Magnet high schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A coworker told me that no one gets in without prep. Well my kid did. From his circle of Blair friends, there was one child who was prepped. While there are families who prep, I also think people use that idea to justify why their kid did not get in. In reality it is like very competitive colleges. Lots of very talented kids just don't get in.

I don't think it is appropriate to use the cohort method for HS students since in HS there are many levels of classes available. In middle school there is much less differentiation (or none).

Maybe 25%-30% manage without prep but the majority are in classes from early on.

Several Asian cultures (Chinese, Indian) are heavily focused on education, particularly STEM. Kids have tutors and are often working 2-3 years ahead in math. Of course that's reflected in the test scores. Not necessarily a bad thing. Those families devote lots of resources to education and sometimes music lessons from a young age, and those kids do very well as a result. Why is it their problem so many white families put their resources toward athletics instead? Support starts at home.

Let me guess, you're an Asian (Chinese, Indian) yourself, amirite?

Here's the answer to your question. We, white families, don't think it is smart or beneficial to stand over our kids' shoulders with a ruler threatening to hit each time said kid turns his/hers gaze away from that Khan Academy channel. Let's be honest here, the representatives of "Asian cultures" who made it here are strivers and they don't give a crap that their children are not interested in algebra and/or piano. So this is not 'support', this is coercion often bordering on abuse.

Wow. Just, wow. Racist, much?

It’s okay to be racist towards Asians though, amirite?

No, I’m not ‘an Asian’, but thanks for playing.

+1
It is really shocking how many people on this board think it's okay to be racist towards Asian Americans -but jump to the defense of other minority groups and think they are so progressive and better than everyone.

NP - Anyone who is honest understands that the education systems in many Asian countries are vastly different than those in the United States. They also have to be honest about saying that many immigrants have tried to import the heavy focus on Saturday school and test prep into the US. I don't think that it is racist to point out the difference. Many posters are defending the emphasis on education in Asian communities. But some of us who live in MoCo neighborhoods with many immigrants have noted the parenting differences. I have also seen quite a few posts by Asians on DCUM who mock white people and their parenting...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with MCPS paying for tutoring and prep classes for under privileged children. I grew up lower income to uneducated immigrant parents who don't speak English.

But lowering the threshold doesn't serve the program, or the kids. Provide the support, but don't lower the expectations. All that does is provide a crutch for the kid. Life doesn't provide a crutch forever.

Yeah I agree with you and PP. Because there are more 99 percentile kids than spots in programs. Don’t lower standards. Provide opportunities to meet that standard, from the earliest possible age. So many non-profits and businesses have diversity initiatives that are reasonably effective. MCPS can too, but needs to be smart about it. Enfranchise kids early rather than waiting until double digits, when it’s much tougher to do.

I don't think anybody here has talked about lowering standards they talked about creating a level playing field so that all children could access these opportunities not just those wealthy enough to afford expensive prep classes.

Clearly you did not read the previous posts then.

I did and they only suggested leveling the playing field, but I understand that's confusing to someone who is privileged.

Please describe what level is to you. Is it just getting rid of all prep classes? No differentiation in school?

I'm the first PP up thread.. I think some think that "leveling the playing field" is looking at which zip code you live in and setting the threshold based on that because they think anyone from a certain zip code who scores above a certain point must have been tutored. But, that is not the case. There are many students from all walks of life who are "outliers" and need more challenging academics. It is not and should not be based on skin color or your zip code or your parent's income level.

Then there are those who think if you were lucky enough to be born to certain parents then you don't need another yet another "privilege" like the magnet program. You would do fine without it.

But the problem with this way of thinking is:

1. public schools shouldn't be picking and choosing "winners" and "losers". That's not the job of a public school. As I said, I have no issues with public schools paying for additional tutoring and even after school care, but it should not be setting criteria based on who your parents are. That's what racists did not that long ago.
2. the whole point of a magnet is to draw in higher income students to a lower performing area. If you do away with that, it will cause even more segregation, though it would certainly reduce transportation costs.
I have no problem with set aside seats for in bound students. I think that's a great way to admit more students from the less affluent areas.

3. If MCPS disregards the higher performing, high income families, such families will no longer want to be part of MCPS. The scores will start to drop quickly.

MCPS likes to tout AP exam participation rate and scores, but at the same time look down at those who prep to get those high scores. You can't have it both ways.

