ISD's attendance numbers have historically been high - mid/low 90%s. Probably about as good as a school is going to get. However, if you watched one of Coach Herl's recent videos (and we are too lazy to link), he mentioned that the way average daily attendance is calculated has changed. District leaders already have the MSIP 5 numbers - and apparently - based on the hubbub about student attendance - the numbers must be less than hoped for.
In the past, each school was evaluated on its average daily attendance for the school-as-a-whole. There were certain loopholes that we've heard were used extensively in ISD. Tutoring hours after school could count toward the average daily attendance. Summer school attendance could count as well. There was a formula to weight these values.
Now, under MSIP 5, more than 90% of all students must attend every class at least 90% of the time.
This is probably the genesis of the new rule at THS that 10-25% of a student's grade must be based on attendance.
MSIP 5 results have been received by the district and will be released to the public at the end of the month. DESE has a schedule about the release of the data. (We'll find that and post later.)
10-25% of a grade is attendance?!?! I mourn for our district and the direction it is heading.
ReplyDelete"This is probably the genesis of the new rule at THS that 10-25% of a student's grade must be based on attendance."
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of pressure on administrators to put policies into place that not only improve, but there is also temptation to try to game the system - has been for years. A policy like this, since it is only coming out of THS (not a district policy), has to be the brain-child of DG. If it's not, then it could have been stopped by DG. So, it pretty much falls on the new guy.
Ah - now for a few inconvenient questions for the new guy:
1. Do you really think coming in with guns blazing was a good move?
2. What did your Building Leadership Team or House Leaders think of this policy when you inquired about the culture of the building, sought to understand the implications of such a policy move within this culture, and gave you their feedback?
3. Do you really think we are going to REALLY do everything you tell us to do, or do you think we are going to look at you with blank stares, nod our heads in approval, and then do what we want in our classrooms anyway?
4. Do you really think that not wearing my jeans during PD/non student attendance days are going to make us absorb the $%#$% you are spewing at a greater, more efficient rate?
5. Do you think we like you? Oh, you don't care? Well, do you think we respect you? Hopefully that one hurts a bit. If it doesn't then you would be best to move along. My colleagues keep saying "it's going to be a long year." No, sir - if our lack of respect for you has no effect, then it's going to be a long damn year for you. Maybe half of a year.
The attendance/participation requirement at THS is 15% - 25%; the teacher may choose. So, with AR weighted at 10% of a student's English grade and another 15 to 25% based on showing up, students' grades are invalid, smoke and mirrors. Academics go out the window with practices such as these. Also, the amount of time a teacher would need to keep track of this new item to "grade" is unbelievable. Why do administrators read a book, notice what someone else is doing, then heap these oh so great ideas on everyone else? Why are they such poor teachers of their teachers...The results speak for themselves ISD.
ReplyDeleteJust glad this is not the case at WCHS.
ReplyDeleteThe math department is still trying to get Becker to understand percentages, or it would now be the case at WCHS as well.
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