High school magnet test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no indication there will be any testing this year.

I don't think there will be any testing. MCPS can't require students to test in person even if they offer the test and I don't think it will happen online because of equity issues and possible cheating even if the test is monitored.

So what will they use to make decisions besides grades, application answers/short essay and teacher recs? Maybe fall MAP scores, but I think some people will complain that it isn't fair due to the pandemic and tech issues, especially if their kids didn't do as well as usual. I'm leaning towards a minimum GPA (3.5?) and a lottery, similar to what TJ in FCPS is proposing?

Not familiar with how MCPS usually makes magnet decisions, but we're in PGCPS and they usually use GPA and PSAT scores to determine entrance to Science & Tech at Roosevelt. This year, they are not giving the PSAT and will be putting the top 350 students in a lottery (based on GPA) for 250 slots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. I also think waiting until towards the end of the academic year makes the most sense. I don't see a compelling reason to rush the magnet decision. There is a good chance we may be in a much better position towards the end of the academic year that would allow test administration.

I agree that Spring may be better in terms of COVID, but I imagine that there is a lot of planning/logistics around HS student enrollment, and waiting may not be practical or feasible for scheduling classes, etc. for next school year. There are a lot of moving parts with lottery programs, application programs and the DCC.

LOTTERY PROGRAMS ARE NOT TEST-IN - only "Criteria based" Magnets.

Catch up. Pay attention. FFS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no indication there will be any testing this year.

I don't think there will be any testing. MCPS can't require students to test in person even if they offer the test and I don't think it will happen online because of equity issues and possible cheating even if the test is monitored.

So what will they use to make decisions besides grades, application answers/short essay and teacher recs? Maybe fall MAP scores, but I think some people will complain that it isn't fair due to the pandemic and tech issues, especially if their kids didn't do as well as usual. I'm leaning towards a minimum GPA (3.5?) and a lottery, similar to what TJ in FCPS is proposing?

Not familiar with how MCPS usually makes magnet decisions, but we're in PGCPS and they usually use GPA and PSAT scores to determine entrance to Science & Tech at Roosevelt. This year, they are not giving the PSAT and will be putting the top 350 students in a lottery (based on GPA) for 250 slots.

So? As you say you're not familiar with MCPS. This is an MCPS question on the MCPS forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. I also think waiting until towards the end of the academic year makes the most sense. I don't see a compelling reason to rush the magnet decision. There is a good chance we may be in a much better position towards the end of the academic year that would allow test administration.

I agree that Spring may be better in terms of COVID, but I imagine that there is a lot of planning/logistics around HS student enrollment, and waiting may not be practical or feasible for scheduling classes, etc. for next school year. There are a lot of moving parts with lottery programs, application programs and the DCC.

LOTTERY PROGRAMS ARE NOT TEST-IN - only "Criteria based" Magnets.

Catch up. Pay attention. FFS

I know how it works. FCPS is proposing a lottery for TJ and apparently so is PGCPS. MCPS isn't required to give a test for the criteria based programs. I'm wondering if they will follow other school systems this year and use a lottery for students in a pool of students they consider qualified based on specific criteria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. I also think waiting until towards the end of the academic year makes the most sense. I don't see a compelling reason to rush the magnet decision. There is a good chance we may be in a much better position towards the end of the academic year that would allow test administration.

I agree that Spring may be better in terms of COVID, but I imagine that there is a lot of planning/logistics around HS student enrollment, and waiting may not be practical or feasible for scheduling classes, etc. for next school year. There are a lot of moving parts with lottery programs, application programs and the DCC.

LOTTERY PROGRAMS ARE NOT TEST-IN - only "Criteria based" Magnets.

Catch up. Pay attention. FFS

I know how it works. FCPS is proposing a lottery for TJ and apparently so is PGCPS. MCPS isn't required to give a test for the criteria based programs. I'm wondering if they will follow other school systems this year and use a lottery for students in a pool of students they consider qualified based on specific criteria.

