New report listing all courses offered by MS & HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not trust this report. We are at B-CC. There is not on-level English classes. Only Honors (or AP/IB in grades 11/12). Maybe if you are ELD, they will put you in an on-level class, but not if you are an English speaker, even when you are performing below grade level. It is definitely honors for all, and that is why teachers do not actually teach an honors class. It is grade-level at best.

My kid is in Bridge at Churchill. Is there an SESES program at BCC? We have grade level classes in Bridge so I'm thinking that if BCC has a sp ed program, the regular classes might be for the self contained courses.

This is the course registration card for 9th grade for B-CC. They told incoming parents that everyone takes honors English 9A/B and there is no on-level option. This is the same as years past.

It does look like they have a separate class for ELDs at certain levels, so maybe that is what they mean. If that is the case, the report is definitely misleading by stating that English 9A/B is an option. It's honors for all except for the few kids assigned to that class.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1omOjmST8HEQQ-BXftkgdPqZZyPH5waQ7qBa7mJvO5Fk/edit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not trust this report. We are at B-CC. There is not on-level English classes. Only Honors (or AP/IB in grades 11/12). Maybe if you are ELD, they will put you in an on-level class, but not if you are an English speaker, even when you are performing below grade level. It is definitely honors for all, and that is why teachers do not actually teach an honors class. It is grade-level at best.

My kid is in Bridge at Churchill. Is there an SESES program at BCC? We have grade level classes in Bridge so I'm thinking that if BCC has a sp ed program, the regular classes might be for the self contained courses.

This is the course registration card for 9th grade for B-CC. They told incoming parents that everyone takes honors English 9A/B and there is no on-level option. This is the same as years past.

It does look like they have a separate class for ELDs at certain levels, so maybe that is what they mean. If that is the case, the report is definitely misleading by stating that English 9A/B is an option. It's honors for all except for the few kids assigned to that class.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1omOjmST8HEQQ-BXftkgdPqZZyPH5waQ7qBa7mJvO5Fk/edit

They probably use the on-level English as remedial. My kid's MS only had one section of on level English for remedial students then everyone else was placed in advanced English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not trust this report. We are at B-CC. There is not on-level English classes. Only Honors (or AP/IB in grades 11/12). Maybe if you are ELD, they will put you in an on-level class, but not if you are an English speaker, even when you are performing below grade level. It is definitely honors for all, and that is why teachers do not actually teach an honors class. It is grade-level at best.

My kid is in Bridge at Churchill. Is there an SESES program at BCC? We have grade level classes in Bridge so I'm thinking that if BCC has a sp ed program, the regular classes might be for the self contained courses.

This is the course registration card for 9th grade for B-CC. They told incoming parents that everyone takes honors English 9A/B and there is no on-level option. This is the same as years past.

It does look like they have a separate class for ELDs at certain levels, so maybe that is what they mean. If that is the case, the report is definitely misleading by stating that English 9A/B is an option. It's honors for all except for the few kids assigned to that class.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1omOjmST8HEQQ-BXftkgdPqZZyPH5waQ7qBa7mJvO5Fk/edit

They probably use the on-level English as remedial. My kid's MS only had one section of on level English for remedial students then everyone else was placed in advanced English.

Not at B-CC. There is no on-level offering. Kids who need a remedial class are in honors. Doesn't work for anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well well well...

"Three schools - Robert Frost, Takoma Park, and White Oak, offer Honors Algebra 2 at their school.
Students in other middle schools must attend a local high school to take that class."

This is the kind of thing that really bothers parents and MCPS could benefit from centralizing school course offerings rather than just leaving it up to administrators. I'm still trying to completely understand the methodology of the report. Is it that it is only offered at these three schools, or, is it that in Spring semester 2025 these were the only middle schools with kids actually taking the class? I think it is odd the Robert Clemente (up county math magnet) had no kids taking Algebra 2.

Oh, they do! They just have to wake up in the dead of night to go to a high school that's really far from their home.