I bought my kid a cogat book from amazon. It was like $40 or something. That's the only prep my kid did. MCPS could certainly buy one for low income students who are interested. They could even offer weekend prep classes to low income students.

But setting the threshold by zip code and income level doesn't serve the mission of the magnet program, or at the end of the day, the students in the program. Life is tough, and when you constantly rely on a crutch, when reality hits, you won't be able to stand on your own. When that kid leaves HS, do you imagine that kid will continue to have MCPS level the playing field for that kid for life?

Very well articulated.

I think that #2 is an intended benefit of the program and not “the whole point.”

You simply cannot ignore the impact that zip code and cohort have on opportunities for highly able kids. I think it is easy to dismiss if you haven’t been in a school with almost zero activities or cohort. You don’t see it and just don’t understand. It is appalling what some kids go without in MCPS while at other schools they have a rich choice of clubs and in-school enrichment. It might not be quite as wonderful as the magnet experience, but for a child who is isolated in a school without any cohort or culture of academic achievement at all, it is a far more difficult experience.

Giving kids with less enrichment opportunities at their home school priority for MCPS enrichment at a magnet is not a crutch, it is fair. It absolutely does serve the mission of the magnet program and HELPS kids stand on their own as they grow up and head off to adult opportunities.

The main problem is that MCPS population has grown at a much faster rate than the enrichment opportunities it provides, so people feel they must fight over a scarce resource. I do agree with you, PP, that children in every school, no matter what their income or zip code, should have learning opportunities that take them to their full potential.

It is unacceptable that we allow MCPS to run schools "without any cohort or culture of academic achievement." Rather than plucking out one or two kids to "save" them via a magnet, we need MCPS to step up their expectations and rigor, along with rewards for academic achievement in ALL schools. All of the energy going to fights about magnets is misplaced.

That's the fault of MCPS, and kids in specific zip codes shouldn't have to deal with MCPS's failings. But it's true that if the curriculum was challenging in ALL the schools, people wouldn't be fighting for the scarce resource.

So I guess you are agreeing with me then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, some of us worked hard to make sure we can provide for our kids. What's wrong with that? Isn't that your job as a parent? Your inability to provide is no one's fault except you.

Well, the problem is that a seat at a publicly funded magnet program is not a reward for good parenting, nor for your hard work. It is meant to provide opportunities for kids who would not have those opportunities at their home school (hence the 'magnet' part).

If you are a good parent, a good earner, good for you! But that's not what this is about.

Actually, publicly funded magnet programs were created NOT to provide academic opportunities, but to provide desirable programs that would lure people of other races to a basically segregated school. Why do you think the new downcounty IB program is at Kennedy?

That program was in the works in 2010-2012. It’s only “new” to an outsider.

It's new in terms of its status as a magnet program. Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, some of us worked hard to make sure we can provide for our kids. What's wrong with that? Isn't that your job as a parent? Your inability to provide is no one's fault except you.

Well, the problem is that a seat at a publicly funded magnet program is not a reward for good parenting, nor for your hard work. It is meant to provide opportunities for kids who would not have those opportunities at their home school (hence the 'magnet' part).

If you are a good parent, a good earner, good for you! But that's not what this is about.

Actually, publicly funded magnet programs were created NOT to provide academic opportunities, but to provide desirable programs that would lure people of other races to a basically segregated school. Why do you think the new downcounty IB program is at Kennedy?

That program was in the works in 2010-2012. It’s only “new” to an outsider.

It's new in terms of its status as a magnet program. Get over yourself.

Not sure what you're talking about, but according to Wikipedia Blair SMCS opened in 1985 almost 40 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Folks reading this blog - there is a troll on this board that is trying to stir up a racial stereotype that "asians prep" so that's the only reason why asians are getting in to magnets, etc.

Please don't fall for it.

This person has had this theme for a while now and is a very bitter and pathetic person. Keep an eye out for this theme in other blogs and please temper your responses accordingly.

Also, there's another word for "prepping". It's called tutoring or learning. Remember that this person wants you to believe that instruction or learning outside of MCPS is wrong. That's why I believe this person is a very bitter MCPS employee or board member.

