Lynne Harris: "People complain about Montgomery County Public Schools until they go somewhere else"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While Lynne defends the status quo of MCPS, more metrics prove that the system is failing our children.

SOURCE: https://montgomeryperspective.com/2024/04/01/mcpss-shocking-performance-on-college-and-career-readiness/

MCPS has been regarded as one of the best school systems in Maryland, and much of the nation, for a long time. But shocking stats on college and career readiness presented to the county council this week may call that into question.

On April 3, the council’s Education and Culture Committee is due to review college and career readiness (CCR) measures prepared by MCPS. CCR is one of the major topics addressed by the state’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future program, which has established a set of interim measures for school districts. Montgomery College also has a set of CCR measures established to comply with the Blueprint.

The slide below is MCPS’s report on interim CCR measures for tenth graders.



For all 10th graders, 53% met the interim measures on English language arts, 10% met them on math and 9% met them on both. That’s right, folks – NINE PERCENT.

Now to the demographic subgroups. One-third or less of Latino, Emergent Multilingual Learner and Special Education 10th graders met the interim measures on English. Five percent or less of Black, Latino, Emergent Multilingual Learner, Special Education and FARMS (free and reduced price meals) 10th graders met the interim measures on math. And Asian 10th graders were the only subgroup to record at least one-quarter of 10th graders meeting interim measures on both English and math.

The jig is up. MCPS needs fixing.

Maybe we should change the way we assess these skills. This looks like a testing and evaluation problem, not a student problem. College expectations should reflect the skills of the students leaving high schools, so we can just lower the standards and then the numbers will look better and be more in line with what students are actually capable of producing. Through that lens, Im sure MCPS looks really good, probably one of the best.

Well, if they're using flawed tests like MCAP to make their point, then you are right, it's a testing and evaluation problem.

[Anonymous]

We are going somewhere else for my child's graduation because there are so many students in her class, theres no place in montgomery county to fit them all. We have to go to Baltimore County for the graduation ceremony.
Sad comment on condition of schooling in montgomery county

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are going somewhere else for my child's graduation because there are so many students in her class, theres no place in montgomery county to fit them all. We have to go to Baltimore County for the graduation ceremony.
Sad comment on condition of schooling in montgomery county

As far as I know, high schools in Montgomery County have been doing this since at least the 1990s. Except in 2021, when students graduated in their school stadiums, which I personally preferred...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are going somewhere else for my child's graduation because there are so many students in her class, theres no place in montgomery county to fit them all. We have to go to Baltimore County for the graduation ceremony.
Sad comment on condition of schooling in montgomery county

As far as I know, high schools in Montgomery County have been doing this since at least the 1990s. Except in 2021, when students graduated in their school stadiums, which I personally preferred...

Yes. DAR Constitution Hall has been hosting MCPS graduations since at least the 1990s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are going somewhere else for my child's graduation because there are so many students in her class, theres no place in montgomery county to fit them all. We have to go to Baltimore County for the graduation ceremony.
Sad comment on condition of schooling in montgomery county

It's not a comment on the condition of schooling, it's a comment on the lack of large auditoriums or arenas in Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

From the MoCo 360 Education newsletter today, more arrogance from Lynne:

On Wednesday, Harris told me that her concern lies more with the possibility that there may be only a small pool of candidates to choose from rather than with problems with the district’s reputation.

“I don’t think there are people out there in the world that are not going to want to look at MCPS and say, ‘Oh, that's a train wreck. I don’t want to go there,’ ” Harris said. “I just think that is a false narrative. But I think the truth is we’re in a place where the timing is less than ideal.”

All I know is if I were a superintendent and show the mess that MCPS has been and how it has cycled through numerous superintendents over the last decade, I would be running in the other direction. But Lynne thinks everything is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the MoCo 360 Education newsletter today, more arrogance from Lynne:

On Wednesday, Harris told me that her concern lies more with the possibility that there may be only a small pool of candidates to choose from rather than with problems with the district’s reputation.

“I don’t think there are people out there in the world that are not going to want to look at MCPS and say, ‘Oh, that's a train wreck. I don’t want to go there,’ ” Harris said. “I just think that is a false narrative. But I think the truth is we’re in a place where the timing is less than ideal.”

All I know is if I were a superintendent and show the mess that MCPS has been and how it has cycled through numerous superintendents over the last decade, I would be running in the other direction. But Lynne thinks everything is good.

