FCPS school decline

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has been a part of this community for the past 30 years, having attended a different high school within the FCPS system three decades ago, I can deeply understand the emotional significance behind my decision to stretch and buy a home in McLean. Growing up, I held McLean High and Longfellow Middle School in such high regard, considering them the epitome of academic excellence. They represented the schools I aspired for my own children to attend, believing they would provide the same exceptional education and opportunities that I had dreamed of as a child.

So, when the opportunity arose, I made a conscious and deliberate decision to invest in a home in McLean. It was driven by my deep desire to give my children the educational experience that I had always envisioned and hoped for. I believed that by living in McLean, they would have access to the exceptional educational standards and opportunities that I held in such high esteem.

However, it is with a heavy heart that I have witnessed the unfortunate decline of these once highly esteemed schools. The reality of their current state has not lived up to the expectations and dreams I had as a child. The facilities have deteriorated, the teaching quality has suffered, and it is disheartening to see the gap between what was once envisioned and the reality that exists today.

In light of this realization, the decline in quality, and the deliberate actions of the school board, I have made the difficult decision to enroll my younger child in a private school starting in middle school. It is a decision rooted in my deep concern for my child's education and my unwavering desire to provide them with the best possible opportunities for success.

I sincerely hope that the school board takes note of the decline and reevaluates its priorities. It is essential to recognize the importance of maintaining and improving the quality of education in all schools, including those in areas like McLean. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By working towards restoring the excellence that these schools once represented, we can ensure that our children have the exceptional educational experiences they deserve.

A five paragraph word salad that has no special examples of the parts in bold.

And not one bit of evidence supporting any of these statements about the assured decline! Decline in average percentile of SAT scores? Number of APs taken? Art, theater, music awards? Science awards? College outcomes? Where is all this supposed decline? I'm willing to be consider the question, but no one gives data--just "things aren't like I imagined and/or remembered them to be" Given all the demographic changes in the area, I'm impressed by the strength and quality of the school system.

+1

Can't find the first poster, but I think this data is available and does show this decline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has been a part of this community for the past 30 years, having attended a different high school within the FCPS system three decades ago, I can deeply understand the emotional significance behind my decision to stretch and buy a home in McLean. Growing up, I held McLean High and Longfellow Middle School in such high regard, considering them the epitome of academic excellence. They represented the schools I aspired for my own children to attend, believing they would provide the same exceptional education and opportunities that I had dreamed of as a child.

So, when the opportunity arose, I made a conscious and deliberate decision to invest in a home in McLean. It was driven by my deep desire to give my children the educational experience that I had always envisioned and hoped for. I believed that by living in McLean, they would have access to the exceptional educational standards and opportunities that I held in such high esteem.

However, it is with a heavy heart that I have witnessed the unfortunate decline of these once highly esteemed schools. The reality of their current state has not lived up to the expectations and dreams I had as a child. The facilities have deteriorated, the teaching quality has suffered, and it is disheartening to see the gap between what was once envisioned and the reality that exists today.

In light of this realization, the decline in quality, and the deliberate actions of the school board, I have made the difficult decision to enroll my younger child in a private school starting in middle school. It is a decision rooted in my deep concern for my child's education and my unwavering desire to provide them with the best possible opportunities for success.

I sincerely hope that the school board takes note of the decline and reevaluates its priorities. It is essential to recognize the importance of maintaining and improving the quality of education in all schools, including those in areas like McLean. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By working towards restoring the excellence that these schools once represented, we can ensure that our children have the exceptional educational experiences they deserve.

A five paragraph word salad that has no special examples of the parts in bold.

And not one bit of evidence supporting any of these statements about the assured decline! Decline in average percentile of SAT scores? Number of APs taken? Art, theater, music awards? Science awards? College outcomes? Where is all this supposed decline? I'm willing to be consider the question, but no one gives data--just "things aren't like I imagined and/or remembered them to be" Given all the demographic changes in the area, I'm impressed by the strength and quality of the school system.

+1

Can't find the first poster, but I think this data is available and does show this decline.

No, this is the "attack McLean HS because the bathrooms are yucky" poster who floods this forum.

There is some data that supports various declines. But not the PPP. She's just a hate-McLean spamming poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s time to accept the fact that FCPS is in free fall. There is no fixing it without voting in a school board that will lead, find a competent superintendent, and ensure worthless layers of middle management are eliminated to provide funding to hire and retain excellent teachers.

FCPS uses technology very poorly and burdens teachers with a myriad of non-teaching duties.

Given the political makeup of Fairfax County, that is very likely to happen, so if you have the means it is time to go private.

