School / Grades - When did a "B" become Bad?

[shadowdog]

I am really sad to hear this. I hope you'll let us know more about how this is/isn't being addressed.

[bluecrabber]

If this report is true, I think the citizens of this county should be demonstrating in the streets similar to what is happening in Egypt!

Nothing makes an area better to live and work in than an excellent school system.

I'm in Pete's box on this one. The truth needs to be flushed out. If this practice is supported by the QA school board I think the citizens of this county have the right to know!


NO participation trophies (grades) in school!!

Best regards, BC

[pete1]

Feb 1, 2011 22:32:27 GMT -4 Rich Fisher said:

I'm happy to hear that you've had a good experience in QAC, but unfortunately that is not the case with everyone.

Same goes for the Sheriff's Dept., Zoning, Housing, the MSP, the Courts, the States Attorneys Office. etc. etc. etc.

[harleyd]

Feb 2, 2011 17:23:43 GMT -4 pineapple head said:

Feb 2, 2011 16:28:30 GMT -4 pete1 said:

Same goes for the Sheriff's Dept., Zoning, Housing, the MSP, the Courts, the States Attorneys Office. etc. etc. etc.

do yourself a favor and leave to get away from so much pain, dissatisfaction and angst.

or take a hint and find somewhere more to your liking ...

either way: just be gone, troll

/a little less anger and crap stirring 'round here could only help
//so tired of Pete's hijacking of threads and recycled venomous hyperbole ...

LMAO, called him a Troll ;D ;D ;D ;D

[harleyd]

Feb 1, 2011 17:28:46 GMT -4 pete1 said:

Feb 1, 2011 12:40:20 GMT -4 glk21c said:

now it all makes sense as to why QAC has the best schools in the state....

There are drugs in all the schools in Q.A.Co..

Yup, school nurse has my kids allergy medications...OMG!!!

[ronnie]

FOUND ON-LINE ON QACPS WEBSITE.....(need to focus on good, not bad). Our students are receiving a well-rounded education in QAC.

