Anonymous
Post 05/25/2023 12:01     Subject: Re:HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Better talk to your teacher...
My child is currently taking Spanish 1A in 7th grade. Interesting thing is recently my child told me that the class was notified by their teacher that a (most likely unofficial) recommendation will be given by the end of this year. Those with stronger performance will be advised to continue on with Spanish 1B, whereas others could take Spanish 1 instead. I guess 1B is harder than 1, but they both carry 1 HS credit.


If a student is struggling in 1A, they probably need to relearn the concepts taught in 1A (Level 1 is 1A + 1B content taught in 1 year; it's fast--probably too fast for many MS students, which is why 1A/1B was created). 1B isn't "harder" than Level 1 (it's simply the 2nd 1/2 of the course); if a teacher is recommending that a student take Level 1 in 8th after 1A in 7th, that means they need to revisit the 1A material. Both Level 1 and 1B carry the high school credit. The final exams for Level 1 or 1B cover the entire course, which is why if a student isn't doing well in 1A, it may be beneficial for said student to take Level 1 in 8th grade.

I much prefer to teach 1A/1B over 1 because I have more time and flexibility to really make sure kids can use the vocabulary and language structures plus learning some culture along the way (longer-range projects, games, etc.). Level 1 is so fast--it's quick hits of all of the content and students usually have to work (more) outside the classroom to get the most out of it. That said, if a student is very advanced and picks up new information quickly, Level 1 in one year can be a really good fit, especially if they want to take other courses in middle school.

-WL teacher of 18 years in FCPS




I really appreciate your input! My child is absolutely enjoying the learning of 1A so far. I think he definitely benefited from the slower pace of the course. Thank you for your advice.
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 17:19     Subject: Re:HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Anonymous wrote:Better talk to your teacher...
My child is currently taking Spanish 1A in 7th grade. Interesting thing is recently my child told me that the class was notified by their teacher that a (most likely unofficial) recommendation will be given by the end of this year. Those with stronger performance will be advised to continue on with Spanish 1B, whereas others could take Spanish 1 instead. I guess 1B is harder than 1, but they both carry 1 HS credit.


If a student is struggling in 1A, they probably need to relearn the concepts taught in 1A (Level 1 is 1A + 1B content taught in 1 year; it's fast--probably too fast for many MS students, which is why 1A/1B was created). 1B isn't "harder" than Level 1 (it's simply the 2nd 1/2 of the course); if a teacher is recommending that a student take Level 1 in 8th after 1A in 7th, that means they need to revisit the 1A material. Both Level 1 and 1B carry the high school credit. The final exams for Level 1 or 1B cover the entire course, which is why if a student isn't doing well in 1A, it may be beneficial for said student to take Level 1 in 8th grade.

I much prefer to teach 1A/1B over 1 because I have more time and flexibility to really make sure kids can use the vocabulary and language structures plus learning some culture along the way (longer-range projects, games, etc.). Level 1 is so fast--it's quick hits of all of the content and students usually have to work (more) outside the classroom to get the most out of it. That said, if a student is very advanced and picks up new information quickly, Level 1 in one year can be a really good fit, especially if they want to take other courses in middle school.

-WL teacher of 18 years in FCPS
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 14:24     Subject: Re:HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Better talk to your teacher...
My child is currently taking Spanish 1A in 7th grade. Interesting thing is recently my child told me that the class was notified by their teacher that a (most likely unofficial) recommendation will be given by the end of this year. Those with stronger performance will be advised to continue on with Spanish 1B, whereas others could take Spanish 1 instead. I guess 1B is harder than 1, but they both carry 1 HS credit.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2023 08:01     Subject: HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately for my child, part B is the grade that goes on the transcript.


If it is a MS class taken this year you can expunge the grade. We had a friend who did that for a MS language.



can they take the foreign language test so they don't have to retake the class?


No. That's not what the World Language Credit Exam is intended for.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2023 09:01     Subject: HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately for my child, part B is the grade that goes on the transcript.


If it is a MS class taken this year you can expunge the grade. We had a friend who did that for a MS language.



can they take the foreign language test so they don't have to retake the class?
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2023 06:36     Subject: HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately for my child, part B is the grade that goes on the transcript.


If it is a MS class taken this year you can expunge the grade. We had a friend who did that for a MS language.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2023 21:21     Subject: Re:HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Along this line, are the final grades for Spanish 1A cumulative or averaged by quarter?
Example - my kid has an A for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter but so far he has an A- for 4th quarter.
So if the quarter ended today and the school year was over, would his Final Grade be an A- because the grades are cumulative and it's gone down or an A because he earned 3 As before that A- 4th quarter?


If your school uses a rolling grade book it would be an A- for final.


PP -- so it's not standard across FCPS? My school could chose to do it one way or another? Ok, I'll reach out to the teacher.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2023 21:10     Subject: Re:HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Anonymous wrote:Along this line, are the final grades for Spanish 1A cumulative or averaged by quarter?
Example - my kid has an A for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter but so far he has an A- for 4th quarter.
So if the quarter ended today and the school year was over, would his Final Grade be an A- because the grades are cumulative and it's gone down or an A because he earned 3 As before that A- 4th quarter?


If your school uses a rolling grade book it would be an A- for final.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2023 21:08     Subject: HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
DS took this class back in 2010, so I might be no help, but back then PART A was 0 credits and part B was 1 credit, Part A was not on the OT.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2023 20:27     Subject: Re:HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Along this line, are the final grades for Spanish 1A cumulative or averaged by quarter?
Example - my kid has an A for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter but so far he has an A- for 4th quarter.
So if the quarter ended today and the school year was over, would his Final Grade be an A- because the grades are cumulative and it's gone down or an A because he earned 3 As before that A- 4th quarter?
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2023 14:18     Subject: HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately for my child, part B is the grade that goes on the transcript.


Sorry to hear that Thank you for the response!
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2023 14:05     Subject: HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B
Unfortunately for my child, part B is the grade that goes on the transcript.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2023 13:14     Subject: HS transcript grade for Spanish A/B

How does the grade calculation go if student takes Part A in 7th and Part B in 8th? Are the two grades averaged? Is the grade for Part B the official grade that goes on the transcript? I can't find that info anywhere.