Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach in a majority-brown-black high school. If we did not implement the 50% rule very few students would actually graduate.

I taught before the 50% rule went into effect in a school with high minority population / high FARMS rate. My students were successful. I believe all students can learn.

+1000 The original comment insinuatingly that “majority-brown-black” kids can only graduate if we give them 50% is RACIST.

Anonymous wrote:I teach in a majority-brown-black high school. If we did not implement the 50% rule very few students would actually graduate.

I taught before the 50% rule went into effect in a school with high minority population / high FARMS rate. My students were successful. I believe all students can learn.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just posted above at 21:19....as far as grades go, trust me these hall walkers are failing classes at my school.

I don't say that as a matter of pride or happiness. But they sure as hell aren't passing.

The problem isn't the skipping as it relates to grades.

The problem is the sanctity of these institutions has been sullied by MCPS. It feels like the people who made these policies have either never worked in a high school before or haven't been in schools for like 10-15+ years.

It's dystopian seeing this. No joke, you parents here would just be so sad. I'm sure some of you would blame us staff. Go ahead if that floats your boat. It's just the policies of the district that leads to this.

Microcosm of society, really......

What do you think would help? What kind of policy reforms do you think would be effective? Do you need extra resources (cameras, something else)? More personnel (counselors, SRO’s, aides, volunteers, etc.)?

It’s hard for the public to know what’s needed, and MCPS clearly doesn’t know, but I think if someone could suggest a way to improve things, there’d be community support. With the upcoming election it might be a good time to try to see which candidates are actually interested in addressing the problem.

- Return loss of credit policy - 5 tardies = unexcused absence, 5 unexcused absences = failure of the course
- Return to final exams to hold kids accountable for their learning.
- Eliminate the 50% rule as well as the due dates/deadlines. 0% for work not completed by due date, period.
- Eliminate endless retakes. Some revisions and retakes may be acceptable, but kids know they can do this repeatedly, without limitation.
- Give administrative detentions or other concrete consequences for kids who are tardy or missing class.
- Return to assigning classes based on ability/achievement rather than lumping everyone into 'Honors' that isn't really honors.
- Stop focusing on skin color at every turn and have high expectations that apply to all students
- Suspend kids from school for major infractions. (vaping/pot smoking, fighting, leaving campus, etc.).
- End the focus on 'equity' and 'restorative justice', meaning stop putting kids in a sort of group therapy session for rule-breaking. Give a clear consequence.

Feel free to add to this list.

The PP who stated that parents would be appalled to actually see what's happening in our high schools is exactly right. it's appalling.

Don't forget corporal punishment. Beat some sense into 'em.

Great logic tactic. Respond to an argument you can’t refute with an overblown sarcastic comment.

No one wants to beat your kid. But consequences can and should be given for not meeting the BASIC requirement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just posted above at 21:19....as far as grades go, trust me these hall walkers are failing classes at my school.

I don't say that as a matter of pride or happiness. But they sure as hell aren't passing.

The problem isn't the skipping as it relates to grades.

The problem is the sanctity of these institutions has been sullied by MCPS. It feels like the people who made these policies have either never worked in a high school before or haven't been in schools for like 10-15+ years.

It's dystopian seeing this. No joke, you parents here would just be so sad. I'm sure some of you would blame us staff. Go ahead if that floats your boat. It's just the policies of the district that leads to this.

Microcosm of society, really......

What do you think would help? What kind of policy reforms do you think would be effective? Do you need extra resources (cameras, something else)? More personnel (counselors, SRO’s, aides, volunteers, etc.)?

It’s hard for the public to know what’s needed, and MCPS clearly doesn’t know, but I think if someone could suggest a way to improve things, there’d be community support. With the upcoming election it might be a good time to try to see which candidates are actually interested in addressing the problem.

- Return loss of credit policy - 5 tardies = unexcused absence, 5 unexcused absences = failure of the course
- Return to final exams to hold kids accountable for their learning.
- Eliminate the 50% rule as well as the due dates/deadlines. 0% for work not completed by due date, period.
- Eliminate endless retakes. Some revisions and retakes may be acceptable, but kids know they can do this repeatedly, without limitation.
- Give administrative detentions or other concrete consequences for kids who are tardy or missing class.
- Return to assigning classes based on ability/achievement rather than lumping everyone into 'Honors' that isn't really honors.
- Stop focusing on skin color at every turn and have high expectations that apply to all students
- Suspend kids from school for major infractions. (vaping/pot smoking, fighting, leaving campus, etc.).
- End the focus on 'equity' and 'restorative justice', meaning stop putting kids in a sort of group therapy session for rule-breaking. Give a clear consequence.