Very unlikely for criteria based programs because it sets a precedent and then an expectation of lottery for further years. It's not worth the grief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. I also think waiting until towards the end of the academic year makes the most sense. I don't see a compelling reason to rush the magnet decision. There is a good chance we may be in a much better position towards the end of the academic year that would allow test administration.

I agree that Spring may be better in terms of COVID, but I imagine that there is a lot of planning/logistics around HS student enrollment, and waiting may not be practical or feasible for scheduling classes, etc. for next school year. There are a lot of moving parts with lottery programs, application programs and the DCC.

This - it's a logistical feat to get all of it done in the time frame they have already - because they have to give time for parents to accept, time to take people off waitlist - time to create class schedules - time to figure out busing patterns - just pushing off until spring to do testing means that everything else would be pushed off too - and people wouldn't be able to make plans/decisions until late summer - summer homework and classes would be compressed - which, knowing this board - would get everyone up in arms as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. I also think waiting until towards the end of the academic year makes the most sense. I don't see a compelling reason to rush the magnet decision. There is a good chance we may be in a much better position towards the end of the academic year that would allow test administration.

I agree that Spring may be better in terms of COVID, but I imagine that there is a lot of planning/logistics around HS student enrollment, and waiting may not be practical or feasible for scheduling classes, etc. for next school year. There are a lot of moving parts with lottery programs, application programs and the DCC.

LOTTERY PROGRAMS ARE NOT TEST-IN - only "Criteria based" Magnets.

Catch up. Pay attention. FFS

I know how it works. FCPS is proposing a lottery for TJ and apparently so is PGCPS. MCPS isn't required to give a test for the criteria based programs. I'm wondering if they will follow other school systems this year and use a lottery for students in a pool of students they consider qualified based on specific criteria.

Very unlikely for criteria based programs because it sets a precedent and then an expectation of lottery for further years. It's not worth the grief.

So do you they will do a holistic review based on what they have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. I also think waiting until towards the end of the academic year makes the most sense. I don't see a compelling reason to rush the magnet decision. There is a good chance we may be in a much better position towards the end of the academic year that would allow test administration.

I agree that Spring may be better in terms of COVID, but I imagine that there is a lot of planning/logistics around HS student enrollment, and waiting may not be practical or feasible for scheduling classes, etc. for next school year. There are a lot of moving parts with lottery programs, application programs and the DCC.

LOTTERY PROGRAMS ARE NOT TEST-IN - only "Criteria based" Magnets.

Catch up. Pay attention. FFS

I know people are touchy about this point, but there's need to shout. The PP clearly understood the distinctions, because they listed the types of programs separately.

But my 8th grader filled out forms for three different types of HS programs this year: 2 criteria-based magnet programs (PP's "application programs"), 1 lottery program, and a DCC choice form. Those are the multiple "moving parts" PP was referring to. None of the high schools in the DCC know what their incoming freshman class will look like until all three processes have run their course and students have made their final selections.

I agree that waiting until later in the spring to send out invitations to the criteria-based programs would probably throw things off quite a bit. There's a reason they normally do these things so early.

[Anonymous]

The so called moving parts can still be done in an orderly manner in spring. It is the same process year in year out. This is not something MCPS does it for the first time. Somebody mentioned bus schedule. Bus schedules stay similar pretty much every year. They don't delete everything and start from scratch. I agree with PPs. Better to make a good selection than rush things through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. I also think waiting until towards the end of the academic year makes the most sense. I don't see a compelling reason to rush the magnet decision. There is a good chance we may be in a much better position towards the end of the academic year that would allow test administration.

I agree that Spring may be better in terms of COVID, but I imagine that there is a lot of planning/logistics around HS student enrollment, and waiting may not be practical or feasible for scheduling classes, etc. for next school year. There are a lot of moving parts with lottery programs, application programs and the DCC.

