MCPS Considering Beginning 2020-21 School Calendar Year Before Labor Day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost every private high school in the DC Metro starts after Labor Day and they all get much higher AP grades than public. Not to mention most schools up north start even later and also take their AP's without difficulty. Many boarding schools start mid September and they all take the AP's and do great. So stop using that lame excuse for a reason to start before Labor Day.

SAT scores are offered year round.

The trend is not to have APs at private schools, so “almost every private school” is not correct.

Well to the private school's defense, they are a kinda a money making scam for the college board since most kids fail their AP tests. Most take it because schools will weigh the GPA and that is what they want. You do not need to report the scores if you fail. Some teacher with a BS from Towson, teaching college courses is not ideal.

That said, the private school kids still sit for AP's and pass them all the time, especially at junior year to brag to colleges. Which is really all they are. Resume builders

Who told you most fail them?
My wootton students have gotten 4 and 5s on everything, as have most of their friends. So I’m not sure where your sample is from.

Where my sample is from? How about actual statistics than “my kid and her friends!”

In 2007 only 52% of all students passed an AP exam with a 3 or higher. That number drops sharply for 4 or higher which is what you need in most colleges for credit. Many colleges are now only accepting 5’s or none. And many kids who pass the AP’s still don’t get credit. Many colleges have loopholes. Only so many can be used or a newly named class “Calculus for Engineers” aka Calc 1&2, must be taken even if you passed a Calc BC. Not to mention how many try to bypass their high school AP classes, move onto the next college course, and realize they are bombing and withdrawal and go back to their passed AP for a repeat in college. Meanwhile the College Board makes $750 million annually (the CEO makes $1 million) while most kids are unable to use their paid tests for college credit.

And let me tell you. If most kids did pass them, colleges wouldn’t take them. Why do you think they raised the passing to 4/5 now? They are as money hungry as the college board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many school districts on Long Island don't start until the Wednesday after Labor Day. They also get the Jewish holidays off AND a February mid-winter break. Those kids do just fine on their AP exams.

This is exactly why I don’t understand why MCPS cannot follow those good schools districts. A mid February break would give college sophomores and juniors an opportunity to visit schools during that week. And spring break would still be a week to travel and have down time, like schools in NY, MA & CT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many school districts on Long Island don't start until the Wednesday after Labor Day. They also get the Jewish holidays off AND a February mid-winter break. Those kids do just fine on their AP exams.

I'm wondering how you know this.

Because I went to public high school on Long Island and so did my spouse.

I'm wondering how you know "those kids do just fine" on their AP exams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many school districts on Long Island don't start until the Wednesday after Labor Day. They also get the Jewish holidays off AND a February mid-winter break. Those kids do just fine on their AP exams.

This is exactly why I don’t understand why MCPS cannot follow those good schools districts. A mid February break would give college sophomores and juniors an opportunity to visit schools during that week. And spring break would still be a week to travel and have down time, like schools in NY, MA & CT.

I think MCPS calendars should be based on what would work best for all MCPS students, PK-12. Only a very small percentage of students are going to be taking multi-day trips for college visits.

[Anonymous]

The middle option is the best one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost every private high school in the DC Metro starts after Labor Day and they all get much higher AP grades than public. Not to mention most schools up north start even later and also take their AP's without difficulty. Many boarding schools start mid September and they all take the AP's and do great. So stop using that lame excuse for a reason to start before Labor Day.

SAT scores are offered year round.

The trend is not to have APs at private schools, so “almost every private school” is not correct.

Well to the private school's defense, they are a kinda a money making scam for the college board since most kids fail their AP tests. Most take it because schools will weigh the GPA and that is what they want. You do not need to report the scores if you fail. Some teacher with a BS from Towson, teaching college courses is not ideal.

That said, the private school kids still sit for AP's and pass them all the time, especially at junior year to brag to colleges. Which is really all they are. Resume builders

Who told you most fail them?
My wootton students have gotten 4 and 5s on everything, as have most of their friends. So I’m not sure where your sample is from.

Where my sample is from? How about actual statistics than “my kid and her friends!”

