Takoma, Easter Magnets. MCPS Pilots Universal Evaluation Process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Oh honey, I’m far from the only one who recognizes two classes, even if they’re better than expected, can’t replave a magnet program. You must be new here.

They are not intended to replace a magnet program. If only a magnet program will satisfy you, then obviously yes, you won't be happy about enriched/accelerated courses at the home school, no matter what the content of the courses is.

You act as though I’m ridiculous for wanting high quality curricula for gifted MS students. I don’t care what they call it; I just want proper education for all kids, which MCPS is clearly not providing.

But you've prejudged the new courses as not being a "proper education." They haven't started yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Oh honey, I’m far from the only one who recognizes two classes, even if they’re better than expected, can’t replave a magnet program. You must be new here.

They are not intended to replace a magnet program. If only a magnet program will satisfy you, then obviously yes, you won't be happy about enriched/accelerated courses at the home school, no matter what the content of the courses is.

You act as though I’m ridiculous for wanting high quality curricula for gifted MS students. I don’t care what they call it; I just want proper education for all kids, which MCPS is clearly not providing.

How do you know that the courses aren't a high-quality curriculum? They haven't even started yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Previously only a small number of students even applied to these programs. Most often it was children of hyper-involved well-off parents. So many gifted children from less affluent families never even applied. The new process definitely resulted in identifying a higher caliber student than the older system. It also didn't hurt the test was revised to reduce the impact of test prep so truly gifted students were identified not just children of parents who could afford expensive prep classes. The county really knocked this out of the park as it were.

My problem is that they didn’t do enough to ensure gifted kids who “have a cohort at their home school” are getting enough enrichment. The classes they purport to be offering for those kids isn’t really acceleration, so they’re basically telling those kids to take a hike.

Have you seen the new courses?

I’ve seen the descriptions and they’re barely different than what was previously offered.

There hasn't even been 1 day of teaching yet in these new courses, and you're already complaining about them. I guess you're being pro-active.

Oh honey, I’m far from the only one who recognizes two classes, even if they’re better than expected, can’t replave a magnet program. You must be new here.

Let's be realistic here. The magnet program is only three classes - two core + one elective. The real benefit of the magnet is the cohort - lots of academically enthusiastic kids grouped together can a very rich academic experience, regardless of the curriculum. They are piloting two courses this year, but there is no reason parent advocacy can't push them to expand that to all four core courses in the next few years. The only way to truly serve all of the advanced students in MCPS is to bring the advanced course work to the home schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Previously only a small number of students even applied to these programs. Most often it was children of hyper-involved well-off parents. So many gifted children from less affluent families never even applied. The new process definitely resulted in identifying a higher caliber student than the older system. It also didn't hurt the test was revised to reduce the impact of test prep so truly gifted students were identified not just children of parents who could afford expensive prep classes. The county really knocked this out of the park as it were.

My problem is that they didn’t do enough to ensure gifted kids who “have a cohort at their home school” are getting enough enrichment. The classes they purport to be offering for those kids isn’t really acceleration, so they’re basically telling those kids to take a hike.

Have you seen the new courses?

I’ve seen the descriptions and they’re barely different than what was previously offered.

There hasn't even been 1 day of teaching yet in these new courses, and you're already complaining about them. I guess you're being pro-active.

Oh honey, I’m far from the only one who recognizes two classes, even if they’re better than expected, can’t replave a magnet program. You must be new here.

Let's be realistic here. The magnet program is only three classes - two core + one elective. The real benefit of the magnet is the cohort - lots of academically enthusiastic kids grouped together can a very rich academic experience, regardless of the curriculum. They are piloting two courses this year, but there is no reason parent advocacy can't push them to expand that to all four core courses in the next few years. The only way to truly serve all of the advanced students in MCPS is to bring the advanced course work to the home schools.

+1

[Anonymous]

The idea that the tests are sufficient to identify "truly gifted" students is ridiculous. The addition of the "peer cohort" criterion shows this for what it really was -- a social engineering effort. Which is not wrong in and of itself but dressing it up as a more objective process is not accurate.

And I agree with the overall point that MCPS is failing the smart kids, whether or not you want to call them gifted or whether that term really fits. The advanced courses and tracking so that kids are grouped and not lumped into classes needs to be offered at all home schools. I've had kids go through both a well-regarded W feeder middle school and a magnet middle school, and the W feeder middle school was a waste of three years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The idea that the tests are sufficient to identify "truly gifted" students is ridiculous. The addition of the "peer cohort" criterion shows this for what it really was -- a social engineering effort. Which is not wrong in and of itself but dressing it up as a more objective process is not accurate.

And I agree with the overall point that MCPS is failing the smart kids, whether or not you want to call them gifted or whether that term really fits. The advanced courses and tracking so that kids are grouped and not lumped into classes needs to be offered at all home schools. I've had kids go through both a well-regarded W feeder middle school and a magnet middle school, and the W feeder middle school was a waste of three years.

