Anyone know what the Middle School Magnet Process will be like this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious if anyone has heard what the process for selection will be like for the middle school magnets this year. Will they be giving COGAT this year, or doing it like last year and using MAP cutoffs and lottery type selection. The parent meeting will be in early November, but was wondering if anyone had heard yet about this year's process.

lottrery

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Local morning seems to yield as good or better results than the old system since it favors talent over prep. I know it made a lot of parents angry since it became harder to buy a spot, but I'll agree the lottery hurts the quality of these programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Keeping the same rigor is obviously not the goal, and agree that MCPS should be honest about it. It doesn't help anyone to pretend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Yep. Agree.

It is no longer a true ‘magnet’. More like a lottery charter/application type of school for kids who MCPS wants to provide more opportunity for.

[Anonymous]

Do MCAP scores affect who’s selected for the lottery pool? Or is it only MAP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Yep. Agree.

It is no longer a true ‘magnet’. More like a lottery charter/application type of school for kids who MCPS wants to provide more opportunity for.

A magnet school is just one that draws students from outside the local school boundary. The term magnet does not imply selectivity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Local morning seems to yield as good or better results than the old system since it favors talent over prep. I know it made a lot of parents angry since it became harder to buy a spot, but I'll agree the lottery hurts the quality of these programs.

Agree about the local norming. Parent of a kid who prepped and is in the magnets. I not angry with the local norming at all. Top kids from local schools means they know how to work hard. and excel. They will do fine in the magnets. Completely agree with you - the lottery absolutely hurts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Thomas Sowell agrees. https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/12/17/sowell-do-the-real-facts-not-matter-at-all-in-college-admissions-debate/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Thomas Sowell agrees. https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/12/17/sowell-do-the-real-facts-not-matter-at-all-in-college-admissions-debate/

Good article. Agree. Asian parent here. DC in high school magnet. 99% percentile MAP-R score. Yet finds the program challenging. We wonder many times if DC would have been better off at home school. I find it difficult to imagine how an 85% kid would do. It won't be a pleasant experience at all unless they significantly water down the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Local morning seems to yield as good or better results than the old system since it favors talent over prep. I know it made a lot of parents angry since it became harder to buy a spot, but I'll agree the lottery hurts the quality of these programs.

I’m curious how you could even prep. MCPS is so unclear on criteria.
- my child just finished at eastern. No prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Local morning seems to yield as good or better results than the old system since it favors talent over prep. I know it made a lot of parents angry since it became harder to buy a spot, but I'll agree the lottery hurts the quality of these programs.

I’m curious how you could even prep. MCPS is so unclear on criteria.
- my child just finished at eastern. No prep.

Parents being involved in any way = prepping

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Thomas Sowell agrees. https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/12/17/sowell-do-the-real-facts-not-matter-at-all-in-college-admissions-debate/

Good article. Agree. Asian parent here. DC in high school magnet. 99% percentile MAP-R score. Yet finds the program challenging. We wonder many times if DC would have been better off at home school. I find it difficult to imagine how an 85% kid would do. It won't be a pleasant experience at all unless they significantly water down the program.

I don't know to be honest. I know my 99% who didn't prep found the magnet remarkably easy but I think an 85% kid will do about the same as 99% prepper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Thomas Sowell agrees. https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/12/17/sowell-do-the-real-facts-not-matter-at-all-in-college-admissions-debate/

Good article. Agree. Asian parent here. DC in high school magnet. 99% percentile MAP-R score. Yet finds the program challenging. We wonder many times if DC would have been better off at home school. I find it difficult to imagine how an 85% kid would do. It won't be a pleasant experience at all unless they significantly water down the program.

I don't know to be honest. I know my 99% who didn't prep found the magnet remarkably easy but I think an 85% kid will do about the same as 99% prepper.

Correction: MAP-M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But why not? It is easy to destroy. And we can claim a quick victory.

The 4 middle school magnet programs enroll 400 students. That's top 400/12000=3.3% of the students.

Now they have a lottery for the top 15%. With local norming, some in the top 20% or 25% are included in the lottery.

Instead of programs for the top 3.3%, they now have programs for the top 20% or 25%.

These are not the same programs, and I don't see how they can keep the same rigor.

Agreed the rigor will be lost because it used to be a tough program designed for top 3% students, it will impact the kids selected based on lottery ( behind the scenes not actually lottery) and either more kids will drop out not being able to keep up or they will lower the standard of the program. They should stop calling it for gifted students and name it something else like equal opportunity program for all races…

Thomas Sowell agrees. https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/12/17/sowell-do-the-real-facts-not-matter-at-all-in-college-admissions-debate/

Good article. Agree. Asian parent here. DC in high school magnet. 99% percentile MAP-R score. Yet finds the program challenging. We wonder many times if DC would have been better off at home school. I find it difficult to imagine how an 85% kid would do. It won't be a pleasant experience at all unless they significantly water down the program.

I don't know to be honest. I know my 99% who didn't prep found the magnet remarkably easy but I think an 85% kid will do about the same as 99% prepper.

Stop ranting, liar.