-8's are used to all A's; those coming from publics are also used to A's, but aren't generally used to the level of class participation expected. There is definitely still time to improve grades by the end of the semester. If your child wants to do this, meeting with the teacher sooner rather than later is key. Avoid asking, "how do I get an A?", but ask more about suggestions to improve test study habits, or writing, or ask about concepts that are specifically confusing. At the least tell your student this shows the teacher that at least they care about how they are doing. If they end the semester with a 89.5 maybe the teacher will throw them a bone to an A-.[/quote]

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