here2stay
newbie
Posts: 2
Reg: 10-20-11
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10-20-11 09:43 AM - Post#141004
My children attend an elem here in Allen. I was wondering what other parents have to say about "reteaching to a 70" - which means if your child fails a paper with a grade below a 70, then it is "retaught" for the child to bring the grade up to a 70 maximum.
If a child is failing papers in a particular subject, he/she can bring each grade up to a 70 by re-working the paper. The wrong answers are circled and the child does the paper again, but can only get a 70 maximum.
I have requested tutoring for my child, but have been told that one on one tutoring isn't offered anymore, not even before or after school, but that the children are broken into "groups" and given extra attention in whatever area they are having trouble for 30 minutes per day.
Questions to you:
If a child seems to be failing papers in a particular subject, does reteaching and allowing a student to redo each paper, actually represent his/her grade and ability?
And, would you or would you not feel that your child was just being "passed along"?
What do you think about tutoring, if requested, not being offered?
I will add that we have been in AISD for many years and am happy with the district, and even my children's school. It's just this one issue that is bothering me. Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks!
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texmomma
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Posts: 534
Reg: 10-02-06
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10-20-11 10:31 AM - Post#141009
In response to here2stay
I have students in 10th, 8th, and 3rd, who have come up through Allen ISD. I like the policy. First, if a child scores below a 70, they obviously missed something. This makes them go back, look at what was missed, and figure out how to do it correctly. Otherwise, the paper gets glanced at and thrown into the trash- what are the kids learning from that? Also this keeps a low grade from simply devastating an average.
I especially love the policy in my daughter's Pre AP Social Studies class. She gives out a Unit Review before the test. If a student fills out the review and returns it to her on the day of the test, they get credit for it. After the test, NO MATTER WHAT GRADE THEY HAVE, they can come back after school and correct the test. Correcting the test involves coming before or after school, and for each question they got wrong they write down why it was wrong, what the correct answer is, and cite where they found the correct answer. If the review was turned in, they can make up half of the points. If no review was turned in, only 1/4 of the points. This encourages the kids to prepare by doing the review, and then take a step back and really look at what they missed and what the correct answer is. I also like the fact that even if they made say, an 80 on it, they can still come back and make up part of the missed points. Don't you think this encourages mastery of the material?
What grade is your child in? I know that in my experience from 6th grade on, the teachers have generally been available for tutoring after school on certain days. Earlier than that, not so much.
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sco
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Loc: allen,TX USA
Reg: 10-26-02
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10-20-11 12:13 PM - Post#141016
In response to here2stay
I think reteaching is the exactly correct thing to do. Remember the goal of education is for the student to learn the material. What would be the point of just failing the student rather than helping them learn the material? If they learn it the second time then they are not "being passed along." Making the max grade a 70 teaches them that there are consequences to failure and they don't just get a "free pass" and replace the failing grade. If they fail multiple times then maybe it is time to look into a real problem. As another poster pointed out, even some of the AP classes at the high school allow test corrections for half credit if the students have put in the work to do the reviews. It all done under the same theory that the point is to learn the material.
As for tutoring, the school only has so many resources and the teachers only have so many hours in their day. It's probably not reasonable to expect one on one tutoring. In my experience most schools do offer some sort of tutoring if the kids need extra help (which it sounds like the school is doing in small groups.)
Edited by sco on 10-20-11 12:27 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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here2stay
newbie
Posts: 2
Reg: 10-20-11
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10-20-11 01:34 PM - Post#141019
In response to sco
My child is in 5th grade. And the subject I am most concerned about is Math. And I agree as far as reteaching and letting him bring his average up. I guess mine was more a concern of being "retaught" and given a 70 on every assignment rather than actually figuring out his real average and where the weaknesses lie. Also, if the reteaching was effective, then I wouldn't think he would continue to fail each assignment. I have gone over papers with him that he has failed, and I can see that even after the "reteaching", he still has no clue on how to do most of the work.
I have worked with him at home and on the areas of weaknesses, but I also feel like the teachers have a responsibility to do the same and to ensure that he is actually being taught the material rather than just "passed along." If he doesn't know the material in 5th grade, how are 6th,7th and so on going to be any different?
I spoke to his teacher, whom I like very much, but she also told me that he "just isn't catching on." I feel like if a parent expresses concerns and asks for extra tutoring, than it should be offered in one capacity or another other than the small groups; because that obviously isn't effective in his situation.
I wish I could afford to hire an outside tutor, but that is not an option.
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DrivinTooFast
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Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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10-20-11 01:41 PM - Post#141021
In response to here2stay
In math especially it is important to fill in gaps of understanding before going onto the next topic.
Check out Khan Academy
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Khan philosophy is subject mastery not a set curriculum. Once you master a topic you move onto the next topic. It does not matter how long it takes to master the topic, there is no shame in asking for help and Khan is a pretty good instructor. Because the lecture part of the instruction is on a video the student can go back and watch it over and over until there is mastery of the subject.
It's free and the videos go through numerous subjects from basic math to complex topics. There is almost a complete elementary curriculum there online. Oh and it's free!!!
I use the videos for my kids to re-inforce certain concepts, to get a different perspective on topics they are struggling with or that I don't have expertise in. She has even watched a online tutorial before a test for re-inforcement.
Oh and my kiddo aced the SAT/ACT and is currently applying to top tier universities so I guess something worked. I fully recommend Khan's online curriculum especially as an alternative to tutoring.
