Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 17:46     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
Anonymous wrote:When our child’s AP history teach became ill and went on long term leave, the sub they got wasn’t great. Enough parents complained that they moved a lower grade licensed teacher to the AP course and the put the long term sub in the lower grade/lower level history class. Not really fair but the squeaky wheel gets the grease.


The lower grade deserved a strong teacher, too. Not to mention the teacher prepped lessons and developed routines for that class. Then (with no extra pay or time) had to pivot and learn a new curriculum. Did you think about the impact on that teacher? Or the other students? As someone who teaches AP, I would have been miserable if that happened to me.

Sure, it’s sad your kid lost an AP teacher. But complaining to the point that you ruined things for another class AND for another teacher? Too far.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2026 17:28     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
When our child’s AP history teach became ill and went on long term leave, the sub they got wasn’t great. Enough parents complained that they moved a lower grade licensed teacher to the AP course and the put the long term sub in the lower grade/lower level history class. Not really fair but the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2026 09:44     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
At least it is just 8th grade science. It is way worse when it is a math class or foreign language since those classes progress onto the next level.

8th grade science isn’t that important. You can easily watch YouTube videos, use khan academy, visit natural history museums, buy some science kits.

My son had a series of long term subs in first grade and most of the class didn't learn how to read. I finally had to pay for tutors so he would learn how to read. It took all of spring and summer being tutored so he could catch up. A neighbor’s daughter had a long term sub in high school for an AP language class that didn’t speak the language. 8th grade science is a low priority.
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2026 09:27     Subject: Re:Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
This is all a result of the great teaching shortage. Nothing will change until things change.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 21:19     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
The 8th grade science SOL covers science from grades 6-8. I am sure that the department created a review packet that they will hand out. 8th grade science is a nothingburger and all the topics will be repeated in HS.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 19:00     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thanks all for the advice. This is 8th grade science. Kid just told me that the sub did not teach/grade much in the past two months, and they will have SOL in two months. At this moment, it may be too late to group parents, get PTA, and find a good sub, so here is my plan:

1. borrow the SOL review packets from my kid.
2. check what materials are covered, so I can get a ballpark for it.
3. find a tutor.



Don't do this OP. If you are going to spend your time and money worrying about a subject, hire a writing tutor or something else that will actually lead to real learning. 8th grade science is not the place to stress or cram for the love of God.


So FCPS is wasting students' time and taxpayer money on a subject that is useless for the intellectual development and knowledge base of the child. Just a random collection of unimportant crapola that they need to be tested on because-- tests are the point, not learning.

What a quality school system.



It’s not FCPS. Standards are a state wide mandate.


Yep. And you can thank No Child Left Behind for it all, which was introduced under Bush I believe. Republicans started it all.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 17:03     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thanks all for the advice. This is 8th grade science. Kid just told me that the sub did not teach/grade much in the past two months, and they will have SOL in two months. At this moment, it may be too late to group parents, get PTA, and find a good sub, so here is my plan:

1. borrow the SOL review packets from my kid.
2. check what materials are covered, so I can get a ballpark for it.
3. find a tutor.



Don't do this OP. If you are going to spend your time and money worrying about a subject, hire a writing tutor or something else that will actually lead to real learning. 8th grade science is not the place to stress or cram for the love of God.


So FCPS is wasting students' time and taxpayer money on a subject that is useless for the intellectual development and knowledge base of the child. Just a random collection of unimportant crapola that they need to be tested on because-- tests are the point, not learning.

What a quality school system.



It’s not FCPS. Standards are a state wide mandate.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 16:50     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
What subject? Try Khan Academy.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 16:39     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
Anonymous wrote:Is it possible to require the school to pull a specialist to do a catchup?


Pull a specialist from where?
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 15:30     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thanks all for the advice. This is 8th grade science. Kid just told me that the sub did not teach/grade much in the past two months, and they will have SOL in two months. At this moment, it may be too late to group parents, get PTA, and find a good sub, so here is my plan:

1. borrow the SOL review packets from my kid.
2. check what materials are covered, so I can get a ballpark for it.
3. find a tutor.



Don't do this OP. If you are going to spend your time and money worrying about a subject, hire a writing tutor or something else that will actually lead to real learning. 8th grade science is not the place to stress or cram for the love of God.


So FCPS is wasting students' time and taxpayer money on a subject that is useless for the intellectual development and knowledge base of the child. Just a random collection of unimportant crapola that they need to be tested on because-- tests are the point, not learning.

What a quality school system.

Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 15:25     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You have to hire a private tutor if you want your kid to learn this subject this year.


Let's be real....you need a tutor if your kids are in FCPS
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 15:25     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
Anonymous wrote:You have to hire a private tutor if you want your kid to learn this subject this year.


Let's be real....you need a sub if your kids are in FCPS
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 12:52     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
It’s important to tell the principal what is going on, and I’d also email the region superintendent.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 11:24     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
You can send an email to the principal letting them know that you don't feel like your student is being taught the material because there's a sub and there's a risk of the whole class failing the SOL. The principal may actually care and make a change to try to increase the school's pass rate. It's a pretty low level of engagement to send one email and your kid might learn more science this year.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2026 11:19     Subject: Teacher is on leave, sub doesn't teach, students are left behind for months
Agree. SOL means nothing. Have your kid use the time to catch up on homework from other classes.

Also, he or she will see the subject matter again so there will be an opportunity to learn science. My elementary student and high school student are both studying Ancient Greece. It is smoothing actually, but when my kid missed 5th grade due to COVID the principal told me this and no I see it. It all comes back . . .