New curriculum selection process delayed— new RFP must be issues now

[Anonymous]

We have had Discovery Education (formerly United Streaming) in MCPS for at least the last 13 or 14 years. I'm just bummed that I'll have to continue teaching a curriculum that has been proven to be ineffective. My biggest fear is that they try and implement the new curriculum mid-year and make 4,321 modifications to the scope and sequence to make it work. Just thinking about the insanity of this makes my blood boil. I cannot believe what a clusterf*ck these last few years in MCPS have been as a teacher. We've complained about 2.0 since it rolled out. The class sizes feel like they're increasing and the behaviors we see in the schools are horrific. It's hard to teach ALL kids when you have such incredible disrespect, fighting and defiance being tolerated thanks to the good old Code of Conduct. The kids know there are zero consequences. Sorry I'll stop my rant now..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had Discovery Education (formerly United Streaming) in MCPS for at least the last 13 or 14 years. I'm just bummed that I'll have to continue teaching a curriculum that has been proven to be ineffective. My biggest fear is that they try and implement the new curriculum mid-year and make 4,321 modifications to the scope and sequence to make it work. Just thinking about the insanity of this makes my blood boil. I cannot believe what a clusterf*ck these last few years in MCPS have been as a teacher. We've complained about 2.0 since it rolled out. The class sizes feel like they're increasing and the behaviors we see in the schools are horrific. It's hard to teach ALL kids when you have such incredible disrespect, fighting and defiance being tolerated thanks to the good old Code of Conduct. The kids know there are zero consequences. Sorry I'll stop my rant now..

+1000--another teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Un-freaking-believable!

I mentioned this story to DH while we were all in the car, and my DC said; "Oh, I know what Discovery Education is!" "What?? How do you know it"? She said, "We're not allowed to watch YouTube videos in school, but we sometimes watch Discovery Education".

Looks like Discovery Education have already infiltrated MoCo. But, for crying out loud, what makes them qualified to come up with elementary school curriculum? They should stick to their videos.

Well, if you put the puzzle pieces together, you have two new hires from OCIP: the assoc supt overseeing curriculum and instruction and the ELA supervisor.

So I'm assuming that their collective knowledge and connections were, in their minds, key components in developing a new framework, thus providing Discovery with recognition and financial gain.

just giving a reason, not supporting this unethical practice in the least bit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had Discovery Education (formerly United Streaming) in MCPS for at least the last 13 or 14 years. I'm just bummed that I'll have to continue teaching a curriculum that has been proven to be ineffective. My biggest fear is that they try and implement the new curriculum mid-year and make 4,321 modifications to the scope and sequence to make it work. Just thinking about the insanity of this makes my blood boil. I cannot believe what a clusterf*ck these last few years in MCPS have been as a teacher. We've complained about 2.0 since it rolled out. The class sizes feel like they're increasing and the behaviors we see in the schools are horrific. It's hard to teach ALL kids when you have such incredible disrespect, fighting and defiance being tolerated thanks to the good old Code of Conduct. The kids know there are zero consequences. Sorry I'll stop my rant now..

It's not like this everywhere. I've had friends move to other counties with NO regrets. Unfortunately, MCPS traps you with salary and good benefits. And b/c it's so big, it's hard to see OUTSIDE of MCPS.

It's scary making the move; I know. But I'm jumping ship this year after 20+ years in the county. The behaviors are out of control b/c kids know they aren't held accountable. The other day, a student told the principal to f off. Principal did nothing.

This is the beginning of the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had Discovery Education (formerly United Streaming) in MCPS for at least the last 13 or 14 years. I'm just bummed that I'll have to continue teaching a curriculum that has been proven to be ineffective. My biggest fear is that they try and implement the new curriculum mid-year and make 4,321 modifications to the scope and sequence to make it work. Just thinking about the insanity of this makes my blood boil. I cannot believe what a clusterf*ck these last few years in MCPS have been as a teacher. We've complained about 2.0 since it rolled out. The class sizes feel like they're increasing and the behaviors we see in the schools are horrific. It's hard to teach ALL kids when you have such incredible disrespect, fighting and defiance being tolerated thanks to the good old Code of Conduct. The kids know there are zero consequences. Sorry I'll stop my rant now..

