Anonymous wrote:Our K-8 started allowing retakes last year and I was surprised ! I didn’t realize it was related to equity grading. They still have to submit homework on schedule but they were allowed to retake tests if they scored below a certain threshold. I complained to the school because that’s not how real life works and it’s certainly not a way to prepare kids for the real world but nothing has changed.

This is normal for middle. Most important thing is content mastery at that point. Often the new test grade can’t go above a certain grade or is an average of the two test grades. There is plenty of time to learn about the real world in HS/College.

Yes, our kids always get a rubric for their assignments (different schools). Why does that bother you?

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Anonymous wrote:I’m curious, what do you all think grades should reflect? Mastery? Effort? Growth? Some combo of those?

I come down on the mastery side. We are trying to create an educated populace. But then (unlike many on this board) my kids aren’t in private school because I think it gives them some kind of competitive edge. We are there for the smaller classes and outstanding experience, not trying to get into some mythical “best college.”

I come down on the mastery side, too, but does it feel right for a kid to whom everything comes easily to mail in a lackluster effort and still get an A, and another kid who started at a D level mastery but moved up to a C level mastery, to get a C?

If there were to be a mix of growth and mastery, would you see it falling at 25% growth, 75% mastery?

A good amount of grading has nothing to do with mastery of a subject and a lot to do with executive function skills and reading a teacher right.

Anonymous wrote:Is it the fault of the student who gets the A without much effort that they don’t have to work as hard? Give that student material that challenges them so they do have to work harder.

Thanks for responding. I’ve been in this situation as a teacher, and given the student (and this was a hardworking, earnest student) the option of the harder assignment, saying I thought this was a more appropriate challenge for them. “But I can choose the easy one?” “Yes.” (relieved face)“ok, i’ll do the easier one, then.” That student response makes sense if they’re trying to maximize the grades they get in all their classes, plus their sports performance and sleep.

I don’t really feel like I can say, “No, you have to do the harder one.” B/c then they might say, is that policy in the course syllabus? Are other teachers doing that?

If I do assign the harder assignment to the more advanced student, and penalize them in some way for not accepting the harder one, then aren’t I grading growth/effort?

Is it the fault of the student who gets the A without much effort that they don’t have to work as hard? Give that student material that challenges them so they do have to work harder.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious, what do you all think grades should reflect? Mastery? Effort? Growth? Some combo of those?

I come down on the mastery side. We are trying to create an educated populace. But then (unlike many on this board) my kids aren’t in private school because I think it gives them some kind of competitive edge. We are there for the smaller classes and outstanding experience, not trying to get into some mythical “best college.”

I come down on the mastery side, too, but does it feel right for a kid to whom everything comes easily to mail in a lackluster effort and still get an A, and another kid who started at a D level mastery but moved up to a C level mastery, to get a C?

If there were to be a mix of growth and mastery, would you see it falling at 25% growth, 75% mastery?

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious, what do you all think grades should reflect? Mastery? Effort? Growth? Some combo of those?

I come down on the mastery side. We are trying to create an educated populace. But then (unlike many on this board) my kids aren’t in private school because I think it gives them some kind of competitive edge. We are there for the smaller classes and outstanding experience, not trying to get into some mythical “best college.”

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Anonymous wrote:I recently became aware that the high school of my child's indepdent school (child is younger) has started an equity grading program.
According to the school newspaper,
"Students are allowed to retake any major assessments; teachers must provide a rubric for major assignments; students must not be given a grade lower than 50%; and students are not penalized for submitting assignments late, as long as it is submitted within four weeks of the due date. "

Apparently guided by this:
https://gradingforequity.org/
https://www.educationnext.org/time-to-pull-plug-on-traditional-grading-supporters-say-mastery-based-grading-could-promote-equity/

I'm a little confused, to be diplomatic. I mean, a rubric for major assignments seems reasonable...

Is this happening at other local private schools too?

What state and city are you in?

Rockville, MD

There are no private high schools in Rockville, Maryland.

So ignorant. So arrogant. So wrong.

Google OP’s search and you find the school.

And get out of your teeny little bubble.

I stand by my statement.

There is definitely a private high school in Rockville.

Name it.

Jewish Day School

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently became aware that the high school of my child's indepdent school (child is younger) has started an equity grading program.
According to the school newspaper,
"Students are allowed to retake any major assessments; teachers must provide a rubric for major assignments; students must not be given a grade lower than 50%; and students are not penalized for submitting assignments late, as long as it is submitted within four weeks of the due date. "

Apparently guided by this:
https://gradingforequity.org/
https://www.educationnext.org/time-to-pull-plug-on-traditional-grading-supporters-say-mastery-based-grading-could-promote-equity/

I'm a little confused, to be diplomatic. I mean, a rubric for major assignments seems reasonable...

Is this happening at other local private schools too?

What state and city are you in?

Rockville, MD

There are no private high schools in Rockville, Maryland.

Georgetown Prep is on Rockville Pike.