Even though The Washington Post had the grade distribution for 7 high school math classes they only chose to chart 2 of those classes for their recent article. (See the raw data on page 2 of their document.)
So we took all of the data that has been made public to date concerning the fall final exam grade distribution for MCPS high school students in 7 different math classes and created our own graph. Blue is A's, red is E's. The classes are Algebra I, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Bridge to Algebra 2, Algebra 2, Honors Algebra, and Pre-Calculus.
Is another MCPS "work group" really the answer or should this be a public discussion by our elected Board of Education members at the public Board table?
Starr should be hauled before the BOE and the Council to explain why, two years after Weast closed the achievement gap, this happens. I would also like to see the public demand accountability from Ed Week and US News. So much for their 'best schools' analyses.
ReplyDelete... after Weast closed the achievement gap?
DeleteCorrect. Jerry Weast's national claim to fame is that he closed the achievement gap.
DeleteWow, this is really disturbing enough that the exams are totally invalid and should be released from the semester grades. This probably goes back 4 years and now the school system needs to explain the legitimacy of the exam.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the last 5 years worth of data (for semesters 1 & 2) to see if this is normal or is some kind of anomaly.
ReplyDeleteRemember this? November 14, 2010:
Delete“The majority of my precalculus students have never passed one of these exams in either Algebra 1, Geometry or Algebra 2, all Precalculus prerequisites,” Stephens said. “Nevertheless, they proceeded to the next level. ... Students are well aware that failure, even pathetic failure, will not prevent them from going on to the next level. Most of my students have failed multiple final exams in other subjects as well, but they still earned credit for those classes.”
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/class-struggle/2010/11/top_district_lets_average_kids.html
Ms. Selbst, that is a great idea. Could you please ask the County Council to get that information and let us know when you receive it? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes. Dr. Weast closed the achievement gap. Read the documents. Read what the Harvard Business school wrote. Done and done.
ReplyDeleteMs. Selbst, did you ever get the last five years of data?
ReplyDelete