LOTTERY PROGRAMS ARE NOT TEST-IN - only "Criteria based" Magnets.

Catch up. Pay attention. FFS

I know how it works. FCPS is proposing a lottery for TJ and apparently so is PGCPS. MCPS isn't required to give a test for the criteria based programs. I'm wondering if they will follow other school systems this year and use a lottery for students in a pool of students they consider qualified based on specific criteria.

Very unlikely for criteria based programs because it sets a precedent and then an expectation of lottery for further years. It's not worth the grief.

So do you they will do a holistic review based on what they have?

I do. Grades, any MAP scores, student statements, teacher recommendations - any special circumstances - exactly as they have outlined themselves, these are the considerations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no indication there will be any testing this year.

I don't think there will be any testing. MCPS can't require students to test in person even if they offer the test and I don't think it will happen online because of equity issues and possible cheating even if the test is monitored.

So what will they use to make decisions besides grades, application answers/short essay and teacher recs? Maybe fall MAP scores, but I think some people will complain that it isn't fair due to the pandemic and tech issues, especially if their kids didn't do as well as usual. I'm leaning towards a minimum GPA (3.5?) and a lottery, similar to what TJ in FCPS is proposing?

Not familiar with how MCPS usually makes magnet decisions, but we're in PGCPS and they usually use GPA and PSAT scores to determine entrance to Science & Tech at Roosevelt. This year, they are not giving the PSAT and will be putting the top 350 students in a lottery (based on GPA) for 250 slots.

So? As you say you're not familiar with MCPS. This is an MCPS question on the MCPS forum.

Yes, I was offering it as a possibility that MCPS may consider, as this is how other counties are handling it without the usual testing being available. AACPS also determines who gets into their STEM programs at the HS level the same way (GPS cutoff and then lottery). Jeesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no indication there will be any testing this year.

I don't think there will be any testing. MCPS can't require students to test in person even if they offer the test and I don't think it will happen online because of equity issues and possible cheating even if the test is monitored.

So what will they use to make decisions besides grades, application answers/short essay and teacher recs? Maybe fall MAP scores, but I think some people will complain that it isn't fair due to the pandemic and tech issues, especially if their kids didn't do as well as usual. I'm leaning towards a minimum GPA (3.5?) and a lottery, similar to what TJ in FCPS is proposing?

MCPS successfully administered SAT multiple times so far. I think they had about 10-12 students per room with masks on, so it can be done. Another option is to wait until spring for administering the test.

Yes, I know--but my point is that I don't think they will tell students they have to take the magnet test in person because of parents who are uncomfortable with having their child in a room with other people. The SAT is not required for any MCPS programs so kids can opt-out this year if they are willing to apply to a college without scores or already have scores they are satisfied with. They are not waiting until spring--they already announced a decision will be posted by November 30th.

Agree - SAT and CogAT are not comparable needs to be in an indoor space for 3 hours with other people. I am not quite sure why folks on this board are so focused on the test; shouldn't we be focused on another method of selection given the circumstances? I would like to know application numbers. Last year 3000 applied to all programs, what was the number this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no indication there will be any testing this year.

I don't think there will be any testing. MCPS can't require students to test in person even if they offer the test and I don't think it will happen online because of equity issues and possible cheating even if the test is monitored.

So what will they use to make decisions besides grades, application answers/short essay and teacher recs? Maybe fall MAP scores, but I think some people will complain that it isn't fair due to the pandemic and tech issues, especially if their kids didn't do as well as usual. I'm leaning towards a minimum GPA (3.5?) and a lottery, similar to what TJ in FCPS is proposing?

MCPS successfully administered SAT multiple times so far. I think they had about 10-12 students per room with masks on, so it can be done. Another option is to wait until spring for administering the test.

