On Tuesday, Sept. 10th, I took part in an important privilege for Mounds View School Board candidates– the candidate meeting with the Superintendent. Throughout this one-to-one conversation, Supt. Hoverman proved thoughtful and forthright, and I was particularly pleased when he referred to me as very knowledgeable, involved, a supporter of the district, and one who has the credibility to run for the school board– before recognizing the “headache” and the “heartache” that go into it.
Being the only non-incumbent in the race also provided an opportunity to seek clarification on a question around an academic grading policy the Mounds View District has adopted– that being the inclusion of mathematics grades earned at the Intermediate Algebra level and higher on district students’ official high school transcripts.
Background: 2012-13 marked the first year Mounds View middle school students taking Intermediate Algebra or higher had their grades entered on their official high school transcripts. This practice raises student equity issues between Mounds View students and their Top 10 Metro District peers– since the possibility of grade point average or performance on a specific course– could eventually factor into a college admission decision.
Based on the input of several parents with the same concern (and were unable to achieve a response through other channels) I asked the Superintendent (1) how the policy was arrived at and (2) what other comparable districts saw fit to use the same practice.
Supt. Hoverman responded this decision was produced by what is known as the “I Cabinet.” (The I Cabinet is a group of director and assistant director level administrators who work in curriculum, instruction, assessment, evaluation, and student services– none of whom is a part of the formal 4-person superintendent cabinet.)
At some point last school year, the I Cabinet determined that a high school level course (Intermediate Algebra is seen as 9th grade math) ought to be factored into the high school transcript, and parents were notified of this decision mid-school year. Per the Superintendent, the School Board had no involvement in this development, nor would this decision appear anywhere in a Board policy manual.
Since there appeared to be no additional rationale for this significant change, evidence of other top-performing districts (e.g. Edina, Eden Prairie, Rosemount/Apple Valley Eagan) using this grading practice was requested.
Per followup by the Superintendent on 9/13, no other districts have been identified that include middle school math courses in students’ high school GPA calculations. Additionally, Supt. Hoverman said the issue had been placed on the October agenda of the Curriculum Advisory Committee. Here is a link from which you should be able to directly apply for participation in that committee: http://tinyurl.com/k5qlrsp.
John Hakes for Mounds View School Board '15 
If student took HS math (not middle school math), it is totally should include into HS transcript . What’s several parent’s concern is about? No one force any middle school kid take HS course, MV school district did wonderful job to provide HS math course in middle school so kids do not need commute to HS for math class.
As the article above indicates, including Intermediate Algebra courses on the transcript is not a policy for other– equally high-achieving– metropolitan area districts. I appreciate Yan’s zeal for learning (and would likely agree on many things) but being the lone district to have 6th or 7th grade work registered on a transcript could easily put District 621 students at a disadvantage when college application time rolls around.
It would be wonderful if all middle schoolers displayed a work ethic of a high school student, but the reality is, middle school is a time when sound work habits are just getting developed.
Maybe a solution would be to let those parents who would like to include their child’s math grade in their GPA to do so, and the ones who do not– to opt out.
Yan. I think it is wonderful that the middle school provides high school level math for students. State statute requires that students receive high school credit for these classes and that is fine too. But it is not required or necessary for that grade to be included in the high school GPA. In my opinion, it can only hurt students on college applications. If a competitive college sees that a student passed advanced math in middle school, that is impressive. If the college sees a lower grade, however, it will only hurt the student by bringing down the total GPA. When college admissions officers look at many applications, they may not take the time to learn the particular grade happened in middle school. As John says, it puts our students at a potential disadvantage to students in other districts. At top colleges nationally, MV kids also have to compete for admission with kids in other states. My son started high school math as a 6th grader (and gets A’s). Had I known prior to his selection to take this math that the grade would end up on the high school transcript, we would not have signed him up for the accelerated track – in spite of his desire and ability to do it. The risk for the future is too great, and I believe it should only go on the high school transcript as pass/fail.
Math is VERY import subject for high school. It is not acceptable and will only hurt student more if there is NO grade for high school math at all. Admission officer may not care if health is S/N, but definitely need math (A/F). Talking about GPA, even if you got B at 6th grade for intermediate algebra, that will only bring your GPA down by 0.04.. If you may submit SAT II math 800, AP Calculus II A by college admission stage, that one B will not hurt you at all. Since MV district has those advanced math program for middle school kids, for kids/parent that willing to face challenge have the opportunity excel, they are able to finish AP Calculus I & II by junior year. You also have weighted GPA for AP class, so your total GPA can only be higher – not lower. This put MV student stand out/huge advantage than other district.
If someone is really worry get a B at 6th grade, they should advocate school allow them either withdraw the course or retake it at high school. Please do NOT try to take away all other student’s grade!
For many middle school students at Moundsview school district, their Math level is way above their grade level. Taking lower level high school Math classes at middle school is not an approach for every one but is precious opportunity for students who are capable to handle it. Also taking high school AP Math classes at middle school is realities at today’s world too. When middle school students take same level AP classes as high school students, high school students get weighted credit on their GPA but not the middle school students. Mr. Hakes, what is your position on the middle school students taking high school AP classes? Should middle school students’ AP grades get weighted also?
Great question, Judy~ I am supportive of every opportunity Mounds View students can get to learn at their own pace, and you are right, there will only be additional advanced classes being taken by 12 and 13-year-old students as time goes on. As Yan and your input reveal, many who opt for accelerated tracks will want their grades to count in their GPAs. At the same time, there will be a subset of students who didn’t know what they were getting into, and the complexity of the high school grade calculation will increase.
It’s these kinds of questions that makes my primary campaign objective about creating a more public, participatory model around curriculum, instruction, programs, and assessments issues as required by 2013 Minnesota Statutes Section 120B.11 all the more critical to the school careers of Mounds View Public School students. This section will be officially published at the end of September, but it essentially expects school districts to adopt better plans re: student achievement. In a few days, I will be posting a campaign video that features this theme. In the meantime, I am told by the MN Revisor of Statutes office that MN Laws Chapter 116, Article 2, Section 6 contains the same language as the referenced statute due out later.
Right now, these important grading decisions are being made with little to no input by the Board or primary Cabinet of the Superintendent. The District’s Curriculum Advisory Committee currently has no recommendation authority, contrary to what the law calls for. These decisions are being made too casually, in my view, and a more open and nuanced solution needs to be developed.
I hope you are willing to support what will be the most substantive campaign in the Mounds View School Board election.
Thank you,
John
Thank you for your reply John.
I will support the candidates who will work towards creating more challenging/advanced opportunities for students, encouraging students taking opportunities and recognizing/rewarding their achievements, especially at academic related areas.
Nice respond in return of this difficulty with
genuine arguments and describing the whole thing on the topic of that.