Gradpoint Feedback by Mr. Dowler https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr Click on the screen to start typing en-us 2017-05-19 11:39:53 UTC 2017-05-30 16:53:07 UTC hello@padlet.com Feedback Question: tdowler https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/172777966 Essential Question:
Knowing that we need to improve the balance between the accountability of learning verses the number of assigned modules, what options accomplish this balance? 
]]> 2017-05-19 11:41:47 UTC https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/172777966 OK, the very first thing I teach my AP Stats kids is that data without context is just a bunch of numbers. While I could discuss the variability in the data you've posted, what is more important is the context behind the data. What course is this? Why did these students fail initially? Were they given an ARP and did they do any of the work at that point? What I am willing to discuss here is the fact that fewer than 10% of our faculty is shown here, and that only about 10% of these teachers are inconsistent with their assignments, so we are trying to institute a rule here that really isn't needed. What should be done here is that admin should talk to the teachers who are inconsistent and ask them for context. Ultimately, as a teacher, I would expect that my colleagues acted professionally. There may be legitimate reasons for the disparity in these assignments and I strongly believe that the best thing to do is to realize that every student's situation is different. I do not believe that we need to create a rule here. https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/172949809 2017-05-21 00:39:35 UTC https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/172949809 I see the discrepency that has raised this concern. There are students that have nearly the same failing grade, but they have different numbers of modules to complete to regain credit. Without knowing the specific courses, it is hard to tell if there is truely an "unfairness" aspect or if some courses have more modules than others. Potentially, if there is a question either from the student or from the admin about the number of modules, then the teacher could be asked to explain how the modules were determined. If there is a consistent method in place for a particular subject, then I don't see a problem with our current method. https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/173704750 The part that concerns me about the proposed 1 point per module plan is that the student may have failed by only 2 or 3 points. But, that is 2 or 3 points on the final grade AFTER we have called home, tried to inspire, offered an ARP, accepted late work... The modified Gradpoint option creates a gray area between pass and fail. It feels like we are trying to skew that gray area into an area where the students do a little more work and then pass. We've already lowered the pass threshold to 60. If we limit the work required between 50 and 59 to 1 module for 1 point, we are in esssence lowering the pass threshold to 50. At some point, we have to require some minimal work from the student to determine if they get a diploma or not. I would be more in favor of eliminating the modified Gradpoint gray area, than the 1 module equals one point plan.]]> 2017-05-24 19:19:34 UTC https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/173704750 https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/173873935 I think in this instance we need to assess what is the essential point of mastery a student is missing. A teacher knows the weak areas a student has. With the data and accountability currently in place, teachers can identify the standard to which the student has not met. We need to define the grey area that Gradpoint brings to surface. What if we were to hit ranges like a 50-59 (ie. x amount of modules) or 40-49 for models to ease into transition for next fall. We could assess the results and see how things are going towards the end of first semester. While it is hard to define this point based on coursework, we need a guide in place to strengthen our system and support for all.]]> 2017-05-25 17:38:35 UTC https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/173873935 Could we send out a teacher survey to determine what teachers are using as criteria for assigning modules? Some may be using exam scores, some may be using class grades while others are using both... https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/174457956 2017-05-30 16:42:34 UTC https://padlet.com/tdowler/dsvs6yugolpr/wish/174457956