I have been hearing this complaint since I moved here in 1987. Some people will always believe it. Some will eventually see the light when their kids go off to college and see how well prepared or not they are.

My DD called home the first semester of college to tell me how stupid all the non- NoVA kids were.

On the first day my kid texted me how racist, bigoted, and especially CLASSIST all the NoVA students were when a diverse group sat around the fire pit.

Not surprised. Many FCPS schools, especially the "desirable" ones, have about half of the national average % for African-American demographics. The US's average population is around 13% African-American and schools like Oakton and Woodson have around 6%. Langley and Madison are laughable at <2% Black.

It's also self-fulfilling, if a school is < 2% black than black families who can afford to be there won't want to be there. So it creates a void and keeps the numbers low. That's likely what people at those schools want anyway, if DCUM is any reflection of them.

Asian families didn’t expect a party thrown for them before they sought out top pyramids. If Black families want stronger academics for their kids they can follow suit, not self-segregate.

I'm sure they're clamoring to go to schools with the likes of your kids!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We moved to FCPS this year from a New England state. I was told to prepare myself for poor schooling for my kid.

My fourth grade had a fantastic year. There were three field trips, one to Jamestown. There were multiplication and division daily fact practice. There were many book clubs, five paragraph essays, and daily use of agendas. There were spelling tests and homework. My kid finished the year with a grade level musical. I’m not sure what people are complaining about.

Could you name your ES or the HS pyramid? You got a good one.

Madison Pyramid

Which school? Madison and Thoreau are in free fall. I find it hard to believe. Fcps hasn’t done spelling tests in years. Most elementary schools are not teaching five paragraph essays today or even years ago.

My kids went to Clermont ES which is in the "dreaded Edison pyramid" and did 5 paragraph essays starting in 4th grade. They also did spelling but maybe that has changed. They're in 9th and 10th now.

There are always parents on here that claim the five paragraph essay has gone away and it’s one of the reasons FCPS and our children’s education is declining. The five paragraph essay has not gone away. It is still the expected/desired outcome for multiple language arts units in 4-6th grade. If your students are not writing a five paragraph essay, there are probably three reasons for that.

1) their individual ELL or SPED level is not at a place where they can manage a five paragraph essay.
2) the teacher did not do it because they ran out of time in the unit.
3) the student complained and procrastinated needlessly and never got beyond paragraph two or three.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s time to accept the fact that FCPS is in free fall. There is no fixing it without voting in a school board that will lead, find a competent superintendent, and ensure worthless layers of middle management are eliminated to provide funding to hire and retain excellent teachers.

FCPS uses technology very poorly and burdens teachers with a myriad of non-teaching duties.

Given the political makeup of Fairfax County, that is very likely to happen, so if you have the means it is time to go private.

I have been hearing this complaint since I moved here in 1987. Some people will always believe it. Some will eventually see the light when their kids go off to college and see how well prepared or not they are.

My DD called home the first semester of college to tell me how stupid all the non- NoVA kids were.

On the first day my kid texted me how racist, bigoted, and especially CLASSIST all the NoVA students were when a diverse group sat around the fire pit.

Not surprised. Many FCPS schools, especially the "desirable" ones, have about half of the national average % for African-American demographics. The US's average population is around 13% African-American and schools like Oakton and Woodson have around 6%. Langley and Madison are laughable at <2% Black.

It's also self-fulfilling, if a school is < 2% black than black families who can afford to be there won't want to be there. So it creates a void and keeps the numbers low. That's likely what people at those schools want anyway, if DCUM is any reflection of them.

Asian families didn’t expect a party thrown for them before they sought out top pyramids. If Black families want stronger academics for their kids they can follow suit, not self-segregate.

Lol. Yeah because the majority of Black families in FCPS are purely by their own choice selecting to live along Rt. 1 instead of buying homes in Great Falls. Definitely no other factors leading them to self-segregate in Alexandria and Lorton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s time to accept the fact that FCPS is in free fall. There is no fixing it without voting in a school board that will lead, find a competent superintendent, and ensure worthless layers of middle management are eliminated to provide funding to hire and retain excellent teachers.

FCPS uses technology very poorly and burdens teachers with a myriad of non-teaching duties.

Given the political makeup of Fairfax County, that is very likely to happen, so if you have the means it is time to go private.

I have been hearing this complaint since I moved here in 1987. Some people will always believe it. Some will eventually see the light when their kids go off to college and see how well prepared or not they are.

My DD called home the first semester of college to tell me how stupid all the non- NoVA kids were.