Why did you stay? You should have put your kid who was so advanced but not enough for magnet in private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Previously only a small number of students even applied to these programs. Most often it was children of hyper-involved well-off parents. So many gifted children from less affluent families never even applied. The new process definitely resulted in identifying a higher caliber student than the older system. It also didn't hurt the test was revised to reduce the impact of test prep so truly gifted students were identified not just children of parents who could afford expensive prep classes. The county really knocked this out of the park as it were.

My problem is that they didn’t do enough to ensure gifted kids who “have a cohort at their home school” are getting enough enrichment. The classes they purport to be offering for those kids isn’t really acceleration, so they’re basically telling those kids to take a hike.

Have you seen the new courses?

I’ve seen the descriptions and they’re barely different than what was previously offered.

There hasn't even been 1 day of teaching yet in these new courses, and you're already complaining about them. I guess you're being pro-active.

I just did the training. The topics are the same, but the pedagogy and materials aren’t. This is true also of the actual magnet SS course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Previously only a small number of students even applied to these programs. Most often it was children of hyper-involved well-off parents. So many gifted children from less affluent families never even applied. The new process definitely resulted in identifying a higher caliber student than the older system. It also didn't hurt the test was revised to reduce the impact of test prep so truly gifted students were identified not just children of parents who could afford expensive prep classes. The county really knocked this out of the park as it were.

My problem is that they didn’t do enough to ensure gifted kids who “have a cohort at their home school” are getting enough enrichment. The classes they purport to be offering for those kids isn’t really acceleration, so they’re basically telling those kids to take a hike.

Have you seen the new courses?

I’ve seen the descriptions and they’re barely different than what was previously offered.

There hasn't even been 1 day of teaching yet in these new courses, and you're already complaining about them. I guess you're being pro-active.

Oh honey, I’m far from the only one who recognizes two classes, even if they’re better than expected, can’t replave a magnet program. You must be new here.

Let's be realistic here. The magnet program is only three classes - two core + one elective. The real benefit of the magnet is the cohort - lots of academically enthusiastic kids grouped together can a very rich academic experience, regardless of the curriculum. They are piloting two courses this year, but there is no reason parent advocacy can't push them to expand that to all four core courses in the next few years. The only way to truly serve all of the advanced students in MCPS is to bring the advanced course work to the home schools.

Exactly. My daughter did get into the eastern magnet and I’m worried the math will actually be worse than our good home school. Give it a chance before you start complaining about it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Previously only a small number of students even applied to these programs. Most often it was children of hyper-involved well-off parents. So many gifted children from less affluent families never even applied. The new process definitely resulted in identifying a higher caliber student than the older system. It also didn't hurt the test was revised to reduce the impact of test prep so truly gifted students were identified not just children of parents who could afford expensive prep classes. The county really knocked this out of the park as it were.

My problem is that they didn’t do enough to ensure gifted kids who “have a cohort at their home school” are getting enough enrichment. The classes they purport to be offering for those kids isn’t really acceleration, so they’re basically telling those kids to take a hike.

Have you seen the new courses?

I’ve seen the descriptions and they’re barely different than what was previously offered.

There hasn't even been 1 day of teaching yet in these new courses, and you're already complaining about them. I guess you're being pro-active.

I just did the training. The topics are the same, but the pedagogy and materials aren’t. This is true also of the actual magnet SS course.

Are you saying that the courses at the magnet programs are changing materials and teaching approach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Previously only a small number of students even applied to these programs. Most often it was children of hyper-involved well-off parents. So many gifted children from less affluent families never even applied. The new process definitely resulted in identifying a higher caliber student than the older system. It also didn't hurt the test was revised to reduce the impact of test prep so truly gifted students were identified not just children of parents who could afford expensive prep classes. The county really knocked this out of the park as it were.

My problem is that they didn’t do enough to ensure gifted kids who “have a cohort at their home school” are getting enough enrichment. The classes they purport to be offering for those kids isn’t really acceleration, so they’re basically telling those kids to take a hike.

Have you seen the new courses?

I’ve seen the descriptions and they’re barely different than what was previously offered.

There hasn't even been 1 day of teaching yet in these new courses, and you're already complaining about them. I guess you're being pro-active.

I just did the training. The topics are the same, but the pedagogy and materials aren’t. This is true also of the actual magnet SS course.

Are you saying that the courses at the magnet programs are changing materials and teaching approach?

We’re supposed to. I did two days of training for the magnet SS course and one day for the non-magnet enriched one. Central Office is asking to see school-developed lessons to ensure it meets the needs of gifted learners. There were JHU CTY staff there to offer feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Previously only a small number of students even applied to these programs. Most often it was children of hyper-involved well-off parents. So many gifted children from less affluent families never even applied. The new process definitely resulted in identifying a higher caliber student than the older system. It also didn't hurt the test was revised to reduce the impact of test prep so truly gifted students were identified not just children of parents who could afford expensive prep classes. The county really knocked this out of the park as it were.

My problem is that they didn’t do enough to ensure gifted kids who “have a cohort at their home school” are getting enough enrichment. The classes they purport to be offering for those kids isn’t really acceleration, so they’re basically telling those kids to take a hike.

Have you seen the new courses?

I’ve seen the descriptions and they’re barely different than what was previously offered.

