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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
Class Assignments
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Anonymous
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I think it's clear you don't have an understanding of all that goes into the articulation process and the formation of classes. Parent requests are read and respected, however there are many, many other factors that have to be considered. Teachers from the previous year give input on behavior, ie which students should under no circumstances be in the same class. That information will trump a parent request every time. Classes have to be racially diverse. Student emotional needs are taken into consideration (the counselors look over potential class lists and give input).
The secrecy isn't about power, it's because there are changes being made to class lists often up until the day of open house. I think you're being too sensitive. |
Anonymous
Wait did you request a teacher or not? |
Anonymous
| If there are approximately 100 children per grade, why do you think it is possible to accomodate the requests regarding class teacher assignments from all the parents? |
Anonymous
I made a case for the teacher - they don't allow requests but do take input into consideration. She did get the teacher I requested and I am glad. I don't think the school did any thing wrong -- in fact, I got what I wanted. I am just bummed for DD that she didn't get into a class with any of her good friends. And since there are only two classes, it means they are all together. I just think it's a tough situation, but she seems to be ok about it so she's clearly more mature than I am. 
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Anonymous
This was not the original poster. Original poster did not request a teacher. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I have given up requesting teachers and kid assignments because I don't really know how classes are constructed. I also want to give the benefit of the doubt the school professionals.
That said, I do hold them accountable with whatever decisions they make. If it is not working out, I would be vocal in saying that my kid can handle this level of work, but you have him at a lower level. At home I see the following...(insert your evidence such as 'he says he hates school', 'he says he is bored', 'he is losing interest in reading', 'he is reading level x books at night'), what are you seeing at school when you put him at this lower level? If we both agree he can handle more, what can we do to get him there? Are there other higher reading groups? etc. I would sound as professional and detached as possible. I would be completely respectful and express understanding of the teacher's difficult job of teaching 25 kids. If your son has a bad year, let them know the facts. Be an advocate, but in a respectful way. Rather than telling them what to do, just hold them accountable for what they are supposed to do. I am happy to delegate detailed decisions to them, but I expect my son to challenged. |
Anonymous
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Let me just say that the folks who do this for a living have a lot more experience with this than any of us do. Our DD's principal once said that she gets 10-15 requests every year.
I had a good relationship with my son's principal and I requested that my son be placed with a certain teacher (male teacher that moved up a grade that year). My request was denied but the principal was nice enough to tell me that the staff (teachers and counselors) agreed that my son would be better off with the teacher they selected (while still seeing the male teacher for math). They were 100% right. The teacher they picked connected with him immediately and they predicted it....I had only focused on what would make me comfortable at the outset. She explained that a lot these requests are driven by parents who are anxious about change. Kids will make new friends with kids who are in the class....it happens naturally. And in most cases, overachieving or underachieving kids will be addressed. |
Anonymous
| I would talk to the principal to see if your child can be transferred to that class. I would address it in a very constructive way, just to say that you were wondering if it would be possible to be kept in the reading group with his friends. On the other hand, MCPS have a new curriculum this year, so they will not be having mixed reading groups from different classes, but grouping kids by their abilities in one class. So, maybe, your child is in the advanced class. |
Anonymous
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Ha ha ha.. American schols are not for your benefit!, or for your child. The system here is actually to make things as complicated and difficult for parent and a child as possible so the kids can get stupider not smarter. How long it takes you to figure out??? I grew up in England and when I compare your system to the other.. oh my gosh!
Of course it all can be done.. transparency, lottery, perefference sign ups... just look at private schools. Why it is not done? Come one.. you are smart people, you have democracy here and you simply are not using it. It might be public schools but they are "ruled" in a despotic sense that has nothing to do with democracy. |
Anonymous
Sorry to say, but you're not improving the reputation of English schools through your writing skills. |