Don't fall for it. Any learning a child does out of the classroom will give that child an advantage in Life. The more parents encourage this type of appreciation for learning, the more it will rub off onto the children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A coworker told me that no one gets in without prep. Well my kid did. From his circle of Blair friends, there was one child who was prepped. While there are families who prep, I also think people use that idea to justify why their kid did not get in. In reality it is like very competitive colleges. Lots of very talented kids just don't get in.

I don't think it is appropriate to use the cohort method for HS students since in HS there are many levels of classes available. In middle school there is much less differentiation (or none).

Maybe 25%-30% manage without prep but the majority are in classes from early on.

Several Asian cultures (Chinese, Indian) are heavily focused on education, particularly STEM. Kids have tutors and are often working 2-3 years ahead in math. Of course that's reflected in the test scores. Not necessarily a bad thing. Those families devote lots of resources to education and sometimes music lessons from a young age, and those kids do very well as a result. Why is it their problem so many white families put their resources toward athletics instead? Support starts at home.

Let me guess, you're an Asian (Chinese, Indian) yourself, amirite?

Here's the answer to your question. We, white families, don't think it is smart or beneficial to stand over our kids' shoulders with a ruler threatening to hit each time said kid turns his/hers gaze away from that Khan Academy channel. Let's be honest here, the representatives of "Asian cultures" who made it here are strivers and they don't give a crap that their children are not interested in algebra and/or piano. So this is not 'support', this is coercion often bordering on abuse.

Wow. Just, wow. Racist, much?

It’s okay to be racist towards Asians though, amirite?

No, I’m not ‘an Asian’, but thanks for playing.

+1
It is really shocking how many people on this board think it's okay to be racist towards Asian Americans -but jump to the defense of other minority groups and think they are so progressive and better than everyone.

NP - Anyone who is honest understands that the education systems in many Asian countries are vastly different than those in the United States. They also have to be honest about saying that many immigrants have tried to import the heavy focus on Saturday school and test prep into the US. I don't think that it is racist to point out the difference. Many posters are defending the emphasis on education in Asian communities. But some of us who live in MoCo neighborhoods with many immigrants have noted the parenting differences. I have also seen quite a few posts by Asians on DCUM who mock white people and their parenting...

Not all white families are the same...and not all Asian families are the same. Stop generalizing/otherizing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, some of us worked hard to make sure we can provide for our kids. What's wrong with that? Isn't that your job as a parent? Your inability to provide is no one's fault except you.

Well, the problem is that a seat at a publicly funded magnet program is not a reward for good parenting, nor for your hard work. It is meant to provide opportunities for kids who would not have those opportunities at their home school (hence the 'magnet' part).

If you are a good parent, a good earner, good for you! But that's not what this is about.

Actually, publicly funded magnet programs were created NOT to provide academic opportunities, but to provide desirable programs that would lure people of other races to a basically segregated school. Why do you think the new downcounty IB program is at Kennedy?

That program was in the works in 2010-2012. It’s only “new” to an outsider.

It's new in terms of its status as a magnet program. Get over yourself.

Not sure what you're talking about, but according to Wikipedia Blair SMCS opened in 1985 almost 40 years ago.

The PPs were talking about the Regional IB program at Kennedy, which is in its second year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A coworker told me that no one gets in without prep. Well my kid did. From his circle of Blair friends, there was one child who was prepped. While there are families who prep, I also think people use that idea to justify why their kid did not get in. In reality it is like very competitive colleges. Lots of very talented kids just don't get in.

I don't think it is appropriate to use the cohort method for HS students since in HS there are many levels of classes available. In middle school there is much less differentiation (or none).

Maybe 25%-30% manage without prep but the majority are in classes from early on.

Several Asian cultures (Chinese, Indian) are heavily focused on education, particularly STEM. Kids have tutors and are often working 2-3 years ahead in math. Of course that's reflected in the test scores. Not necessarily a bad thing. Those families devote lots of resources to education and sometimes music lessons from a young age, and those kids do very well as a result. Why is it their problem so many white families put their resources toward athletics instead? Support starts at home.

Let me guess, you're an Asian (Chinese, Indian) yourself, amirite?

Here's the answer to your question. We, white families, don't think it is smart or beneficial to stand over our kids' shoulders with a ruler threatening to hit each time said kid turns his/hers gaze away from that Khan Academy channel. Let's be honest here, the representatives of "Asian cultures" who made it here are strivers and they don't give a crap that their children are not interested in algebra and/or piano. So this is not 'support', this is coercion often bordering on abuse.

