Information From February 2, 2012 6th into 7th, 7th into 8th Parent Meeting

Presentation from the Guidance Department:

Presentation from Mr. Ridgley:

Q:  Are students allowed to retry homework problems that they have missed?

 A:  Yes.  The students are encouraged to do the homework problems over until they feel comfortable with the material.

Q:  Why does the work on Digits seem so difficult?

A:  The difficulty of the material is not a Digits issue, but a Common Core Standards issue.  The State has recently adopted the CCS and with it comes much more critical thinking and application problems in Math.   Digits follows those standards and their rigor.

 Q:  Are paper pencil tests going to be taken in classes?

A:  We have been taking paper and pencil tests in class due to a glitch that was not allowing students the ability to go back and review their work.  That glitch has been fixed.  We will soon be going back to computerized tests.  This does not mean that students will not be using pencil and paper on the tests.  It just means that the format will be on the computer and additional paper will be used to show the work of the problems on the test.

Q:  With the homework on the computer, I am being told that my child does not have to show any work.  Is this true?

A:  This is absolutely false.  The students are still required to show their work on all math problems.  The computer is where the answer is entered, but work must accompany the problems on not only homework, but tests as well.

Q:  Is there a way for students to get help at home?

A:  Yes.  The students have 2 options currently for additional help at home on homework.  The first is the "help me solve this" button.  This will take the student step by step through the current problem that they are on.  Once they are walked through, another similar problem is given in place of the one that they had help on.  The second option is the "show me an example" button.  This option allows the student to walk through, with help, a similar problem to the be they are working on.  Once they have been walked through an example, they are returned to the problem they are working on.

Q:  What if the grades on my child's Digits account does not match the grades in PowerSchool?

A:  Contact your child's teacher and they will be able to look into it and give you a reason why this is the case or contact Pearson to find out why the grades are not matching up.