Thursday, July 9, 2009

Ruh-roh, Raggy! We're in real trouble now!

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The following news article means trouble!
The short of it is that students are now going to be graded on their ability to demonstrate certain skills and abilities (competencies) rather than just on a numerical average and their ability to take tests (or freeze up during them). The article below explains the details. Can you imagine that... students passing because they are competent! What a novel concept.


New Gilford (NH) grading system intended to raise the bar

By HARRISON HAAS
hhaas@citizen.com
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Students at Gilford (NH) High School will be graded a little differently than years past. Rather than being graded strictly on averages, every student will now need to demonstrate certain skills and abilities before receiving credit for classes (what a novel concept).

Earlier this year, GHS Principal Ken Wiswell approached both the Gilmanton and Gilford School Boards explaining the new grading that will start in the fall of the upcoming school year.

"What we're trying to do is tell the students this is important," said Wiswell at the June meeting. "It's not about just what [students] can produce and do while in the classroom."

Traditionally students in high school have been graded on a point scale and by the end of the year have an average with a letter grade corresponding with that number. With the new system, there is no overall average to be factored in, which will require all students to complete all items of work (another novel idea). Each subject will have a list of competencies, or list of skills and abilities, in which students will be given a number grade for each competency (we've written and rewritten them for years and years - no one ever really tested them). Students will be evaluated based on their ability is to perform a specific task, their work related skills in each subject along with behavior during classroom sessions. The average of those totals would then be taken and that would be the ending grade.

"There will be no more blowing off a test, having students say, 'If I fail this, I still pass the class'," Wiswell said. (Right, and if 30 percent don't make it under the new program, then what?)

Each department will have a list of standard abilities and skills, ranging from a list of three in basic courses and up to possibly six or seven in more advanced. GHS will be writing their own list of skills and abilities required for courses since every school is different (why? I still say we need a national Core Curriculum with local supplementation) that has this grading system, making each school write their own.

There are four different tiers mapped out in the mission competency rubric (buzz words), which explains the grading and what is expected of each student. The four tiers are similar to the state's standardized testing formats: advanced, proficient, partially proficient and below proficient (it sounds to me like only the top two tiers matter).

"Not asking students to have their hand up all day," said Wiswell. "We're going to evaluate students every two weeks." (Teachers have nothing else to do.)

Wiswell said that if the rubric is read over completely, there is nothing that any student can't do (so everyone passes? Is that raising or lowering the bar?). Minimum grade that a student can earn with be 59, which differs only one point from the previous 60. In order to receive credit for classes, students must master each one of the competencies per class (so now every student will be a good hire). Students not fulfilling all skills and abilities in a required course, will have to attend "competency recovery" classes after school or over the summer (but it was said there is nothing that any student can't do). Any student unfulfilling (must be admin-talk) more than one item on the skills and ability list will not receive credit for the course and will have to repeat the course. The additional time needed for competency recovery will be provided by the faculty who will be paid in a stipend based system.

Teachers will need to actively evaluate students every five days throughout the year. One of the purpose of the delayed opening Wednesdays for next year will help teachers adjust to the new grading system and provide them with education development time (if meeting after meeting isn't scheduled instead).

"This is setting all the students up to being better citizens, " said Derek Tomlinson in the June meeting. "I really like this, and I'm glad we're bring this in." (I really would like to hear the results after the first year.)

This past year, the school was asking teachers to give information about students who did pass, but would have failed one of the competencies. That information will be evaluated before the start of the next school year.

"I think it makes for a better product over the long run," said Wiswell. "It's not your grandfather's high school." (Yeah, it was a lot more rigorous then.)

He said it can be overwhelming at times for our teachers changing over to the new system. (Gee, you think? Maybe there will be time left over to prepare and correct.)

"The more we talk about these things, the more we'll be successful in doing things," Wiswell said.

Superintendent Dr. Paul DeMinico commented at the meeting that this system "really personalizes every student and follows them through."

Complete information about the new grading system will be available online before the 2009-2010 school year and in the next year's school handbook.

BACK IN THE DAY....

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