Wow. Just, wow. Racist, much?

It’s okay to be racist towards Asians though, amirite?

No, I’m not ‘an Asian’, but thanks for playing.

+1
It is really shocking how many people on this board think it's okay to be racist towards Asian Americans -but jump to the defense of other minority groups and think they are so progressive and better than everyone.

why would you assume the PP is a progressive? IMO, some conservatives feel the same way about "over achieving" Asians whom they don't even consider to be real Americans.

Because only a progressive would be racist enough to begin a statement with "we white families."

That would be a Trumper.

While I'm sure there are a small number of actual white supremacists who would describe themselves as such, there is an increasing number of woke lunatics like Robin DiAngelo and everyone who likes her book who would describe themselves as such. There's a lot of power in professing hate for your own kind aka virtue signaling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have kids in MCPS. One was in a magnet program and one not. From my experience, this will never happen in MCPS because MCPS (as a whole, not individual teachers) does not care about kids.

We see this over and over. MCPS rarely does what is in the best interest of our kids. MCPS is, first and foremost, interested in ‘optics’ and making the stats look good.

MCPS wants to be able to say they have made progress by highlighting the numbers of AA and Latino kids in magnet programs. Who cares if they are struggling in the program. Who cares what happens to them after?

MCPS is a disaster and it has let down kids of all races equally.

You got this exactly right. MCPS is a disaster.

https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/E/1/15/XXXX/2019

The state report card shows 80% AAs and Hispanics not proficient in math in middle school.



80% not proficient in math in middle school. Let this sink in. (21.9% AA and 18.7% Hispanics proficient.)

ESOL students are the fastest growing group in MCPS. They are only 11.8% proficient in middle school math.

Yet MCPS spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on magnet program reform, boundary analysis, and antiracist study...

Such misplaced priorities. Guess it takes real work to solve difficult problems.

And yet boundaries haven't changed in over 40 years. Some schools are half empty. Others live across the street from one school but get bussed across the county to another. Some schools are mostly segregated and have obviously gerrymandered boundaries from a lifetime ago, but nothing is done about any of it. It's possible they spend a few dollars to appease some wokes but they never change anything so it's all moot.

Schools are segregated?!?!?! Holy cow! Can you point us to the policy or law that keeps kids out of schools based on their skin color so we can demand that be changed ASAP?

everyone knows they gerrymandered the boundaries to ensure <5% of certain groups just look at the at a glance sheet and you can spot em

Other than Kensington, can you give us some examples?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have kids in MCPS. One was in a magnet program and one not. From my experience, this will never happen in MCPS because MCPS (as a whole, not individual teachers) does not care about kids.

We see this over and over. MCPS rarely does what is in the best interest of our kids. MCPS is, first and foremost, interested in ‘optics’ and making the stats look good.

MCPS wants to be able to say they have made progress by highlighting the numbers of AA and Latino kids in magnet programs. Who cares if they are struggling in the program. Who cares what happens to them after?

MCPS is a disaster and it has let down kids of all races equally.

You got this exactly right. MCPS is a disaster.

https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/E/1/15/XXXX/2019

The state report card shows 80% AAs and Hispanics not proficient in math in middle school.



80% not proficient in math in middle school. Let this sink in. (21.9% AA and 18.7% Hispanics proficient.)

ESOL students are the fastest growing group in MCPS. They are only 11.8% proficient in middle school math.

Yet MCPS spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on magnet program reform, boundary analysis, and antiracist study...

Such misplaced priorities. Guess it takes real work to solve difficult problems.

And yet boundaries haven't changed in over 40 years. Some schools are half empty. Others live across the street from one school but get bussed across the county to another. Some schools are mostly segregated and have obviously gerrymandered boundaries from a lifetime ago, but nothing is done about any of it. It's possible they spend a few dollars to appease some wokes but they never change anything so it's all moot.

Your first few statements are nonsense. But I agree with your last statement. And the reason they probably won't change much is because 90+ % of the county said they wanted to stay in their current schools because stability is the most important factor to them, even more important than geography or overcrowding. Diversity came in dead last out of the 4 priorities which shows how woefully out of touch the 2018 BOE was that made demographics (diversity) the top factor in the boundary policy.

If by nonesene you mean accurate sure.

Please provide a list of these "half empty" schools.

