HS Choice Programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its one thing to water down CES programs or middle school magnets to increase the range of abilities in the program but this will not work with high school magnet programs. RM's IB program is prestigious because it accepts the best students. If the top students in other areas of the county can't apply then the program will be no better than any of the other home school or regional IB programs which are not as good. Blair SMAC is another example where blocking out the best students and accepting students who can't work at that level is not going to serve the program well. Teachers will be forced to lower the expectations or pass kids along but that doesn't work in STEM.

Are you really arguing that there are only 300ish qualified top students in the entire county that deserve a seat at Blair SMAC, Poolesville or RMIB?

+1

This is no different from when Poolesville SMCS was added. It didn't hurt Blair, it added seats where students upcountry could access them. Same thing will happen with expanding IB magnet programs. Students who currently don't apply to RM because of distance will have access to something closer. And students already at a school with an IB program will gain the opportunity to be grouped in a magnet cohort 9th and 10th grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its one thing to water down CES programs or middle school magnets to increase the range of abilities in the program but this will not work with high school magnet programs. RM's IB program is prestigious because it accepts the best students. If the top students in other areas of the county can't apply then the program will be no better than any of the other home school or regional IB programs which are not as good. Blair SMAC is another example where blocking out the best students and accepting students who can't work at that level is not going to serve the program well. Teachers will be forced to lower the expectations or pass kids along but that doesn't work in STEM.

Are you really arguing that there are only 300ish qualified top students in the entire county that deserve a seat at Blair SMAC, Poolesville or RMIB?

+1

This is no different from when Poolesville SMCS was added. It didn't hurt Blair, it added seats where students upcountry could access them. Same thing will happen with expanding IB magnet programs. Students who currently don't apply to RM because of distance will have access to something closer. And students already at a school with an IB program will gain the opportunity to be grouped in a magnet cohort 9th and 10th grades.

Adding seats when the number of students enrolled in MCPS makes sense. Changing the admission criteria is a bad idea especially for if they pattern it on the new MS Magnet application process. This puts the SMAC programs at risk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its one thing to water down CES programs or middle school magnets to increase the range of abilities in the program but this will not work with high school magnet programs. RM's IB program is prestigious because it accepts the best students. If the top students in other areas of the county can't apply then the program will be no better than any of the other home school or regional IB programs which are not as good. Blair SMAC is another example where blocking out the best students and accepting students who can't work at that level is not going to serve the program well. Teachers will be forced to lower the expectations or pass kids along but that doesn't work in STEM.

Are you really arguing that there are only 300ish qualified top students in the entire county that deserve a seat at Blair SMAC, Poolesville or RMIB?

+1

This is no different from when Poolesville SMCS was added. It didn't hurt Blair, it added seats where students upcountry could access them. Same thing will happen with expanding IB magnet programs. Students who currently don't apply to RM because of distance will have access to something closer. And students already at a school with an IB program will gain the opportunity to be grouped in a magnet cohort 9th and 10th grades.

Adding seats when the number of students enrolled in MCPS has increased makes sense. Changing the admission criteria is a bad idea especially for if they pattern it on the new MS Magnet application process. This puts the SMAC programs at risk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a memo posted on the MCPS board docs website that explains the phased roll-out of the upcoming changes. Next year the following will happen:

? Universal review in Grade 8;
? Strong local school programs;
? Expansion of countywide IB program to additional schools;
? Two regional comprehensive college and career schools, Upcounty and Downcounty; and
? Streamlined marketing, application, selection, and notification processes.

From the memo, it seems like they plan to keep existing programs (e.g., RM, Blair, Poolesville) and expand seats or duplicate some of those programs on a regional basis within the next 5 years. Kids would be bused to regional centers. Biggest changes next year are universal screening, expansion of the RMIB program to 3 other schools and streamlining the application/notification process.

I forgot to add this quote from the memo:

In fall 2019, MCPS will introduce specified regions for programs offered outside local high schools. In collaboration with staff in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), Department of Transportation, and Department of Facilities Management, the regions will be defined to create a potential for reduced bus rides where transportation is provided, and increased proximity to programs. The areas will be balanced demographically and in number of high school students within each region.

I think this means that the existing programs may become regional programs and additional programs will open in different areas. Thoughts?

This is exciting. More STEM programs never hurt but what about programs like CAP and VAC?

Not VAC. No one is interested in the arts anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a memo posted on the MCPS board docs website that explains the phased roll-out of the upcoming changes. Next year the following will happen:

? Universal review in Grade 8;
? Strong local school programs;
? Expansion of countywide IB program to additional schools;
? Two regional comprehensive college and career schools, Upcounty and Downcounty; and
? Streamlined marketing, application, selection, and notification processes.

