School board reckoning?

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Where was the focus of the School Board when the schools were closed on COVID? What were the issues discussed?

Social justice. Renaming schools. Religious holidays on the calendar. Removing merit from TJ.

And, how did they kick off their opening last year? With Kendi and his books.

Tone deaf.




This. Youngkin can moderate some of this. My kid’s AP tests being cancelled for an O Day was the straw the broke the camels back. If a school is open and counting towards 990 hours, it should me so restricted National exams can’t be given.


What does this mean? When will they have the test - on another day?


They have to take it on the day set aside for make ups. So if the kid is sick on that day there is no make up option. Or if a kid is taking multiple tests there is a chance they end up with 2 tests on one day.

The O Days are ridiculous. Don't allow tests and quizzes for school assigned work but telling Teachers to not to provide new material and not allowing kids to take national based exams is an over reach. This ridiculous policy removes 11 teaching days from the calendar even though schools are open. So DS has 11 days where he is in school and learns nothing new and does nothing new. It is dumb and unnecessary.

TJ admissions will continue to have a portion of seats assigned to each MS. If they bring back the test, the kids who do well enough on the test at each Middle School will still have guaranteed seats. I have no clue how this is going to affect the kids of the pissed of parents at the TJ Feeder schools. Unless those parents are ridiculous enough to believe that there are not 8-10 students at each Middle School that can pass that exam.


Look, I don't like the "O" days but it's ridiculous to call it an overreach. This is perfectly within their purview, though a blunder.

The problem with all of you "School Board reckoning" whiners is this: your child, your needs . . . they are not the only ones in the classroom. The schools have to balance the wants, needs, desires of the school and all of the kids in it, and their parents. That's 2000+ kids at my school alone. Public school is for the benefit of the community, and learning in that community. Not your kid's AP desires or whatever else it is. If you want that much control, homeschool or go private. FULL stop.

For every person that doesn't like "equity" there are people who do. For those who don't like name changes, there are those of us that support it. For those who don't like "O" days, there are those that like to see their holidays respected. And in a PUBLIC school, that is a relevant consideration where Christian holidays have traditionally been the only ones acknowledged in a significant way (winter break centered around Christmas -something I recognize has other considerations- spring break tied to Easter). All of those things need to be balanced. I'm sorry, if you cannot understand that, you don't belong in the public schools.


My kid is in ES and I am the poster who provided the explanation you are dismissing. i have yet to find a parent who likes the O days. I know parents who appreciate that their kid is not going to miss a test or an exam while celebrating their holiday. Those same parents also think it is crazy that Teachers are not suppose to present new material to the class. Why do they feel that way? Because the other 10 days that are not on holidays that their family celebrates their kids are stuck doing no work at school like everyone else.

And the AP part is a huge mess. Kids have to take the test on a different day. And it is a different test, to prevent cheating, which makes means fewer kids taking it and fewer exams to compare against for norming purposes. I graded AP exams for a few years, that norming process is important. It allows them to see if a question needs to have the scoring adjusted because of the responses that came in.

The reasonable implementation of the O days is no in school exams or quizzes and Teachers get a copy of their notes to kids who miss class and are available to review material with those kids. Kids scheduled for AP/IB exams are able to take the exam. If a kid has to miss the exam because of a religious or cultural holiday, they can take it on the make up day. That is exactly what the make up day is there for.

And I voted Democrat because I was not willing to toss out so many things that I find important over some of these other areas. But a good number of people either choose not to vote or voted Republican because they are tired of this type of crap in the schools and some of the other Progressive politics that are being pushed. The Democratic Party really needs to look at the political environment and stop shooting itself in the foot. Far fewer people support Bernie and the Progressives then the Republicans that support Trump and his ilk. Keep pushing to the left and see what happens in a few years.



Your kid must go to a crappy school if they don’t do work on O days. I teach ES and we still read, review comprehension skills, write, practice math concepts (which is never wasted time), and play challenge games to review in science and social studies. At my school, we don’t talk about how learning is “different” on O days - the kids just think it’s another day.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:McAuliffe won Fairfax County by a whopping 65 - 35, so there's no reason for them to not double down.