We have to drive as Mcps will not provide a bus like they do for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not trust this report. We are at B-CC. There is not on-level English classes. Only Honors (or AP/IB in grades 11/12). Maybe if you are ELD, they will put you in an on-level class, but not if you are an English speaker, even when you are performing below grade level. It is definitely honors for all, and that is why teachers do not actually teach an honors class. It is grade-level at best.

My kid is in Bridge at Churchill. Is there an SESES program at BCC? We have grade level classes in Bridge so I'm thinking that if BCC has a sp ed program, the regular classes might be for the self contained courses.

This is the course registration card for 9th grade for B-CC. They told incoming parents that everyone takes honors English 9A/B and there is no on-level option. This is the same as years past.

It does look like they have a separate class for ELDs at certain levels, so maybe that is what they mean. If that is the case, the report is definitely misleading by stating that English 9A/B is an option. It's honors for all except for the few kids assigned to that class.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1omOjmST8HEQQ-BXftkgdPqZZyPH5waQ7qBa7mJvO5Fk/edit

My son who is in Bridge, doesn't do course registration via the registration cards/online forms. The counselors register them into their classes. Bridge classes don't appear on the forms since they already know who will be placed in the class based on the IEPs.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't MCPS pay for AP Exams? I know they are covering my kid this year. I don't know about last year.

In addition, even if a school offers a significant number of AP courses, that does not necessarily equate to
equal participation among students. Often, Black and Latinx are less likely to be enrolled in an AP course
for a multitude of reasons: students can only take AP classes through (1) teacher recommendations, who
can have more negative perceptions and lower expectations of Black and Latinx students than they do of
other students,77 or (2) through a single state standardized test score which may not fully reflect a student’s
readiness for an AP course. Further, Black and Latinx students are often tracked into vocational training
instead of college preparatory classes. 78 A further barrier for students is the fee for taking an exam in each
subject area. While several states and the College Board offer fee reductions, the cost of the tests may still
be a barrier. (pg.99-100)

I know the comment is referencing an external study but if cost is not a barrier for MCPS students, it should be noted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't MCPS pay for AP Exams? I know they are covering my kid this year. I don't know about last year.

In addition, even if a school offers a significant number of AP courses, that does not necessarily equate to
equal participation among students. Often, Black and Latinx are less likely to be enrolled in an AP course
for a multitude of reasons: students can only take AP classes through (1) teacher recommendations, who
can have more negative perceptions and lower expectations of Black and Latinx students than they do of
other students,77 or (2) through a single state standardized test score which may not fully reflect a student’s
readiness for an AP course. Further, Black and Latinx students are often tracked into vocational training
instead of college preparatory classes. 78 A further barrier for students is the fee for taking an exam in each
subject area. While several states and the College Board offer fee reductions, the cost of the tests may still
be a barrier. (pg.99-100)

I know the comment is referencing an external study but if cost is not a barrier for MCPS students, it should be noted.

Yes AP and IB exams are covered for students registered for the corresponding classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not trust this report. We are at B-CC. There is not on-level English classes. Only Honors (or AP/IB in grades 11/12). Maybe if you are ELD, they will put you in an on-level class, but not if you are an English speaker, even when you are performing below grade level. It is definitely honors for all, and that is why teachers do not actually teach an honors class. It is grade-level at best.

My kid is in Bridge at Churchill. Is there an SESES program at BCC? We have grade level classes in Bridge so I'm thinking that if BCC has a sp ed program, the regular classes might be for the self contained courses.

This is the course registration card for 9th grade for B-CC. They told incoming parents that everyone takes honors English 9A/B and there is no on-level option. This is the same as years past.