Yes, I know--but my point is that I don't think they will tell students they have to take the magnet test in person because of parents who are uncomfortable with having their child in a room with other people. The SAT is not required for any MCPS programs so kids can opt-out this year if they are willing to apply to a college without scores or already have scores they are satisfied with. They are not waiting until spring--they already announced a decision will be posted by November 30th.

Agree - SAT and CogAT are not comparable needs to be in an indoor space for 3 hours with other people. I am not quite sure why folks on this board are so focused on the test; shouldn't we be focused on another method of selection given the circumstances? I would like to know application numbers. Last year 3000 applied to all programs, what was the number this year?

Another method of selection? The only other methods of selection could be grades and map scores and most gifted and talented kids/andvancEd kids have straight A’s and map scores in the 99%. So how could they differentiate between them, that’s why the CoGAT test was so important in figuring out who belonged in magnet programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no indication there will be any testing this year.

I don't think there will be any testing. MCPS can't require students to test in person even if they offer the test and I don't think it will happen online because of equity issues and possible cheating even if the test is monitored.

So what will they use to make decisions besides grades, application answers/short essay and teacher recs? Maybe fall MAP scores, but I think some people will complain that it isn't fair due to the pandemic and tech issues, especially if their kids didn't do as well as usual. I'm leaning towards a minimum GPA (3.5?) and a lottery, similar to what TJ in FCPS is proposing?

MCPS successfully administered SAT multiple times so far. I think they had about 10-12 students per room with masks on, so it can be done. Another option is to wait until spring for administering the test.

Yes, I know--but my point is that I don't think they will tell students they have to take the magnet test in person because of parents who are uncomfortable with having their child in a room with other people. The SAT is not required for any MCPS programs so kids can opt-out this year if they are willing to apply to a college without scores or already have scores they are satisfied with. They are not waiting until spring--they already announced a decision will be posted by November 30th.

Agree - SAT and CogAT are not comparable needs to be in an indoor space for 3 hours with other people. I am not quite sure why folks on this board are so focused on the test; shouldn't we be focused on another method of selection given the circumstances? I would like to know application numbers. Last year 3000 applied to all programs, what was the number this year?

Another method of selection? The only other methods of selection could be grades and map scores and most gifted and talented kids/andvancEd kids have straight A’s and map scores in the 99%. So how could they differentiate between them, that’s why the CoGAT test was so important in figuring out who belonged in magnet programs.

There is a possibility MCPS can still administer CoGAT test this spring given very good vaccine results. Teachers are expected to access the vaccine before April (actually my guess is health care workers and risk groups get the vaccine in December. Teachers get it January, latest February.) So I think there is time for CoGAT administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no indication there will be any testing this year.

I don't think there will be any testing. MCPS can't require students to test in person even if they offer the test and I don't think it will happen online because of equity issues and possible cheating even if the test is monitored.

So what will they use to make decisions besides grades, application answers/short essay and teacher recs? Maybe fall MAP scores, but I think some people will complain that it isn't fair due to the pandemic and tech issues, especially if their kids didn't do as well as usual. I'm leaning towards a minimum GPA (3.5?) and a lottery, similar to what TJ in FCPS is proposing?

MCPS successfully administered SAT multiple times so far. I think they had about 10-12 students per room with masks on, so it can be done. Another option is to wait until spring for administering the test.

Yes, I know--but my point is that I don't think they will tell students they have to take the magnet test in person because of parents who are uncomfortable with having their child in a room with other people. The SAT is not required for any MCPS programs so kids can opt-out this year if they are willing to apply to a college without scores or already have scores they are satisfied with. They are not waiting until spring--they already announced a decision will be posted by November 30th.

Agree - SAT and CogAT are not comparable needs to be in an indoor space for 3 hours with other people. I am not quite sure why folks on this board are so focused on the test; shouldn't we be focused on another method of selection given the circumstances? I would like to know application numbers. Last year 3000 applied to all programs, what was the number this year?

Really? The thread is called "High School Magnet Test" its kind of obviously going to be about that.