Do these docs show any changes in #s or courses for existing prograns?

[Anonymous]

Curious from folks who are familiar with the existing programs. MCPS has released lists of courses/etc as well as enrollment numbers proposed as these programs shift to regional. Do they look like they will be staying about the same, or are there any notable changes?

Description of classes for each program: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf

Projected enrollment numbers/spaces per school each year (pages 5-13) https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLJXC4F4A19/$file/Regional%20Program%20Model%20FY2027-2031%20Budget%20251120.pdf

[Anonymous]

The programs are drastically changing, and the existing programs are shrinking as they kick out legible geo zones.

There's no information about what the new program will actually contain, so it's meaningless to compare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The programs are drastically changing, and the existing programs are shrinking as they kick out legible geo zones.

There's no information about what the new program will actually contain, so it's meaningless to compare.

+1 they are flooding the zone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The programs are drastically changing, and the existing programs are shrinking as they kick out legible geo zones.

There's no information about what the new program will actually contain, so it's meaningless to compare.

The links have their plans for each school's program, you can search through it to see which classes kids take each year. Not sure if they are the same as right now or different.

[Anonymous]

Blair SMCS parent here. The math is one-year behind the current one. They remove completely the engineering courses which should span the first two years. CSP in 10th grade? That's a suicidal move for any STEM student.

The internship between 11th and 12th grade summer is laughable, as current students all apply by themselves and there is no organized pathway to guarantee any research internship. Same thing for "national and international STEM competitions". If they are talking about AMC, ARML, F=ma those types of competitions, those are pretty much organized by a single teacher across the entire MCPS currently. And expecting him to expand the access to 3X is ridiculous. All other competition opportunities (e.g., Hackathon, science bowl) are organized by student-led clubs and among peers (and parents need to resolve the logistics). School doesn't organize any of these opportunities other than give students an excused absence approval.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS parent here. The math is one-year behind the current one. They remove completely the engineering courses which should span the first two years. CSP in 10th grade? That's a suicidal move for any STEM student.

The internship between 11th and 12th grade summer is laughable, as current students all apply by themselves and there is no organized pathway to guarantee any research internship. Same thing for "national and international STEM competitions". If they are talking about AMC, ARML, F=ma those types of competitions, those are pretty much organized by a single teacher across the entire MCPS currently. And expecting him to expand the access to 3X is ridiculous. All other competition opportunities (e.g., Hackathon, science bowl) are organized by student-led clubs and among peers (and parents need to resolve the logistics). School doesn't organize any of these opportunities other than give students an excused absence approval.

Regular math for what I looked at is heavily behind and algebra in 9th, which is a track for some kids but there is a huge range from 6-10th for algebra.

I don't see anything new added. It lists other classes but our principal has said no to those classes so I don't see how this will work. It would be nice if all schools had access to those clubs and competitions.

[Anonymous]

These course pathway descriptions are ridiculous. Some are overly detailed and others not. It one place it says 8th graders have to be in Level 2 of a language and then in 9th grade should the kid taking Lvl2,3, or 4. Moreover, without mandating a language in middle school this makes the programs unequitable.

How does Clarksburg Biomedical program have Secondary Math Pathway Course 1 for three years, and IB English/IB History when it doesn't even offer an IB program.

For the Pharmacy Technician program how do you not at least list the required graduation science credits.

They can't be serious with this release of information.

[Anonymous]

The problem is saying "SMC math elective" and "SMC science elective" doesn't tell you much. There are currently electives that will not be able to be offered with the smaller cohort and others that cannot be offered since the pre-reqs cannot be met based on the slowed down math pathway.

Also - apparently Region 4 doesn't get any local set aside seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS parent here. The math is one-year behind the current one. They remove completely the engineering courses which should span the first two years. CSP in 10th grade? That's a suicidal move for any STEM student.

The internship between 11th and 12th grade summer is laughable, as current students all apply by themselves and there is no organized pathway to guarantee any research internship. Same thing for "national and international STEM competitions". If they are talking about AMC, ARML, F=ma those types of competitions, those are pretty much organized by a single teacher across the entire MCPS currently. And expecting him to expand the access to 3X is ridiculous. All other competition opportunities (e.g., Hackathon, science bowl) are organized by student-led clubs and among peers (and parents need to resolve the logistics). School doesn't organize any of these opportunities other than give students an excused absence approval.

Regular math for what I looked at is heavily behind and algebra in 9th, which is a track for some kids but there is a huge range from 6-10th for algebra.

I don't see anything new added. It lists other classes but our principal has said no to those classes so I don't see how this will work. It would be nice if all schools had access to those clubs and competitions.

Are you saying you are at a school with a new SMCS program and it lists classes the principal has previously said no to offering? Which ones? Presumably they will be required to offer them in order to host the program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These course pathway descriptions are ridiculous. Some are overly detailed and others not. It one place it says 8th graders have to be in Level 2 of a language and then in 9th grade should the kid taking Lvl2,3, or 4. Moreover, without mandating a language in middle school this makes the programs unequitable.

How does Clarksburg Biomedical program have Secondary Math Pathway Course 1 for three years, and IB English/IB History when it doesn't even offer an IB program.

For the Pharmacy Technician program how do you not at least list the required graduation science credits.

