pull down to refresh
41 sats \ 11 replies \ @Shugard OP 20 Dec \ parent \ on: Why do we grade kids at all? #13 BTC teacher in Fiat Madland alter_native
Multiple-choice questions test reading comprehension.
I myself grew up with dyslexia, I could solve the shit out of everything for my age. But I could not read the questions.
Your individual writing assignments sound super interesting! What kind of AI grading tool do you use and what is the task like that the kids have to solve? please enlighten me!
I agree with your assessment of group projects, I am still getting better at them and they are more fun for the kids and much less time consuming for me.
This was my go to grade! One grade the kids can earn throughout the semester and two grades I have to assign. But since the state I work in has changed its policies and rules, it is no longer allowed because it would discriminate against the kids who are afraid to speak.
Other than that, I agree with most of what you say. I think it is just my pride and my own experience as a student that I am against multiple choice.
But I am very curious about the structure of your writing exams!
One of the good things about the US education system is that it is very progressive towards disabilities. A student with dyslexia would be offered increased time and perhaps a separate testing environment. Maybe even someone to help read the questions, depending on the situation. I had to work with a blind student before and I actually made written descriptions of all the graphs... it was a lot of work, but the blind student got a great grade!
The AI tool is called Packback. The writing assignments are varied, but one example is: "Assess what you think about this policy being proposed in this year's ballot."
It's open ended, but I usually lead a discussion session about the writing assignment topic before it's due, so that the students have a jumping off point to think about.
reply
is this the right link?
reply
yep
reply
I have a friend who teaches math/science in Santa Monica (Crossroads).
He told me: I have opposed grading for years. I support mastery transcripts: no letter grades, all grades are narratives
reply
Oh, no way. We live near that area and visited Crossroads as a possible choice for sending one of our kids.
I understand where your friend is coming from, but I don't think it's always practical. It could work at a smaller sized private school, but not a large public one.
There also needs to be an objective criterion by which students are held back. To me, the biggest problem in our education system is we're not holding back kids who should be.
reply
Crossroads is expensive and has too many Hollywood elitists.
They were woke before it was trendy for schools to be woke.
reply
Sadly, non-woke options are few and far between in Commiefornia
reply
Agree, what I meant to say was that Crossroads is the most woke because they are OG woke.
Their covid protocols were insane.
I know another couple that both teach at Crossroads. They have 2 sons who attend charter school (elementary and middle). I think the charter school is in Westchester near the airport.
You have to be flexible about multiple choice, don't underestimate the importance of reading comprehension.
Have you seen previous exams of AP Economics (USA)?
Harvey Mansfield taught government at Harvard, He gave his students 2 grades: one grade is for your transcript, the second grade is the grade you deserved
reply
Very interesting! Thanks for the tip!
reply
Unlike @SimpleStacker and @cryotosensei I have zero experience teaching teenagers
But I know multiple choice exams can be challenging especially if you don’t know the material
Case studies can be fun because students can see that economics has real world value
What are the economic effects of Germany shutting down nuclear power plants?
reply