Anonymous
02/25/2014 15:02
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
^^^sources for all of these assertions
Anonymous
02/25/2014 15:01
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
OK, I am the dumb poster. Please educate me by providing the following:
sources for your assertion that Pennsylvania and Delaware have pulled out
MCPS taking a "reductionist" view with C 2.0
MCPS having a goal that as many students reach the bottom [as possible]
MCPS (or any school system in the US) taking the position that any resource spent on a student to achieve anything more than the bottom is a wasted resource
Math standards in the Common Core being 2 years below competitive nations (which nations?)
Current math standards in the US being higher than Common Core standards
The Common Core being a baseline set of standards
sources for your assertion that Pennsylvania and Delaware have pulled out
MCPS taking a "reductionist" view with C 2.0
MCPS having a goal that as many students reach the bottom [as possible]
MCPS (or any school system in the US) taking the position that any resource spent on a student to achieve anything more than the bottom is a wasted resource
Math standards in the Common Core being 2 years below competitive nations (which nations?)
Current math standards in the US being higher than Common Core standards
The Common Core being a baseline set of standards
Anonymous
02/25/2014 14:32
Subject: Re:I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
PP is our resident let's pretend to be dumb poster.
Common Core is a set of standards and whether those standards are met is validated by the PARCC test. 18 states are part of PARCC and Common Core. A number of states have decided to pull out or delay for various reasons ranging from cost, political pressure, or if their existing curriculums already meet and exceed those standards. In our area DC and MD are part of this consortium. VA declined to join. Pennsylvania and I think Delaware recently pulled out.
Curriculum 2.0 didn't just align with Common Core. MCPS took a reductionist view and ONLY aligned with the common core standards with the goal being that as many students reach the bottom. This is one of the criticisms on the national stage of the effect of Common Core....states with higher standards will lower their standards and quality of instruction to optimize results on the common core components on the test. The ultimate teaching the test problem where meeting a test score creating by enough of the student population is the only goal. Any resource spent on a student for achieving anything above the bottom line is a wasted resource in this model.
In addition math standards in Common Core place US students 2 years below competitive nations. If states follow the MCPS model, the US performance in math will drop across the country. If states follow a hybrid model where they meet the bottom standards but target above Common Core then you can see a rise in US performance. The problem is that Common Core was originally a baseline set of standards where schools should not fall below. Systems, like MCPS, are positioning that the Common Core baseline is the goal itself. This weakens US education and supports Ravitch's position.
The idea of Common Core being a baseline is excellent. However, the reality is that it is a race to the middle. The losers are our kids while the bureaucrats win.
Common Core is a set of standards and whether those standards are met is validated by the PARCC test. 18 states are part of PARCC and Common Core. A number of states have decided to pull out or delay for various reasons ranging from cost, political pressure, or if their existing curriculums already meet and exceed those standards. In our area DC and MD are part of this consortium. VA declined to join. Pennsylvania and I think Delaware recently pulled out.
Curriculum 2.0 didn't just align with Common Core. MCPS took a reductionist view and ONLY aligned with the common core standards with the goal being that as many students reach the bottom. This is one of the criticisms on the national stage of the effect of Common Core....states with higher standards will lower their standards and quality of instruction to optimize results on the common core components on the test. The ultimate teaching the test problem where meeting a test score creating by enough of the student population is the only goal. Any resource spent on a student for achieving anything above the bottom line is a wasted resource in this model.
In addition math standards in Common Core place US students 2 years below competitive nations. If states follow the MCPS model, the US performance in math will drop across the country. If states follow a hybrid model where they meet the bottom standards but target above Common Core then you can see a rise in US performance. The problem is that Common Core was originally a baseline set of standards where schools should not fall below. Systems, like MCPS, are positioning that the Common Core baseline is the goal itself. This weakens US education and supports Ravitch's position.
The idea of Common Core being a baseline is excellent. However, the reality is that it is a race to the middle. The losers are our kids while the bureaucrats win.
