parent feedback

This whole thing has given me more insight. I  knew that parents take talking about their child very personally.  And they should because they love them.

But it is even more intense for them when it’s not only their child but them as a teacher that gets something wrong.

It’s a higher stake conversation for them. Many parents blame the teacher. That does not work so well for them in this case.  

Just some insights.

wow last year I had no parents showing for parent teacher conferences. This year parents are screaming at me over one point on a Science test. Both these kids got 95 or above on the tests. 

 Names removed to protect the innocent - hey wait that's me! 

Mrs. Alspach,

At this point, I don't really care what the answer key says because it doesn't match the textbook. (We've already experienced countless Calvert Answer Key errors, so I've learned to look further!) Did you even look at the text? This material was covered BEFORE Science Test 1 and wasn't really included in material to study for Science Test 2, so I think he did a really good job remembering it as it is.

His answer is nearly identical to the highlighted section in his text. Pages 38 and 39 discuss the interactions of sound waves through reflection, diffraction and interference. Refraction isn't mentioned!!!! The answer key may have labeled sound bending around corners as refraction, but the text labeled it DIFFRACTION! "Figure 3-Diffraction of Sound-Sound waves can spread out after passing through a doorway, and can bend around a corner." (BTW-refraction refers to LIGHT waves on p19.) So, either the answer key is incorrect or the text the students are using to study is incorrect. Either way, points shouldn't be deducted for referring to sound waves bending as diffraction.

kajdf;lkajd

Ahhhh the joys of involved parents

 Mrs. Alspach,

______, or my other children, is no longer allowed to discuss grades. I have also told all my children to ignore all Calvert grades.
Re: Science- the BOOK uses the word "across" on page 8 as he indicated to you. He did not pull the term out of thin air to use.
Re: Grammar- My family has, and will continue to use the internet, I have taught them about things like wikipedia vs. .edu, .gov etc. If the books are not accurate, and the internet is not accurate then who is? Where should he go for proof? You have ignored the fact that the science book used the word "across" and now are telling him to not use the internet.
Why was a verb question tossed into the middle of concrete noun vs abstract noun lesson???? The checkpoints purpose, I thought, was to check their understanding of THAT lesson. Even though many times it is ahead of what they have read or studied.
Not to be completely rude or mean, but many of your posts use poor grammar and spelling. How are you able to guide him?

We absolutely dislike this program and will be withdrawing when we get back from vacation. I was very patient with the fact that this is the first year. We have dealt with many technical difficulties, supply/book issues, etc. I will not argue or debate over grades. Especially after finding out that their tests will be marked down because they did not type reports. I can handle bumps, I refuse to listen to my children say "why bother, I am sure VLAC will find a problem with it anyway."

_________,
soon to be FORMER VLAC parent

Did you know your are a SEE

we are Shared Educational Entity (SEE)
not sure what that means - more to come

Meaping my flashmob

Wow I am the site supervisor for Howell. It's 50 miles away over an hour drive.
I worked Monday night until 730 putting bar code labels on answer documents. I enjoyed learnign that part of the process. Then I was iste supervisor today. Carol was there so it was not all on me. But I was really working and doing some things on my own.
It's hard to meap for a group that does not attend school. We were calling parent who did not show. One swore at me.
The day was a blur. I want to take the time to connect to the students I have in. There are a few of them that are homeschoolers I think I could have more trust with if they saw my face.
I am soooo behind in test grading it's bad - really bad.  and there are things going on in my family and grad school keeping me out four nights this week. I am going to have to schedule time to grade tests over the weekend but I have class all day saturady. lt's bad. I have to set a goal. Ok all tests returned by Thursday at five pm. that's your goal. Thrusday 5pm.
more meaping tomorrow- hopefuly each day will get better. or smoother.

Count Day

Count Day is a challenge for virtual schools. You cannot count them coming in the door when there is no door. And our system does not have a teacher friendly view of logins. We have been very focused on getting logins before. I have two students that hasve not logged in yet. But I talked to everyone. I am just so tried of asking people to do something on the phone. They say they will and they do NOT.

I have to hand holds through count day. Then we can wash out some. This is not a program for everyone. But I do think it's a valuable program.
Hopefully I will have the piece of mind to post later today.