GT Magnets

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are so few middle school magnets. The logistics seem unreasonable for western MCPS kids.

In general, western MCPS families don't need to worry about sending their kids to their home middle schools.

[Anonymous]

What are people's opinions about sending a student to the Blair magnet program who did not attend the elementary and middle school magnet programs?

[Anonymous]

We got in the letter yesterday. DC was not selected. DC has been a primary magnet and 3rd grade G&T student but was transferred to west county school. Is among the G&T group of students there. The main reason of taking the test was not to get in to the G&T school but to see the scores. Had missed almost a month in December for some reason but took the test anyway on 4th Jan. Would it make sense to have him restested even though no intention to move him to G&T school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got in the letter yesterday. DC was not selected. DC has been a primary magnet and 3rd grade G&T student but was transferred to west county school. Is among the G&T group of students there. The main reason of taking the test was not to get in to the G&T school but to see the scores. Had missed almost a month in December for some reason but took the test anyway on 4th Jan. Would it make sense to have him restested even though no intention to move him to G&T school.

I strongly doubt they would re-test him, but even if they did agree to do it - why would you want to?

[Anonymous]

They won't retest him.

[Anonymous]

I am the 0:49 post asking about retesting DC for G&T. Thanks for your replies. I am myself not sure but was surprised to see the results, did not look like my DC's scores as I have been checking his class quizes and other tests he takes. If it was atime bound test, may be that could be one reason that a child who has missed school for 3.5 weeks suddenly sits there to take the test. I had talked to the teacher to reschedule him but was given confidence that he would do good anyways, and if need be, appeal is always there. So that's why I was in a limbo whether to gothrough all this appeal even if no intention of moving him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the 0:49 post asking about retesting DC for G&T. Thanks for your replies. I am myself not sure but was surprised to see the results, did not look like my DC's scores as I have been checking his class quizes and other tests he takes. If it was atime bound test, may be that could be one reason that a child who has missed school for 3.5 weeks suddenly sits there to take the test. I had talked to the teacher to reschedule him but was given confidence that he would do good anyways, and if need be, appeal is always there. So that's why I was in a limbo whether to gothrough all this appeal even if no intention of moving him.

If he didn't make the waitlist, and scored low on the test, an appeal is a waste of time.

His tests and quizzes in school bear no relationship to this HGC-entrance test. The former test knowledge; the latter test intelligence and capability.

[Anonymous]

My child got in. Problem is the GT school in our district is not really a good ES in general. Many bully cases targeted GT students reported, but not handled properly. Dirty school ground. 3rd Grade MSA is in 75% proficiency rate. (4th grade is in 95% due to the GT) You get the idea.
My question is, does GT program operate separately from the ES? Does it matter how shitty (pardon my language) the host school is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got in the letter yesterday. DC was not selected. DC has been a primary magnet and 3rd grade G&T student but was transferred to west county school. Is among the G&T group of students there. The main reason of taking the test was not to get in to the G&T school but to see the scores. Had missed almost a month in December for some reason but took the test anyway on 4th Jan. Would it make sense to have him restested even though no intention to move him to G&T school.

Which 3rd grade GT was your child a student in? I haven't heard of MOCO offering GT for 3rd grade.

Also, about your child missing school in Dec, it wouldn't matter for the test. The school does not prep the children for the test nor is it the kind of test the children should be studying for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child got in. Problem is the GT school in our district is not really a good ES in general. Many bully cases targeted GT students reported, but not handled properly. Dirty school ground. 3rd Grade MSA is in 75% proficiency rate. (4th grade is in 95% due to the GT) You get the idea.
My question is, does GT program operate separately from the ES? Does it matter how shitty (pardon my language) the host school is?

HGC classrooms are self-contained. The kids mix with regular-school kids for some specials but the classrooms are self-contained.

Which school are you referring to?

[Anonymous]

The kids do their academics with the GT Center kids, but they do their specials with the broader school population. Often, parents consider this when choosing between their home middle school and the middle school magnet.

[Anonymous]

It is not a transparent process because they like to preserve the ability to take kids based on a multitude of factors, not just the test. They determine if the child would be best at the home school, best at the center, or simply could benefit at the center. They ask teachers to provide data as well. All of these are taken together to make a decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not a transparent process because they like to preserve the ability to take kids based on a multitude of factors, not just the test. They determine if the child would be best at the home school, best at the center, or simply could benefit at the center. They ask teachers to provide data as well. All of these are taken together to make a decision.

What is your source for this information?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not a transparent process because they like to preserve the ability to take kids based on a multitude of factors, not just the test. They determine if the child would be best at the home school, best at the center, or simply could benefit at the center. They ask teachers to provide data as well. All of these are taken together to make a decision.

What is your source for this information?

I concur. I have spoken with MCPS personnel who have told me that given a choice between two students with the same attributes, they would pick the one from the home school who lacks peers in the school. It makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately for all the families involved, the information was accidentally leaked this year from one of the Bethesda elementary schools. The grid that was inadvertently sent to parents outlined the pieces of the puzzle they consider, and made plain that test scores are not the only factor, though they are a very important factor. Actually, if you consider the private school application process, or the college admissions process, it's not that different. They may appreciate the valedictorian's skills, but they don't want a class full of valedictorians. If you have two very capable, smart kids, but one never does any work and the other is intrinsically motivated, that comes through in things like recommendations and teacher checklists.