Anonymous
02/25/2014 14:15
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
Curriculum 2.0, which represents Montgomery County's compliance with a Maryland state requirement for school districts to develop a curriculum aligned to the Common Core, is an example of an organization focusing only on meeting the test score criteria as a measure for success? What test score criteria? There aren't even tests aligned to the Common Core yet.
Anonymous
02/25/2014 13:45
Subject: Re:I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
I actually think Michelle Rhee did a lot of good for DC schools. Anyone who has taught knows that there are teachers and administrators in the system who are not doing their job. Being around co-workers who are never held responsible for their actions burns out high performers more than a high workload!! Its demoralizing and brings down the entire organization.
Comparative data and have a standard minimum performance are import an
I also agree with many of Ravtich's points. If testing is the only criteria then the schools are following a reductionist goal. Their behaviors will not be incentivized toward doing the best for every student it will be about scoring high. This obsession with high scores is what makes MCPS such a disaster. The central office is a classic example of an organization focused on its own self interest and survival. The test scores ensure this survival and they push this culture all the way down.
The Curriculum 2.0 is a perfect example of an organization focusing only on meeting the test score criteria as a success measure for success. Its crossed two superintendents. I actually don't think Starr cares about 2.0. he's just too arrogant to admit problems and can't control or chooses not to control the bureaucrats below him.
Comparative data and have a standard minimum performance are import an
I also agree with many of Ravtich's points. If testing is the only criteria then the schools are following a reductionist goal. Their behaviors will not be incentivized toward doing the best for every student it will be about scoring high. This obsession with high scores is what makes MCPS such a disaster. The central office is a classic example of an organization focused on its own self interest and survival. The test scores ensure this survival and they push this culture all the way down.
The Curriculum 2.0 is a perfect example of an organization focusing only on meeting the test score criteria as a success measure for success. Its crossed two superintendents. I actually don't think Starr cares about 2.0. he's just too arrogant to admit problems and can't control or chooses not to control the bureaucrats below him.
Anonymous
02/25/2014 12:44
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
Being old enough, I've learned a lesson that no one is 100% right or 100% wrong. Personally, I feel that this applies to Michelle Rhee, Diane Ravitch, teachers, parents, MCPS, or whoever they are.
I am very sure that people on this forum care about kids who are the future of this country regardless of their views. If so, I firmly believed that focusing on technical issues and making sure that the system/curriculum are run/designed friendly to all parties including teachers/students/parents will benefit every single kid regardless their social economical background.
l
I am very sure that people on this forum care about kids who are the future of this country regardless of their views. If so, I firmly believed that focusing on technical issues and making sure that the system/curriculum are run/designed friendly to all parties including teachers/students/parents will benefit every single kid regardless their social economical background.
l
Anonymous wrote:Teachers HAVE been complaining since the first day that the new curriculum was implemented in the primary grades. As usual, our complaints fall upon deaf ears.
Although the new curriculum and grading system in MCPS has major flaws, in my opinion the bigger issues in MCPS and public education in general are the same as they ever were: the class size is too big, there is simply not enough planning time for teachers (at least in elementary) which eventually leads to the high teacher turnover rate, and of course the most significant issue is POVERTY. Meanwhile, our politicians on both sides of the aisle have sadly bought into fools like Michelle Rhee and her misleading and dishonest rhetoric, mistaking teachers as the problem, and promoting charter schools and more accountability as the solution (charter schools which do nothing more than divide communities and do not play by the same rules as public schools).
MCPS is still an extremely progressive district with a lot of unsung heroes working tirelessly to make good things happen for your children. They just don't have the time to show you on a routine basis. Anyone who really wants to get involved or make a change should start following Diane Ravitch to learn more. She rocks.
Anonymous
02/25/2014 09:53
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Teachers HAVE been complaining since the first day that the new curriculum was implemented in the primary grades. As usual, our complaints fall upon deaf ears.
