WSJ - To Increase Equity, School Districts Eliminate Honors Classes

[Anonymous]

I don't know that it was isolated or secret. At Kennedy, the Honors for All movement was spearheaded by Michael Williams, the social studies lead, and he was widely applauded and recognized for it. He was even named MCPS Teacher of the year for it.

I'm not sure if the current iteration of Honors for All matches Williams' intent, but it was definitely an approach that was endorsed by the previous superintendent.

This article details from 2019 some of the issues and the context: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/hon...9-b8c8-75dae2607e60_story.html

Thanks for this article. A couple of things strike me:

Even back in 2019, parents were upset about a lack of transparency or attempt at building an evidence base. The entire premise seemed to be "vibes." The lack of ELLs in honors classes was causing bad vibes, so on-level classes were ended.

But back when this article was written, there seemed to be no appetite for CO to dictate to schools on this topic. Schools were allowed to make this choice individually. That's different than the current superintendent, who has made an edict that schools must follow. You have administrators openly talking about how this approach is bad for their specific learning environments, but McKnight does not care because her eye is already (and always) on the next thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I don't know that it was isolated or secret. At Kennedy, the Honors for All movement was spearheaded by Michael Williams, the social studies lead, and he was widely applauded and recognized for it. He was even named MCPS Teacher of the year for it.

I'm not sure if the current iteration of Honors for All matches Williams' intent, but it was definitely an approach that was endorsed by the previous superintendent.

This article details from 2019 some of the issues and the context: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/hon...9-b8c8-75dae2607e60_story.html

Thanks for this article. A couple of things strike me:

Even back in 2019, parents were upset about a lack of transparency or attempt at building an evidence base. The entire premise seemed to be "vibes." The lack of ELLs in honors classes was causing bad vibes, so on-level classes were ended.

But back when this article was written, there seemed to be no appetite for CO to dictate to schools on this topic. Schools were allowed to make this choice individually. That's different than the current superintendent, who has made an edict that schools must follow. You have administrators openly talking about how this approach is bad for their specific learning environments, but McKnight does not care because her eye is already (and always) on the next thing.

I know we're so lucky that she has her eye on making MoCo great again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Magnet schools and immersion programs should also be banned

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I don't know that it was isolated or secret. At Kennedy, the Honors for All movement was spearheaded by Michael Williams, the social studies lead, and he was widely applauded and recognized for it. He was even named MCPS Teacher of the year for it.

I'm not sure if the current iteration of Honors for All matches Williams' intent, but it was definitely an approach that was endorsed by the previous superintendent.

This article details from 2019 some of the issues and the context: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/hon...9-b8c8-75dae2607e60_story.html

Thanks for this article. A couple of things strike me:

Even back in 2019, parents were upset about a lack of transparency or attempt at building an evidence base. The entire premise seemed to be "vibes." The lack of ELLs in honors classes was causing bad vibes, so on-level classes were ended.

But back when this article was written, there seemed to be no appetite for CO to dictate to schools on this topic. Schools were allowed to make this choice individually. That's different than the current superintendent, who has made an edict that schools must follow. You have administrators openly talking about how this approach is bad for their specific learning environments, but McKnight does not care because her eye is already (and always) on the next thing.

What is the next thing that she has her eye on? Frankly, I'm having a hard time seeing her vision or priorities for MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don't know that it was isolated or secret. At Kennedy, the Honors for All movement was spearheaded by Michael Williams, the social studies lead, and he was widely applauded and recognized for it. He was even named MCPS Teacher of the year for it.

I'm not sure if the current iteration of Honors for All matches Williams' intent, but it was definitely an approach that was endorsed by the previous superintendent.

This article details from 2019 some of the issues and the context: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/hon...9-b8c8-75dae2607e60_story.html

Thanks for this article. A couple of things strike me:

Even back in 2019, parents were upset about a lack of transparency or attempt at building an evidence base. The entire premise seemed to be "vibes." The lack of ELLs in honors classes was causing bad vibes, so on-level classes were ended.

But back when this article was written, there seemed to be no appetite for CO to dictate to schools on this topic. Schools were allowed to make this choice individually. That's different than the current superintendent, who has made an edict that schools must follow. You have administrators openly talking about how this approach is bad for their specific learning environments, but McKnight does not care because her eye is already (and always) on the next thing.

What is the next thing that she has her eye on? Frankly, I'm having a hard time seeing her vision or priorities for MCPS.

I think they're just fearmongering and have no idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Magnet schools and immersion programs should also be banned

Even better magnet and immersion programs for all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Magnet schools and immersion programs should also be banned

Even better magnet and immersion programs for all!

I'm pretty sure McKnight has her on this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this,


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

Instead of eliminating honors which is the national trend, MCPS is doing the opposite and raising the bar by requiring honors for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this,


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

Instead of eliminating honors which is the national trend, MCPS is doing the opposite and raising the bar by requiring honors for all.

So what do they do about the kids who can't keep up in honors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this,


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

Instead of eliminating honors which is the national trend, MCPS is doing the opposite and raising the bar by requiring honors for all.

Except they're not raising the bar. They're diluting the rigor in the name of honors for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this,


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

Instead of eliminating honors which is the national trend, MCPS is doing the opposite and raising the bar by requiring honors for all.

So what do they do about the kids who can't keep up in honors?

That's not a thing. You've heard the phrase no child left behind, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this,


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

Instead of eliminating honors which is the national trend, MCPS is doing the opposite and raising the bar by requiring honors for all.

Except they're not raising the bar. They're diluting the rigor in the name of honors for all.

That's not what I heard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this,


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

Instead of eliminating honors which is the national trend, MCPS is doing the opposite and raising the bar by requiring honors for all.

Except they're not raising the bar. They're diluting the rigor in the name of honors for all.

Is there any evidence to this effect or is it just your assumption?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this,


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

Instead of eliminating honors which is the national trend, MCPS is doing the opposite and raising the bar by requiring honors for all.

Except they're not raising the bar. They're diluting the rigor in the name of honors for all.

Is there any evidence to this effect or is it just your assumption?

DP.. have you looked at the scores of certain segments of the MCPS student population? A lot of those kids are in "honors" classes because a lot of the HS no longer have on track classes.

There is so much grade inflation, 50% rule, retake of exams, it's hard not to get bad grades, but still, some do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Article from WSJ today. Too bad for the schools doing this,


https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-increase-equity-school-districts-eliminate-honors-classes-d5985dee

Instead of eliminating honors which is the national trend, MCPS is doing the opposite and raising the bar by requiring honors for all.

Except they're not raising the bar. They're diluting the rigor in the name of honors for all.

Is there any evidence to this effect or is it just your assumption?

DP.. have you looked at the scores of certain segments of the MCPS student population? A lot of those kids are in "honors" classes because a lot of the HS no longer have on track classes.

There is so much grade inflation, 50% rule, retake of exams, it's hard not to get bad grades, but still, some do.

The 50% rule is hardly a concern. I'm fine with it because some kid might get a C- instead of D+. I'm also fine with retakes since the point is learning, not punishment. In the end, if students learn more then MCPS is doing its job well. Further, none of this has anything to do with expecting all students to meet a higher standard by offering honors for all.