however, this is not my sound-off which should be posted tomorrow.
This is going to be quick. We have two new math teachers in 7th grade. We only have two teachers who teach math in 7th grade. So, guess what this means for Wrestling Fan - he gets to be taught by one of the two new teachers (neither one of which are young, but both of which are new to teaching).
I would be fine by this were it not for the unmitigated fact that both suck. That's not my particular gripe right now. The teacher that Wrestling Fan has this year believes there is nothing wrong with giving a math test worth 1000 points. Then, this math teacher tells students that if they fail this one test for this quarter, their chances for passing the quarter are almost non-existent.
I know this all to be true because his math teacher came to see me yesterday to let me know how important this math test is and how it's worth 1000 points, so Wrestling Fan better study really hard.
I made the parental decision to keep Wrestling Fan home today. My concerns were voiced first thing this morning. He still gave the test and Wrestling Fan will have to take it on Monday, but you had better bet that I'll raise holy hell if this one grade determines his whole quarter grade.
Thoughts? Am I overreacting? Do you think a 1000 point test is necessary?
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17 comments:
As someone you know that has spent many different days up at the school speaking up for my children because of certain teachers. One for example who stated in front of all the kids to my son in High School "I don't give a rats a** if the printer doesn't work, your paper needs to be turned in." Mind you it was the Teachers printer that didn't work and my (then shy) son was humiliated. You are a parent, don't ever second guess yourself when it comes to speaking up for your kids with these kinds of Teachers. Honestly, I have always been curious at how some teachers arrive at this kind of grading system.
You have got to be kidding me!!! 1000 points ???? There is NO way that ANY administrator should allow that.
I have been in education for almost 20 years and taught 7th grade math for almost 1/2 that time. I would NEVER have given ANY assignment worth that many points. Let alone a test....
What about all those students who have test anxiety? That's normally, not with the pressure of "if you don't pass this test you probably won't pass the class".
Simply astonishing!
I can't wait to hear the other responses and the response of the administration.
Amazing that these "teachers" are allowed to teach.... But, then again, what are they teaching our kids?
Danita
danitarussell.edublogs.org
Snort. And they say the old-timers should move aside for the innovative NEW teachers?!
Hah.
Yes, this is ridiculous. The closest any one teacher at my school comes to this is a big 100 point assignment that the kids have several weeks to do--and can do, and can get full credit for IF THEY WORK ON IT A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME EVERY DAY AND TURN IT IN ON TIME.
A wee bit different from a 1000 point test! Sheesh.
I find it hard to believe that the school or district grading policy allows one grade to carry that much weight. Usually there's a policy as to percentages for classwork, homework, tests and projects. Otherwise, there's a minimum number of grades that every teacher must give per quarter to ensure that there's enough to base a grade on.
I'd be curious to know how many grades the teacher has given thus far, and how much time is left in the quarter.
Is getting your son switched to another teacher a possibility?
It definitely sounds crazy.
I think it all centers around the problem of lazy teaching. I give so many grades that a student could fail quite a few assignments and still pass for the 9 weeks with a decent grade. It is teachers like him that give all of us a bad rep.
Our district has policy that no one assessment or assignment can count for more than 25% of your grade. Furthermore, 1000 points is ridiculous! Big point totals don't make the assessment more meaningful to the student or more valuable as a teaching tool.
I was so happy to find your blog.
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I also added your site to my link list so i could find you right away.
Hope you can add my blog to your list too. http://depedteacher.blogpsot.com
um, i don't believe the teacher will stick with that once the grades come in. He can't fail the entire class. Maybe this is something that needs to be address with an administrator.
My projects are usually worth about 20% of a student's quarter grade. I know it's a lot and it worries me. Sometimes the high percentages balance each other out. Ex: I assigned a project worth 500 pts of their test score average. They will be given approximately 4 more tests/quizes and an essay and prob a performance assessment. Test/quiz/projects are worth 35% of a students grade. When it's all said and done that project will count between 13-18% percent of the total grade for the quarter. I make a big deal of it being worth 500 pts to scare the children into doing it. Otherwise, they won't do it taking the risk of loosing all those points.
MAYBE, this will be the case with this new teacher. Maybe, it'll end up being a few percentage points of the total grades. I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt. Even though,1000 points seems exorbitant.
What an idiot. Tell your principal. AS A PARENT, not a teacher. And let him/her know that your concerns are parental concerns. This is ridiculous.
No just no...but never!
hey, have you followed up with your principal? what has happened?
#1, I don't really understand the point of this, and, #2, our administration requires that their be a min. of 2 tests per 9 week period.
Wrong! Did they miss the notion of learning styles and variety in assessment options? Is this teacher serious? More dedicated to content than student learning?
Actually, 1,000 points really isn't enough in this era of accountability. I would insist that the quiz be worth 1,000,000 points, at least--if it's worth doing, it's worth at least six zeroes.
Seriously, though, Ms. Teacher, I hope you are able to get at least some clarification from this math teacher on his grading policy, and that Wrestling Fan and his classmates don't end up suffering from this situation. Your post brings up an important topic that wasn't really addressed in the comments--the problem/opportunity of re-teaching. Though I agree with Ms. A that 1,000 points is probably overkill regardless of the context, it would be less onerous if students had an opportunity to re-take the quiz (or take a Form B to show proficiency).
At my school, it's clear to me that enough teachers think about multiple measures and opportunities for students to show their learning. Is this a problem at other people's schools? I'm curious about parents' perspectives as well as teachers'.
You are NOT overreacting!
so how does one factor in a 1000 point test in the grade books? I think it's very wrong to have one test determine your next quarter or semester. If were to do that with my math students...most would probably do mediocre...but then they would become even more apathetic towards math after knowing there is no room for improvement.
even though I am not a parent, I believe you did the right thing in voicing yourself.
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