Board of Education Testimony: February 24, 2003

Good evening. My name is Brian Stelter. I am a senior at Damascus High School and the Secretary of the Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils- MCR. I return to this table this evening to address the Grading & Reporting workgroup’s recommendations.

One of the hats I wear is that of school newspaper editor, and so in early February I tallied up the results to the question of whether or not 30% is reasonable. This chart illustrates students' opinions on the possibility of an increase in the weight of final exams. The results were not surprising: 9 out of 10 students were opposed to an increase.

But you’ve heard me before discuss how damaging an increase would be -- how it’s unfair to stressed-out students and how it won’t improve student performance. Tonight I tackle another important issue raised in the suggested regulatory language: Feedback to students and parents.

The importance of grades is a fundamental premise of the policy. So how then can the policy-makers of this school system feel content with the recommendation that teachers are only required to inform students of their grade when they are failing?

Simply put, stating that "parents and students will be given on-going feedback on the quality of student work and grade updates" is NOT enough. At the present time, I receive weekly grade updates in some classes, and no updates at all in others. This inconsistency is unacceptable in an environment where every assignment matters. A lack of feedback harms student achievement.

At Damascus High School this week, we begin what I feel is an exciting initiative to help all students succeed. Progress reports will be distributed to every student in every class, every three weeks. I can only imagine how my grades may have improved if I had received these frequent updates my first three years of high school.

It has been said that this would be infeasible at some schools, and indeed it may be. Shouldn't the Board and the Superintendent set a better minimum acceptable standard of feedback? It is one of the easiest and most necessary standards that can be set to ensure that every student is aware of their grade. Rather than linger in undefined, unclear recommendations, I ask you to send a clear message to teachers and administrators: grades ARE important, and thus grade updates are as well. Set specific guidelines on frequent grade updates to all students in all secondary school classes.

Thank you for your attention.