Gifted & talented programs and magnet school opportunities in the public schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As predicted, OP's question has become yet another debate on expanding the magnets, so I may as well weigh in.

I think expanding access to the HS magnets is a good thing, EVEN IF it means some incremental drop in "rigor" in the formerly county-wide magnets.

Right now, MCPS has an approach that seeks to max out the potential of a handful of kids while leaving the rest with almost no access to differentiated or enriched instruction until 11th grade.

This is the wrong approach for a public school system, particularly one with as many high achievers as MCPS has.

There's no denying that expanding access from the "top" 1% to the "top" 5% will make some sort of a difference, but not a meaningful one and certainly not one that should stop MCPS from expanding the programs.

Disagree. top 1% operates on a different level to top 5%.

I have one of each. They don't operate the same academically.

This +1. I have one of each. Totally different level of mental and academic needs. We should sacrifice one for another. MCPS earns its national reputation and attractiveness by serving the top 1% well. It can and should keep the successful model while expand some courses to regional models.

As I mentioned previously, half of the Blair magnet courses can only enroll 10~20 students per year because they are so challenging, but every year there are always 10-20 kids that find these courses engaging, fun and learning (not the same 10-20 kids, a lot of them finds what they want to do as early as middle school age and dedicated to take all courses possible at one specific major). Regional model will not have capacity to open these courses nor have enough students register, so these courses will disappear permanently if county-wide program is canceled.

Can't they just teach at least some of those classes virtually so kids from different regional programs can take them together?

I'm guessing there are probably a couple that you'd have to be doing hands-on stuff in person, but once you're down to losing a couple classes for a few dozen kids, is it really that big a deal? What classes would they even be?

You can find all Blair magnet classes online:
● Science & Engineering
○ Advanced Topics in Earth Science
○ Analysis of Equity and Identity in STEM
○ Analytical Chemistry
○ Astronomy
○ Biological Chemistry
○ Chemistry of Art
○ Cell Physiology
○ Entomology
○ Immunology
○ Introductory Genetic Analysis
○ Marine Biology
○ Materials Science
○ Mathematical Physics A/B (Coded as AP
Physics, but requires the completion of
Multivariable Calculus and Differential
Equations)
○ Neuroscience
○ Optics
○ Origins of Science
○ Organic Chemistry
○ Physical Chemistry
○ Robotics
○ Quantum Physics
○ Senior Research Project
○ Thermodynamics
● Computer Science
○ Analysis of Algorithms
○ Computational Methods
○ Computer Graphics (programming)
○ Computer Modeling & Simulation
○ Adv CS Programming 3B: Future of
Programming Languages
○ Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
○ Introduction to Networking (Cybersecurity)
○ Senior Research Project
○ Software Design
○ Adv CS Programming 3A: Video Game
Programming
● Mathematics
○ Advanced Geometry
○ Complex Analysis
○ Discrete Mathematics
○ Linear Algebra
○ Logic
○ Multivariable Calculus and Differential
Equations A/B
○ Senior Research Project
○ Senior Seminar in Statistical Research

Wow, that is a ton of classes. How do they manage to offer that many classes a year? It seems like there wouldn't be enough kids and time in the schedule....

And that’s the correct question, because many of these are elective classes that kids in other schools would be happy to take. For example Senior Research project. There are several programs in the county that require students to complete a senior research or capstone project. Yet not all of them have a Senior level dedicated class to support this. Also, what HS needs this many advance Chemistry courses. If kids are that advance, that they are into 3yr college chemistry why would you not encourage them to take it taught by a college professor?

I honestly have no problems with Blair’s Science Magnet and them offering all this. I have serious issue with folks acting like we shouldn’t be encouraging and allowing more kids in the district to experience access when we know we have population to support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As predicted, OP's question has become yet another debate on expanding the magnets, so I may as well weigh in.

I think expanding access to the HS magnets is a good thing, EVEN IF it means some incremental drop in "rigor" in the formerly county-wide magnets.

Right now, MCPS has an approach that seeks to max out the potential of a handful of kids while leaving the rest with almost no access to differentiated or enriched instruction until 11th grade.

This is the wrong approach for a public school system, particularly one with as many high achievers as MCPS has.

