Accountability in Grading
A new fad in education is to grade for "Mastery of Material" only (also known as Standards-Based Grading). Under this system, teachers do not have the ability to give zeros, cannot deduct points for work turned in late and retakes are encouraged (among other things). Mastery is important but teaching students life skills is just as important and should be emphasized as much as mastery. It is imperative to teach students that deadlines matter and retakes are not always given in life. These practices implemented by the Superintendent's office are causing a lowering of standards in our schools and creating an "everyone gets a trophy" mentality.
I have created a website that addresses this topic and you can read more in detail about my efforts over the last 2 years. vbschoolsgradingconcerns.wordpress.com
I also published an article in the Virginian Pilot that you can read here . These practices that cause grade inflation must be reversed and policy put into place by the Board to prevent the administration from implementing these practices in the future. Furthermore, Standards Based Grading (AP,P,DP,N) at the elementary level is not effective. Teachers and parents are not happy with this system and it should be removed.
I have created a website that addresses this topic and you can read more in detail about my efforts over the last 2 years. vbschoolsgradingconcerns.wordpress.com
I also published an article in the Virginian Pilot that you can read here . These practices that cause grade inflation must be reversed and policy put into place by the Board to prevent the administration from implementing these practices in the future. Furthermore, Standards Based Grading (AP,P,DP,N) at the elementary level is not effective. Teachers and parents are not happy with this system and it should be removed.
Teacher Morale
Teachers in our city have been contacting me about concerns that they have regarding a number of topics. Some areas of concern are:
- An overabundance of work (taking work home on evenings, weekends, and holidays)
- Being encouraged by adminsitration to inflate grades
- Not having the authority to appropriately discipline students
- Not able to be creative in teaching
- Teaching "to the test" (SOL's) and burdensome testing requirements
- Standards Based Grading at the elementary level is not effective and is lowering standards
A key problem with these issues is that teachers feel they cannot speak to the administration about their concerns for fear of reprisal. Our teachers need to be heard and action needs to be taken to address the concerns and prevent good teachers from leaving the profession. In a successful business, customers suffer if employees are not happy. Our students are going to suffer if our experienced teachers are not being heard and decide to find employment elsewhere.
- An overabundance of work (taking work home on evenings, weekends, and holidays)
- Being encouraged by adminsitration to inflate grades
- Not having the authority to appropriately discipline students
- Not able to be creative in teaching
- Teaching "to the test" (SOL's) and burdensome testing requirements
- Standards Based Grading at the elementary level is not effective and is lowering standards
A key problem with these issues is that teachers feel they cannot speak to the administration about their concerns for fear of reprisal. Our teachers need to be heard and action needs to be taken to address the concerns and prevent good teachers from leaving the profession. In a successful business, customers suffer if employees are not happy. Our students are going to suffer if our experienced teachers are not being heard and decide to find employment elsewhere.
Transparent & Streamlined Administration
New programs/practices are being implemented in our schools without parental notification and in some cases without the School Board being aware or giving approval. For example, Standards Based Grading was implemented at the elementary level without the Board holding a vote or approving this major change. It is imperative that parents and the Board be informed and able to give input when changes are being considered in our schools. When I discovered that new grading practices were being implemented at my sons' school, Board members were not aware of what was occurring. The administration must be more transparent and the Board should hold the superintendent responsible when not consulted or notified about changes being considered in our schools.