Edited by DrivinTooFast on 10-20-11 02:04 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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texmomma
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Posts: 534
Reg: 10-02-06
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10-20-11 02:24 PM - Post#141025
In response to DrivinTooFast
Nice suggestion, Drivingtoofast.
In addition, depending on what school your son attends, I know my school has made a lot of new things available online this year to help, especially in Math. There is access to the text, extra help, reteaching clips, games, etc. Look on the 5th grade website, at Story it's called "Think Central". When my girls struggle with a concept sometimes one of these resources can help, and they like playing the games to reinforce rather than always having so much paper/pencil work. I hope this helps!
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Anonymous
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10-20-11 03:25 PM - Post#141028
In response to here2stay
Have you ask the teacher for extra assignments that your child can do at home. One on one tutoring will never be available in public school. Math is all about repetition.
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sco
enthusiast
Posts: 2714
Loc: allen,TX USA
Reg: 10-26-02
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10-20-11 03:58 PM - Post#141032
In response to here2stay
I haven't looked at khan academy but I've heard good things about it. If the extra help at school and what you do at home aren't working maybe you could look into a high school student as a tutor. The professional tutoring companies are very expensive but you might be able to get a student for something you can afford. I can't remember what the math concepts my kids studied in 5th grade. Is it mainly one concept he isn't getting?
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DrivinTooFast
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Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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10-21-11 01:14 PM - Post#141052
In response to sco
This sounds really corny, but the videos are 15 minutes long and I watch one or two periodically to just keep the grey matter sharp.
There is a facinating one on Cancer and Systemic analysis. SO much has changed since I went to HS and college that it is interesting to update my personal encyclopedia (for you younger folks - thats a big book with information in it - Cave man google and wikipedia)
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amcor
member
Posts: 79
Reg: 08-27-06
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10-23-11 05:18 PM - Post#141101
In response to here2stay
You have to understand that the teacher can not necessarily provide one on one tutoring because a parent expresses concern. She has at least 20 other students in each class to consider as well. What if half of the class requests individual instruction? How is that going to be achieved? Where do you draw the line?
Your child's education is ultimately your responsibility....not the public school system's. If you see weaknesses or areas of need, you will need to supplement his education as you see fit. It is only 5th grade math, not calculus. Perhaps you can find some materials on your own to tutor him yourself. Maybe you can find a jr. high or high school neighbor who will tutor for a more affordable rate.
His teacher wants him to be successful just as much as you do, believe me. The grades and test scores of her students are a reflection of her ability as a teacher. However, she can only do so much with an entire classroom to consider.
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PS59
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Posts: 22
Reg: 11-23-09
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10-24-11 09:26 AM - Post#141114
In response to here2stay
Reteaching is a key part of modern teaching. Corrections for a test is just one of many approaches.
Check out:-
ASCD article on reteaching
I know it can seem like the kids are just being "passed along" but the idea of getting them to a 70 is to encourage students to come back and actually do the corrections. As students get older you would be surprised how many won't bother even if it means they can get a pass instead of a fail.
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jml
member
Posts: 51
Reg: 10-31-07
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10-27-11 04:11 PM - Post#141265
In response to here2stay
My child is also in 5th grade and we are having a very similar situation to yours. We're also working with her at home, communicating with the teacher, etc. We have used the Kahn Academy website and it is very helpful so you might give it a try. The latest problem area was compatible numbers and it didn't have a video on that but we found some other online help by googling. We're having to really rely on online resources because many times I don't understand the problems myself (guess I'm not "smarter than a 5th grader" even though I am college educated :) We haven't asked about tutoring at school yet but were getting ready to speak with the teacher about it. Tutoring must be handled differently at each school because a 5th grade friend at another Allen ISD school just started math tutoring two mornings a week there. Wish I had more helpful info but wanted you to know you're not alone.
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DrivinTooFast
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Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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10-28-11 08:28 AM - Post#141270
In response to jml
There was a recent article in Allen American about soem of the high school classes being "flipped" to use at home video tutorial and in class work on problems and individualized attention.
I completely agree with that philosophy. My kiddo happens to be in one of the AP Chemistry "flipped" classes. She likes it and we can watch the lectures together and work on problems. I have to say some of the lecturers are pretty boring. Khan is much more exciting as a presenter.
The main issue as I see it with getting a really poor grade is that one really bad grade can completely ruin a semester grade. At least by giving the kid the opportunity to get to a 70 they have a chance of salvaging a decent grade for the semester. Additionally, I think many teachers were afraid to give a low grade bec ause they knew the impact of low grade.
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allenresidentforyears
newbie
Posts: 4
Reg: 10-08-13
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10-08-13 06:58 PM - Post#163867
In response to DrivinTooFast
How many times can a student redo/retake the test/assignment to get a 70? Is this a one-time event or can the student redo/retake the work until they reach a 70?
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Allensince1993
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Posts: 521
Reg: 06-06-12
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11-01-13 03:06 PM - Post#164322
In response to allenresidentforyears
After reading this thread and knowing how my middle child has been a benefactor of reteaching I'm fully convinced that teachers are way underpaid.
God bless our teachers.
James DeLaGarza
Realtor/Broker since 1992 |
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DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
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02-18-14 05:50 PM - Post#166235
In response to Allensince1993
The concept of reteaching is extremely helpful regarding mathematics where the next topic assumes mastery of the previous topic.
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