There's no denying that expanding access from the "top" 1% to the "top" 5% will make some sort of a difference, but not a meaningful one and certainly not one that should stop MCPS from expanding the programs.

I agree more access is needed. But why can’t MCPS preserve a well established program and allow top 1% continue to access it while having other top 5% programs. It’s a mistake to kill these nationally recognized successful programs just for equity. Many people chose to live in Montgomery county due to these programs.

If we are going to make an economic/real estate argument, it makes FAR more sense to expand the magnets than to assume that people are moving here on the off chance that their child will be one of the 200 kids per year who get into these "well-established programs."

But you forget people have choices. When MCPS has worse reputation than FCPS or HCPS, why would they want to come to MCPS? Think about prince george county which has easy commute to DC but people do not prefer to move there.

Sounds like you should support increased taxation to serve both those needing general advancement/differentiation and those needing radically advanced coursework.

And, of course, support the same to achieve the best means of identifying (early) the ability that might require that far more differentiated program (rather than those who simply test well from prep, not that there isn't overlap between the two groups), ensuring that it is nurtured with public funding so that these programs remain truly accessible across economic circumstance.

For those pointing to Fairfax/TJ, why should we think that there are not a proportionate number of MoCo students that would show need for this kind of program? There would be more than twice the number currently admitted across both SMCS sites. And that's with TJ clearly oversibscribed. One could point to the fact that Blair SMCS has even higher-level offerings than those at TJ, but there is the liklihood that among any hundred admitted there would be enough who would rise with the offered curriculum to support at least single sections of those courses.

Does Fairfax county tax more than Montgomery county? No. Instead of increasing taxes, we need to focus on fiscal responsibility and reduce wasteful spending MCPS currently has with such bloated central office.

Every year people keep talking about central office bloat. And while there may be some I doubt it's nearly as much as people think. Central Office accounts for like 2% of all MCPS funding.

What is MCPS budget? Isn't it over 3 bil now? So over 60 mil/year?

One idiosyncrasy of MCPS is that key staff who would be listed as "school based" in another school district are listed as "Central Office" in MCPS. So jobs like speech pathologists, occupational therapists, school psychologists (for testing), and other roles that directly engage with children, end up in the CO budget, which makes it look much larger than it is.

Not to mention CO also covers things like Finance, HR, Technology, etc. Even with all those “school based” positions it’s still a small percentage of the budget. The real issue is that folks think administrators may too much relative to teachers. And that’s a conversation that is worthy to have. But I also know many a teacher who have no desire to deal with everything that comes with being an Administrator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

This is an issue in multiple schools. The problem is not kids who can take the classes, it’s school leadership not selecting to offer the classes and then not encouraging staff to want to teach these classes. Or stating they have many more who don’t want need these classes so it’s easier to have a teacher teach another section of a different class. Or that’s what DE is available to support. This later would be viable if the DE campus was more easily accessible.

[Anonymous]

Differential access to high level HS courses across home schools should not exist. At the same time:

-- Any HS class that would be in sequence at the highest level for those completing standard offerings of acceleration/enrichment through MS should be available (e.g., APUSH/APGov in one or other arrangement in 9th & 10th, MVC in 12th or 11th with the coming 2-year Integrated Algebra),

-- Any HS class or that is within standard academic core subjects (ELA, Social Studies, Science, Math, plus World Languages) should be made accessible at the earliest grade level consistent with prerequisite/corequisite fulfillment (i.e., students should not be required to take other elective subjects or lower-level coursework if doubling up in these subject areas at a higher level would facilitate a more rigorous experience or later course access), and

-- Exception policies allowing higher paths of access should be consistent across schools.

Differential access to HS-sequence-enabling MS courses likewise should not exist. Any curricular enrichment meant to be offered locally to those qualifying for, but not offered a seat at, an ES or MS magnet should be such that it not only is meaningful, in and of itself, but also affords the same liklihood of later-level magnet admission and preserves access to any later sequence facilitated by attendance at a magnet.

In other words, one's zip code should have no bearing on one's access to in-school course offerings, a standard suite of courses should be available to allow maximal access to high levels of rigor, and any lottery-based magnet placement should have no bearing on access to programs or courses at later levels within the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

This is an issue in multiple schools. The problem is not kids who can take the classes, it’s school leadership not selecting to offer the classes and then not encouraging staff to want to teach these classes. Or stating they have many more who don’t want need these classes so it’s easier to have a teacher teach another section of a different class. Or that’s what DE is available to support. This later would be viable if the DE campus was more easily accessible.

