Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Morton Parents Against Sinking Standards

Changes to Morton’s grading scale have raised concerns with students, parents and educators.  We invited Jill Alexander,  a Morton parent and leader of a grassroots movement focused on grading changes, to share her thoughts on our blog:


What is Morton P.A.S.S? by Jill Alexander

Morton P.A.S.S. stands for “Morton Parents Against Sinking Standards.” 
We are a group of committed parents, students, and community members who are trying to improve the education at J.S. Morton High School.

What is the mission of Morton PASS?  

JS Morton students want high standards and a fair grading system that will accurately measure what a student has learned. We want the Board of Education and administrators to take immediate action to correct the flaws in the new grading system.

What is the “equal interval” grading scale and why is Morton using it?  

The equal interval grading scale is a system that uses a range from 0-5 to score students’ work.  Each number is supposed to be aligned with a rubric that explains how a student can earn a particular grade.  However, in many cases these rubrics have not been developed yet. 
In contrast, the equal interval scale has roughly the same range (about 1.0 point) for each letter grade. The problem is, when a “1” is the cutoff for a D, students can pass with a 20% (1 out of 5).  Morton has lowered the bar significantly.  (http://tinyurl.com/comparegrading)
According to the Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Tim Truesdale, the old grading system was not fair to students because it has a large range for failing scores.  In a traditional grading system, anything below a 60% is a failing grade.  There is a 59 point range for an F and only a 10 point range for an A.  

Where did this problem originate?  

Back in 2010, District 201 cut graduation requirements in order to balance the budget.  Now, students are only offered 20 credits (5 classes x 4 years) and must pass all 20 in order to graduate on time.  If a student fails even one class, he or she is no longer able to graduate on time without taking summer school or night courses.  In just three years, the graduation rate has dropped by 13%.  (http://tinyurl.com/mortongraduationrates)    Now, only 69% of Morton students graduate in four years—which is even lower than CPS.  In 2014, District 201 adopted a new grading policy that allows virtually every student to pass. A few years ago, District 201 reduced the graduation requirements in order to save money. Now, students are only offered 20 credits (5 classes x 4 years) and must pass all 20 in order to graduate on time. If a student fails even ONE class, he or she must attend night school or "credit recovery" class in order to graduate within four years.

How did the district respond to the plummeting graduation rates? In 2014 they adopted a grading scale that allows virtually everyone to pass.uggling to graduate on time?

A few years ago, District 201 reduced the graduation requirements in order to save money. Now, students are only offered 20 credits (5 classes x 4 years) and must pass all 20 in order to graduate on time. If a student fails even ONE class, he or she must attend night school or "credit recovery" class in order to graduate within four years.

How did the district respond to the plummeting graduation rates? In 2014 they adopted a grading scale that allows virtually everyone to pass.uggling to graduate on time?

A few years ago, District 201 reduced the graduation requirements in order to save money. Now, students are only offered 20 credits (5 classes x 4 years) and must pass all 20 in order to graduate on time. If a student fails even ONE class, he or she must attend night school or "credit recovery" class in order to graduate within four years.

How did the district respond to the plummeting graduation rates? In 2014 they adopted a grading scale that allows virtually everyone to pass.

What are the problems with the new grading system?  

In short, students who have not learned the class material can still pass easily.  Students who miss dozens of assignments and fail the majority of tests can still earn a passing grade.  As a result, the failure rate has dropped significantly across the district in just one semester.  Virtually every student passes, regardless of mastery.  (http://tinyurl.com/mortonfailurerates) This is not the result of improved instruction or re-taking tests.  This is directly linked to the adoption of the new grading scale that allows students to pass with a 20% (1 out of 5) average.
In addition, the new grading system relies on weights and “buckets” in order to calculate the final grade.  Most grades have at least four weights attached to them, which makes it very difficult for students, parents, and even teachers to understand how the grade is calculated.
Finally, the new weighting system actually hurts the Honors and AP students.  In order to get an A, students must earn A’s on virtually every exam, including the final.  Last semester, the percentage of “A” grades dropped significantly in the Honors and AP classes. http://tinyurl.com/mortonhonors

Why is it bad if more students pass? 

If students were passing the class because they learned more, then fewer failures would be a good thing.  However, students who did not learn what they should are still earning passing grades.  After they pass, there is no incentive to learn the material.  Students will not be adequately prepared for college or careers.


My child is an “A” student.  Why should I care about other students’ grades? 

Your child will graduate with a diploma from Morton HS.  Everyone wants that diploma to be prestigious and meaningful.  If the community, employers, and colleges perceive that Morton’s education is less rigorous than other schools then even straight-A students will be negatively impacted.

Is the board and administration aware of the problem?  

