Last week this blog posted on changes to The District's grading system being blocked by the IHSA.
As previously posted, changing The District's grading system has been proven to not be conducive to students who are seeking to go to college. Additionally, it has proven to not be conducive to student athletes. So, why was the change made? More importantly, why was the change allowed to be made without knowing how it would affect students?
As previously posted, changing The District's grading system has been proven to not be conducive to students who are seeking to go to college. Additionally, it has proven to not be conducive to student athletes. So, why was the change made? More importantly, why was the change allowed to be made without knowing how it would affect students?
Today, we learn that apparently some blame falls on principals, counselors and athletic directors for the change being made, because "they didn't mention concerns." If they had mentioned concerns, would anybody have listened? They certainly didn't listen to parents when they showed up to voice their concerns.
IHSA rules compel District 150 to reverse grading policy
School District 150 is going back to semester-long courses, with semester grades and credits, for all high school classes, reversing a policy of yearlong courses and credits that went into effect this year.
Though several parents protested yearlong courses, saying it could jeopardize some seniors' chances for college admissions and scholarships, the district's reversal came about because of athletic eligibility rules.
"Essentially, it's being done to be compliant with IHSA," said District 150 spokesman Chris Coplan.
Kim Hudson, mother of a Peoria High School senior who ran into problems applying for colleges and scholarships because of the yearlong policy, still is frustrated with the district, but she's ready to move on.
"To me, it makes it look like they consider what happens to athletes more important than what happens to the average student," Hudson said. "But I'm not ready to fight that battle."
"...neither principals, counselors nor athletic directors mentioned concerns about the yearlong policy
when it was first discussed in the spring." Coplan
"It didn't come up until we started moving forward with the policy," he said.
Concerns about how yearlong courses would affect athletic eligibility - for instance, if a high school junior failed a yearlong course would he be ineligible for a year - came up about the same time parents started expressing concerns about college admissions, Coplan said.
After contacting the IHSA, the district chose to return to allowing students to accumulate credits at the end of a semester rather than the end of the school year.
Hudson and Paris McConnell, another parent of a Peoria High student, said they wish the district had gotten more input from parents before switching to yearlong courses.
Most colleges make admissions decisions based on a student's showing in the junior year of high school. In some cases, admissions officers want to see a high school senior's grades for the first semester, which can't happen with yearlong courses.
Hudson said at least one college placed her daughter's application on hold until she submitted first semester grades. Another said her chances of receiving a scholarship would be diminished. Source
21 comments:
Lathan has proven that she will punish anyone that voices an opinion. This lack of communication should be expected.
Exactly my thought! I heard the prinicipal's meetings look like an oil painting.
One way to follow the trail to whoever 1st came up with the suggestion, is to look back on Board Meeting minutes and documents regarding those minutes.
PSD150 them is Remarkable . How strange is it The blame game is remarkable. Leadership must be 1. accountable for decision to implement without problem solving/logistics/risk management skills
2. Who can challenge Leadership without feeling threatened if you question the idea??
3. Why Make the change when IT IS NOT Necessary-doing to much, too soon- without Justification...
4. Assume responsibility for decisions-Most responsible Adults do---namely being adult.
The price is too high, the cost of wasted time, efforts and again TIME that none of can recover is the Crime...
Lets Go FORWARD with Well Thought OUT Planning... Change what needs to be changed not Being Busy-Doing Stuff because one may think it is Smart... Lets Strive to Be Wise Practical.....
Paris for school board!
Emerge for school board!
Sorry. Paris won't get my vote. She tends to bully when she can't get her way....
Maybe a 'bully' is needed... to stand up to another 'bully'...
Why does this surprise any of you. Latham and her gang of North Carolina people never think anything through.
Wow Anonymous won't Vote for ME...
No problem I am Not running
Strength to speak and stand is what leaders do... anonymous people blog with hidden agendas shame to share openly & truthfully....
I am glad I know WHO I am
Interesting that the BOE and Lathan would not "listen" to a parent with concerns about "yearlong" grades, but hey, the MINUTE the IHSA(Sports for the mostpart) chimes in because it will effect eligibility with regard to basketball, baseball, football, soccer, volleyball, swimming, etc.....Lathan REVERSES her(BOE) decision. Sadly, the parent who is concerned about her child's college application is told, "we can't change for just a few kids". I thought Lathan was about ACADEMICS and IMPROVING test scores.....obviously not!
What reason did Lathan give for making the change in the first place to yearlong classes?
I do wonder why no one thought of or brought up the IHSA angle. Terry Knapp spoke to the issue many times at board meetings--but did not think about IHSA. I am still wondering who finally brought this issue to the District's attention. It is even possible that the IHSA was presented to Lathan earlier and ignored--it's not like she is in the habit of seeking advice.
Had Lathan been left to sink on this issue, the problem would have been bigger than any of us expected because of the athlete eligibility issue. Hopefully, the Board will now insist on being informed before instead of after the fact.
Is there anyone left who actually believes that Lathan is anything but a hateful and incompetent bully?
I would vote for Emerge and Paris.
The only time Latham will listen to a parent is if they have a complaint against somebody who is already in her crosshairs. Otherwise she got nothing for ya.
or maybe someone at her church
concerns were brought up by counselors/principals, and quickly squashed. After all, the leadership in the district doesn't like it when others have something to say. Lathan loves doing it her way, and has proven that she has no regard for rules or legal consequences. Can't wait to get her out of here!!!
She obviously will not take the blame for any part of this. Do you think her attack on Ruffin is, in part, a payback for feeling like the athletic department should be the people she blames for this. I bet there will be more to come for some of the people involved in athletics in 150.
Yes, she has already said in a meeting it is the Athletic Directors fault she is having trouble with the IHSA about the semester grades because they checked with the IHSA. And it is also being told she has already taken away some of their authority. This is how she rules.
She is Veruca Salt and the BOE is the father giving her whatever she wants.
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