The state DoE, however, may tread a bit more cautiously.


But Biden won 70 - 28. If the VA PTA can dictate how each school's PTA run, the state education board should have a say in local school board too?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I want the schools to focus on teaching kids. I don't need the schools to be worried about all things equity. I need them to teach grammar, spelling, science, history, math, and other core subjects. I don't want time devoted to my kids social well being or questions about his thoughts on racism or social justice issues. Focus on academics and stop worrying about how comfortable he is discussing race.

I don't want Trump and his far right supporters so I vote democrat but that doesn't mean that I want Sanders and his bunch either. I want schools to focus on teaching kids and not worried about being the base platform for everything equal. We cannot legislate equity in schools, it doesn't work that way. Title I schools have different issues that have to be addressed to improve the kids access to education and close the gaps. Changing the standards for kids at not Title 1 schools hurts those kids and does nothing to help the kids at the Title I schools.





Which is going to matter more to them in 30 years, your kid's social well being, or what they learned in geometry or chemistry class? How often do people use the latter in everyday life?


The people that invented the computers and wi-fi you posted this with tend to use these type of subjects.


What percentage of the population are those people?


Who cares? All that matters is what I want for my children. I get to have a voice in exchange for my tax dollars. If your child needs a "social well being" education provided by the public school system, you ask for it. We can duke it out with out votes..
Anonymous
The best thing to help a kid's social well being is a good education. Self-esteem is very important in learning. A negative attitude is not helpful. Remember The Little Engine that Could?
Telling kids that they are going to have a tougher time because of their color and that they are victims is not going to help them learn. Telling other kids that they have privilege and need to understand that others have been treated poorly and that we must treat them differently because of that is not going to help them either.

That does not mean that history is not taught--the good and the bad. But, don't leave out the good and emphasize the bad.

We had some men with great ideas who founded this country. The country was founded on their ideas. This foundation has made this country a magnet for over two hundred years. Why? Because of the opportunities afforded. But, when the government becomes the parent, those opportunities diminish.
Anonymous
I just expect things to get worse. If you can provide some plentiful evidence about how Republicans have improved education, please enlighten me.

Do I think the DOR Democrats were doing anything good? Not really. Do I think they need to get their heads out of their asses on all the “woke” curriculum initiatives and policy changes that affect less than 2 percent of students? Absolutely.

Still, I expect things to get worse under Republicans. Maybe I should move abroad.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The best thing to help a kid's social well being is a good education. Self-esteem is very important in learning. A negative attitude is not helpful. Remember The Little Engine that Could?
Telling kids that they are going to have a tougher time because of their color and that they are victims is not going to help them learn. Telling other kids that they have privilege and need to understand that others have been treated poorly and that we must treat them differently because of that is not going to help them either.

That does not mean that history is not taught--the good and the bad. But, don't leave out the good and emphasize the bad.

We had some men with great ideas who founded this country. The country was founded on their ideas. This foundation has made this country a magnet for over two hundred years. Why? Because of the opportunities afforded. But, when the government becomes the parent, those opportunities diminish.


Well said.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The best thing to help a kid's social well being is a good education. Self-esteem is very important in learning. A negative attitude is not helpful. Remember The Little Engine that Could?
Telling kids that they are going to have a tougher time because of their color and that they are victims is not going to help them learn. Telling other kids that they have privilege and need to understand that others have been treated poorly and that we must treat them differently because of that is not going to help them either.

That does not mean that history is not taught--the good and the bad. But, don't leave out the good and emphasize the bad.

We had some men with great ideas who founded this country. The country was founded on their ideas. This foundation has made this country a magnet for over two hundred years. Why? Because of the opportunities afforded. But, when the government becomes the parent, those opportunities diminish.


Well said.


I really don’t know what CRT is at this point. I imagine whatever consumable, powerpoint version of it is in circulation, though, was undoubtedly created by some dupe with an Ed.D who was secretly funded by smart Machiavellian-minded Republicans. I just don’t know how more disgusted I can be with how education is at the mercy of political games and simple-minded propaganda these days.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:McAuliffe won Fairfax County by a whopping 65 - 35, so there's no reason for them to not double down.