Yes.  Students and parents have had multiple meetings with administrators and board members.  They have given presentations at recent board meetings expressing their concerns.  The administration has acknowledged there are problems and they have made suggestions for ways to improve the grading system.  However, none of their recommendations will prevent students who haven’t learned the material from earning a passing grade.  It is also unlikely that this problem will be fixed in time for the 2014-2015 school year.  They have stated that the new grading system is here to stay.

I am concerned.  What can I do?  

Help us spread the word and get support from the community:
·       *Like us on Facebook (Parents Against Sinking Standards-Morton PASS)
·       *Follow us on Twitter (@Mortonpass)
·      * Sign up for text messages (Text: @JSMorton to (224) 803-2398)
·       *Join our email list.  Send an email message to: jsmorton@mail.remind101.com
·      * Stand up for fair grades and high standards--Join us for peaceful, public demonstrations which will be announced via social media
*Call administrators and board members. Tell them that you want fair grades and high standards for all Morton students.  Go to www.morton201.org to find email addresses for board members and administrators.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Morton seeks Input for New Principal Searches


Joe Gunty, Principal at Morton West High School is retiring after 35 years as an educator. Frank Zarate, the principal of Morton East has been assigned a new position within the district, Director of Special Projects.  

Morton District 201 seeks public input on their replacements at forums next week.

Morton East Principal Search Public Forum
Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Time: 6:00pm
Location: School Library, Morton East High School, 2423 South Austin, Cicero, IL
 
Morton West Principal Search Public Forum
Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Time: 7:00pm
Location: School Library, Morton West High School, 2400 S. Home Avenue, Berwyn, IL

Please attend one of the meetings.  Excellent leadership can make a great difference in student outcomes and school climate.  Here is an article that highlights some of the common characteristics that great principals share.  See you on Wednesday at Morton West at 7:00 pm. 


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Save the Date: Important Back to School Events

Save the Date:  Important Back to School Events
Mark your calendars to join friends of CARES for these upcoming events. Our thanks go to our local park districts and all the sponsors who are coordinating back to school events. Volunteering to work at CARES tables at these events offers a great way to get to know other parents who are similarly committed to improving local schools.  

Sunday, August 18th, 12:30 PM (Proksa Park)
District 100 Back to School Carnival
Bring your family for lunch off the grill, school supply giveaways, information booths, 'meet & greet' with teachers & principals, carnival games and petting zoo. CARES needs volunteers in 2 hour shifts from 11:00-5:00.  Volunteers will set up and man a CARES booth to distribute information about Berwyn CARES and offer activities/crafts for kids. Contact Shelley Titzer (titzers@yahoo.com) if you are interested in helping.

Monday, August 19th  
First Day of School for D100  
Early dismissal (11:25 for Elementary, 11:35 for Middle School)

Sunday, August 25th, 1:00 PM
District 98 Back to School Picnic 
(Location: 16th Street across from Sokol Tabor and North Berwyn Park District facility.) 
This picnic event also offers school supply giveaways and the chance for families to meet teachers and principals. CARES needs volunteers in 2 hour shifts from noon-4 pm.  Volunteers will set up and man a CARES booth to distribute information about Berwyn CARES and offer activities/crafts for kids.  Contact Amanda Mansk-Perryman (Amanda@ampdesigns.net) if you are interested in helping.

Monday, August, 26th  
First Day of School for Morton West  

Wednesday, August 28th  
First Day of School for D98   

Saturday, September 21st  
Oktoberfest in the Depot District
CARES will offer kids activities and an information booth from noon-5 pm.  Contact Debbie Durrer (debbie.durrer@gmail.com) if you are interested in volunteering to lead this effort on behalf of CARES. We are looking for creative ideas!!

With best wishes for a terrific 2013-2014 school year!

The Board of Directors for BerwynCARES

Monday, July 1, 2013

Baseball Team Gathers to...READ!



Some AWESOME Baseball coaches made a difference in their players lives this summer by not only nurturing their athletic interests but by encouraging them to read and write over the summer through the Berwyn CARES Summer Reading and Writing Program. Research shows that kids who do NOT read and write over the summer may lose months or more of achievement gained in the previous school year!  

Berwyn CARES has received dozens of mini-books and reading logs due to Mayor Lovero's generous donation of Chicago Fire tickets.  What a GREAT incentive!  One team gathered at Over The Rainbow Ice Cream Parlor to read their original stories aloud to their teammates, celebrating a winning baseball season AND a summer of learning. Thanks to Mayor Lovero, The Berwyn Recreation Center, Over the Rainbow Ice Cream Parlor and all the coaches and parents who made a difference.  

IMPORTANT:  It is not too late to submit your books or reading logs.  Go to www.berwyncares.org.  You can download a printable copy of the mini-book or reading log to work on for the rest of the summer.  Please turn in to Over the Rainbow Ice Cream Parlor for a free ice cream cone by August 1st.