Is MCPS Superintendent Starr stupid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have an issue with that statement... I take it that he di not mean to put down the "above average" kids, but point out that the "average" kids have valuable skills as well.

Well then, he could have said exactly that. His observation is meaningless and seems to be intent on perpetuating his own agenda.

[Anonymous]

Just read all his tweets and look at all his public pronouncements. Then look at the tweet in the context of his expressed beliefs. It is simply sad.

[Anonymous]

It appears most of the posters on this thread have missed the fact that Starr was quoting another teacher. He could do that because he agrees, or just to put it out there for discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It appears most of the posters on this thread have missed the fact that Starr was quoting another teacher. He could do that because he agrees, or just to put it out there for discussion.

Well then, he should check this board.

I don't think people tweet quotes they disagree with all that often. His track record also makes it hard to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It appears most of the posters on this thread have missed the fact that Starr was quoting another teacher. He could do that because he agrees, or just to put it out there for discussion.

Well then, he should check this board.

I don't think people tweet quotes they disagree with all that often. His track record also makes it hard to give him the benefit of the doubt.

+100! Look at his track record. Read what he did at Stamford before dumping that job and moving over here. Then tell me he doesn't embrace the views he tweets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starr has an agenda. he is against labeling some kids as gifted and therefore providing them with an appropriate education. He sees differentiation as elitist.

Of course he's right in the sense that intelligence alone doesn't guarantee success or even the ability to collaborate effectively. But it's an empty, silly observation to make on Twitter and it tips his hand to his ultimate goal -- teach to the middle because it creates better stnadardized test results.

Dude. It wasn't about your snowflake. Power down the chopper.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starr has an agenda. he is against labeling some kids as gifted and therefore providing them with an appropriate education. He sees differentiation as elitist.

Of course he's right in the sense that intelligence alone doesn't guarantee success or even the ability to collaborate effectively. But it's an empty, silly observation to make on Twitter and it tips his hand to his ultimate goal -- teach to the middle because it creates better stnadardized test results.

Dude. It wasn't about your snowflake. Power down the chopper.

+1

+1 billion. Doesn't the mommy brigade have something better to do than monitor the school superintendant's tweets? Seriously, get a life, get a job.

[Anonymous]

What is inaccurate about the statement that some kids with average academic skills have better team/collaboration skills than some kids with high academic skills?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is inaccurate about the statement that some kids with average academic skills have better team/collaboration skills than some kids with high academic skills?

Nothing at all. No one is suggesting high academic skill kids are also good at everything else either. That is why it is so foolish for him to tweet this as if this teacher just stumble on some hidden treasure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starr has an agenda. he is against labeling some kids as gifted and therefore providing them with an appropriate education. He sees differentiation as elitist.

Of course he's right in the sense that intelligence alone doesn't guarantee success or even the ability to collaborate effectively. But it's an empty, silly observation to make on Twitter and it tips his hand to his ultimate goal -- teach to the middle because it creates better stnadardized test results.

Dude. It wasn't about your snowflake. Power down the chopper.

+1

+1 billion. Doesn't the mommy brigade have something better to do than monitor the school superintendant's tweets? Seriously, get a life, get a job.

MCPS trolls: your boss tweets and recently Dana the PIO asked for more followers. Does the superintendent want a bunch of zombie followers who will fork over their tax dollars and sit quietly while he tweets meaningless thinks? Tell the superintendent we want less tweeting and more responsiveness to parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am a principal (not in MCPS), and would rather hire the bright teacher who may not know all the teaching strategies but is a great collaborator over the teacher who can teach really well in the classroom, but doesn't get along with anyone.

Interesting perspective. I guess I can understand how you would value keeping peace in your kingdom over performance in the classroom with the students. Its more of a problem for you if your staff doesn't get along. If your school already gets strong test scores I guess it doesn't matter if you don't have the teacher who is amazing in the classroom. Sad but your comment really shows what goes wrong with school administration.

You must not be in a leadership position, pp. That's really small-minded. It's also short-sighted because it presumes that "peace in the kingdom" somehow leads to less productive output (in this case, performance). The reality is a brilliant but difficult person doesn't extract good performance out of anyone -- colleagues or students. Teaming and collaboration are the most effective workplace models, and ultimately lead to greater achievement. The brilliant but difficult loner who successfully transforms failing students only exists in movies.

5:17 here. Thank you PP for so eloquently clarifying the thinking behind my post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starr has an agenda. he is against labeling some kids as gifted and therefore providing them with an appropriate education. He sees differentiation as elitist.

Of course he's right in the sense that intelligence alone doesn't guarantee success or even the ability to collaborate effectively. But it's an empty, silly observation to make on Twitter and it tips his hand to his ultimate goal -- teach to the middle because it creates better stnadardized test results.

Dude. It wasn't about your snowflake. Power down the chopper.

+1

+1 billion. Doesn't the mommy brigade have something better to do than monitor the school superintendant's tweets? Seriously, get a life, get a job.

Spoken like someone who doesn't have a gifted kid.

[Anonymous]

Let us face the reality folks. He is forcing his Curriculum 2.0 down our throats. It depends on leaving kids to fend for themselves while the teacher flutters around from group to group. So, he doesn't want that oddball kid who excels to burst the ego of a student who may be way behind. So, rather than help the struggling student get up to speed the dude wants to devalue anyone who excels.

[Anonymous]

I follow him on Twitter, too. I find many tweets to be disingenuous. Didn't see this one, but I think in general he should tweet less, and manage more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starr has an agenda. he is against labeling some kids as gifted and therefore providing them with an appropriate education. He sees differentiation as elitist.

Of course he's right in the sense that intelligence alone doesn't guarantee success or even the ability to collaborate effectively. But it's an empty, silly observation to make on Twitter and it tips his hand to his ultimate goal -- teach to the middle because it creates better stnadardized test results.

Dude. It wasn't about your snowflake. Power down the chopper.

+1

+1 billion. Doesn't the mommy brigade have something better to do than monitor the school superintendant's tweets? Seriously, get a life, get a job.

Spoken like someone who doesn't have a gifted kid.

I often wonder that is why some here likes him while others do not.