Although the new curriculum and grading system in MCPS has major flaws, in my opinion the bigger issues in MCPS and public education in general are the same as they ever were: the class size is too big, there is simply not enough planning time for teachers (at least in elementary) which eventually leads to the high teacher turnover rate, and of course the most significant issue is POVERTY. Meanwhile, our politicians on both sides of the aisle have sadly bought into fools like Michelle Rhee and her misleading and dishonest rhetoric, mistaking teachers as the problem, and promoting charter schools and more accountability as the solution (charter schools which do nothing more than divide communities and do not play by the same rules as public schools).
MCPS is still an extremely progressive district with a lot of unsung heroes working tirelessly to make good things happen for your children. They just don't have the time to show you on a routine basis. Anyone who really wants to get involved or make a change should start following Diane Ravitch to learn more. She rocks.
I am sure many teachers have been complaining. But I wonder if there is a parent-teacher partnership that exists that might be more effective than we are separately. If not, let's form one.
Well that would be the PTA but only one teacher usually attends and maybe 1% of the school's parents. It is very sad how much parents and teachers are involved.
Anonymous
02/25/2014 09:49
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
Anonymous wrote:Teachers HAVE been complaining since the first day that the new curriculum was implemented in the primary grades. As usual, our complaints fall upon deaf ears.
Although the new curriculum and grading system in MCPS has major flaws, in my opinion the bigger issues in MCPS and public education in general are the same as they ever were: the class size is too big, there is simply not enough planning time for teachers (at least in elementary) which eventually leads to the high teacher turnover rate, and of course the most significant issue is POVERTY. Meanwhile, our politicians on both sides of the aisle have sadly bought into fools like Michelle Rhee and her misleading and dishonest rhetoric, mistaking teachers as the problem, and promoting charter schools and more accountability as the solution (charter schools which do nothing more than divide communities and do not play by the same rules as public schools).
MCPS is still an extremely progressive district with a lot of unsung heroes working tirelessly to make good things happen for your children. They just don't have the time to show you on a routine basis. Anyone who really wants to get involved or make a change should start following Diane Ravitch to learn more. She rocks.
I am sure many teachers have been complaining. But I wonder if there is a parent-teacher partnership that exists that might be more effective than we are separately. If not, let's form one.
Anonymous
02/24/2014 21:46
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
Teachers HAVE been complaining since the first day that the new curriculum was implemented in the primary grades. As usual, our complaints fall upon deaf ears.
Although the new curriculum and grading system in MCPS has major flaws, in my opinion the bigger issues in MCPS and public education in general are the same as they ever were: the class size is too big, there is simply not enough planning time for teachers (at least in elementary) which eventually leads to the high teacher turnover rate, and of course the most significant issue is POVERTY. Meanwhile, our politicians on both sides of the aisle have sadly bought into fools like Michelle Rhee and her misleading and dishonest rhetoric, mistaking teachers as the problem, and promoting charter schools and more accountability as the solution (charter schools which do nothing more than divide communities and do not play by the same rules as public schools).
MCPS is still an extremely progressive district with a lot of unsung heroes working tirelessly to make good things happen for your children. They just don't have the time to show you on a routine basis. Anyone who really wants to get involved or make a change should start following Diane Ravitch to learn more. She rocks.
Although the new curriculum and grading system in MCPS has major flaws, in my opinion the bigger issues in MCPS and public education in general are the same as they ever were: the class size is too big, there is simply not enough planning time for teachers (at least in elementary) which eventually leads to the high teacher turnover rate, and of course the most significant issue is POVERTY. Meanwhile, our politicians on both sides of the aisle have sadly bought into fools like Michelle Rhee and her misleading and dishonest rhetoric, mistaking teachers as the problem, and promoting charter schools and more accountability as the solution (charter schools which do nothing more than divide communities and do not play by the same rules as public schools).
MCPS is still an extremely progressive district with a lot of unsung heroes working tirelessly to make good things happen for your children. They just don't have the time to show you on a routine basis. Anyone who really wants to get involved or make a change should start following Diane Ravitch to learn more. She rocks.
