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Share information to help Hillsborough County school children, school employees, and taxpayers.
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Since 2006 I have had the honor of representing all Hillsborough County children and voters...I created this blog in 2007 and have welcomed the opportunity for feed back throughout my term.
I am now a candidate for re-election and I need your help. Visit my website at http://www.voteapril.com/ .
I still want your input. If you think something is wrong, then tell me how it can be better. If you have information that would help our children, employees, or taxpayers, this is the place to share.
Please also note that this is my personal blog, not the board's. Furthermore, the opinions expressed by posters on this blog may or may not necessarily reflect my opinions or those of the School Board.
This blog has been invaded by bots. I have had a hard time keeping up with posts, as there are a lot of posts from bots. If your post has been deleted I apologize. I am trying to figure out a way to get this under control.
At your service, April
9
comments:
Anonymous
said...
If you have already posted this, please accept my apology. I have not seen it. I have discovered that ninth-graders in Hillsborough are being graded on their SAT practice tests in so-called "reading" classes. Not only are they being graded on a test designed to gauge high school seniors' readiness for college, but they can only get an A if they beat their previous score in a series of practice tests. Stay flat, they get a B. Dip and they get a C. This is an unorthodox grading system and a perfect example of teaching to a test! I don't think it's appropriate to use the SAT as curriculum, but as the course is designed, the vocabulary list is not comprehensive enough to prepare the students for randomly selected practice tests. District staff says this is intended to increase National Merit Scholars, of which there will be very few, but it's hurting my kid's GPA and her less lofty aspirations to go to a state university! And reading has long been her top subject. Please comment.
Thank you for looking into it. I have corresponded with staff about it and sent e-mails to the board, but the issue has not been resolved. As the grading period is about to end, speed is of the essence for my child, but it's also important to end the practice for future students.
Re SAT class: This is a reading class called Semantics and Logic for advanced/honors students in the 9th grade. It is one of the classes 9th grade students can take to satisy the reading class that Hillsborough county requires and has been in the curriculum for quite some time. There are scales used to determine grades in this class. Has this parent discussed this with the teacher and or guidance? Parents can request another class. Perhaps you should investigate, April, before you pass judgment.
I have been experiencing technical difficulties and could not access my blog for a while. I have sent your question to staff that can answer it more specifically. But from what I have been told the poster on January 11, 2010 2:54 PM has the knowledge about this particular class and said what staff has verbally told me based on what I told them from memory before gaining access to my blog again.
As for January 11, 2010 2:54 PM poster: I have learned more about this and have changed my opinion based on the reasoning given to me.
I am the parent who posted concerns about my daughter being graded on SAT tests. Needless to say, I am disappointed in your answer. I was never given any choice regarding what "reading" class my daughter was in, nor did I receive any syllabus or explanation for the grading. I did in fact discuss this with the teacher at length when I learned about how my daughter was being graded, but it was too late to change her to another class and that was not offered as an alternative. It has been well publicized that the district is pushing College Board classes on students, and in this case with no explanation to the student or parent (I was in the guidance office when she was enrolled in this class). I conferred with my older child who said she had the same course four years ago but was not graded on SAT tests. How disappointing to find that you condone the district's practices in this matter, Ms. Griffin. It is NEVER acceptable to grade a high school freshman on SAT tests. I appreciate your checking into it, but the fact that you would accept any explanation from staff to validate this practice (though I note you did not provide the explanation here) means you are no different from the other board members that have sold our kids short for years. Please stop trying to make yourself out to be any different.
I understand your frustration and in your statement "I was never given any choice regarding what "reading" class my daughter was in, nor did I receive any syllabus or explanation for the grading" lies the problem. We are trying to prepare students for life after high school, whether it be college, technical school, or career. Especially in classes where SAT curriculum is used to grade students we should communicate to students and parents the same way colleges do. That requires giving more information prior to enrollment in a class. You are absolutely right.
However, by our contract with teachers we can not tell teachers how much weight can be given to tests. As far as the curriculum,I am still not a big fan of CollegeBoard curriculum, but it is an accepted curriculum nationally. And I am the only board member who seems to feel this way. I raise this issue regularly and I will continue to dig deeper into the success of the curriculum to see if there is systemic issue.
