Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 13:35     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
Lol. So now we all will flock to get our kids take SCAT and SSAT and other tests privately, just so we can figure out how they stand as compared to self selected achievers.

Well done, MCPS.
Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 13:00     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I work for MCPS.

As far as reading, your child's grade on the report card is based on his or her demonstration of understanding of the reading standards and indicators at their instructional level. Therefore, if the standard the teacher is working on calls for students to be able to identify and describe the story elements from a text, and your child is reading at a level P, he or she will be given a level P text and then asked to identify the characters, setting, problem and solution. Another student in the same class might be reading below grade level and be given the same task using a text at their reading level. If both students are successful, both would earn a P. It has nothing to do with reading level. It's also possible a child could be reading above grade level and get an I or N for the same reason.

So really what this means is that the grade in reading has nothing at all to do with reading as such, but rather analyzing the text at whatever level a child happens to be reading. So on the report card there would be no differentiation between a kid reading at 1st grade and 5th grade level. I say that's a very creative way of closing the achievement gap!


I'm pretty sure that they aren't using personal report cards to assess the achievement gap. They are using standardized tests. So the report card format has nothing to do with the achievement gap.
Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 12:44     Subject: Re:above grade level reading and math but still a P
My DD is reading above 5th grade level, and scored 98% on the MAP-R. She is in 4th grade. She got a P in reading.

Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 11:24     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
Anonymous wrote:
So really what this means is that the grade in reading has nothing at all to do with reading as such, but rather analyzing the text at whatever level a child happens to be reading. So on the report card there would be no differentiation between a kid reading at 1st grade and 5th grade level. I say that's a very creative way of closing the achievement gap!


MCPS assessed reading level the same way before 2.0.

And reading level is different from reading. So the report cards for the two kids would be different -- because the report card shows both reading level and reading.
Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 11:19     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I work for MCPS.

As far as reading, your child's grade on the report card is based on his or her demonstration of understanding of the reading standards and indicators at their instructional level. Therefore, if the standard the teacher is working on calls for students to be able to identify and describe the story elements from a text, and your child is reading at a level P, he or she will be given a level P text and then asked to identify the characters, setting, problem and solution. Another student in the same class might be reading below grade level and be given the same task using a text at their reading level. If both students are successful, both would earn a P. It has nothing to do with reading level. It's also possible a child could be reading above grade level and get an I or N for the same reason.

So really what this means is that the grade in reading has nothing at all to do with reading as such, but rather analyzing the text at whatever level a child happens to be reading. So on the report card there would be no differentiation between a kid reading at 1st grade and 5th grade level. I say that's a very creative way of closing the achievement gap!


My kid is accelerated in math to another grade. It wouldn't be helpful if she just got an ES because she has mastered the on-grade material--I want to know how she is doing on the material she is being taught now. Doesn't mean I love the new grading system, but I see some of the logic.

I see the logic as well, but then what's the point of giving across-the-board grades, if it means different things for different students? Let's just measure a kid against him or herself by giving them, say, a "percentage of ability" type grade. Say, little Johnny achieved 80% of what we believe a kid of his abilities is capable of achieving.
Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 11:10     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I work for MCPS.

As far as reading, your child's grade on the report card is based on his or her demonstration of understanding of the reading standards and indicators at their instructional level. Therefore, if the standard the teacher is working on calls for students to be able to identify and describe the story elements from a text, and your child is reading at a level P, he or she will be given a level P text and then asked to identify the characters, setting, problem and solution. Another student in the same class might be reading below grade level and be given the same task using a text at their reading level. If both students are successful, both would earn a P. It has nothing to do with reading level. It's also possible a child could be reading above grade level and get an I or N for the same reason.

So really what this means is that the grade in reading has nothing at all to do with reading as such, but rather analyzing the text at whatever level a child happens to be reading. So on the report card there would be no differentiation between a kid reading at 1st grade and 5th grade level. I say that's a very creative way of closing the achievement gap!


My kid is accelerated in math to another grade. It wouldn't be helpful if she just got an ES because she has mastered the on-grade material--I want to know how she is doing on the material she is being taught now. Doesn't mean I love the new grading system, but I see some of the logic.
Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 11:06     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
Anonymous wrote:I work for MCPS.

As far as reading, your child's grade on the report card is based on his or her demonstration of understanding of the reading standards and indicators at their instructional level. Therefore, if the standard the teacher is working on calls for students to be able to identify and describe the story elements from a text, and your child is reading at a level P, he or she will be given a level P text and then asked to identify the characters, setting, problem and solution. Another student in the same class might be reading below grade level and be given the same task using a text at their reading level. If both students are successful, both would earn a P. It has nothing to do with reading level. It's also possible a child could be reading above grade level and get an I or N for the same reason.

So really what this means is that the grade in reading has nothing at all to do with reading as such, but rather analyzing the text at whatever level a child happens to be reading. So on the report card there would be no differentiation between a kid reading at 1st grade and 5th grade level. I say that's a very creative way of closing the achievement gap!
Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 10:29     Subject: Re:above grade level reading and math but still a P
PP that response was really helpful - thank you!
Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 10:29     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
Unintuitive and smoke and mirrors.

There should be two parts to the report.

1) What % age of grade level content the kid mastered? Report it in %age. 75%, 81%, 50% , 100% etc. Test them on the grade they are working on -so if they are in 4th grade and working on 5th grade Math, give the 5th grade level evaluation.
2) In Map-M and Map-R - they are able to work at what grade level? On grade level? 1 grade higher? 3 grades higher?

Else - this is meaningless.
Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 10:17     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
I work for MCPS.

As far as reading, your child's grade on the report card is based on his or her demonstration of understanding of the reading standards and indicators at their instructional level. Therefore, if the standard the teacher is working on calls for students to be able to identify and describe the story elements from a text, and your child is reading at a level P, he or she will be given a level P text and then asked to identify the characters, setting, problem and solution. Another student in the same class might be reading below grade level and be given the same task using a text at their reading level. If both students are successful, both would earn a P. It has nothing to do with reading level. It's also possible a child could be reading above grade level and get an I or N for the same reason.
Anonymous
Post 11/14/2013 06:15     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
Anonymous wrote:We got report cards today and DC's reading level is off the K-2 reading chart and does enriched math but only receive a P for reading & math. How come?


Because a P is not an O.

And, also, if your child is in grades K-2, and is obviously doing fine academically, why does the grade matter?
Anonymous
Post 11/13/2013 21:19     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P

1. Teachers have had very little guidance on when, how and why to issue an ES.
Ex: in my 3rd grader's class, so far 3 out of the dozens of worksheets that I have seen have the possibility of earning an ES grade (clearly marked ES / optional question). Not surprisingly, no ES on the report card, since even if completed correctly, that grade would still be in the minority compared to all the masses of Ps.

2. Many students do not demonstrate their knowledge and understanding during class, because they're not interested in showing off! So they coast along, doing exactly what the teacher asks and nothing more, even though they may be able to do much more...

There.
And no, it is not important.
Anonymous
Post 11/13/2013 21:12     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
Who cares? I ask that seriously. Why does it matter?
Anonymous
Post 11/13/2013 21:10     Subject: Re:above grade level reading and math but still a P
I'm also confused by this. DD is in second grade and her guided reading level is at a 5th grade level, and all Ps on report card. I don't understand what warrants an ES either...
Anonymous
Post 11/13/2013 21:05     Subject: above grade level reading and math but still a P
We got report cards today and DC's reading level is off the K-2 reading chart and does enriched math but only receive a P for reading & math. How come?