QACPS –A Dozen Reasons to Celebrate! 2010 Edition

1. Award -winning School System…
• Queen Anne’s County Public Schools (QACPS) was recognized for its exceptional “return on investment” – a comparison of excellence and efficiency- in a sweeping study of all school systems nation-wide. We were one of one of only three Maryland school systems to receive this designation.
• QACPS is also the recipient of the prestigious silver Malcolm Baldridge Award for Performance and Productivity. QACPS was one of eight businesses and organizations in the state to receive an award and the only school system in the state to be recognized.
• QACPS is currently pursing accreditation system-wide through the internationally recognized Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
2. Top Academic Honors in Maryland…
• QAC’s schools and students consistently receive state and national recognition for academic excellence. QACPS ranked # 1 in the state for elementary reading, #1 for elementary mathematics, 4th in middle school reading, # 6 in middle school mathematics and #4 overall in the state for MSA performance for grades 3-10.
• Grasonville Elementary School was one of two Maryland Schools to receive national recognition as a “Distinguished” Title I School
• Kent Island High School was recognized in a recent Washington Post study as one of the top schools in the nation for student participation in the Advanced Placement Test.
3. Student A+chievement…
• Student achievement in QACPS continues to increase. Based on the most recent Maryland School Assessment data, nearly every academic achievement indicator has increased, in some cases significantly.
• In 2010, all QACPS met the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) target for the Maryland Bridge to Excellence accountability measures for student achievement.
• Our students are doing well on high school assessments. The percent of students scoring proficient on the High School Assessments (HSA) by the end of 11th grade has exceeded the state average and met or exceeded our local goals- Algebra 95%, Biology 92%, English 88%, Government 92%.
• QACPS produced one National Merit Scholarship finalist and two Maryland Distinguished finalists in 2007???.
• Students with specialized needs are supported through high-quality, inclusive programs, interventions and services.
4. Graduates Go On to Further Education…
• 88.9 % of QACPS students graduated in 2010; of those 78.4% chose to pursue post-secondary higher education options.
• Graduates of the class of were awarded approximately $7.8 million in scholarship and financial aid.
5. Attendance Rates are High…
• Elementary and middle schools met or exceeded the state accountability target for attendance (95%); elementary-95.3%, middle-95.1%. High school attendance rates have continued to increase…high-94.1%.
6. Safe and Nurturing School Climate Supports High Academic Achievement…
• School safety is a priority, with 99% of elementary school students, 97% of middle school students and 98% of high school students avoiding a physical fight. 100% of our schools have been designated by MSDE as safe schools.
• As a result of our ongoing commitment to quality learning environments, parents and students believe our schools are safe, nurturing places to learn.
• 100% of our schools (14) have adopted the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) program and have received national recognition for excellence. The Character Counts! Program is active in all schools. Additionally, all schools implement initiatives to prevent/reduce bullying and harassment.
7. Students Choose Difficult Courses…
• Participation rates and achievement scores for on Standardized Tests are improving for our high school students. In 2010, 100% of QACPS students in grades 9-11 took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test,
• The number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses county-wide has continued to increase, with minority participation increasing as well.
• The number of students scoring a 3, 4, or 5 on the test has increased in all subjects from 2007 to 2010.
8. Improved Facilities…
• Of the 14 schools in Queen Anne’s County, four are new within the last fifteen years, six have been renovated and two are currently scheduled for improvements. These new and renovated schools are equipped with state of the art technology, science labs, and media centers.
9. Quality Teachers…
• There is no question that the success of our students hinges on the quality of the teachers who lead, challenge and inspire them every day. Extraordinary educators can be found throughout QACPS. Of our 588 teachers 464 have advanced certification, including 16 who hold prestigious national board certification.
10. Business Partnerships…
• Queen Anne’s business community has a strong tradition of support for our schools. Education is a priority for businesses that provide mentors, volunteers, and financial resources to our fourteen elementary, middle and high schools, Judy Center and alternative program.
11. Embracing Our Diversity…
• QACPS embraces its responsibility to provide all students with learning experiences in an environment rich with cultural, economic and academic diversity. Our annual cultural fair is just one example.
12. Student Connectedness…
• Our size affords QACPS students with unique opportunities for learning and development: including interscholastic sports programs, extensive fine and performing arts programs (visual, vocal, and instrumental), leadership programs, clubs and service organizations, environmental learning experiences, after school programs the Partners for Youth interagency program, before and after school day care through community partnerships. Our student have distinguished themselves in many areas:
 QACHS students won 1st place in the statewide Stock Market Game competition.
 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students placed highly in a state level leadership competition.
 Future Farmers of America (FFA) students were selected to participate in a national competition.
 Selected members of the KIHS chorus were invited to participate in all-state chorus.
 Nursing program students placed 1st and 2nd in the statewide Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competition.
 QACHS’ men’s’ lacrosse team won the state championship in their division.
 QACHS’ girls’ soccer team won the Bayside Division Championship.
 QACHS’ football team was state semi-finalists.

[Rich Fisher]

I hope that you don't think that I'm saying that our schools are not good - They are, as a whole, very good. My problem is that the person running one school very poorly is still there, after multiple teacher complaints, after going to the union, the board, etc. I can't spill the beans on this yet for a bunch of reasons, but I will when I can.

I've had this website for over 13 years and I've never stirred the pot on anything like this, so those who know me know that I am a credible source who only wants to help improve things. This website is used to help people, from non-profits, churches, to our own "Island Bay Day", and now I'm just using it to shine a light on a problem that the teachers union and board won't do anything about.

Again, our schools are very good with just one small exception - and even though the school that I am talking about is run by a less than good administrator, the teachers there are very good and the kids are getting a quality education. If you are a teacher, just think of the one Admin that no one wants to work for, and you will know exactly who I am talking about.

[ronnie]

Actually I have read your forum alot and it is extremely informative on alot of subjects. It gives a broad perspective on different subjects from different "schools of thought". I wasn't attacking your forum. I was thinking I had seen a lot of comments on what's wrong with the school system and not too many on what's right with it. There is always room for improvement in any corporation.

I'm not a teacher, so I don't know what kind of administrator you mean. Do you mean one at the Board of Ed or in a school. There are probably numerous administrators that no one would want to work for. lol

I wouldn't call it "stirring the pot", I understand your intent. I hope all parties receive satisfactory results.

