Many of you have commented and followed the PARCC testing issue over the past year, nationwide. As a result, a group of Montgomery County parents lobbied the Board of Ed last year to take a look at final exams and perhaps eliminate them, primary b/c of the time dedicated to the PARCC testing. Consequently, a group of parents, staff, and community reps have been tasked with the job of looking into testing in middle and high school.....which is just around the corner for us!
As some background, which is not easily condensed, final grades in some classes of middle school students need a final exam in order to get credit in HS for the class. These exams are 1-2 hours.
On a related note, how schools/MCPS weighs the exam seems to be worth noting. Today, the final grade is not the result of the 4 quarters, averaging them out. Instead, in some cases, the 2nd marking period might be weighed more or the final might be given a % like 25% of the total grade.
Some discussions are focused on replacing exams with projects, nixing the final exam weight, and a new formula to include the final exam.
While you might not have time to participate at your school as much as you would like, here is an opportunity to help your child - who is headed to middle school shortly, right from your desk. Take this brief survey BEFORE the Board of Ed makes 'A DECISION' that will directly impact your child.
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ReplyDeleteAre other Maryland counties eliminating mid term and final course exams? Have they already done this? I don't recall reading this about Howard Public Schools County but I may have missed it.
ReplyDeleteTo my knowledge and research, no other county in MD is looking into doing this.
DeleteI guess common sense is still alive and well around the State.
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