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Post by kibizowner on Feb 11, 2011 12:51:50 GMT -4
It's true... my son who is at BES got two Bs, one in art & one in gym. He's had straight A's in all classes and subjects for two years with three of the better teachers (more rigorous). When questioned, our son's classroom teacher had no idea what criteria is being used and told us the new policy was dictated by the principal. There is no "official" change to the grading rubric, just an emphasis on "helping others at all times" or you get a B. (And no Rich, we don't blame your wife ;-) )
What a load of garbage. QAC schools really are crap. We continue to celebrate how great the schools are by referring to the MSA scores. You all do understand that the MSAs don't measure excellence, they measure basic proficiency, right? So we're really celebrating our wonderful achievement of mastering the basic skills our kids have academically thanks to our wonderful school curriculum which encourages our teachers to teach to the test. That's not even close to excellence.
Dr. Williamson should be fired. Did she return the bonus yet? $10,000 awarded in a closed session that was unearned?
We don't have text books for 5th grade Math and Science. Teachers teach using worksheets which have only the most basic explanation of the process for finding the answers. Is there any wonder why we're not producing top caliber students in this county who want to go on to careers in Math and Scientific fields?
<<Okay, off the soapbox.>>
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Post by ronnie on Feb 14, 2011 10:59:51 GMT -4
HELLO. Haven't been around in a while. This blog really interests me. Very interesting reading. I think this forum is extremely beneficial to the community and like the idea of expanding it to Centreville. What I'm seeing is a lot of people having a lot of questions about the school system and feeling like they are not getting answers. The website www.qacps.k12.md.us has a place also for comments and questions that I have used from time to time and I always receive an answer, usually within a couple days. It may not always be the answer I want, but it's an answer or at least I know someone read it. I'm not saying you should do that, but I'm sure alot of emails to one address would warrant some attention. I could be wrong but I would try every avenue possible if I was that passionate about an issue. How high has anyone gone. Just curious! |
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Post by lovethebay on Feb 16, 2011 21:12:26 GMT -4
It's true... my son who is at BES got two Bs, one in art & one in gym. He's had straight A's in all classes and subjects for two years with three of the better teachers (more rigorous). When questioned, our son's classroom teacher had no idea what criteria is being used and told us the new policy was dictated by the principal. There is no "official" change to the grading rubric, just an emphasis on "helping others at all times" or you get a B. (And no Rich, we don't blame your wife ;-) ) What a load of garbage. QAC schools really are crap. We continue to celebrate how great the schools are by referring to the MSA scores. You all do understand that the MSAs don't measure excellence, they measure basic proficiency, right? So we're really celebrating our wonderful achievement of mastering the basic skills our kids have academically thanks to our wonderful school curriculum which encourages our teachers to teach to the test. That's not even close to excellence. Dr. Williamson should be fired. Did she return the bonus yet? $10,000 awarded in a closed session that was unearned? We don't have text books for 5th grade Math and Science. Teachers teach using worksheets which have only the most basic explanation of the process for finding the answers. Is there any wonder why we're not producing top caliber students in this county who want to go on to careers in Math and Scientific fields? <<Okay, off the soapbox.>> Again, This is incredibly insulting to the hardworking teachers of our county. Teachers that work their butt off everyday and genuinely care about the success of all of their students. Rich was simply complaining about ONE administrator. Most certainly not mine. (And I think I know who that is, Rich) I don't think this qualifies the judgment of calling our schools "crap"  |
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Post by hale80 on Feb 16, 2011 23:32:53 GMT -4
I hope you are not an English Teacher...
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Post by falgar25 on Feb 17, 2011 5:19:00 GMT -4
I hope you are not an English Teacher... *teacher |
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Post by pete1 on Feb 18, 2011 3:57:50 GMT -4
With over 55 replies, and over 1550 views do you think they got the message? Will things change for the better?
