^Right, I forgot about that. All the test centers for Aug are sold out in our metro region also.
@TXStuMom I hope schoology is better during the fall, it was a disaster here in the spring constantly crashing.
Regarding going back to school, I think most people agree more time is needed for firm decisions. Each email from the school seems to have a new update - but I wish they would just wait a little longer - as so many ideas have come and gone with the increased numbers. Appreciate the communication, but it is all invalid after a bit more time.
One very telling sign in our region is that only 10% of the substitute teacher pool has signed back on in the database to be notified if a sub is needed - both long and short term in the district for the 2020-21 school year grades K-12. We are already short subs with the full number and with only 10% to date - that doesnât bode well for school in person even in the state/district says it is a go. I also continue to wonder how many teachers will just say no.
What a mess and trying to keep my own neurotic worrying to myself vs venting to our 3 teens. Doesnât always work 
On another note, interesting read in The Atlantic - "Colleges are getting ready to blame their students - dated 7/21. Our school counselors should have been working only a small amount this summer, but just sent out an email stating they will be delayed writing recommendations and looking over essays until September 1st - as they are now only working with the recent graduates with all the college changes, requests for deferrals and wait list movement.
@TXStuMom @Aguadecoco our district has decided to use Edgenuity for virtual learning.
Our District had Edgenuity last semester,my daughter did not have any problems. I didnât hear anyone having either. But we did not have any synchronous classes last semester, mostly the teachers had recorded lessons on edgenuity and once or twice a week zoom lessons. The district is billing the new schoology platform to be â10 times better than what we had in Springâ. So, lets see how that goes. UIL wants to start sports in first week of Sept. I think everything is still up in the air.
Specific class plans for the two colleges we use for dual credit are out. The community college has mostly synchronous online classes where D23 will log in and be with all the other students in real time. Clubs are happening in-person outside and virtually, depending on the weather. A couple classes for both her and D21 are asynchronous, but one of the professors is someone D21 had last year - he did an excellent job converting his class to an online format last March. D21âs physics course is hybrid, which I think means lecture is online in real time and lab is in person.
The other college is a public state college where D21 takes Spanish. I think that class is in person, but itâs one of the more advanced classes so there are only five or six people enrolled (including D21).
Both also have a couple online APs through PA Homeschoolers too, so obviously that format isnât affected by COVID (anyone deciding to homeschool next year might want to check out PA Homeschoolers Online AP Classes - they are excellent - AP Chem with Moskaluk is especially top-notchâŠyour teen can also sign up for that chem course through ChemAdvantage).
Dumb question, but are SAT proctors paid by College Board directly, like a subcontracting side gig?
@evergreen5 I believe so. Iâve never heard of any parents being asked to be proctors here but I know a friend of mine in CA who has proctored at her kidsâ high school. I think our school tries to use teachers.
Just thinkin out loud about the potential differences between a normal school day and a standardized test. As in, might there be a way to hold the test in a school where there are no in-person classes. Risk to teacher health seems to be one of the bigger reasons behind avoiding in-person classes, but might there be a sufficient number of (presumably younger) teachers interested in a Saturday side-gig test proctoring positionâŠ
@evergreen5 yes the are. My teacher husband proctored one when ny D took the test, since he was driving out there anyway. The coordinator sent out an email to teachers all over the district (K-12) looking for help. There was some type of very brief training then he went on test day, got a check from CB a few weeks later.
Did anyoneâs student receive a âcode 96â on an AP exam? D21 had a successful AP Psychology test (printed page that said it was successfully submitted) on the regular test day. All her other tests came back on score day but she received a âcode 96â on Psychology which apparently means there is a delay. AP site says to check back if she has not gotten results by 8/7. She emailed Psych teacher who referred her to AP coordinator who gave her basically the same info as AP site. I think she was hoping that the psych teacher could at least verify that he had received her response but not sure if she asked that question to him. I am hoping that the score will still come but concerned about what could be the hold up. I saw on CC that this has happened other years but have not seen any mention of it this year from anyone other than the post I made on my D.
@JanieWalker - ditto what you said about PA Homeschoolers. That was one of the recommendations that I received from a friend who homeschools in California. She also recommended UCScout. Note that some of the PA Homewchoolers AP classes are already full.
Iâve heard that several other providers of online homeschool classes are closing registration earlier than usual because their waitlists are already full.
Rumors at this point, but itâs going around like wildfire after the 100% virtual return to school vote last night and statement from the board that âno students will be allowed in buildingsâ that there is no way the SAT will take place in county school buildings.
SAT is king here, very few take the ACT. There typically is one site in out county of 58,000 for ACT at each testing date and 3-4 for the SAT. Thatâs bringing back a ton of students into the buildings. Gosh, I hope they figure this out- and ahead of time. There is one county that has announced they are back 5 days not far away. Itâs going to become a guess the open location game is my take.
@evergreen5 Around here, when I ask teachers and principals, they say if school isnât in person then the school is not open for any students for any reason. They donât want a spike in their neighborhood and itâs likely that many of the students at the test would be from their district. So no standardized tests.
ISD survery: 62% parents want f2f and 38% virtual. Board meeting Thursday, will know more then. but they want to start Aug 17th with f2f , our grading periods will be changed from 6 weeks to 9 weeks Teachers for virtual may NOT be from your campus but from district. 3rd graders and under are not required to wear mask. Classes will be synchronous, no asynchronous allowed.
Burghdad Congrats to your daughter that is really impressive. My son was disappointed with his scores. It is such an odd year. I always notice your post because I have a senior in the honors college at Clemson. Because of one of your posts we checked out UDel virtually of course and now it is on my sonâs list. I have to ask why no OSU on any of your posts? I have a rising sophomore there too and he loved it, he canât wait to get back.
PA Homeschoolersâ AP classes sometimes fill up by the end of Feb, depending on the class. Some are still open now though - and a non-homeschooler can take AP Chem by signing up through ChemAdvantage instead of PA Homeschoolers (itâs the same class). That Chem class is one of the best courses I have ever seen, online or in-person. It kicked D21âs butt - but she learned a ton and loved the course and somehow squeaked out an A (and did very well on the AP exam). Moskaluk is excellent. Whenever I read someone say that online classes arenât better than in-person, especially when it comes to the sciences and labs, or that theyâre easier, I shake my head and think of that class (and certain others). It really does depend on the quality of the course/format and the commitment of the teacher and TAs. AOs know and respect PA Homeschooler classes and many homeschoolers now at Ivies and other tippy tops have taken PA Homeschooler AP classes.
(I have no experience with UCScout so I canât speak to them).
@NJWrestlingmom Have heard the same from a few people here. Not in anger or criticism, just a resigned, âItâs the End Timesâ followed by a long explantion of all the âsigns.â
I donât think I posted the new back to school plan presented to teachers yet. Of course, I donât like it as much! Curious to see how other parents will react when they announce it at the board meeting tonight.
Still A/B days, but now A kids go to the first 1/2 of the periods Monday, then the other 1/2 of classes Thursday; B group does the same Tuesday/Friday. Wednesday all kids are home, teachers are in school doing live teaching. They are done by 12:30 everyday. But now that means only 1 day a week is in person for each class. And D21 was going to have late arrival so potentially she has a late arrival and a lunch period on both of her in person days! Just doesnât seem like enough to me. Sheâs probably going to reach out to guidance when we have a schedule and see if she can add a class at this point.