What is MoCo Good at Doing?

[Anonymous]

I've read through several dozen fascinating pages of MoCo talk. I realize and understand the issues, but as an outsider looking in, what would you say they do or execute well?

[Anonymous]

Elementary schools
High school special programs
Libraries
Parks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Elementary schools
High school special programs
Libraries
Parks

Sorry - OP here. I mean the schools specifically. Sorry, I thought the school forum would make that obvious but I realize it's confusing.

I do love their libraries and parks!!!

[Anonymous]

They have amazing opportunities available (immersion, magnet, etc.), but it is largely up to parents to seek those out and the supply is less than the demand.

I was impressed by the level of art instruction in elementary. They seem to teach techniques, as opposed to the art classes I grew up with that were just random craft projects.

I understand they’re replacing the standard curriculum, so I am hopeful that will become something good, but I don’t yet have enough specifics to know rither way.

[Anonymous]

They do good blame shifting / smoke screen creating / responsibility dodging /

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Elementary schools
High school special programs
Libraries
Parks

+1 free metro and ride-on buses for kids - my teens have used them.

I think MCPS pays better than most other comparable school districts.

https://www.topmastersineducation.com/school-districts-with-highest-average-teacher-salary/

#8 - not too shabby.

Neighboring FFX county doesn't make the list. Not sure about DC. I thought DC paid their teachers relatively well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They have amazing opportunities available (immersion, magnet, etc.), but it is largely up to parents to seek those out and the supply is less than the demand.

I was impressed by the level of art instruction in elementary. They seem to teach techniques, as opposed to the art classes I grew up with that were just random craft projects.

I understand they’re replacing the standard curriculum, so I am hopeful that will become something good, but I don’t yet have enough specifics to know rither way.

My kids are now in HS (17 and 14), and IMO, HS have good class options, as well as career programming. I like that MCPS is moving more towards career training. The Thomas Edison career program seems pretty interesting. And then there is the dual MoCo college program where a student can graduate HS with an AA degree.

IMO, the MS are the weakest link in the chain, but that's probably true most places.

On the one hand, I like the diversity of MCPS but OTH, I think MCPS pays too much attention to diversity sometimes at the expensive of academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They have amazing opportunities available (immersion, magnet, etc.), but it is largely up to parents to seek those out and the supply is less than the demand.

I was impressed by the level of art instruction in elementary. They seem to teach techniques, as opposed to the art classes I grew up with that were just random craft projects.

I understand they’re replacing the standard curriculum, so I am hopeful that will become something good, but I don’t yet have enough specifics to know rither way.

I agree, but would add to that there is a disturbing amount of gatekeeping for those programs by both plain old resource hoarders and racist or ableist people. I’ve seen it as a teacher even in just trying to spread info about high school programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They have amazing opportunities available (immersion, magnet, etc.), but it is largely up to parents to seek those out and the supply is less than the demand.

I was impressed by the level of art instruction in elementary. They seem to teach techniques, as opposed to the art classes I grew up with that were just random craft projects.

I understand they’re replacing the standard curriculum, so I am hopeful that will become something good, but I don’t yet have enough specifics to know rither way.

OP here. I'm in DC, but as the kids get older we are wondering if we should stay. After I read for hours on this site about the 2.0 debacle I told my spouse that there was no way I'd move to MoCo now. I understood that 2.0 was going away as of the 2018 JHI report. Is it still in place? Or what curriculum is in place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elementary schools
High school special programs
Libraries
Parks

Sorry - OP here. I mean the schools specifically. Sorry, I thought the school forum would make that obvious but I realize it's confusing.

I do love their libraries and parks!!!

Was there for nearly 30 years. No way on the elementary schools - kids had comparison with DODEA schools as well. Hands down DODEA smoked MCPS for elementary school. Didn’t stay long enough to discover what middle and high would bring (had seen enough since k-5 most important years). Libraries - surprisingly weak (never had enough copies of popular books at least at our branch). Nearly useless - bet they are better now with e book options.

But parks. My oh my I have to give it to their park and park system. Also their trash and recycling was incredible. That’s it. So glad I left!

[Anonymous]

New poster - just want to say that this thread is so refreshing. Thank you to all who have commented.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They have amazing opportunities available (immersion, magnet, etc.), but it is largely up to parents to seek those out and the supply is less than the demand.

I was impressed by the level of art instruction in elementary. They seem to teach techniques, as opposed to the art classes I grew up with that were just random craft projects.

I understand they’re replacing the standard curriculum, so I am hopeful that will become something good, but I don’t yet have enough specifics to know rither way.

OP here. I'm in DC, but as the kids get older we are wondering if we should stay. After I read for hours on this site about the 2.0 debacle I told my spouse that there was no way I'd move to MoCo now. I understood that 2.0 was going away as of the 2018 JHI report. Is it still in place? Or what curriculum is in place?

Oh man you are smart! Curriculum 2.0 was perhaps the greatest crime hoisted upon public school children in the United States - and then MPCS COVID ‘school’.

The culture that came up with 2.0, let it remain in place, gaslit critics, and then minimized its damage are still in the system. Dr. McNight is a Jerry Weast disciple and was head of curriculum for county just before her tour at HoCo - as well as consultant at Discovery Channel curriculum.

My kids suffered for three years before we bolted - great regret those years spent in that school system. What do you do for a living? Can’t believe you zeroed in on the truth about MCPS enough to ask this important question. Super impressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They have amazing opportunities available (immersion, magnet, etc.), but it is largely up to parents to seek those out and the supply is less than the demand.

I was impressed by the level of art instruction in elementary. They seem to teach techniques, as opposed to the art classes I grew up with that were just random craft projects.

I understand they’re replacing the standard curriculum, so I am hopeful that will become something good, but I don’t yet have enough specifics to know rither way.

OP here. I'm in DC, but as the kids get older we are wondering if we should stay. After I read for hours on this site about the 2.0 debacle I told my spouse that there was no way I'd move to MoCo now. I understood that 2.0 was going away as of the 2018 JHI report. Is it still in place? Or what curriculum is in place?

C2.0 been gone and it was implemented in ES and MS, not HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They do good blame shifting / smoke screen creating / responsibility dodging /

It’s just so they can keep the billions and I mean billions rolling in via property taxes…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They have amazing opportunities available (immersion, magnet, etc.), but it is largely up to parents to seek those out and the supply is less than the demand.

I was impressed by the level of art instruction in elementary. They seem to teach techniques, as opposed to the art classes I grew up with that were just random craft projects.

I understand they’re replacing the standard curriculum, so I am hopeful that will become something good, but I don’t yet have enough specifics to know rither way.

OP here. I'm in DC, but as the kids get older we are wondering if we should stay. After I read for hours on this site about the 2.0 debacle I told my spouse that there was no way I'd move to MoCo now. I understood that 2.0 was going away as of the 2018 JHI report. Is it still in place? Or what curriculum is in place?

Oh man you are smart! Curriculum 2.0 was perhaps the greatest crime hoisted upon public school children in the United States - and then MPCS COVID ‘school’.

The culture that came up with 2.0, let it remain in place, gaslit critics, and then minimized its damage are still in the system. Dr. McNight is a Jerry Weast disciple and was head of curriculum for county just before her tour at HoCo - as well as consultant at Discovery Channel curriculum.

My kids suffered for three years before we bolted - great regret those years spent in that school system. What do you do for a living? Can’t believe you zeroed in on the truth about MCPS enough to ask this important question. Super impressed.

Don't mind this lunatic.