I'm pretty sure PP is the Einstein parent who is on a tear about their school (an IBDP school) not offering sufficient AP classes. The new proposal isn't going to solve that problem, because IBDP schools will always have fewer AP courses since kids can take IB classes instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

This is an issue in multiple schools. The problem is not kids who can take the classes, it’s school leadership not selecting to offer the classes and then not encouraging staff to want to teach these classes. Or stating they have many more who don’t want need these classes so it’s easier to have a teacher teach another section of a different class. Or that’s what DE is available to support. This later would be viable if the DE campus was more easily accessible.

I'm pretty sure PP is the Einstein parent who is on a tear about their school (an IBDP school) not offering sufficient AP classes. The new proposal isn't going to solve that problem, because IBDP schools will always have fewer AP courses since kids can take IB classes instead.

DP. This is a problem across far more schools than just Einstein, and across many without IB. Even within IB-offering schools, the fact is that some don't offer the breadth of IB courses (and at HL) that might parallel APs, and don't necessarily offer APs where IB doesn't supply a parallel with the same breadth as are available at a few non-magnet high schools in the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

This is an issue in multiple schools. The problem is not kids who can take the classes, it’s school leadership not selecting to offer the classes and then not encouraging staff to want to teach these classes. Or stating they have many more who don’t want need these classes so it’s easier to have a teacher teach another section of a different class. Or that’s what DE is available to support. This later would be viable if the DE campus was more easily accessible.

I'm pretty sure PP is the Einstein parent who is on a tear about their school (an IBDP school) not offering sufficient AP classes. The new proposal isn't going to solve that problem, because IBDP schools will always have fewer AP courses since kids can take IB classes instead.

DP. This is a problem across far more schools than just Einstein, and across many without IB. Even within IB-offering schools, the fact is that some don't offer the breadth of IB courses (and at HL) that might parallel APs, and don't necessarily offer APs where IB doesn't supply a parallel with the same breadth as are available at a few non-magnet high schools in the system.

No, it's not.
20 out of 25 MCPS HS made the AP school Honor roll, which means they offer enough APs, students have access to rigorous course work, and deliver results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

This is an issue in multiple schools. The problem is not kids who can take the classes, it’s school leadership not selecting to offer the classes and then not encouraging staff to want to teach these classes. Or stating they have many more who don’t want need these classes so it’s easier to have a teacher teach another section of a different class. Or that’s what DE is available to support. This later would be viable if the DE campus was more easily accessible.

I'm pretty sure PP is the Einstein parent who is on a tear about their school (an IBDP school) not offering sufficient AP classes. The new proposal isn't going to solve that problem, because IBDP schools will always have fewer AP courses since kids can take IB classes instead.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

This is an issue in multiple schools. The problem is not kids who can take the classes, it’s school leadership not selecting to offer the classes and then not encouraging staff to want to teach these classes. Or stating they have many more who don’t want need these classes so it’s easier to have a teacher teach another section of a different class. Or that’s what DE is available to support. This later would be viable if the DE campus was more easily accessible.

I'm pretty sure PP is the Einstein parent who is on a tear about their school (an IBDP school) not offering sufficient AP classes. The new proposal isn't going to solve that problem, because IBDP schools will always have fewer AP courses since kids can take IB classes instead.

DP. This is a problem across far more schools than just Einstein, and across many without IB. Even within IB-offering schools, the fact is that some don't offer the breadth of IB courses (and at HL) that might parallel APs, and don't necessarily offer APs where IB doesn't supply a parallel with the same breadth as are available at a few non-magnet high schools in the system.

No, it's not.
20 out of 25 MCPS HS made the AP school Honor roll, which means they offer enough APs, students have access to rigorous course work, and deliver results.

Yes, it is a problem, at multiple schools, with stark differences in offerings.

That AP School Honor Roll? A third of eligible schools -- over 5000 of them -- across the US & Canada (and some foreign American schools) got that. The denominator, there, includes a ton of schools in districts those in MoCo wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

What does it take? There are 4 levels -- the distribution of levels awarded across MCPS schools follows pretty much as one might expect. Bronze requires less than half (40%) of the graduating class to have taken a single AP exam, only a quarter hitting a 3! or better, and only 2 percent! taking 5 or more (1 in 9th or 10th grade).