They can't be serious with this release of information.

Kids have the option of a foreign language in MS, The problem is that colleges want to see the classes done in HS and want 2+ years. My child's guidance counselor pushed my kid to take three years in HS. They stopped at 2, after 5 years and the 3rd HS year would have been with the same teacher, who was not great. The charts make no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS parent here. The math is one-year behind the current one. They remove completely the engineering courses which should span the first two years. CSP in 10th grade? That's a suicidal move for any STEM student.

The internship between 11th and 12th grade summer is laughable, as current students all apply by themselves and there is no organized pathway to guarantee any research internship. Same thing for "national and international STEM competitions". If they are talking about AMC, ARML, F=ma those types of competitions, those are pretty much organized by a single teacher across the entire MCPS currently. And expecting him to expand the access to 3X is ridiculous. All other competition opportunities (e.g., Hackathon, science bowl) are organized by student-led clubs and among peers (and parents need to resolve the logistics). School doesn't organize any of these opportunities other than give students an excused absence approval.

Regular math for what I looked at is heavily behind and algebra in 9th, which is a track for some kids but there is a huge range from 6-10th for algebra.

I don't see anything new added. It lists other classes but our principal has said no to those classes so I don't see how this will work. It would be nice if all schools had access to those clubs and competitions.

Are you saying you are at a school with a new SMCS program and it lists classes the principal has previously said no to offering? Which ones? Presumably they will be required to offer them in order to host the program?

No, we are at a different school. I don't get the SMCS push. It looked terrible to me. We asked for a class, principal said no but its in the pathway for the "magnet."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS parent here. The math is one-year behind the current one. They remove completely the engineering courses which should span the first two years. CSP in 10th grade? That's a suicidal move for any STEM student.

The internship between 11th and 12th grade summer is laughable, as current students all apply by themselves and there is no organized pathway to guarantee any research internship. Same thing for "national and international STEM competitions". If they are talking about AMC, ARML, F=ma those types of competitions, those are pretty much organized by a single teacher across the entire MCPS currently. And expecting him to expand the access to 3X is ridiculous. All other competition opportunities (e.g., Hackathon, science bowl) are organized by student-led clubs and among peers (and parents need to resolve the logistics). School doesn't organize any of these opportunities other than give students an excused absence approval.

Regular math for what I looked at is heavily behind and algebra in 9th, which is a track for some kids but there is a huge range from 6-10th for algebra.

I don't see anything new added. It lists other classes but our principal has said no to those classes so I don't see how this will work. It would be nice if all schools had access to those clubs and competitions.

Are you saying you are at a school with a new SMCS program and it lists classes the principal has previously said no to offering? Which ones? Presumably they will be required to offer them in order to host the program?

The electives for the SMCS programs are a big question mark. The two existing programs offer electives that aren’t available at any other school. MCPS hasn’t said if they’ll add them at the new sites or how they’ll find staff qualified to teach them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious from folks who are familiar with the existing programs. MCPS has released lists of courses/etc as well as enrollment numbers proposed as these programs shift to regional. Do they look like they will be staying about the same, or are there any notable changes?

Description of classes for each program: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf

Projected enrollment numbers/spaces per school each year (pages 5-13) https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLJXC4F4A19/$file/Regional%20Program%20Model%20FY2027-2031%20Budget%20251120.pdf

There are currently 350 IB seats per year. The new model will increase that to 510 seat per year. Over 2000 students per year apply to IB magnets.

There are currently 160 SMCS seats per year. The new model will increase that 510 seat per year. Over 1500 students per year apply to SMCS magnets.

So, more seats, but there will still be waitlists.

[Anonymous]

What the heck is this AgroEcolog and sometimes names Environmental Science program and why is it criteria base? More importantly what is the criteria?

For this to be criteria based it needs to require AP Seminar for 10th grade English, AP Research as an Elective, a data related course for math or tech Ed, and likely an Intro to Sustainability or o Urban planning related engineering/science elective.

They should be sitting down the UN to discuss incorporating the SDGs, FDA/USDA for partnership and internships, etc.

Seriously who is creating these and thinks they equate with rigor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These course pathway descriptions are ridiculous. Some are overly detailed and others not. It one place it says 8th graders have to be in Level 2 of a language and then in 9th grade should the kid taking Lvl2,3, or 4. Moreover, without mandating a language in middle school this makes the programs unequitable.

How does Clarksburg Biomedical program have Secondary Math Pathway Course 1 for three years, and IB English/IB History when it doesn't even offer an IB program.

For the Pharmacy Technician program how do you not at least list the required graduation science credits.

They can't be serious with this release of information.

Kids have the option of a foreign language in MS, The problem is that colleges want to see the classes done in HS and want 2+ years. My child's guidance counselor pushed my kid to take three years in HS. They stopped at 2, after 5 years and the 3rd HS year would have been with the same teacher, who was not great. The charts make no sense.

It's an option not a requirement, meaning kids could opt not to take it, or only take 1 yr, which would immediately make them ineligible for HS programs. Only certain schools want to see 2,3,4 years be in HS, and most kids are going to know what schools those are until at minimum their sophomore year. These programs, should ensure that a student is college and career ready. It should enable a kid to choose their post HS path.