In 2007 only 52% of all students passed an AP exam with a 3 or higher. That number drops sharply for 4 or higher which is what you need in most colleges for credit. Many colleges are now only accepting 5’s or none. And many kids who pass the AP’s still don’t get credit. Many colleges have loopholes. Only so many can be used or a newly named class “Calculus for Engineers” aka Calc 1&2, must be taken even if you passed a Calc BC. Not to mention how many try to bypass their high school AP classes, move onto the next college course, and realize they are bombing and withdrawal and go back to their passed AP for a repeat in college. Meanwhile the College Board makes $750 million annually (the CEO makes $1 million) while most kids are unable to use their paid tests for college credit.

And let me tell you. If most kids did pass them, colleges wouldn’t take them. Why do you think they raised the passing to 4/5 now? They are as money hungry as the college board.

52% from where? Maryland? MCPS? Nationwide? I don't disagree that College Board is a money making scheme, but this is a thread about the school calendar. Giving the kids time to prepare is relevant. All this stuff you're spewing about isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many school districts on Long Island don't start until the Wednesday after Labor Day. They also get the Jewish holidays off AND a February mid-winter break. Those kids do just fine on their AP exams.

This is exactly why I don’t understand why MCPS cannot follow those good schools districts. A mid February break would give college sophomores and juniors an opportunity to visit schools during that week. And spring break would still be a week to travel and have down time, like schools in NY, MA & CT.

I grew up in CT. I gradated from HS on June 29th. Imagine the fury here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many school districts on Long Island don't start until the Wednesday after Labor Day. They also get the Jewish holidays off AND a February mid-winter break. Those kids do just fine on their AP exams.

This is exactly why I don’t understand why MCPS cannot follow those good schools districts. A mid February break would give college sophomores and juniors an opportunity to visit schools during that week. And spring break would still be a week to travel and have down time, like schools in NY, MA & CT.

I grew up in CT. I gradated from HS on June 29th. Imagine the fury here.

I just don't get it. Why is it objectively better to start after Labor Day and graduate from high school at the end of June?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost every private high school in the DC Metro starts after Labor Day and they all get much higher AP grades than public. Not to mention most schools up north start even later and also take their AP's without difficulty. Many boarding schools start mid September and they all take the AP's and do great. So stop using that lame excuse for a reason to start before Labor Day.

SAT scores are offered year round.

The trend is not to have APs at private schools, so “almost every private school” is not correct.

Well to the private school's defense, they are a kinda a money making scam for the college board since most kids fail their AP tests. Most take it because schools will weigh the GPA and that is what they want. You do not need to report the scores if you fail. Some teacher with a BS from Towson, teaching college courses is not ideal.

That said, the private school kids still sit for AP's and pass them all the time, especially at junior year to brag to colleges. Which is really all they are. Resume builders

Who told you most fail them?
My wootton students have gotten 4 and 5s on everything, as have most of their friends. So I’m not sure where your sample is from.

Where my sample is from? How about actual statistics than “my kid and her friends!”

In 2007 only 52% of all students passed an AP exam with a 3 or higher. That number drops sharply for 4 or higher which is what you need in most colleges for credit. Many colleges are now only accepting 5’s or none. And many kids who pass the AP’s still don’t get credit. Many colleges have loopholes. Only so many can be used or a newly named class “Calculus for Engineers” aka Calc 1&2, must be taken even if you passed a Calc BC. Not to mention how many try to bypass their high school AP classes, move onto the next college course, and realize they are bombing and withdrawal and go back to their passed AP for a repeat in college. Meanwhile the College Board makes $750 million annually (the CEO makes $1 million) while most kids are unable to use their paid tests for college credit.

And let me tell you. If most kids did pass them, colleges wouldn’t take them. Why do you think they raised the passing to 4/5 now? They are as money hungry as the college board.

How about you don't argue "the private school kids still sit and pass them all the time" based on your limited experience?
You literally wrote most kids fail their AP tests and backed it up with statistics that 52% got 3 or higher. Is that out of all students who took AP exams? This area generally scores higher than the nationwide average. It may not count for credit, but that's hardly supporting that all kids fail. You think private kids pass em with flying colors and public school kids fail them? OK. Give me some statistics about the AP Scores of the local public schools before you assert that in this area.
The only thing I agree with is that they're all profit hungry - with College Board up at the top.

[Anonymous]

I just don't get it. Why is it objectively better to start after Labor Day and graduate from high school at the end of June?