From the memo, it seems like they plan to keep existing programs (e.g., RM, Blair, Poolesville) and expand seats or duplicate some of those programs on a regional basis within the next 5 years. Kids would be bused to regional centers. Biggest changes next year are universal screening, expansion of the RMIB program to 3 other schools and streamlining the application/notification process.

I forgot to add this quote from the memo:

In fall 2019, MCPS will introduce specified regions for programs offered outside local high schools. In collaboration with staff in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), Department of Transportation, and Department of Facilities Management, the regions will be defined to create a potential for reduced bus rides where transportation is provided, and increased proximity to programs. The areas will be balanced demographically and in number of high school students within each region.

I think this means that the existing programs may become regional programs and additional programs will open in different areas. Thoughts?

This is exciting. More STEM programs never hurt but what about programs like CAP and VAC?

Not VAC. No one is interested in the arts anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its one thing to water down CES programs or middle school magnets to increase the range of abilities in the program but this will not work with high school magnet programs. RM's IB program is prestigious because it accepts the best students. If the top students in other areas of the county can't apply then the program will be no better than any of the other home school or regional IB programs which are not as good. Blair SMAC is another example where blocking out the best students and accepting students who can't work at that level is not going to serve the program well. Teachers will be forced to lower the expectations or pass kids along but that doesn't work in STEM.

Are you really arguing that there are only 300ish qualified top students in the entire county that deserve a seat at Blair SMAC, Poolesville or RMIB?

+1

This is no different from when Poolesville SMCS was added. It didn't hurt Blair, it added seats where students upcountry could access them. Same thing will happen with expanding IB magnet programs. Students who currently don't apply to RM because of distance will have access to something closer. And students already at a school with an IB program will gain the opportunity to be grouped in a magnet cohort 9th and 10th grades.

Adding seats when the number of students enrolled in MCPS makes sense. Changing the admission criteria is a bad idea especially for if they pattern it on the new MS Magnet application process. This puts the SMAC programs at risk

+1

[Anonymous]

DCUM: My brilliant child didn’t get in. Unfair!

MCPS: *adds seats*

DCUM: You’re watering the program down!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its one thing to water down CES programs or middle school magnets to increase the range of abilities in the program but this will not work with high school magnet programs. RM's IB program is prestigious because it accepts the best students. If the top students in other areas of the county can't apply then the program will be no better than any of the other home school or regional IB programs which are not as good. Blair SMAC is another example where blocking out the best students and accepting students who can't work at that level is not going to serve the program well. Teachers will be forced to lower the expectations or pass kids along but that doesn't work in STEM.

Are you really arguing that there are only 300ish qualified top students in the entire county that deserve a seat at Blair SMAC, Poolesville or RMIB?

Parents complaining right now don’t think there are only 300 qualified students in the whole county. They think there are only 299 and the undeserving student who got in instead of their kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its one thing to water down CES programs or middle school magnets to increase the range of abilities in the program but this will not work with high school magnet programs. RM's IB program is prestigious because it accepts the best students. If the top students in other areas of the county can't apply then the program will be no better than any of the other home school or regional IB programs which are not as good. Blair SMAC is another example where blocking out the best students and accepting students who can't work at that level is not going to serve the program well. Teachers will be forced to lower the expectations or pass kids along but that doesn't work in STEM.

Are you really arguing that there are only 300ish qualified top students in the entire county that deserve a seat at Blair SMAC, Poolesville or RMIB?

+1

This is no different from when Poolesville SMCS was added. It didn't hurt Blair, it added seats where students upcountry could access them. Same thing will happen with expanding IB magnet programs. Students who currently don't apply to RM because of distance will have access to something closer. And students already at a school with an IB program will gain the opportunity to be grouped in a magnet cohort 9th and 10th grades.

Adding seats when the number of students enrolled in MCPS makes sense. Changing the admission criteria is a bad idea especially for if they pattern it on the new MS Magnet application process. This puts the SMAC programs at risk

They are implementing universal screening, which is a good thing. The memo is clear that the existing programs will still require tests, etc. that measure performance. Unlike the MS magnet process, which only has 2 programs (TPMS/Eastern) for the entire lower area of the county and only 200 seats, if MCPS duplicates the existing models on a regional level for high school, there is no reason to do the peer cohort model to allocate seats. For example, kids that are zoned for Pyle will not compete with kids zoned for Sligo MS as they do now for the MS magnets. From the memo, MCPS plans to draw the HS regions in Fall 2019. There are 25 high schools, which probably means there will be approx. 4-5 HS that are geographically adjacent assigned to each regional program. I imagine that one high school in each regional program--depending on space (e.g., memo talks about new school vs. additions)--will house an IB program, another a STEM or art program, depending on demand/student interest in the area.

