trulycrabby Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I have contructed transcripts for a private school application, and the admissions office requested course descriptions with scope and sequence. I know that course descriptions for college applications include a grade rubric, but this is for middle scool, and they said nothing about including one. I could call them, but they would likely just say "Sure, include a grade rubric." Am I committing a huge transcript faux pas by not putting the grade rubric in the course description? Cross posting on the Middle School board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I have contructed transcripts for a private school application, and the admissions office requested course descriptions with scope and sequence. I know that course descriptions for college applications include a grade rubric, but this is for middle scool, and they said nothing about including one. I could call them, but they would likely just say "Sure, include a grade rubric." Am I committing a huge transcript faux pas by not putting the grade rubric in the course description? Cross posting on the Middle School board. Course descriptions and scope and sequence are not included on a transcript. They should be separate documents...although I have not heard of *middle school* wanting course descriptions and scope and sequence. :001_huh: Yes, you should include a grade rubric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) Sorry, I should have been more clear: I did a transcript with grades and a grading scale, ie. 90-100% = A. Then, I am writing separate course descriptions for each subject. Scope and sequence will be in the course description. Arcadia suggested I write something like this to explain how I came up with grades: "Student’s math grade will be broken down as follows: Tests/Quizzes/Assessments 70% of the grade, class work 20%, homework 10%." Thanks, Ellie! I appreciate your help! :) Edited February 15, 2016 by trulycrabby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Sorry, I should have been more clear: I did a transcript with grades and a grading scale, ie. 90-100% = A. Then, I am writing separate course descriptions for each subject. Scope and sequence will be in the course description. Arcadia suggested I write something like this to explain how I came up with grades: "Student’s math grade will be broken down as follows: Tests/Quizzes/Assessments 70% of the grade, class work 20%, homework 10%." Thanks, Ellie! I appreciate your help! :) :huh: I have never heard of providing that kind of grade breakdown on a course description *for middle school.* I've never heard of having to provide a scope and sequence. This must be some super-duper private school. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 :huh: I have never heard of providing that kind of grade breakdown on a course description *for middle school.* I've never heard of having to provide a scope and sequence. This must be some super-duper private school. It's probably for placement. Our local public high school asks for the same thing from homeschoolers. They want a lot of information about the classes, curriculum, and grading so they can make decisions about allowing students to enroll in honors classes and decisions about granting students credit for math or foreign language taken in middle school. Parents who are okay with their 9th grade student taking all regular track classes and starting math with "Foundations of Algebra" don't have to give the school anything. OP: I would do just what Arcadia suggested. High schools are accustomed to giving parents a breakdown of the grade in the syllabus at the beginning of the year, so that's probably what they are looking for in your course descriptions. I don't know if you've been awarding grades, but a simple percentage breakdown like you listed will be fine. Or you can even take the Regentude approach where the entire grade is based on a comprehensive final. I'm sure the school is just wanting to know that you based the grade on something rather than making it up out of thin air. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) It's just a good local private school, not super competitive like some of the best northeast private schools. The teachers were wonderful though, and they all seemed to love to talk about curriculum and their philopophy of teaching. They reminded me of us. :) I am happy to do the course descriptions, and am going to really know what I am doing if we decide to continue homeschooling through graduation. Yes, I am still considering homeschooling; it's tough to let go once you are doing it. DS's achievement tests were so high that I know we have been doing a good job with it. Edited February 15, 2016 by trulycrabby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 I do record grades, so it's not difficult to do a breakdown of how they were calculated. I just lack Word Table-creating skills but remembered this is the internet age and templates are everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 It's probably for placement. Our local public high school asks for the same thing from homeschoolers. They want a lot of information about the classes, curriculum, and grading so they can make decisions about allowing students to enroll in honors classes and decisions about granting students credit for math or foreign language taken in middle school. Parents who are okay with their 9th grade student taking all regular track classes and starting math with "Foundations of Algebra" don't have to give the school anything. OP: I would do just what Arcadia suggested. High schools are accustomed to giving parents a breakdown of the grade in the syllabus at the beginning of the year, so that's probably what they are looking for in your course descriptions. I don't know if you've been awarding grades, but a simple percentage breakdown like you listed will be fine. Or you can even take the Regentude approach where the entire grade is based on a comprehensive final. I'm sure the school is just wanting to know that you based the grade on something rather than making it up out of thin air. I can understand some of this *for high school.* This is middle school. I don't see how the parent's scope and sequence would have anything to do with a child's placement. Course descriptions, maybe (but not for middle school). Standardized test scores and a list of textbooks used would make more sense. I disagree with Arcadia. Also, it is important to know *exactly* what the school is asking for, and to provide *only that much.* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) In that line of thought, Ellie, I could just include scope and sequence, since that is all they asked for. If they want more, they can ask for it. Edited February 15, 2016 by trulycrabby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 The super duper private schools with a long waiting lists demands high scores from their entrance tests regardless of when the child apply. Even the kids entering K are tested. Unless you have a standardized form to fill up for the school, you can always wait until they ask for more information. We can start collecting high school credits in 7th grade and at least two private schools do AP at 8th grade. So it is a different ball game depending on which private or public school you are applying for. Don't stress and have fun :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 In that line of thought, Ellie, I could just include scope and sequence, since that is all they asked for. If they want more, they can ask for it. Yeah, you could. I still don't understand why they want a scope and sequence, though. o_0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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