His/her other lie is right from the pro-busing playbook as well. How about a map showing kids who are currently "bused across the county?" We'll wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, some of us worked hard to make sure we can provide for our kids. What's wrong with that? Isn't that your job as a parent? Your inability to provide is no one's fault except you.

Well, the problem is that a seat at a publicly funded magnet program is not a reward for good parenting, nor for your hard work. It is meant to provide opportunities for kids who would not have those opportunities at their home school (hence the 'magnet' part).

If you are a good parent, a good earner, good for you! But that's not what this is about.

Actually, publicly funded magnet programs were created NOT to provide academic opportunities, but to provide desirable programs that would lure people of other races to a basically segregated school. Why do you think the new downcounty IB program is at Kennedy?

That program was in the works in 2010-2012. It’s only “new” to an outsider.

It's new in terms of its status as a magnet program. Get over yourself.

Not sure what you're talking about, but according to Wikipedia Blair SMCS opened in 1985 almost 40 years ago.

Not discussing Blair. Not everything is about Blair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Folks reading this blog - there is a troll on this board that is trying to stir up a racial stereotype that "asians prep" so that's the only reason why asians are getting in to magnets, etc.

Please don't fall for it.

This person has had this theme for a while now and is a very bitter and pathetic person. Keep an eye out for this theme in other blogs and please temper your responses accordingly.

Also, there's another word for "prepping". It's called tutoring or learning. Remember that this person wants you to believe that instruction or learning outside of MCPS is wrong. That's why I believe this person is a very bitter MCPS employee or board member.

Don't fall for it. Any learning a child does out of the classroom will give that child an advantage in Life. The more parents encourage this type of appreciation for learning, the more it will rub off onto the children.

Rather than MPCS staff, I think it's actually parents who are really invested in their kids on travel teams. No time left to tutor, so they want to level the playing field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, some of us worked hard to make sure we can provide for our kids. What's wrong with that? Isn't that your job as a parent? Your inability to provide is no one's fault except you.

Well, the problem is that a seat at a publicly funded magnet program is not a reward for good parenting, nor for your hard work. It is meant to provide opportunities for kids who would not have those opportunities at their home school (hence the 'magnet' part).

If you are a good parent, a good earner, good for you! But that's not what this is about.

Actually, publicly funded magnet programs were created NOT to provide academic opportunities, but to provide desirable programs that would lure people of other races to a basically segregated school. Why do you think the new downcounty IB program is at Kennedy?

That program was in the works in 2010-2012. It’s only “new” to an outsider.

It's new in terms of its status as a magnet program. Get over yourself.

Not sure what you're talking about, but according to Wikipedia Blair SMCS opened in 1985 almost 40 years ago.

Not discussing Blair. Not everything is about Blair.

Not just Blair. DCUM is all about Blair and the W's.

(That should be a band name! )

[Anonymous]

My kid is an MCPS kid who did well in SAT...no enrichment except the free collegeboard exams (8 official ones) and Khan academy. This is the resource that is available to all students around the world. Every kid has the same 24 hours in their day. Some study and some don't.

Of course there are other privileges that my kid has - comes from a functional household, eats home-cooked meals, was not left to CIO as a baby, has the COVID and flu vaccination, does not mind wearing a mask, no abuse/addiction/adultry in the household and most importantly he has caring adults in his life who give a damn. Very hard for MCPS to replicate all that. The inequity is immense. The achievement gap is wider than the Grand Canyon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks reading this blog - there is a troll on this board that is trying to stir up a racial stereotype that "asians prep" so that's the only reason why asians are getting in to magnets, etc.

Please don't fall for it.

This person has had this theme for a while now and is a very bitter and pathetic person. Keep an eye out for this theme in other blogs and please temper your responses accordingly.

Also, there's another word for "prepping". It's called tutoring or learning. Remember that this person wants you to believe that instruction or learning outside of MCPS is wrong. That's why I believe this person is a very bitter MCPS employee or board member.

Don't fall for it. Any learning a child does out of the classroom will give that child an advantage in Life. The more parents encourage this type of appreciation for learning, the more it will rub off onto the children.

Rather than MPCS staff, I think it's actually parents who are really invested in their kids on travel teams. No time left to tutor, so they want to level the playing field.

No time or motivation. So take the devious way out. Make this about equity so that their kids can get a leg up. Divide and rule the minorities. It is a progressive game.