Feel free to add to this list.

The PP who stated that parents would be appalled to actually see what's happening in our high schools is exactly right. it's appalling.

+1000 It’s almost like going back the fundamentals of having ANY expectations for kids is a good idea. Wow. Mind blown.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just posted above at 21:19....as far as grades go, trust me these hall walkers are failing classes at my school.

I don't say that as a matter of pride or happiness. But they sure as hell aren't passing.

The problem isn't the skipping as it relates to grades.

The problem is the sanctity of these institutions has been sullied by MCPS. It feels like the people who made these policies have either never worked in a high school before or haven't been in schools for like 10-15+ years.

It's dystopian seeing this. No joke, you parents here would just be so sad. I'm sure some of you would blame us staff. Go ahead if that floats your boat. It's just the policies of the district that leads to this.

Microcosm of society, really......

What do you think would help? What kind of policy reforms do you think would be effective? Do you need extra resources (cameras, something else)? More personnel (counselors, SRO’s, aides, volunteers, etc.)?

It’s hard for the public to know what’s needed, and MCPS clearly doesn’t know, but I think if someone could suggest a way to improve things, there’d be community support. With the upcoming election it might be a good time to try to see which candidates are actually interested in addressing the problem.

- Return loss of credit policy - 5 tardies = unexcused absence, 5 unexcused absences = failure of the course
- Return to final exams to hold kids accountable for their learning.
- Eliminate the 50% rule as well as the due dates/deadlines. 0% for work not completed by due date, period.
- Eliminate endless retakes. Some revisions and retakes may be acceptable, but kids know they can do this repeatedly, without limitation.
- Give administrative detentions or other concrete consequences for kids who are tardy or missing class.
- Return to assigning classes based on ability/achievement rather than lumping everyone into 'Honors' that isn't really honors.
- Stop focusing on skin color at every turn and have high expectations that apply to all students
- Suspend kids from school for major infractions. (vaping/pot smoking, fighting, leaving campus, etc.).
- End the focus on 'equity' and 'restorative justice', meaning stop putting kids in a sort of group therapy session for rule-breaking. Give a clear consequence.

Feel free to add to this list.

The PP who stated that parents would be appalled to actually see what's happening in our high schools is exactly right. it's appalling.

Don't forget corporal punishment. Beat some sense into 'em.

Anonymous wrote:I teach in a majority-brown-black high school. If we did not implement the 50% rule very few students would actually graduate.

Well, better to not graduate people who haven't met the standard then to socially promote and have them continue to flounder and fail in the post-high school world.

I teach in a majority-brown-black high school. If we did not implement the 50% rule very few students would actually graduate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just posted above at 21:19....as far as grades go, trust me these hall walkers are failing classes at my school.

I don't say that as a matter of pride or happiness. But they sure as hell aren't passing.

The problem isn't the skipping as it relates to grades.

The problem is the sanctity of these institutions has been sullied by MCPS. It feels like the people who made these policies have either never worked in a high school before or haven't been in schools for like 10-15+ years.

It's dystopian seeing this. No joke, you parents here would just be so sad. I'm sure some of you would blame us staff. Go ahead if that floats your boat. It's just the policies of the district that leads to this.

Microcosm of society, really......

What do you think would help? What kind of policy reforms do you think would be effective? Do you need extra resources (cameras, something else)? More personnel (counselors, SRO’s, aides, volunteers, etc.)?

It’s hard for the public to know what’s needed, and MCPS clearly doesn’t know, but I think if someone could suggest a way to improve things, there’d be community support. With the upcoming election it might be a good time to try to see which candidates are actually interested in addressing the problem.

- Return loss of credit policy - 5 tardies = unexcused absence, 5 unexcused absences = failure of the course
- Return to final exams to hold kids accountable for their learning.
- Eliminate the 50% rule as well as the due dates/deadlines. 0% for work not completed by due date, period.
- Eliminate endless retakes. Some revisions and retakes may be acceptable, but kids know they can do this repeatedly, without limitation.
- Give administrative detentions or other concrete consequences for kids who are tardy or missing class.
- Return to assigning classes based on ability/achievement rather than lumping everyone into 'Honors' that isn't really honors.
- Stop focusing on skin color at every turn and have high expectations that apply to all students
- Suspend kids from school for major infractions. (vaping/pot smoking, fighting, leaving campus, etc.).
- End the focus on 'equity' and 'restorative justice', meaning stop putting kids in a sort of group therapy session for rule-breaking. Give a clear consequence.