Harris is correct that this is mostly a false narrative embraced by the hyper-privileged fringe. If you make the effort to look more closely, you'll see that test scores by similar SES brackets has remained the same or gone up. The difference is the county's demographic mix is different than 20 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Idi not send my child to MCPS. My child attends a private school. Given all of the issues facing the school system, especially during covid, along with the fact that there has been massive turnover on the school board since the last election cycle, I have no idea who to bore for

As for segregation within MCPS, I think the system is beyond the point of segregation. When the district us a majority minority district and a majority of the white students attend nonpublic school (as been the case since before Covid), it's going to be an actual impossibility to desegregate MCPS in any meaningful way.

Basically, MCPS, as a system, is facing declining revenue from a reduced tax base along with a school-age population requiring more resources. Given the fact that the resources are not available, the only way to prop up the system is with a staff talent pool that is not at the level of what the school system wants, but is at a rate that they can afford. While a really good administrator can help with rhe situation, I don't know that the current board or any of the candidates running for board sears have the ability or vision to hire someone like that and leave him/Her alone to do the job

Since I am not personally invested in MCPS, it is difficult to support tax increases to ensure a highly educated student population. Part of it is the Isherwood amount of waste inherent within MCPS. Part of it is not being confident that increased spending in an amount I can afford will fix the problem. Part of it is seeing that less educated students will offer less competition of my child once he enters the workforce

As for Lynne Harris, it is difficult to support someone who doesn't think MCPS faces structural issues. Fights, racism, declining scores, anti Semitic incidents, sexual assault cover up, fights at football games etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Idi not send my child to MCPS. My child attends a private school. Given all of the issues facing the school system, especially during covid, along with the fact that there has been massive turnover on the school board since the last election cycle, I have no idea who to bore for

As for segregation within MCPS, I think the system is beyond the point of segregation. When the district us a majority minority district and a majority of the white students attend nonpublic school (as been the case since before Covid), it's going to be an actual impossibility to desegregate MCPS in any meaningful way.

Basically, MCPS, as a system, is facing declining revenue from a reduced tax base along with a school-age population requiring more resources. Given the fact that the resources are not available, the only way to prop up the system is with a staff talent pool that is not at the level of what the school system wants, but is at a rate that they can afford. While a really good administrator can help with rhe situation, I don't know that the current board or any of the candidates running for board sears have the ability or vision to hire someone like that and leave him/Her alone to do the job

Since I am not personally invested in MCPS, it is difficult to support tax increases to ensure a highly educated student population. Part of it is the Isherwood amount of waste inherent within MCPS. Part of it is not being confident that increased spending in an amount I can afford will fix the problem. Part of it is seeing that less educated students will offer less competition of my child once he enters the workforce

As for Lynne Harris, it is difficult to support someone who doesn't think MCPS faces structural issues. Fights, racism, declining scores, anti Semitic incidents, sexual assault cover up, fights at football games etc.

Your comment doesn’t belong here. Go visit the private school forum. This is for MCPS parents and Harris is correct. You aren’t in the schools by your own admission so you really have no idea what the state of MCPS is. I guess all those college scholarships, accolades, aeards, ect that students are still achieving doesn’t mean anything to you? You are privileged if you are sending your child to private. I don’t care about your background. It’s a privilege. Good for you for wanting to do what’s best for your family. But any families - this is it. And MCPS is not falling apart in any way. There have been some major bumps and inappropriate actions, yes. But it’s far from falling apart. The state of education in the entire nation is struggling. We have it pretty good in Maryland, even if you don’t see it or believe it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the MoCo 360 Education newsletter today, more arrogance from Lynne:

On Wednesday, Harris told me that her concern lies more with the possibility that there may be only a small pool of candidates to choose from rather than with problems with the district’s reputation.

“I don’t think there are people out there in the world that are not going to want to look at MCPS and say, ‘Oh, that's a train wreck. I don’t want to go there,’ ” Harris said. “I just think that is a false narrative. But I think the truth is we’re in a place where the timing is less than ideal.”

All I know is if I were a superintendent and show the mess that MCPS has been and how it has cycled through numerous superintendents over the last decade, I would be running in the other direction. But Lynne thinks everything is good.

I don't think these are contradictory. Sure, the board has made some bad decisions, but these problems predated McKnight even. I'd expect any school system this size to have some issues. Nevertheless, I feel my kids have the opportunity to get a great education so I feel Lynne is spot on.

[Anonymous]

Howard, Loudoun, Fairfax have all surpassed MCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the MoCo 360 Education newsletter today, more arrogance from Lynne:

On Wednesday, Harris told me that her concern lies more with the possibility that there may be only a small pool of candidates to choose from rather than with problems with the district’s reputation.

“I don’t think there are people out there in the world that are not going to want to look at MCPS and say, ‘Oh, that's a train wreck. I don’t want to go there,’ ” Harris said. “I just think that is a false narrative. But I think the truth is we’re in a place where the timing is less than ideal.”