There hasn't even been 1 day of teaching yet in these new courses, and you're already complaining about them. I guess you're being pro-active.

I just did the training. The topics are the same, but the pedagogy and materials aren’t. This is true also of the actual magnet SS course.

Are you saying that the courses at the magnet programs are changing materials and teaching approach?

We’re supposed to. I did two days of training for the magnet SS course and one day for the non-magnet enriched one. Central Office is asking to see school-developed lessons to ensure it meets the needs of gifted learners. There were JHU CTY staff there to offer feedback.

Won’t the Magnet SS course differ substantially from the enriched SS course in part because the Magnet SS course will be taught in conjunction with Magnet English and Magnet media courses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Previously only a small number of students even applied to these programs. Most often it was children of hyper-involved well-off parents. So many gifted children from less affluent families never even applied. The new process definitely resulted in identifying a higher caliber student than the older system. It also didn't hurt the test was revised to reduce the impact of test prep so truly gifted students were identified not just children of parents who could afford expensive prep classes. The county really knocked this out of the park as it were.

My problem is that they didn’t do enough to ensure gifted kids who “have a cohort at their home school” are getting enough enrichment. The classes they purport to be offering for those kids isn’t really acceleration, so they’re basically telling those kids to take a hike.

Have you seen the new courses?

I’ve seen the descriptions and they’re barely different than what was previously offered.

There hasn't even been 1 day of teaching yet in these new courses, and you're already complaining about them. I guess you're being pro-active.

I just did the training. The topics are the same, but the pedagogy and materials aren’t. This is true also of the actual magnet SS course.

Are you saying that the courses at the magnet programs are changing materials and teaching approach?

We’re supposed to. I did two days of training for the magnet SS course and one day for the non-magnet enriched one. Central Office is asking to see school-developed lessons to ensure it meets the needs of gifted learners. There were JHU CTY staff there to offer feedback.

Won’t the Magnet SS course differ substantially from the enriched SS course in part because the Magnet SS course will be taught in conjunction with Magnet English and Magnet media courses?

NP: not necessarily, I teach a grad school course in a similar manner that is linked to 3 other courses. I can teach my content as a separate course and not change the content even though my course is linked to 3 other courses. What is different is the students' experience because of the pedagogical approach of teaching a class linked to other classes. The learning experience is enriched, which is significant because they interact with specific themes from four different approaches but my class content wouldn't change if I taught the class as a stand-alone course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The idea that the tests are sufficient to identify "truly gifted" students is ridiculous. The addition of the "peer cohort" criterion shows this for what it really was -- a social engineering effort. Which is not wrong in and of itself but dressing it up as a more objective process is not accurate.

And I agree with the overall point that MCPS is failing the smart kids, whether or not you want to call them gifted or whether that term really fits. The advanced courses and tracking so that kids are grouped and not lumped into classes needs to be offered at all home schools. I've had kids go through both a well-regarded W feeder middle school and a magnet middle school, and the W feeder middle school was a waste of three years.

Just the opposite! The new and improved process does a superior job identifying truly gifted students by opening up the selection process to a much larger group than in previous years.

Sure, a bunch of affluent parents are angry because they can't buy their kids way into the magnets any longer, but this is a step in the right direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that the tests are sufficient to identify "truly gifted" students is ridiculous. The addition of the "peer cohort" criterion shows this for what it really was -- a social engineering effort. Which is not wrong in and of itself but dressing it up as a more objective process is not accurate.

And I agree with the overall point that MCPS is failing the smart kids, whether or not you want to call them gifted or whether that term really fits. The advanced courses and tracking so that kids are grouped and not lumped into classes needs to be offered at all home schools. I've had kids go through both a well-regarded W feeder middle school and a magnet middle school, and the W feeder middle school was a waste of three years.

Just the opposite! The new and improved process does a superior job identifying truly gifted students by opening up the selection process to a much larger group than in previous years.

Sure, a bunch of affluent parents are angry because they can't buy their kids way into the magnets any longer, but this is a step in the right direction.

The part you are missing the magnet isn’t the magnet without those rich kids. Those kids stay west and you are back to reg silver spring schools only with more expensive text books

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that the tests are sufficient to identify "truly gifted" students is ridiculous. The addition of the "peer cohort" criterion shows this for what it really was -- a social engineering effort. Which is not wrong in and of itself but dressing it up as a more objective process is not accurate.

And I agree with the overall point that MCPS is failing the smart kids, whether or not you want to call them gifted or whether that term really fits. The advanced courses and tracking so that kids are grouped and not lumped into classes needs to be offered at all home schools. I've had kids go through both a well-regarded W feeder middle school and a magnet middle school, and the W feeder middle school was a waste of three years.

Just the opposite! The new and improved process does a superior job identifying truly gifted students by opening up the selection process to a much larger group than in previous years.

Sure, a bunch of affluent parents are angry because they can't buy their kids way into the magnets any longer, but this is a step in the right direction.

The part you are missing the magnet isn’t the magnet without those rich kids. Those kids stay west and you are back to reg silver spring schools only with more expensive text books

I have no idea what you’re saying.