[Rich Fisher]

Thanks Ronnie. We do have great schools here and it's something that we really are very lucky to have.

My problem is mainly with a specific school Administrator, then secondly with the board for not doing anything about the numerous teacher complaints over the years against this person. I'm hoping that the parents who's kids received across the board "B" grades in specific subjects that are currently calling the teachers all angry about these grades - will go to the Board and push for something to be done. The Board will not help the teachers in this situation and the teacher's union is completely useless.

Thanks for reading - Hopefully this will all work out. I figured that I might as well use my own website for once to blab about a problem that is near and dear to me...

[sharon]

I worked in a school some yrs ago that I was told not to give the students a failing grade. If their answer was even only partially correct to count it as RIGHT. Well I voiced my concerns about this with some of the obvious drawbacks of doing so by then allowing the student to be promoted to the next level & having them getting so far behind but never taught up to their level. How this is not only WRONG to do but a great disservice to the student. I was informed I wasnt there to set policy but to follow it. I submitted my resignation affective immediately. A sad situation because I know several of those students were sent on to the next level in school without having the knowledge they needed.

[veruca]

My children go to a local elementary school, and I love it. I've never had any real problems with the teachers. We've had more " difficult" ones, meaning we had to adjust to their personality. But isn't that life? I feel my children have always earned their grades. They work hard and do all their homework before they play or relax. My youngest does and has received B's, and now my oldest gets straight A's. I kid and say it's hard once you get straight A's because then its expected of you.

I'm not saying that corruption and ridiculous actions don't go on, but in my experience so far with QAC schools, I've been thrilled and happy.

[harleyd]

I have heard from some of the teachers about the administration and I have been concerned with how some things are handled. Here's an example, how were the mold issues in Bayside were handled?

[misternuke]

The children who are being left behind in QA also include those who should be getting 'gifted and talented' enrichment, but are not because there is no program at the elementary level for them. As big of a strain as it is on our budget, we've had to pony up the cash to send one of our kids to a private school that can meet her needs.

[ronnie]

Just thought I would add maybe some other alternative. The school system has an Ombudsman to call with concerns, problems, or if you feel you have hit a brick wall. 410-490-5829 or [e-mail] is the email address. Anybody can call with problems anonymously. It's in the Calendar Handbook and also on the school system website. It gives you another place to go to if you feel you can't get answers or action and it's for staff and community, parents, etc.

[Rich Fisher]

We tried the Ombudsman too and again, nothing was done.

[ronnie]

That's too bad. Have you gotten any kind of answer from anyone. I can't believe absolutely no one is researching it. An Ombudsman isn't supposed to conclude anything until it's resolved. Sounds like you went through a lot of avenues, though.

[ronnie]

I'm still confused the more I think about it. How was the Ombudsman contacted, tele or email. You can email at [e-mail] or through the website on the left of the school system home page. I'm just curious.

[Rich Fisher]

We tried contacting the Ombudsman both by telephone and Email. When we finally got a response, it was "talk to the union". Unfortunately, the Teachers Union is completely useless and I can't imagine why anyone would pay into it - but that's just my opinion.

Thanks for trying to help - I really do appreciate it.

[ronnie]

One last word from me (have to have the last word you know) TRY AGAIN to email the Ombudsman or call the 758-8215 number one last time. That's the last word. lol

[ronnie]

One more last word, I just looked and it also has a 410-490-5829 number listed. (sounds like a cell phone)

[opinionated]

It amazes me how many people responded and actually believed this person! Administrators do NOT tell teachers what to grade! If certain teachers are unhappy in their current positions maybe they should seek employment in other counties. Good riddance to bad rubbish!

[Water Lady]

HOW RUDE ARE YOU!!!



You are way off base with that comment.

[bchevy]

probably just a hit & run one post wonder....

[Water Lady]

Or an Administrator.

[Rich Fisher]

...or a relative of someone on the Admin staff. I'm sorry that you have such a lack of respect for the teachers in this county. The Administration absolutely did tell specific teachers to give "B" grades - and they were just doing what they were being told to do. You have no idea what you are talking about to say what you have here. Are there any lights on at the Inn...?