RM IB Coordinator?

[Anonymous]

Along with getting rid of Ms. Hoover, the principal has mixed world language classes. IB Spanish 5 students are now in the same class as AP Spanish students and regular 5 students, although they have different rosters based on the course. Students taking different courses also take different assessments, even while in the same class. The summer homework quiz was different for IB and regular students, even in the same class. Everyone in the class is expected to prepare for both IB and AP Spanish exams, although some have no intention of taking the other. The same goes for French.

Current IB sophomores are also now in Honors Algebra 2, instead of IB AAF. AAF is almost essential to success in IB Precalculus; many freshmen in IB Precalculus struggle because they have not gotten the added support from taking AAF.

IB students are very upset with these changes. If this keeps going farther and all classes become integrated, many will choose to return to their home schools. After all, there's no point in taking hour long bus rides and having hours upon hours of homework if they're getting the same education that they would get at a school that's fifteen minutes away.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for providing a concrete explanation. I now finally get it. The math change seems truly horrible. That is exactly the kind of thing I would hope a magnet wouldn't do, because there is no way a math teacher can go deep when teaching all those different levels in one class, and it is what is wrong with the non-magnets. Yikes. I was looking forward to RMIB asa good option for my kid in a few years, if he could get in, even though it is quite a commute. This sort of thing would definitely make me rethink.

[Anonymous]

I also appreciate the details. Language thing seems bad for both IB and non ib. You should also realize AP kids lost both apush and apchem at RM...also disappointing. I am surprised at sophomores taking algebra Iii..seems like most ib kids would be in precalculus? Also seems most ib programs start in 11th grade...so 10th grade math shouldn't be a game changer.either way.

[Anonymous]

Most IB sophomores take IB Precalculus after completing IB AAF in freshman year. The ones who take Honors Geometry freshman year are now being placed into Honors Algebra 2 instead of IB AAF in sophomore year. While students are not in the Diploma Programme until junior year, they begin in the pre-IB/Middle Years Programme when they arrive at RM. This means their five core classes are all with only IB students, except now some math and world language are mixed.

[Anonymous]

As for the 19:19 poster, things look like they'll only go downhill. But maybe it will get better. There's still time for the new principal to fix things before your child is old enough to apply. Let's just hope he doesn't screw everything up even more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most IB sophomores take IB Precalculus after completing IB AAF in freshman year. The ones who take Honors Geometry freshman year are now being placed into Honors Algebra 2 instead of IB AAF in sophomore year. While students are not in the Diploma Programme until junior year, they begin in the pre-IB/Middle Years Programme when they arrive at RM. This means their five core classes are all with only IB students, except now some math and world language are mixed.

I would assume the number of kids who only completed 8th grade algebra before entering RMIB is not large enough to justify a class? And while I know RM offers the 9 and 10th grade pre-IB magnet..most schools do not so it would seem that many non-RM IB kids enter the program from regular HS math classes. IF you google IB AAF you only get RM results.

[Anonymous]

I would clarify a few misinformation about the issue with coordinator replacement, as well as mainstreaming the IB magnet program. I have kids who graduated from the school in the magnet IB program, as well kids who are in the program now. So, I am speaking from experience and knowledge of the school even before the principal came to the school.

[listThe magnet IB program at RM used to be different from other magnet programs in MCPS, by providing magnet level classes for all core classes (vs. magnet level SMACS, Humanities, Global Ecology, CAP etc). So, in other words, this is the only program in MCPS which promises to provide a magnet level all rounded liberal arts experience for HS students. This is the reason why many students who were invited to the many magnet programs and yet are not sure of their career path chose RM. With the current change regarding math pathway for sophomore, that promise is not kept for a small group of students. Many parents fear this is a trial balloon for changes to come in the future to dismantle the all rounded aspect of the magnet program.