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Post by ronnie on Feb 18, 2011 16:00:37 GMT -4
If you're talking about the replies and comments on this site, I don't think the school people read it. That's why I said to email their website.
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Post by kibizowner on Feb 19, 2011 15:52:00 GMT -4
It's true... my son who is at BES got two Bs, one in art & one in gym. He's had straight A's in all classes and subjects for two years with three of the better teachers (more rigorous). When questioned, our son's classroom teacher had no idea what criteria is being used and told us the new policy was dictated by the principal. There is no "official" change to the grading rubric, just an emphasis on "helping others at all times" or you get a B. (And no Rich, we don't blame your wife ;-) ) What a load of garbage. QAC schools really are crap. We continue to celebrate how great the schools are by referring to the MSA scores. You all do understand that the MSAs don't measure excellence, they measure basic proficiency, right? So we're really celebrating our wonderful achievement of mastering the basic skills our kids have academically thanks to our wonderful school curriculum which encourages our teachers to teach to the test. That's not even close to excellence. Dr. Williamson should be fired. Did she return the bonus yet? $10,000 awarded in a closed session that was unearned? We don't have text books for 5th grade Math and Science. Teachers teach using worksheets which have only the most basic explanation of the process for finding the answers. Is there any wonder why we're not producing top caliber students in this county who want to go on to careers in Math and Scientific fields? <<Okay, off the soapbox.>> Again, This is incredibly insulting to the hardworking teachers of our county. Teachers that work their butt off everyday and genuinely care about the success of all of their students. Rich was simply complaining about ONE administrator. Most certainly not mine. (And I think I know who that is, Rich) I don't think this qualifies the judgment of calling our schools "crap" Go back to my original post. I mentioned that there are plenty of good teachers in the system. Our schools are crap. When my kids get to 6th grade they have huge adjustments to make in writing, grammar, analytical thinking, etc. The curriculum in QACPS is terrible. Why are there no text books for 5th grade math or science? Why is there no emphasis on good grammar or writing paragraphs? Why do Stevensville Middle Schoolers in 6th grade have no homework? More importantly, if the teachers are so dedicated to their students why don't they speak up and upgrade the curriculum? Everyday math is being thrown out of schools all of the country, yet we won't even consider it. School systems are moving back to focusing on grammar and writing skills, yet on KI our schools don't seem to think it's important. You may be a great teacher, but the system is still terrible. Some of us have high expectations for a school system and the education of our children. Some of us have no expectations because we don't know better.... when the system (meaning the BOE, Centreville Admin office, the Superintendent, and the teachers & their union) start focusing on the students in terms of what they actually need to be successful in the future (meaning college and beyond) then things will change. Until then, our teachers and administration are more focused on fog delays, teaching to the MSA test, union meetings in Ocean City, bonuses, consolidating schools on KI, and spending money than the kids' future. And that is why I believe that the QACPS system is crap. |
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Post by disappointed on Feb 21, 2011 19:09:06 GMT -4
For the people who are posting.....have you EVER volunteered in the school system?  I don't mean one little party in the elementary school. I mean really spend some time in the schools? Do you know how the curriculum in the school system was developed? Has anyone ever heard of the Maryland State Curriculum....you know that curriculum that the school systems in Maryland HAVE to teach? As I read through the posts on this website, it sickens me to see such uninformed comments. There are many comments on this site that are just plain wrong! I don't usually waste my time on sites like this but it was brought to my attention through a conversation I had last week. There are some concerned parents out there and that is wonderful....concerned parents are better than absent parents. However, as a parent and teacher of this county, I am really disappointed at the ignorance represented here in this forum. My students were NEVER given a grade. They worked their tails off in school and got the grades they deserved. I can honestly say in all the years my children have been in this school system, I only had to encounter ONE teacher who should have picked another profession! I believe our school system is as great as it is because of the teachers AND administrators that make up the schools in this county. If you look at our administrators....most of them are home grown! Not all, but most. One more pet peeve...before speaking out about Dr. Williamson....get your facts straight! Let me tell you from experience, she is one of the most caring and passionate superintendents this county has seen. Her number one philosophy are that students come first. Disgruntled parents and other community members would have you believe something else but it just is plain not true! |
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Post by harleyd on Feb 21, 2011 19:58:37 GMT -4
Disappointed, how long have you been a teacher in Q.A.'s county?