Anonymous
02/24/2014 12:50
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
The system is so flawed for parents, teachers and kids. Period
Teachers AND parents need to speak up
Teachers AND parents need to speak up
Anonymous
02/24/2014 12:39
Subject: Re:I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
Thank you. I wish that my kids are in your class.
l
l
Anonymous wrote:It REALLY pisses me off when every response to a parent complaint about the grade card being useless is met with a direction to just ask the teacher for further explanation. This means that every report card 20+ calls come in. Its hard enough to align the work with the grading system. Its impossible to always hide the fact that it doesn't map to the curriculum. I have to explain that there isn't a category for this subject or activity so we've been instructed to put it here even though the label doesn't make sense. I have to explain that even though the grade card has no way to enter a grade into the future report periods, I will continue to teach and have assessments on that subject. If your child does great on it or is struggling then I can't put anything on the grade card but I'll contact you if she isn't proficient. It doesn't really matter so even if the child is not proficient on this there is no reason to waste time contacting the parent.
I have to explain to the parent of a kid that read levels ahead of everyone else in the class and scores off the Map R charts that Ps are just dandy. She is in such a high level that she can't get ES grades per the curriculum committee recommendation but I throw a few her way to appease the child, just not enough to average the grade up to an ES because I am instructed that ES is rare to non-existent on the grade card. I can give her some ES grades in math even though she isn't as strong as another kid who doesn't get ES grades. The other kid does work above grade level and scores off the chart on Map-M. We can't reward above grade level work because that's not allowed. I can reward someone who writes a lot about the on grade level activity. I have to appease parents while hiding that the system doesn't work for teachers either. Teachers want to get rid of ES because there is no fair way to assign it.
Don't get me started on the curriculum. I like having more freedom but its a disorganized mess. The curriculum office hides that they aren't done creating materials. It shows that the materials have been rushed out the door. I get blamed for the spelling mistakes and bad grammar that comes from MCPS. I get blamed for the curriculum not making any sense. I have to spend hours hunting for things that align with the new curriculum. There is no consistency among teachers because it takes so much work to pull this stuff together. Any complaint about the curriculum is just directed back as a teacher problem. Teachers are not the problem. We are suffering as much as you are suffering with this new curriculum.
Anonymous
02/24/2014 12:36
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
PP here. Thank you for your thoughts. But, I respectively disagree with the point of separating classroom teachers and decision makers. Here is an example.
Some classroom teachers said that "we had been over accelerating kids". Meanwhile, a prof in UMCP chimed in with his view on "MCPS students are over acceleration". These were the building blocks of the "slowing down" acceleration. However, I am afraid that the fundamental issues related to "inefficiency" or "lack of textbook" were not properly addressed.
l
Some classroom teachers said that "we had been over accelerating kids". Meanwhile, a prof in UMCP chimed in with his view on "MCPS students are over acceleration". These were the building blocks of the "slowing down" acceleration. However, I am afraid that the fundamental issues related to "inefficiency" or "lack of textbook" were not properly addressed.
l
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a parent, I am puzzled. Forgive me for my ignorance, I am from abroad. The class size is typically 30 kids or more in my country. Well, there were 42 in my class when I was in an elementary school.
A couple of things that I know:
1) Forcing all kids with various knowledge levels to stay within one class room and forcing a teacher to differentiate and teach them all is INefficient. This is against the wisdom learned during industrial revolution. In fact, this 19 century small workshop style teaching will undoubtedly jack up teachers' work load tremendously.
2) Textbooks can be helpful since they have detail on what should be taught. They can save teachers' time in digging information over the internet. Meanwhile,
- Textbooks are really necessary for science and math subjects. If someone do not understand why, I am glad to guide.
- Textbooks will bring clarity to all parties (teachers/students/parents). Many many parents in MC are with college or higher degrees. They would love to help if they know what is happening.
I got puzzled since the decisions were from teachers instead of parents and these decisions would lead to certain consequences as you described. Then, maybe, I think that the big picture is quite different in the eyes of teachers. Love to hear more.
l
Maybe we are from similar background as I agree with you very much. The only thing I don't agree with is that the decisions are not made by classroom teachers. they are made by the central office people who are no longer teaching. I think the forum has gone through several threads about the textbook issues. I think a lot of these problems can be solved by having textbooks. Then the parents will know exactly what has been covered and what the kids don't understand and provide help immediately.
how is printing worksheets haphazardly off the internet better than even a flawed textbook?