The magnet IB program at RM is very different from other IB programs in MCPS. RM does not provide IB certificates (a la carte); it only provided IB Diploma. The IB cohort used to be selected at 9th grade through test-in application process. Yes, the cluster middle schools had an advantage over other middle schools in MCPS to be selected into the program. There were 100 seats for all MCPS school outside the cluster, while there were 25/30 additional seats for the JW only. While the 25/30 seats were offered through the same selection process the ratio of qualified students at JW and offered seats was much higher than the students who got selected in the 100 seats from out of cluster middle schools. There were a few students who were accepted into the diploma program in 11th grade from RM HS student pool only. But they went through a selection panel that the previous coordinator headed. This panel was stringent in accepting students into the program who were not ready to succeed. Frankly any student who entered 9th grade from JW and did not apply for the magnet program, might not be interested or committed to complete it in 11th grade.
I do not know the number, but from my knowledge the number of accepted students to the IB program in 11th grade was fairly small. In the recent years (last 3 years), the principal has pushed to accommodate more (40/45 additional) students to that pool. 40/45 students out of class of 160 is very big %. This created a power struggle between the Principal who wants to demonstrate access (Mettis report) for his political position vs. the coordinator who was responsible for the success of the students and reputation of the program and did not want to accept that many students unless they can succeed in the program. There is a possibility that the motivation to provide access to more students will result in big dip in diploma yield which would lead to RM giving up its diploma only IB philosophy and take the diploma certificate route. This would make RM similar to other IB program in the county.

The principal split the magnet coordinator position into two positions and as a result took away the centralized authority of a magnet IB coordinator. He promoted a teacher (who did not have IB certification) to be the diploma coordinator and hired a very inexperienced magnet coordinator (who had no experience with gifted students) to work as an administrator only. So, the person who would recruit the county wide academically gifted students is not responsible for the academic instruction of those students and the person who would be responsible for their academic success has no understanding/empathy for their individual sacrifices/challenges to succeed this program. This org restructuring concentrated the power in the hand of the principal to tweak the magnet program to his liking without any objective restraint from another leader. What adds to the agony of the parents/students that none of the trio have IB certification so far. The dismissal of the previous coordinator was devious and hence they cannot use her transitional support while these leaders learn.

The principal talks a good talk, so many parents who have not been in RM for several years and do not see the before and after picture, do not realize the zenga pieces being pulled out. The immediate effect of the change would be felt by students graduating this year and the real repercussion to the change to the magnet IB program will be seen couple of years out.

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP. Very informative post. I have heard grumbles from students who are in the program now, but your post really made me understand the problem.

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

"He promoted a teacher (who did not have IB certification) to be the diploma coordinator"

But she did win MCPS teacher of the year last year so she should be pretty good..

[Anonymous]

A lot of the "RMIB is going to heck in a bucket" posts sound to me like the same poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"He promoted a teacher (who did not have IB certification) to be the diploma coordinator"

But she did win MCPS teacher of the year last year so she should be pretty good..

The job she is promoted to requires a very different skill set than being a teacher. The knows her stuff and is probably a great teacher (my kids never had her), but she come off as a cold/less empathetic person. Her job will require her to understand lots of detail about IB, leadership and student advocacy that she has not done. She cannot be a successful IB coordinator without IB certification and experience.

This is analogous to giving the job of handling a 18-wheeler truck on a extremely busy/curvy road to someone who does not have truck driving license yet, but has a super biker award.

[Anonymous]

She taught IB classes and certainly has shown student advocacy and leadership...I think you might give her a chance!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She taught IB classes and certainly has shown student advocacy and leadership...I think you might give her a chance!

Teaching IB classes and being a IB Diploma Coordinator is not the same thing. Like I said, just because she was an excellent teacher does not make her great leader. She should have taken IB certification, worked with the previous coordinator and then should have a taken a position like this. Sometime aspiration can cloud good judgement.

An excellent biker is still not a good truck driver on a curvy/crowded high way. These highway gets icy too, at times. Without a proper truck license and experience the excellent biker can kill many!

I have heard several 9th grade students decided to go back to their home schools. Have not confirmed with the school yet. Current parents do not have a choice than to give her a chance. She might surprise everyone by being an empathetic leader and super advocates for the kids. But in the mean time, future parents should take a good look at alternatives before joining the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"He promoted a teacher (who did not have IB certification) to be the diploma coordinator"

But she did win MCPS teacher of the year last year so she should be pretty good..

Good teacher may not be a good diploma coordinator. Two different skill sets.