It does look like they have a separate class for ELDs at certain levels, so maybe that is what they mean. If that is the case, the report is definitely misleading by stating that English 9A/B is an option. It's honors for all except for the few kids assigned to that class.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1omOjmST8HEQQ-BXftkgdPqZZyPH5waQ7qBa7mJvO5Fk/edit

My son who is in Bridge, doesn't do course registration via the registration cards/online forms. The counselors register them into their classes. Bridge classes don't appear on the forms since they already know who will be placed in the class based on the IEPs.

B-CC doesn't have a Bridge program. Only Churchill, Gaithersburg, and Paint Branch have it.

[Anonymous]

I wrote Taylor and the BOE and suggest others do the same. I’m still working on my email to County Council since they requested the OLO report.

While MCPS has announced "Strong Local Schools" initiative goals, goals are not policies. Before your February 2026 recommendations, I need answers:

While MCPS has announced "Strong Local Schools" initiative goals, goals are not policies. Before your February 2026 recommendations, I need answers:

1. Has MCPS created a formal, written course selection policy that limits principal discretion? Where is it published and what are consequences for non-compliance?

2. What specific accountability mechanisms ensure schools in the regional model will deliver promised programs year-to-year?

3. Has MCPS completed cost analysis comparing current spending versus the regional model's projected costs?

4. What prevents the regional model from replicating the principal-driven inconsistencies documented in the OLO report?

5. When will the internal study on "course availability, curriculum and resources" be completed and made public?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well well well...

"Three schools - Robert Frost, Takoma Park, and White Oak, offer Honors Algebra 2 at their school.
Students in other middle schools must attend a local high school to take that class."

well.. yes. If the cohort is large, it makes sense to offer the course in the school. Otherwise, it makes no sense to have a teacher just for like 6 kids in the class.

[Anonymous]

That report shows region 4 program includes Rockville HS. I thought Rockville HS was removed from Region 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That report shows region 4 program includes Rockville HS. I thought Rockville HS was removed from Region 4.

As of the most recent presentation to the board in November, RHS is in region 4.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLJE34CC316/$file/Boundary%20Studies%20Program%20Analysis%20Update%20251120%20PPT%20REV.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well well well...

"Three schools - Robert Frost, Takoma Park, and White Oak, offer Honors Algebra 2 at their school.
Students in other middle schools must attend a local high school to take that class."

well.. yes. If the cohort is large, it makes sense to offer the course in the school. Otherwise, it makes no sense to have a teacher just for like 6 kids in the class.

They don't have metrics for when to offer courses. They don't measure interest in courses they don't offer. It is all up to the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well well well...

"Three schools - Robert Frost, Takoma Park, and White Oak, offer Honors Algebra 2 at their school.
Students in other middle schools must attend a local high school to take that class."

well.. yes. If the cohort is large, it makes sense to offer the course in the school. Otherwise, it makes no sense to have a teacher just for like 6 kids in the class.

They don't have metrics for when to offer courses. They don't measure interest in courses they don't offer. It is all up to the principal.

+1. This is basically the takeaway from the report. Course offerings are completely up to the principals. There are cohorts at every middle school that want Algebra 2. Before the change to curriculum 2.0 in 2011 it was common for middle schools to have at least 1 class of students doing Algebra 2. This interest didn't go away, principals quit offering it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well well well...

"Three schools - Robert Frost, Takoma Park, and White Oak, offer Honors Algebra 2 at their school.
Students in other middle schools must attend a local high school to take that class."

This is the thing … I came to know from a friend that almost most kids in Robert Frost in 6 th grade take Algebra 1. The regional elementary for CES recommends all the kids who go to Robert Frost for Algebra 1 but not the children who go to Hoover or CJ even if their Map M is same or higher than the ones zoned to Frost .

When people asked the school …. they were told it’s just because Frost administration is ok with children taking Algebra 1 in 6 th but not others. So for other schools criteria is really higher and only may be a few kids get to take Algebra in 6 th . But in Frost it’s 70-80 kids take it and almost majority of 8th graders will be in Honors Algebra 2 . That’s why using MAP scores to determine magnets can’t be validated as all children are not getting the same education.