All I know is if I were a superintendent and show the mess that MCPS has been and how it has cycled through numerous superintendents over the last decade, I would be running in the other direction. But Lynne thinks everything is good.

Harris is correct that this is mostly a false narrative embraced by the hyper-privileged fringe. If you make the effort to look more closely, you'll see that test scores by similar SES brackets has remained the same or gone up. The difference is the county's demographic mix is different than 20 years ago.

The other difference from 20 years ago is that school system is very poorly managed now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Idi not send my child to MCPS. My child attends a private school. Given all of the issues facing the school system, especially during covid, along with the fact that there has been massive turnover on the school board since the last election cycle, I have no idea who to bore for

As for segregation within MCPS, I think the system is beyond the point of segregation. When the district us a majority minority district and a majority of the white students attend nonpublic school (as been the case since before Covid), it's going to be an actual impossibility to desegregate MCPS in any meaningful way.

Basically, MCPS, as a system, is facing declining revenue from a reduced tax base along with a school-age population requiring more resources. Given the fact that the resources are not available, the only way to prop up the system is with a staff talent pool that is not at the level of what the school system wants, but is at a rate that they can afford. While a really good administrator can help with rhe situation, I don't know that the current board or any of the candidates running for board sears have the ability or vision to hire someone like that and leave him/Her alone to do the job

Since I am not personally invested in MCPS, it is difficult to support tax increases to ensure a highly educated student population. Part of it is the Isherwood amount of waste inherent within MCPS. Part of it is not being confident that increased spending in an amount I can afford will fix the problem. Part of it is seeing that less educated students will offer less competition of my child once he enters the workforce

As for Lynne Harris, it is difficult to support someone who doesn't think MCPS faces structural issues. Fights, racism, declining scores, anti Semitic incidents, sexual assault cover up, fights at football games etc.

LOL - you must be one of Harris' challengers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Idi not send my child to MCPS. My child attends a private school. Given all of the issues facing the school system, especially during covid, along with the fact that there has been massive turnover on the school board since the last election cycle, I have no idea who to bore for

As for segregation within MCPS, I think the system is beyond the point of segregation. When the district us a majority minority district and a majority of the white students attend nonpublic school (as been the case since before Covid), it's going to be an actual impossibility to desegregate MCPS in any meaningful way.

Basically, MCPS, as a system, is facing declining revenue from a reduced tax base along with a school-age population requiring more resources. Given the fact that the resources are not available, the only way to prop up the system is with a staff talent pool that is not at the level of what the school system wants, but is at a rate that they can afford. While a really good administrator can help with rhe situation, I don't know that the current board or any of the candidates running for board sears have the ability or vision to hire someone like that and leave him/Her alone to do the job

Since I am not personally invested in MCPS, it is difficult to support tax increases to ensure a highly educated student population. Part of it is the Isherwood amount of waste inherent within MCPS. Part of it is not being confident that increased spending in an amount I can afford will fix the problem. Part of it is seeing that less educated students will offer less competition of my child once he enters the workforce

As for Lynne Harris, it is difficult to support someone who doesn't think MCPS faces structural issues. Fights, racism, declining scores, anti Semitic incidents, sexual assault cover up, fights at football games etc.

LOL - you must be one of Harris' challengers.

The person who wrote that long post is stupid

Schools have been like this since they opened.

Fights in a school yard or after school lol


Gas lighting and fear mongering from the religious right idiots

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Idi not send my child to MCPS. My child attends a private school. Given all of the issues facing the school system, especially during covid, along with the fact that there has been massive turnover on the school board since the last election cycle, I have no idea who to bore for

As for segregation within MCPS, I think the system is beyond the point of segregation. When the district us a majority minority district and a majority of the white students attend nonpublic school (as been the case since before Covid), it's going to be an actual impossibility to desegregate MCPS in any meaningful way.

Basically, MCPS, as a system, is facing declining revenue from a reduced tax base along with a school-age population requiring more resources. Given the fact that the resources are not available, the only way to prop up the system is with a staff talent pool that is not at the level of what the school system wants, but is at a rate that they can afford. While a really good administrator can help with rhe situation, I don't know that the current board or any of the candidates running for board sears have the ability or vision to hire someone like that and leave him/Her alone to do the job

Since I am not personally invested in MCPS, it is difficult to support tax increases to ensure a highly educated student population. Part of it is the Isherwood amount of waste inherent within MCPS. Part of it is not being confident that increased spending in an amount I can afford will fix the problem. Part of it is seeing that less educated students will offer less competition of my child once he enters the workforce

As for Lynne Harris, it is difficult to support someone who doesn't think MCPS faces structural issues. Fights, racism, declining scores, anti Semitic incidents, sexual assault cover up, fights at football games etc.

You seem very vested in MCPS.