The state DoE, however, may tread a bit more cautiously.


But Biden won 70 - 28. If the VA PTA can dictate how each school's PTA run, the state education board should have a say in local school board too?



That is because the individual PTAs are sub-organizations and utilize VA PTA resources for non-profit, by-laws, etc.

Parent organizations don't need to go through VA PTA; they can just form their own PTO. But then they can't utilize the VA PTA resources.

Not sure how the school districts tie back to VDOE, beyond maybe some receiving some accreditation? They are primarily funded and run by local governments...
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Have you ever read this book? Because it was suggested reading for educators in Virginia from a 2019 doe memo. Also White Fragility…

Foundations of Critical Race Theory in Education, by Edward Taylor, David Gillborn, and Gloria Ladson-Billings The emergence of Critical Race Theory (CRT) marked an important point in the history of racial politics in the legal academy and the broader conversation about race and racism in the United States. More recently, CRT has proven an important analytic tool in the field of education, offering critical perspectives on race, and the causes, consequences and manifestations of race, racism, inequity, and the dynamics of power and privilege in schooling.


OMG. It was on a suggested reading list. How many people do you think even opened that email, let alone read it?


Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I want the schools to focus on teaching kids. I don't need the schools to be worried about all things equity. I need them to teach grammar, spelling, science, history, math, and other core subjects. I don't want time devoted to my kids social well being or questions about his thoughts on racism or social justice issues. Focus on academics and stop worrying about how comfortable he is discussing race.

I don't want Trump and his far right supporters so I vote democrat but that doesn't mean that I want Sanders and his bunch either. I want schools to focus on teaching kids and not worried about being the base platform for everything equal. We cannot legislate equity in schools, it doesn't work that way. Title I schools have different issues that have to be addressed to improve the kids access to education and close the gaps. Changing the standards for kids at not Title 1 schools hurts those kids and does nothing to help the kids at the Title I schools.





Which is going to matter more to them in 30 years, your kid's social well being, or what they learned in geometry or chemistry class? How often do people use the latter in everyday life?


The people that invented the computers and wi-fi you posted this with tend to use these type of subjects.


What percentage of the population are those people?


Who cares? All that matters is what I want for my children. I get to have a voice in exchange for my tax dollars. If your child needs a "social well being" education provided by the public school system, you ask for it. We can duke it out with out votes..


I don’t think this is a party issue. I am a democrat and I think all the SEL stuff is bullcrap.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Have you ever read this book? Because it was suggested reading for educators in Virginia from a 2019 doe memo. Also White Fragility…

Foundations of Critical Race Theory in Education, by Edward Taylor, David Gillborn, and Gloria Ladson-Billings The emergence of Critical Race Theory (CRT) marked an important point in the history of racial politics in the legal academy and the broader conversation about race and racism in the United States. More recently, CRT has proven an important analytic tool in the field of education, offering critical perspectives on race, and the causes, consequences and manifestations of race, racism, inequity, and the dynamics of power and privilege in schooling.


I am not sure why suggested reading is ever a bad thing unless you are saying that suggested reading = prescriptive policy and talking points. One hopes educators would read *critically* ANY theoretical book… including one on “critical race theory.”
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I want the schools to focus on teaching kids. I don't need the schools to be worried about all things equity. I need them to teach grammar, spelling, science, history, math, and other core subjects. I don't want time devoted to my kids social well being or questions about his thoughts on racism or social justice issues. Focus on academics and stop worrying about how comfortable he is discussing race.

I don't want Trump and his far right supporters so I vote democrat but that doesn't mean that I want Sanders and his bunch either. I want schools to focus on teaching kids and not worried about being the base platform for everything equal. We cannot legislate equity in schools, it doesn't work that way. Title I schools have different issues that have to be addressed to improve the kids access to education and close the gaps. Changing the standards for kids at not Title 1 schools hurts those kids and does nothing to help the kids at the Title I schools.