Anonymous
02/24/2014 10:29
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
Anonymous wrote:As a parent, I am puzzled. Forgive me for my ignorance, I am from abroad. The class size is typically 30 kids or more in my country. Well, there were 42 in my class when I was in an elementary school.
A couple of things that I know:
1) Forcing all kids with various knowledge levels to stay within one class room and forcing a teacher to differentiate and teach them all is INefficient. This is against the wisdom learned during industrial revolution. In fact, this 19 century small workshop style teaching will undoubtedly jack up teachers' work load tremendously.
2) Textbooks can be helpful since they have detail on what should be taught. They can save teachers' time in digging information over the internet. Meanwhile,
- Textbooks are really necessary for science and math subjects. If someone do not understand why, I am glad to guide.
- Textbooks will bring clarity to all parties (teachers/students/parents). Many many parents in MC are with college or higher degrees. They would love to help if they know what is happening.
I got puzzled since the decisions were from teachers instead of parents and these decisions would lead to certain consequences as you described. Then, maybe, I think that the big picture is quite different in the eyes of teachers. Love to hear more.
l
Maybe we are from similar background as I agree with you very much. The only thing I don't agree with is that the decisions are not made by classroom teachers. they are made by the central office people who are no longer teaching. I think the forum has gone through several threads about the textbook issues. I think a lot of these problems can be solved by having textbooks. Then the parents will know exactly what has been covered and what the kids don't understand and provide help immediately.
how is printing worksheets haphazardly off the internet better than even a flawed textbook?
Anonymous
02/24/2014 10:26
Subject: Re:I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
Anonymous wrote:It REALLY pisses me off when every response to a parent complaint about the grade card being useless is met with a direction to just ask the teacher for further explanation. This means that every report card 20+ calls come in. Its hard enough to align the work with the grading system. Its impossible to always hide the fact that it doesn't map to the curriculum. I have to explain that there isn't a category for this subject or activity so we've been instructed to put it here even though the label doesn't make sense. I have to explain that even though the grade card has no way to enter a grade into the future report periods, I will continue to teach and have assessments on that subject. If your child does great on it or is struggling then I can't put anything on the grade card but I'll contact you if she isn't proficient. It doesn't really matter so even if the child is not proficient on this there is no reason to waste time contacting the parent.
I have to explain to the parent of a kid that read levels ahead of everyone else in the class and scores off the Map R charts that Ps are just dandy. She is in such a high level that she can't get ES grades per the curriculum committee recommendation but I throw a few her way to appease the child, just not enough to average the grade up to an ES because I am instructed that ES is rare to non-existent on the grade card. I can give her some ES grades in math even though she isn't as strong as another kid who doesn't get ES grades. The other kid does work above grade level and scores off the chart on Map-M. We can't reward above grade level work because that's not allowed. I can reward someone who writes a lot about the on grade level activity. I have to appease parents while hiding that the system doesn't work for teachers either. Teachers want to get rid of ES because there is no fair way to assign it.
Don't get me started on the curriculum. I like having more freedom but its a disorganized mess. The curriculum office hides that they aren't done creating materials. It shows that the materials have been rushed out the door. I get blamed for the spelling mistakes and bad grammar that comes from MCPS. I get blamed for the curriculum not making any sense. I have to spend hours hunting for things that align with the new curriculum. There is no consistency among teachers because it takes so much work to pull this stuff together. Any complaint about the curriculum is just directed back as a teacher problem. Teachers are not the problem. We are suffering as much as you are suffering with this new curriculum.
This is such a good, honest, cogent analysis of the problem with the grading system and curriculum. PP/teacher, I really hope you are voicing this to everyone and anyone you can. You would find MANY parents who would back you up.
Anonymous
02/24/2014 10:25
Subject: I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class
I am sure the previous teacher does not mind answering specific relevant questions from parents. The problem is that most of the complaints about report card and the curriculum are caused by a bad curriculum design and therefore the teachers are working hard needlessly.