On the first day my kid texted me how racist, bigoted, and especially CLASSIST all the NoVA students were when a diverse group sat around the fire pit.

Not surprised. Many FCPS schools, especially the "desirable" ones, have about half of the national average % for African-American demographics. The US's average population is around 13% African-American and schools like Oakton and Woodson have around 6%. Langley and Madison are laughable at <2% Black.

It's also self-fulfilling, if a school is < 2% black than black families who can afford to be there won't want to be there. So it creates a void and keeps the numbers low. That's likely what people at those schools want anyway, if DCUM is any reflection of them.

Asian families didn’t expect a party thrown for them before they sought out top pyramids. If Black families want stronger academics for their kids they can follow suit, not self-segregate.

Lol. Yeah because the majority of Black families in FCPS are purely by their own choice selecting to live along Rt. 1 instead of buying homes in Great Falls. Definitely no other factors leading them to self-segregate in Alexandria and Lorton.

It’s also about the Black families buying expensive houses zoned to mediocre schools in places like Silver Spring, Fort Washington, and Upper Marlboro.

No one at Langley or Madison has anything to apologize about if Blacks want to self-segregate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has been a part of this community for the past 30 years, having attended a different high school within the FCPS system three decades ago, I can deeply understand the emotional significance behind my decision to stretch and buy a home in McLean. Growing up, I held McLean High and Longfellow Middle School in such high regard, considering them the epitome of academic excellence. They represented the schools I aspired for my own children to attend, believing they would provide the same exceptional education and opportunities that I had dreamed of as a child.

So, when the opportunity arose, I made a conscious and deliberate decision to invest in a home in McLean. It was driven by my deep desire to give my children the educational experience that I had always envisioned and hoped for. I believed that by living in McLean, they would have access to the exceptional educational standards and opportunities that I held in such high esteem.

However, it is with a heavy heart that I have witnessed the unfortunate decline of these once highly esteemed schools. The reality of their current state has not lived up to the expectations and dreams I had as a child. The facilities have deteriorated, the teaching quality has suffered, and it is disheartening to see the gap between what was once envisioned and the reality that exists today.

In light of this realization, the decline in quality, and the deliberate actions of the school board, I have made the difficult decision to enroll my younger child in a private school starting in middle school. It is a decision rooted in my deep concern for my child's education and my unwavering desire to provide them with the best possible opportunities for success.

I sincerely hope that the school board takes note of the decline and reevaluates its priorities. It is essential to recognize the importance of maintaining and improving the quality of education in all schools, including those in areas like McLean. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By working towards restoring the excellence that these schools once represented, we can ensure that our children have the exceptional educational experiences they deserve.

A five paragraph word salad that has no special examples of the parts in bold.

And not one bit of evidence supporting any of these statements about the assured decline! Decline in average percentile of SAT scores? Number of APs taken? Art, theater, music awards? Science awards? College outcomes? Where is all this supposed decline? I'm willing to be consider the question, but no one gives data--just "things aren't like I imagined and/or remembered them to be" Given all the demographic changes in the area, I'm impressed by the strength and quality of the school system.

+1

It’s b/c parents are spending a ton on ECs and enrichment opportunities
It’s certainly not FCPS or even worse, LCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RWNJ trolls found chatgpt.

So you don't want excellence in our schools?

I don't want RWNJ trolls pushing their BS talking points leading up to the upcoming election.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RWNJ trolls found chatgpt.

So you don't want excellence in our schools?

I don't want RWNJ trolls pushing their BS talking points leading up to the upcoming election.

Okay. You want equity, not excellence. Got it.

I have to disagree, though, I want excellence first, then equity. Without excellence, what's the point of equity? If we don't want to bring everyone up, then we will bring everyone down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RWNJ trolls found chatgpt.

So you don't want excellence in our schools?

I don't want RWNJ trolls pushing their BS talking points leading up to the upcoming election.

Okay. You want equity, not excellence. Got it.

I have to disagree, though, I want excellence first, then equity. Without excellence, what's the point of equity? If we don't want to bring everyone up, then we will bring everyone down.

I don't want BS comments like this. No one is being "brought down".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RWNJ trolls found chatgpt.

So you don't want excellence in our schools?

I don't want RWNJ trolls pushing their BS talking points leading up to the upcoming election.

Okay. You want equity, not excellence. Got it.

I have to disagree, though, I want excellence first, then equity. Without excellence, what's the point of equity? If we don't want to bring everyone up, then we will bring everyone down.

I don't want BS comments like this. No one is being "brought down".

