Interesting initiative at FCPS. Could this address the achievement gap in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

OMG you actually think Blair is better than TJ. I'm sorry finding a few STEM students who were gifted in STEM despite the MCPS experience and putting them into the middle of an underperforming and crime infested school is not good..but enjoy your belief.

[Anonymous]

Nice argument technique. If it's so bad, why does

Anonymous wrote:Blair have more semi-finalists and three times as many finalists (and more finalists than any school in the nation I might add) even though it's ~1/5th the size of TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG you actually think Blair is better than TJ. I'm sorry finding a few STEM students who were gifted in STEM despite the MCPS experience and putting them into the middle of an underperforming and crime infested school is not good..but enjoy your belief.

OK, please give me reasons why you think the education provided at TJ is better than the one provided at Blair. I'm more than willing to listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

FCPS also has a larger share of Asian student compared to MCPS;

Yes the Asian population has been growing rapidly in Fairfax since MCPS ended math acceleration and launched 2.0. Good job MCPS kick out the high performers seeking the best education.

Really?

In 2012, the US Census estimates that there were 200,927 Asians in Fairfax County -- 18% of the total population of 1,118,602. In Montgomery County, the US Census estimates that 14.7% of the total population of 1,016,677 was Asian, so 149,452 Asians.

In 2010, the US Census says that there were 189,661 Asians in Fairfax County -- 18% of the total population of 1,081,726. In Montgomery County, the US Census says that 13.9% of the total population of 971,777 was Asian, so 135,077 Asians.

So the Fairfax County Asian population grew by 11,266 people between 2010 and 2012, or 6%. And the Montgomery County Asian population grew by 14,275 people between 2010 and 2012, or 11%.

Which means that there were more new Asian residents in 2012 in Montgomery County than in Fairfax County, compared to 2010 (14,275 vs. 11,266), and that the percent growth in Asian residents between 2010 and 2012 was higher in Montgomery County than in Fairfax County (11% vs. 6%).

Now, what were you saying?

[Anonymous]

Area 4 looks too big, and too similar.

[Anonymous]

Probably unworkable in MCPS give all the complaints from W school parents. But at least FCPS is doing something about inequality in its schools. Maybe MCPS should consider doing the same. From today's Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/garz...-8009-71de85b9c527_story.html#

Agree this is about budget cutting and has zero to do with inequity. It probably also means the leaders want a change. MCPS should take note and stop being so top heavy. VA politics are not like the Montgomery County single minded focus on achievement gap only.

Starr never cleaned house and he's paying for it with the failed 2.0 implementation, bad planning, and a group that has no clue what to do about the achievement gap other than screw up the curriculum trying to deflate the top and raise the bottom a few points on one test to claim victory. If the PARC test accidentally had nose picking on it, MCPS would be the only school system advocating for booger studies.

He's now using the achievement gap to play budget battles with the county. How about cutting his senior PR staff or reducing the central administration to fund some of the programs. How about enforcing special education requirements instead of hiring senior attorneys to play tobacco company when parents with autistic or other special needs kids need to appeal to get basic services.

He's not the only one to blame but he's the leader of MCPS and he's not doing a good job.