If there's any thought that 5 is a lot to have available these days, think again. Precalc, CS Principles, Physics 1, US Gov and a language do that. Pretty minimal, considering the 20 or so, including those of significantly greater rigor & interest, that are available at some MCPS schools, not to mention post-AP courses like MVC. Of course some of those "usual suspects" sport Platinum status (80%/50%/15%), but the percentages aren't nearly as important to the conversation as the breadth/depth of advanced offerings.

[Anonymous]

This thread has gotten way off topic from the OP's questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread has gotten way off topic from the OP's questions.

Really? OP asked about moving to MoCo with a focus on offerings for their GT-identifed DC (with 2 other DCs not yet old enough for identification), specifically querying, "Are they at all schools, or just certain ones?"

Unless staying through HS isn't in their future, the conversation covering differences across the system with respect to advanced classes offered seems pretty germane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

This is an issue in multiple schools. The problem is not kids who can take the classes, it’s school leadership not selecting to offer the classes and then not encouraging staff to want to teach these classes. Or stating they have many more who don’t want need these classes so it’s easier to have a teacher teach another section of a different class. Or that’s what DE is available to support. This later would be viable if the DE campus was more easily accessible.

I'm pretty sure PP is the Einstein parent who is on a tear about their school (an IBDP school) not offering sufficient AP classes. The new proposal isn't going to solve that problem, because IBDP schools will always have fewer AP courses since kids can take IB classes instead.

DP. This is a problem across far more schools than just Einstein, and across many without IB. Even within IB-offering schools, the fact is that some don't offer the breadth of IB courses (and at HL) that might parallel APs, and don't necessarily offer APs where IB doesn't supply a parallel with the same breadth as are available at a few non-magnet high schools in the system.

No, it's not.
20 out of 25 MCPS HS made the AP school Honor roll, which means they offer enough APs, students have access to rigorous course work, and deliver results.

Yes, it is a problem, at multiple schools, with stark differences in offerings.

That AP School Honor Roll? A third of eligible schools -- over 5000 of them -- across the US & Canada (and some foreign American schools) got that. The denominator, there, includes a ton of schools in districts those in MoCo wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

What does it take? There are 4 levels -- the distribution of levels awarded across MCPS schools follows pretty much as one might expect. Bronze requires less than half (40%) of the graduating class to have taken a single AP exam, only a quarter hitting a 3! or better, and only 2 percent! taking 5 or more (1 in 9th or 10th grade).

If there's any thought that 5 is a lot to have available these days, think again. Precalc, CS Principles, Physics 1, US Gov and a language do that. Pretty minimal, considering the 20 or so, including those of significantly greater rigor & interest, that are available at some MCPS schools, not to mention post-AP courses like MVC. Of course some of those "usual suspects" sport Platinum status (80%/50%/15%), but the percentages aren't nearly as important to the conversation as the breadth/depth of advanced offerings.

So if I understand you correctly, you are saying that some HSs in MCPS only offer a handful of AP classes? That sounds to be a really pressing equity issue that MCPS should focus on addressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

This is an issue in multiple schools. The problem is not kids who can take the classes, it’s school leadership not selecting to offer the classes and then not encouraging staff to want to teach these classes. Or stating they have many more who don’t want need these classes so it’s easier to have a teacher teach another section of a different class. Or that’s what DE is available to support. This later would be viable if the DE campus was more easily accessible.

I'm pretty sure PP is the Einstein parent who is on a tear about their school (an IBDP school) not offering sufficient AP classes. The new proposal isn't going to solve that problem, because IBDP schools will always have fewer AP courses since kids can take IB classes instead.

DP. This is a problem across far more schools than just Einstein, and across many without IB. Even within IB-offering schools, the fact is that some don't offer the breadth of IB courses (and at HL) that might parallel APs, and don't necessarily offer APs where IB doesn't supply a parallel with the same breadth as are available at a few non-magnet high schools in the system.

No, it's not.
20 out of 25 MCPS HS made the AP school Honor roll, which means they offer enough APs, students have access to rigorous course work, and deliver results.

