Current MCPS language immersion programs are incredibly classist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't consider College Gardens less desirable. I think it is rated a 9. I wish it did not have an immersion program because the school is so over crowded. I think it was placed there because of the PYP/IB program not because it needed improved scores.

It was placed there because parents requested it when Potomac was in zone only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW we live in the DCC and are zoned for what DCUM would consider a "less desirable" ES and we are planning to send our kids to the regular English-speaking school. We want our children to learn in English, since we don't speak any other languages at home. We want to be able to help them with their homework. I don't really see the value of the immersion program if the language spoken at home is exclusively English.

If you only speak English and you don't see the value in learning another language it's a strange but valid opinion. Immersion isn't for everyone. That's why it's a special program.

I see the value of learning another language, I just don't see the value of learning in another language when English is the only language spoken at home. What few translator jobs are out there are going to go to folks who learned English as their second language, not their first. Besides, don't you want to be able to help your children with subjects like math and science to the extent that you can? If they're struggling with their science homework, which is 100% in French, and you don't speak a word of French yourself, what are you going to do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW we live in the DCC and are zoned for what DCUM would consider a "less desirable" ES and we are planning to send our kids to the regular English-speaking school. We want our children to learn in English, since we don't speak any other languages at home. We want to be able to help them with their homework. I don't really see the value of the immersion program if the language spoken at home is exclusively English.

If you only speak English and you don't see the value in learning another language it's a strange but valid opinion. Immersion isn't for everyone. That's why it's a special program.

I see the value of learning another language, I just don't see the value of learning in another language when English is the only language spoken at home. What few translator jobs are out there are going to go to folks who learned English as their second language, not their first. Besides, don't you want to be able to help your children with subjects like math and science to the extent that you can? If they're struggling with their science homework, which is 100% in French, and you don't speak a word of French yourself, what are you going to do?

There is a plethora of research about the benefits of bilingualism that extend beyond speaking and learning the language. It's really interesting - the US is one of the very few countries that, for some strange reason, see no benefit in learning another language other than English, which to me is so narrow-minded. People from other countries come to the US knowing English, as well as their language along with many others. Regarding homework, it was no problem, surprisingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Anonymous wrote:
I purposely did NOT sign my kid up for an immersion program because they are all in crap or overcrowded schools.

And if you are an illiterate parent, that is not the county's problem. That is the parent's problem. Stop enabling.


This... Everywhere I go I spread word on the immersion program. By far the majority have no interest, many of whom live in less desirable clusters. Some think we're crazy for doing it. So I never feel like I won some free ride they others can never obtain. Most people certainly are not trying to escape and are content where they are at."

That depends on where you live. Do you live in the DCC?

I live in a lower-performing school district and language immersion was NOT chosen as a way to escape my lower-performing HS. My DC completed high school closer to home and did just fine. Using this as an escape is really doing your child a disservice. And let's be honest, it's not the school but the composition of the student body that people want to avoid. So you plant your child in a language immersion program and then discourage their continuation to a culturally diverse environment. That's just screwed up all away around if you ask me.

Cool story... But hate to tell you that immersion schools are more diverse than many parents homeschool.

Umm...Nope. Not all of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Anonymous wrote:
I purposely did NOT sign my kid up for an immersion program because they are all in crap or overcrowded schools.

And if you are an illiterate parent, that is not the county's problem. That is the parent's problem. Stop enabling.


This... Everywhere I go I spread word on the immersion program. By far the majority have no interest, many of whom live in less desirable clusters. Some think we're crazy for doing it. So I never feel like I won some free ride they others can never obtain. Most people certainly are not trying to escape and are content where they are at."

That depends on where you live. Do you live in the DCC?

I live in a lower-performing school district and language immersion was NOT chosen as a way to escape my lower-performing HS. My DC completed high school closer to home and did just fine. Using this as an escape is really doing your child a disservice. And let's be honest, it's not the school but the composition of the student body that people want to avoid. So you plant your child in a language immersion program and then discourage their continuation to a culturally diverse environment. That's just screwed up all away around if you ask me.

Cool story... But hate to tell you that immersion schools are more diverse than many parents homeschool.

Umm...Nope. Not all of them.

Most of them, sweetie...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wrong, wrong, wrong.... The majority of the people with Latin American backgrounds in the Immersion program are not central american. I actually know of 1. The rest are from South American, the Caribbean and Spain. There are a significant # of families who have ancestry from Spain. Hint: you realize you can't just look at people and tell their background you might actually have to talk and get to know them and you might be surprised.

There are a lot of families at Rolling Terrace ES who are from Spain?

No, there are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wrong, wrong, wrong.... The majority of the people with Latin American backgrounds in the Immersion program are not central american. I actually know of 1. The rest are from South American, the Caribbean and Spain. There are a significant # of families who have ancestry from Spain. Hint: you realize you can't just look at people and tell their background you might actually have to talk and get to know them and you might be surprised.

There are a lot of families at Rolling Terrace ES who are from Spain?

No, there are not.

Sure there are..

[Anonymous]

"Anonymous wrote:
^ My kid is not in an immersion program but I am familiar with why my neighbors tout their slots in them as lifesavers.

My kid is in an immersion program, and we are zoned for a "better" elementary school than where he is for immersion.

Anecdote does not equal data. "

Right. And just because your story is true does not mean mine is not. SOME families are from good school pasta miss and choose immersion solely for language benefits. But the fact that they exist does not mean that a large number of families in bad zones do not choose the program to avoid their pyramid. They may ALSO value the language element but this is not the primary factor for all families.

[Anonymous]

There are almost 9X the number of applicants versus the number of slots for immersion programs, so knowing about the program does not appear to be a real issue. The program should be expanded to multiple schools in the county; however finding that number of MCPS-level-qualified teachers is onerous.

[Anonymous]

OP esta como una cabra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't consider College Gardens less desirable. I think it is rated a 9. I wish it did not have an immersion program because the school is so over crowded. I think it was placed there because of the PYP/IB program not because it needed improved scores.

It was placed there because parents requested it when Potomac was in zone only.

College Gardens parents requested it? Or a second program was added in general due to parent request?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP esta como una cabra.

+1

[Anonymous]

"There are almost 9X the number of applicants versus the number of slots for immersion programs, so knowing about the program does not appear to be a real issue. The program should be expanded to multiple schools in the county; however finding that number of MCPS-level-qualified teachers is onerous."

Given that in reality we are NOT going to be able to expand the program to adequately meet demand it should at a minimum be reformed (if retained) to be fairer. Making it an option at regular registration to ensure all are aware of the opportunity and eliminating sibling preference at least takes some steps in that direction.

[Anonymous]

I think the future for MCPS is more Spanish/English dual-language programs in schools with high ESL and FARMS rates, perhaps with the option of families from outside the school zone to attend, if there is space available. I think they are going to re-focus these programs on reducing the achievement gap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the future for MCPS is more Spanish/English dual-language programs in schools with high ESL and FARMS rates, perhaps with the option of families from outside the school zone to attend, if there is space available. I think they are going to re-focus these programs on reducing the achievement gap.

That would be asinine... A complete empty gesture... Dual immersion will not close the achievement gap. The gap exists despite AA coming in knowing English so why would you think dual immersion so or solve the gap for Hispanics.