Because that's how it was in my day, dammit, and these kids today don't understand that everything was better back then. Now get off my lawn!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost every private high school in the DC Metro starts after Labor Day and they all get much higher AP grades than public. Not to mention most schools up north start even later and also take their AP's without difficulty. Many boarding schools start mid September and they all take the AP's and do great. So stop using that lame excuse for a reason to start before Labor Day.

SAT scores are offered year round.

The trend is not to have APs at private schools, so “almost every private school” is not correct.

Well to the private school's defense, they are a kinda a money making scam for the college board since most kids fail their AP tests. Most take it because schools will weigh the GPA and that is what they want. You do not need to report the scores if you fail. Some teacher with a BS from Towson, teaching college courses is not ideal.

That said, the private school kids still sit for AP's and pass them all the time, especially at junior year to brag to colleges. Which is really all they are. Resume builders

Who told you most fail them?
My wootton students have gotten 4 and 5s on everything, as have most of their friends. So I’m not sure where your sample is from.

NP - The results for each AP test is posted on the College Board. They are scored to have about 50% and about 50% fail, although sometimes the estimates are off and more pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

NP - The results for each AP test is posted on the College Board. They are scored to have about 50% and about 50% fail, although sometimes the estimates are off and more pass.

There is no pass or fail on AP tests. There are just scores: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. If you're going to talk about passing/failing, please also tell us what you mean by it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many school districts on Long Island don't start until the Wednesday after Labor Day. They also get the Jewish holidays off AND a February mid-winter break. Those kids do just fine on their AP exams.

This is exactly why I don’t understand why MCPS cannot follow those good schools districts. A mid February break would give college sophomores and juniors an opportunity to visit schools during that week. And spring break would still be a week to travel and have down time, like schools in NY, MA & CT.

I grew up in CT. I gradated from HS on June 29th. Imagine the fury here.

I just don't get it. Why is it objectively better to start after Labor Day and graduate from high school at the end of June?

It is not better...but the PP seems like they are pining for a New England like schedule ignoring the fact that the only way they do it is to finish later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost every private high school in the DC Metro starts after Labor Day and they all get much higher AP grades than public. Not to mention most schools up north start even later and also take their AP's without difficulty. Many boarding schools start mid September and they all take the AP's and do great. So stop using that lame excuse for a reason to start before Labor Day.

SAT scores are offered year round.

The trend is not to have APs at private schools, so “almost every private school” is not correct.

Well to the private school's defense, they are a kinda a money making scam for the college board since most kids fail their AP tests. Most take it because schools will weigh the GPA and that is what they want. You do not need to report the scores if you fail. Some teacher with a BS from Towson, teaching college courses is not ideal.

That said, the private school kids still sit for AP's and pass them all the time, especially at junior year to brag to colleges. Which is really all they are. Resume builders

Who told you most fail them?
My wootton students have gotten 4 and 5s on everything, as have most of their friends. So I’m not sure where your sample is from.

Where my sample is from? How about actual statistics than “my kid and her friends!”

In 2007 only 52% of all students passed an AP exam with a 3 or higher. That number drops sharply for 4 or higher which is what you need in most colleges for credit. Many colleges are now only accepting 5’s or none. And many kids who pass the AP’s still don’t get credit. Many colleges have loopholes. Only so many can be used or a newly named class “Calculus for Engineers” aka Calc 1&2, must be taken even if you passed a Calc BC. Not to mention how many try to bypass their high school AP classes, move onto the next college course, and realize they are bombing and withdrawal and go back to their passed AP for a repeat in college. Meanwhile the College Board makes $750 million annually (the CEO makes $1 million) while most kids are unable to use their paid tests for college credit.

And let me tell you. If most kids did pass them, colleges wouldn’t take them. Why do you think they raised the passing to 4/5 now? They are as money hungry as the college board.

So true! We just went through this recently with my college freshman. DS college has very strict requirements for what APs they will give credit for. Classes like AP Human Geography, forget it. Credit for both AP Lang and AP Lit, they only will give credit for one of those classes with a 4 or 5. Do I regret that my child took a lot of APs, no. Do I regret paying for the test, YES. College Board is making a ton of money off of these exams-period.

[Anonymous]

I think we should start after Labor Day for elementary and middle school and start one or two weeks earlier for high schoolers. The caveat would be that high school follows all the same break plans for everything else and they get out earlier in June. Why is this so hard for MCPS to do?