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Post by kibizowner on Feb 21, 2011 20:00:21 GMT -4
If Dr. Williamson's number one philosophy is that students come first, then why did she want to consolidate KIES and Bayside last year? Money, not the kids, that's why.
And I am neither ignorant nor uninvolved in the schools, so my opinion (and is just that) is valid. Would you like me to name the teachers in KIES and Bayside along with the administrators who are not focused on the children, scream at Kindergartners (several teachers), teach the basics from their xerox copies and not a bit more, or those with a DUI, or those who do not hold current certification, etc.?
It's a rhetorical question, but we have to question the schools, their staff, their administration, the curriculum, and the results our kids are getting. Yes there is a state curriculum, but that is the minimum not the end all be all of curriculum. We can do better. A lot of us do not have the faith in Dr. Williamson as you do. We see her as a crony who was 'annointed' after Bernie retired. We had an opportunity for an upgrade and failed our children miserably.,
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Post by shorti on Feb 22, 2011 7:13:06 GMT -4
i don't think our schools are crap at all. as a matter of fact I have been impressed with them for the most part. have i had the teacher or two or administrator that i have not seen eye to eye with or agreed with or thought should be in another profession? sure i have... but on an overall, we have a great school system. I think Rich is just complaining about one... and as we all know one apple doesn't ruin the whole lot of them.
The curriculum... the one who is criticizing it (i cannot remember who did)... not sure where you went to school, but this is way better than anything i ever had. I have a 9th grader who went into high school with 2 HS credits and who will, should all continue in the manner it is now, graduate with college credits. He will be in pre-calc in 10th grade! Where was that ever heard of in our time? Schools have come a long way & I would agree there are things that need to be improved on, but geesh, we've come a loooonnnnggg way. There's always room for improvement in all things. I too have been surprised by no homework but I too have a kid that will do their homework in their "downtime" in class.
back on topic - a B is not a bad grade, but if it's "given" and not "earned" then well it's bad... if the teachers are being made to give grades, then it's wrong.
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Post by bluecrabber on Feb 22, 2011 9:01:57 GMT -4
I think the schools overall in QA county are terrific... given the social environment we all live in these days..
School teachers are like any other profession.. once in a while you run across somebody who should be in another line of work. I know of one right now who is working with 5 year olds that would be better employed as a prison guard.. The personality of Hannibal Lechter.. YIKES!!
Should I bring up the Teacher's Unions?? Nah.. probably not.
Best regards, BC
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Post by lynn on Feb 20, 2012 0:42:35 GMT -4
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. I believe all teachers have to pay into the union because of Maryland's labor laws. The labor laws in Maryland are one of the reasons Maryland does not have more charter schools. I'm not sure about the current status of charter schools. A few years back I was told by one charter school that the state required them to use union teachers and thus follow union rules. |
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I don't mean one little party in the elementary school. I mean really spend some time in the schools? Do you know how the curriculum in the school system was developed? Has anyone ever heard of the Maryland State Curriculum....you know that curriculum that the school systems in Maryland HAVE to teach? As I read through the posts on this website, it sickens me to see such uninformed comments. There are many comments on this site that are just plain wrong! I don't usually waste my time on sites like this but it was brought to my attention through a conversation I had last week. There are some concerned parents out there and that is wonderful....concerned parents are better than absent parents. However, as a parent and teacher of this county, I am really disappointed at the ignorance represented here in this forum. My students were NEVER given a grade. They worked their tails off in school and got the grades they deserved. I can honestly say in all the years my children have been in this school system, I only had to encounter ONE teacher who should have picked another profession!