Which is going to matter more to them in 30 years, your kid's social well being, or what they learned in geometry or chemistry class? How often do people use the latter in everyday life?


The people that invented the computers and wi-fi you posted this with tend to use these type of subjects.


What percentage of the population are those people?


Who cares? All that matters is what I want for my children. I get to have a voice in exchange for my tax dollars. If your child needs a "social well being" education provided by the public school system, you ask for it. We can duke it out with out votes..


I don’t think this is a party issue. I am a democrat and I think all the SEL stuff is bullcrap.


+1. My Hs kid missed a semester of math, between spring 2020 and 4 days weeks 2021-2021. She went into the math class she was recommended for. And week 1, it was clear it was the wrong placement. She wasn’t ready and needed to step down to standard. The school made her take it a for a full semester witn a lot of extra remediation she was responsible for (not 5 minutes help from the school) amd made us hire a tutor. And only then did they let her drop to standard.

It’s her senior year and this grade goes to colleges for ED. Skip the SEL, and get my kid remediation in math. Because working so hard and doing so much extra work (with 6 other APsJ caused some much stress. No amonut if SEL would change that.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The best thing to help a kid's social well being is a good education. Self-esteem is very important in learning. A negative attitude is not helpful. Remember The Little Engine that Could?
Telling kids that they are going to have a tougher time because of their color and that they are victims is not going to help them learn. Telling other kids that they have privilege and need to understand that others have been treated poorly and that we must treat them differently because of that is not going to help them either.

That does not mean that history is not taught--the good and the bad. But, don't leave out the good and emphasize the bad.

We had some men with great ideas who founded this country. The country was founded on their ideas. This foundation has made this country a magnet for over two hundred years. Why? Because of the opportunities afforded. But, when the government becomes the parent, those opportunities diminish.


Haha, we’re not teaching them that their worth is based on their color. Jeez, is everyone on this board a complete idiot?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I want the schools to focus on teaching kids. I don't need the schools to be worried about all things equity. I need them to teach grammar, spelling, science, history, math, and other core subjects. I don't want time devoted to my kids social well being or questions about his thoughts on racism or social justice issues. Focus on academics and stop worrying about how comfortable he is discussing race.

I don't want Trump and his far right supporters so I vote democrat but that doesn't mean that I want Sanders and his bunch either. I want schools to focus on teaching kids and not worried about being the base platform for everything equal. We cannot legislate equity in schools, it doesn't work that way. Title I schools have different issues that have to be addressed to improve the kids access to education and close the gaps. Changing the standards for kids at not Title 1 schools hurts those kids and does nothing to help the kids at the Title I schools.





Which is going to matter more to them in 30 years, your kid's social well being, or what they learned in geometry or chemistry class? How often do people use the latter in everyday life?


The people that invented the computers and wi-fi you posted this with tend to use these type of subjects.


What percentage of the population are those people?


Who cares? All that matters is what I want for my children. I get to have a voice in exchange for my tax dollars. If your child needs a "social well being" education provided by the public school system, you ask for it. We can duke it out with out votes..


I don’t think this is a party issue. I am a democrat and I think all the SEL stuff is bullcrap.


+1. My Hs kid missed a semester of math, between spring 2020 and 4 days weeks 2021-2021. She went into the math class she was recommended for. And week 1, it was clear it was the wrong placement. She wasn’t ready and needed to step down to standard. The school made her take it a for a full semester witn a lot of extra remediation she was responsible for (not 5 minutes help from the school) amd made us hire a tutor. And only then did they let her drop to standard.

It’s her senior year and this grade goes to colleges for ED. Skip the SEL, and get my kid remediation in math. Because working so hard and doing so much extra work (with 6 other APsJ caused some much stress. No amonut if SEL would change that.


PP, if this is correct, I would send send an email to the Virginia DOE. A public school cannot require parents to hire a tutor. If this is actually what happened, FCPS owes you a check for that tutoring.
Anonymous
The O day concept is crap. It's a whole day of doing nothing. They can't teach new concepts, they can't test.

They need to walk this one back and say it was an experiment which failed.
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