DP. Of course they are. There is no easier way to narrow an achievement gap and announce progress towards “equal outcomes” than to bring the top down, which has been the agenda of recent FCPS school boards and superintendents for the better part of the last decade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has been a part of this community for the past 30 years, having attended a different high school within the FCPS system three decades ago, I can deeply understand the emotional significance behind my decision to stretch and buy a home in McLean. Growing up, I held McLean High and Longfellow Middle School in such high regard, considering them the epitome of academic excellence. They represented the schools I aspired for my own children to attend, believing they would provide the same exceptional education and opportunities that I had dreamed of as a child.

So, when the opportunity arose, I made a conscious and deliberate decision to invest in a home in McLean. It was driven by my deep desire to give my children the educational experience that I had always envisioned and hoped for. I believed that by living in McLean, they would have access to the exceptional educational standards and opportunities that I held in such high esteem.

However, it is with a heavy heart that I have witnessed the unfortunate decline of these once highly esteemed schools. The reality of their current state has not lived up to the expectations and dreams I had as a child. The facilities have deteriorated, the teaching quality has suffered, and it is disheartening to see the gap between what was once envisioned and the reality that exists today.

In light of this realization, the decline in quality, and the deliberate actions of the school board, I have made the difficult decision to enroll my younger child in a private school starting in middle school. It is a decision rooted in my deep concern for my child's education and my unwavering desire to provide them with the best possible opportunities for success.

I sincerely hope that the school board takes note of the decline and reevaluates its priorities. It is essential to recognize the importance of maintaining and improving the quality of education in all schools, including those in areas like McLean. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By working towards restoring the excellence that these schools once represented, we can ensure that our children have the exceptional educational experiences they deserve.

A five paragraph word salad that has no special examples of the parts in bold.

And not one bit of evidence supporting any of these statements about the assured decline! Decline in average percentile of SAT scores? Number of APs taken? Art, theater, music awards? Science awards? College outcomes? Where is all this supposed decline? I'm willing to be consider the question, but no one gives data--just "things aren't like I imagined and/or remembered them to be" Given all the demographic changes in the area, I'm impressed by the strength and quality of the school system.

+1

Can't find the first poster, but I think this data is available and does show this decline.

Link?

[Anonymous]

There are always parents on here that claim the five paragraph essay has gone away and it’s one of the reasons FCPS and our children’s education is declining. The five paragraph essay has not gone away. It is still the expected/desired outcome for multiple language arts units in 4-6th grade. If your students are not writing a five paragraph essay, there are probably three reasons for that.

1) their individual ELL or SPED level is not at a place where they can manage a five paragraph essay.
2) the teacher did not do it because they ran out of time in the unit.
3) the student complained and procrastinated needlessly and never got beyond paragraph two or three.

My FCPS AAP student was not assigned a five paragraph essay in 4-6th grade (and in fact was not given any formal writing instruction--or punctuation, or grammar, or spelling instruction--until we moved them out of FCPS for 7th grade). This was a well regarded albeit overcrowded LIV AAP center. The emphasis was math, math, math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RWNJ trolls found chatgpt.

So you don't want excellence in our schools?

I don't want RWNJ trolls pushing their BS talking points leading up to the upcoming election.

Okay. You want equity, not excellence. Got it.

I have to disagree, though, I want excellence first, then equity. Without excellence, what's the point of equity? If we don't want to bring everyone up, then we will bring everyone down.

I don't want BS comments like this. No one is being "brought down".

DP. Of course they are. There is no easier way to narrow an achievement gap and announce progress towards “equal outcomes” than to bring the top down, which has been the agenda of recent FCPS school boards and superintendents for the better part of the last decade.

Well said, and the goal of the FCPS school board and leadership. It’s now all about equity not excellence. Participation trophies for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are always parents on here that claim the five paragraph essay has gone away and it’s one of the reasons FCPS and our children’s education is declining. The five paragraph essay has not gone away. It is still the expected/desired outcome for multiple language arts units in 4-6th grade. If your students are not writing a five paragraph essay, there are probably three reasons for that.

1) their individual ELL or SPED level is not at a place where they can manage a five paragraph essay.
2) the teacher did not do it because they ran out of time in the unit.
3) the student complained and procrastinated needlessly and never got beyond paragraph two or three.

My FCPS AAP student was not assigned a five paragraph essay in 4-6th grade (and in fact was not given any formal writing instruction--or punctuation, or grammar, or spelling instruction--until we moved them out of FCPS for 7th grade). This was a well regarded albeit overcrowded LIV AAP center. The emphasis was math, math, math.

And my AAP student did get those things… at an average school.