[Anonymous]

I have a child at Blair and I have no problem with expansion. I just hope they are able to get enough really high caliber dedicated teachers. I also wonder if they will be able to implement the 9 period day at all the new centers if the goal is less bussing. That part seems fuzzy since Blair/Eastern and TP share busses and Eastern and TP will still need them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its one thing to water down CES programs or middle school magnets to increase the range of abilities in the program but this will not work with high school magnet programs. RM's IB program is prestigious because it accepts the best students. If the top students in other areas of the county can't apply then the program will be no better than any of the other home school or regional IB programs which are not as good. Blair SMAC is another example where blocking out the best students and accepting students who can't work at that level is not going to serve the program well. Teachers will be forced to lower the expectations or pass kids along but that doesn't work in STEM.

Are you really arguing that there are only 300ish qualified top students in the entire county that deserve a seat at Blair SMAC, Poolesville or RMIB?

+1

This is no different from when Poolesville SMCS was added. It didn't hurt Blair, it added seats where students upcountry could access them. Same thing will happen with expanding IB magnet programs. Students who currently don't apply to RM because of distance will have access to something closer. And students already at a school with an IB program will gain the opportunity to be grouped in a magnet cohort 9th and 10th grades.

Adding seats when the number of students enrolled in MCPS makes sense. Changing the admission criteria is a bad idea especially for if they pattern it on the new MS Magnet application process. This puts the SMAC programs at risk

They are implementing universal screening, which is a good thing. The memo is clear that the existing programs will still require tests, etc. that measure performance. Unlike the MS magnet process, which only has 2 programs (TPMS/Eastern) for the entire lower area of the county and only 200 seats, if MCPS duplicates the existing models on a regional level for high school, there is no reason to do the peer cohort model to allocate seats. For example, kids that are zoned for Pyle will not compete with kids zoned for Sligo MS as they do now for the MS magnets. From the memo, MCPS plans to draw the HS regions in Fall 2019. There are 25 high schools, which probably means there will be approx. 4-5 HS that are geographically adjacent assigned to each regional program. I imagine that one high school in each regional program--depending on space (e.g., memo talks about new school vs. additions)--will house an IB program, another a STEM or art program, depending on demand/student interest in the area.

I support this plan. I think it will shake up certain communities though. What happens when you lose your bragging rights that your child is indisputably one of the top 200 6th graders in STEM in the County and he is now simply one of the top 50 out of just 4-5 HS clusters? Certainly people will want to argue that the center at Woodward that serves WJ and Einstein can’t possibly be as good as the center that serves their W and another non-W. It will be entertaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a memo posted on the MCPS board docs website that explains the phased roll-out of the upcoming changes. Next year the following will happen:

? Universal review in Grade 8;
? Strong local school programs;
? Expansion of countywide IB program to additional schools;
? Two regional comprehensive college and career schools, Upcounty and Downcounty; and
? Streamlined marketing, application, selection, and notification processes.

From the memo, it seems like they plan to keep existing programs (e.g., RM, Blair, Poolesville) and expand seats or duplicate some of those programs on a regional basis within the next 5 years. Kids would be bused to regional centers. Biggest changes next year are universal screening, expansion of the RMIB program to 3 other schools and streamlining the application/notification process.

I forgot to add this quote from the memo:

In fall 2019, MCPS will introduce specified regions for programs offered outside local high schools. In collaboration with staff in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), Department of Transportation, and Department of Facilities Management, the regions will be defined to create a potential for reduced bus rides where transportation is provided, and increased proximity to programs. The areas will be balanced demographically and in number of high school students within each region.

I think this means that the existing programs may become regional programs and additional programs will open in different areas. Thoughts?

This is exciting. More STEM programs never hurt but what about programs like CAP and VAC?

Not VAC. No one is interested in the arts anymore.

This is true. The county doesn’t care about the arts. They are constantly threatening to cut the Visual Art Center and it’s the only magnet that doesn’t provide transportation. Parents don’t see the arts as a career path anymore therefore it’s not taking seriously.

[Anonymous]

Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

[Anonymous]

"Are you really arguing that there are only 300ish qualified top students in the entire county that deserve a seat at Blair SMAC, Poolesville or RMIB?"

It's not about "deserving". There are a ton more students who would do the work and end up better educated.

But we have to understand that those student's will NOT have any greater chance of attending HYPSM because they attend the larger program.

HYPSM only want a certain number from MC because MC only has a certain fraction of real in-born talent ie nature, it doesn't matter how we nurture/educate our kids.

Creating a better education for our kids is a great idea and I'm willing to pay higher taxes to do it.

But again, the tippy top schools are not looking for only students that have practiced a lot, they are looking for those that can reach the top with 1/2 or 1/10 the education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

Kennedy