I would love to have a conversation with you about your child so I can help you individually and privately. If you wish to contact me you can reach me via email at april.griffin@sdhc.k12.fl.us or by phone at (813)924-1742.
9 comments:
If you have already posted this, please accept my apology. I have not seen it. I have discovered that ninth-graders in Hillsborough are being graded on their SAT practice tests in so-called "reading" classes. Not only are they being graded on a test designed to gauge high school seniors' readiness for college, but they can only get an A if they beat their previous score in a series of practice tests. Stay flat, they get a B. Dip and they get a C. This is an unorthodox grading system and a perfect example of teaching to a test! I don't think it's appropriate to use the SAT as curriculum, but as the course is designed, the vocabulary list is not comprehensive enough to prepare the students for randomly selected practice tests. District staff says this is intended to increase National Merit Scholars, of which there will be very few, but it's hurting my kid's GPA and her less lofty aspirations to go to a state university! And reading has long been her top subject. Please comment.
December 29, 2009 5:43 PM,
This is the first I have heard of it. I will look into it as soon as distrit offices open and post a reply.
If this is a common practice I do not agree with it and will work to resolve it.
At your service, April
Thank you for looking into it. I have corresponded with staff about it and sent e-mails to the board, but the issue has not been resolved. As the grading period is about to end, speed is of the essence for my child, but it's also important to end the practice for future students.
Re SAT class: This is a reading class called Semantics and Logic for advanced/honors students in the 9th grade. It is one of the classes 9th grade students can take to satisy the reading class that Hillsborough county requires and has been in the curriculum for quite some time. There are scales used to determine grades in this class. Has this parent discussed this with the teacher and or guidance? Parents can request another class. Perhaps you should investigate, April, before you pass judgment.
December 29, 2009 5:43 PM,
I have been experiencing technical difficulties and could not access my blog for a while. I have sent your question to staff that can answer it more specifically. But from what I have been told the poster on January 11, 2010 2:54 PM has the knowledge about this particular class and said what staff has verbally told me based on what I told them from memory before gaining access to my blog again.
As for January 11, 2010 2:54 PM poster: I have learned more about this and have changed my opinion based on the reasoning given to me.
I am the parent who posted concerns about my daughter being graded on SAT tests. Needless to say, I am disappointed in your answer. I was never given any choice regarding what "reading" class my daughter was in, nor did I receive any syllabus or explanation for the grading. I did in fact discuss this with the teacher at length when I learned about how my daughter was being graded, but it was too late to change her to another class and that was not offered as an alternative. It has been well publicized that the district is pushing College Board classes on students, and in this case with no explanation to the student or parent (I was in the guidance office when she was enrolled in this class). I conferred with my older child who said she had the same course four years ago but was not graded on SAT tests. How disappointing to find that you condone the district's practices in this matter, Ms. Griffin. It is NEVER acceptable to grade a high school freshman on SAT tests. I appreciate your checking into it, but the fact that you would accept any explanation from staff to validate this practice (though I note you did not provide the explanation here) means you are no different from the other board members that have sold our kids short for years. Please stop trying to make yourself out to be any different.
Dear Parent (January 11, 2010 10:32 PM),
I understand your frustration and in your statement "I was never given any choice regarding what "reading" class my daughter was in, nor did I receive any syllabus or explanation for the grading" lies the problem. We are trying to prepare students for life after high school, whether it be college, technical school, or career. Especially in classes where SAT curriculum is used to grade students we should communicate to students and parents the same way colleges do. That requires giving more information prior to enrollment in a class. You are absolutely right.
However, by our contract with teachers we can not tell teachers how much weight can be given to tests. As far as the curriculum,I am still not a big fan of CollegeBoard curriculum, but it is an accepted curriculum nationally. And I am the only board member who seems to feel this way. I raise this issue regularly and I will continue to dig deeper into the success of the curriculum to see if there is systemic issue.
I would love to have a conversation with you about your child so I can help you individually and privately. If you wish to contact me you can reach me via email at april.griffin@sdhc.k12.fl.us or by phone at (813)924-1742.
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