Yes, it is a problem, at multiple schools, with stark differences in offerings.

That AP School Honor Roll? A third of eligible schools -- over 5000 of them -- across the US & Canada (and some foreign American schools) got that. The denominator, there, includes a ton of schools in districts those in MoCo wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

What does it take? There are 4 levels -- the distribution of levels awarded across MCPS schools follows pretty much as one might expect. Bronze requires less than half (40%) of the graduating class to have taken a single AP exam, only a quarter hitting a 3! or better, and only 2 percent! taking 5 or more (1 in 9th or 10th grade).

If there's any thought that 5 is a lot to have available these days, think again. Precalc, CS Principles, Physics 1, US Gov and a language do that. Pretty minimal, considering the 20 or so, including those of significantly greater rigor & interest, that are available at some MCPS schools, not to mention post-AP courses like MVC. Of course some of those "usual suspects" sport Platinum status (80%/50%/15%), but the percentages aren't nearly as important to the conversation as the breadth/depth of advanced offerings.

So if I understand you correctly, you are saying that some HSs in MCPS only offer a handful of AP classes? That sounds to be a really pressing equity issue that MCPS should focus on addressing.

All high schools offer at least ten AP classes. The ones with the fewest offerings tend to be the IB schools, as they have IB classes available instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this arguing for giving an ultra-tiny minority of students some costly classes at taxpayer expense. Those well-resourced families should go private or do dual enrollment.

Expand access to the six regions, or eliminate the programs and just offer AP/IB at each HS.

The cost of bussing due water downed programs is not worth it. End all the magnets. Everyone goes to their assigned school. I am sorry to see Blair end it's run but it does not align with the current county philosophy.

The problem that we found is our school offers very few Ap clases and for smart kids, we don't even have enough math classes to take for the graduaiton requierments. Only the W schools, Blair and Wheaton have advanced classes so you'd need to fix that.

This is an issue in multiple schools. The problem is not kids who can take the classes, it’s school leadership not selecting to offer the classes and then not encouraging staff to want to teach these classes. Or stating they have many more who don’t want need these classes so it’s easier to have a teacher teach another section of a different class. Or that’s what DE is available to support. This later would be viable if the DE campus was more easily accessible.

I'm pretty sure PP is the Einstein parent who is on a tear about their school (an IBDP school) not offering sufficient AP classes. The new proposal isn't going to solve that problem, because IBDP schools will always have fewer AP courses since kids can take IB classes instead.

DP. This is a problem across far more schools than just Einstein, and across many without IB. Even within IB-offering schools, the fact is that some don't offer the breadth of IB courses (and at HL) that might parallel APs, and don't necessarily offer APs where IB doesn't supply a parallel with the same breadth as are available at a few non-magnet high schools in the system.

No, it's not.
20 out of 25 MCPS HS made the AP school Honor roll, which means they offer enough APs, students have access to rigorous course work, and deliver results.

Yes, it is a problem, at multiple schools, with stark differences in offerings.

That AP School Honor Roll? A third of eligible schools -- over 5000 of them -- across the US & Canada (and some foreign American schools) got that. The denominator, there, includes a ton of schools in districts those in MoCo wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

What does it take? There are 4 levels -- the distribution of levels awarded across MCPS schools follows pretty much as one might expect. Bronze requires less than half (40%) of the graduating class to have taken a single AP exam, only a quarter hitting a 3! or better, and only 2 percent! taking 5 or more (1 in 9th or 10th grade).

If there's any thought that 5 is a lot to have available these days, think again. Precalc, CS Principles, Physics 1, US Gov and a language do that. Pretty minimal, considering the 20 or so, including those of significantly greater rigor & interest, that are available at some MCPS schools, not to mention post-AP courses like MVC. Of course some of those "usual suspects" sport Platinum status (80%/50%/15%), but the percentages aren't nearly as important to the conversation as the breadth/depth of advanced offerings.

So if I understand you correctly, you are saying that some HSs in MCPS only offer a handful of AP classes? That sounds to be a really pressing equity issue that MCPS should focus on addressing.

As part of the program analysis, they are also committing to have a set of I believe 20 AP classes at every school (or the IB equivalents-- despite what some people here claim, you can't expect IB schools to also offer the full suite of AP classes, sorry.)