Feel free to add to this list.

The PP who stated that parents would be appalled to actually see what's happening in our high schools is exactly right. it's appalling.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't they punish these kids by kicking them out of school? I mean it's not like they want to be there so it's a win win.

And then have them go where? The problem is that all issues can’t be solved in school there needs to be community systems.

+1 but unfortunately MCPS has gotten rid of truancy officers.

Anonymous wrote:I just don't see this as a huge issue. Punishing kids who aren't interested in school isn't going to help anyone. Maybe make schools more interesting or engaging would help.

It is very hard for teachers to compete with addicting, curated personal internet devices. No teacher can be more entertaining and no subject can be more interesting that phones and the internet these days.

Anonymous wrote:Why can't they punish these kids by kicking them out of school? I mean it's not like they want to be there so it's a win win.

And then have them go where? The problem is that all issues can’t be solved in school there needs to be community systems.

Why can't they punish these kids by kicking them out of school? I mean it's not like they want to be there so it's a win win.

How about the opposite- credit for actually showing up daily and participating? Where’s that? It would make a difference for kids who are 0.2 away from the next letter grade.

Currently a kid skips class or plays on phone and can earn the same grade as one who’s there. So what’s the incentive for being there?

A teacher I work with called home because one of their students was skipping class, swearing, throwing stuff. The parent said to the teacher, “maybe you’re not interesting enough.” The paradigm has to change. Parents need to reinforce that their child’s job is to learn. Teachers’ job is to teach. Not to like their students. Not to entertain the students. Teachers’ job is to prepare students for a job, the military or higher education etc., to be responsible so they can lead a productive and meaningful life. We have to stop asking schools to be all things to all kids. We need more specialized programs inside schools along with separate programs and more awareness and development of different pathways for kids with real barriers to learning, including significant learning or mental health needs. What we don’t need is to reinforce the idea that students don’t bear any responsibility for their own outcomes. Nor do we want to shame them if they’re not on a highly academic track. At my own large urban high school in a different state, students could learn how to be hair stylists, auto mechanics, construction workers, coders or teaching assistants in the same building as students shooting for high-caliber universities. Many of my classmates, the ones who went to top colleges as well as the ones who chose a more vocational route, still live and work in that community and are friends with one another and are fulfilling a variety of community needs. Few students were truant or wandering halls in my high school because they felt successful and were working toward goals they felt they could achieve and wanted for themselves. Communities also need highly trained doctors etc. and thus schools need to offer those students challenging classes that will prepare them for college and higher education so they too can serve in those capacities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a lot on parents too. Hopefully, at the HS level, your child understands they have an increasing level of responsibility in their own education and grades does not = education.

I was pretty clear with my kids that their growth and education was what they put into it.

Timeliness and attendance are fundamentally about respect for themselves and their learning, respect for the teacher and classmates.

When you register for a class, you are essentially saying you’ll attend.

Some kids don't care for school. They never asked to be there and are there reluctantly. The problem is we don't recognize this and like pretend that all kids are the same.

We don’t pretend all kids are the same which is why there is a variety of program offerings including CTE, Internships, and Apprenticeships at the HS level. When we make generalized statements like this it turns off people who are charged with creating and implementing program’s because people often don’t see all the hard worn that has gone into creating and maintaining what is available currently.

Seems like many of these kids who are so disengaged from school and just wandering the halls would benefit from these programs. Are you sure people are aware of this stuff?

It’s hard to be aware of stuff if you’re wandering the halls instead of in class or at least talking your counselor/Admin about why you aren’t in class and what you’d rather be doing. That said, MCPS needs to do a much better job of making students aware of opportunities that exist. They district doesn’t seem to understand how to communicate with student, families, and the community. They either overwhelm with information, much of it unnecessary or don’t provide enough and leave people to search for it. They also need much better academic advising.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/work-based-learning

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/partnerships/summer-rise/

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/career-readiness/plans/hs-plans/

https://futurelinkmd.org/

v

These programs typically have attendance requirements making it hard to be accepted if you skip school/class.