It's not like this everywhere. I've had friends move to other counties with NO regrets. Unfortunately, MCPS traps you with salary and good benefits. And b/c it's so big, it's hard to see OUTSIDE of MCPS.

It's scary making the move; I know. But I'm jumping ship this year after 20+ years in the county. The behaviors are out of control b/c kids know they aren't held accountable. The other day, a student told the principal to f off. Principal did nothing.

This is the beginning of the end.

I’m jumping ship too. At the risk of outing myself, I teach at both a private and a public school. Part time at each. I am going full time at the private next year. Like many good teachers, those of us with options will choose to go. It’s not just everything described here and in other threads, like the complete disrespect for our time and expertise. It’s the power plays and bullying all over the place that goes totally unchecked by wussy leaders. With bad morale and all the other stuff the whole culture is negative and mean and nasty. I won’t miss it one bit, and that makes me sad.

[Anonymous]

This story makes zero sense. Once Discovery Ed found out that Erick Lang and James Fliakas were connected with the process, they withdrew their bid. Huh? On what planet does Discovery think that two people who head up the curriculum office wouldn’t be involved with the RFP. Sounds like they’re “withdrawing” to avoid being disqualified from the RFP and are positioning themselves to be chosen 6 months down the road.
http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/MCPS-Pauses-Search-for-New-Curriculum-After-Learning-Staff-Members-Are-Taking-Jobs-with-Vendor/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This story makes zero sense. Once Discovery Ed found out that Erick Lang and James Fliakas were connected with the process, they withdrew their bid. Huh? On what planet does Discovery think that two people who head up the curriculum office wouldn’t be involved with the RFP. Sounds like they’re “withdrawing” to avoid being disqualified from the RFP and are positioning themselves to be chosen 6 months down the road.
http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/MCPS-Pauses-Search-for-New-Curriculum-After-Learning-Staff-Members-Are-Taking-Jobs-with-Vendor/

So you think that after July 1, when Lang and Fliakas are working for Discovery, they'll submit another RFP during round two?

sounds like a possibility actually - But will the county entertain it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story makes zero sense. Once Discovery Ed found out that Erick Lang and James Fliakas were connected with the process, they withdrew their bid. Huh? On what planet does Discovery think that two people who head up the curriculum office wouldn’t be involved with the RFP. Sounds like they’re “withdrawing” to avoid being disqualified from the RFP and are positioning themselves to be chosen 6 months down the road.
http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/MCPS-Pauses-Search-for-New-Curriculum-After-Learning-Staff-Members-Are-Taking-Jobs-with-Vendor/

So you think that after July 1, when Lang and Fliakas are working for Discovery, they'll submit another RFP during round two?

sounds like a possibility actually - But will the county entertain it?

Now that there has been negative press, hopefully not. But you never know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story makes zero sense. Once Discovery Ed found out that Erick Lang and James Fliakas were connected with the process, they withdrew their bid. Huh? On what planet does Discovery think that two people who head up the curriculum office wouldn’t be involved with the RFP. Sounds like they’re “withdrawing” to avoid being disqualified from the RFP and are positioning themselves to be chosen 6 months down the road.
http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/MCPS-Pauses-Search-for-New-Curriculum-After-Learning-Staff-Members-Are-Taking-Jobs-with-Vendor/

So you think that after July 1, when Lang and Fliakas are working for Discovery, they'll submit another RFP during round two?

sounds like a possibility actually - But will the county entertain it?

Now that there has been negative press, hopefully not. But you never know.

DP

Not really much negative press. It's really just on this website. Most people are probably not even really aware. That's how MCPS works. It's so large and bulky that you can kinda get away with anything.

[Anonymous]

Bethesda Magazine has an article, but you’re right — I haven’t seen the Washington Post or WAMU pick up the story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had Discovery Education (formerly United Streaming) in MCPS for at least the last 13 or 14 years. I'm just bummed that I'll have to continue teaching a curriculum that has been proven to be ineffective. My biggest fear is that they try and implement the new curriculum mid-year and make 4,321 modifications to the scope and sequence to make it work. Just thinking about the insanity of this makes my blood boil. I cannot believe what a clusterf*ck these last few years in MCPS have been as a teacher. We've complained about 2.0 since it rolled out. The class sizes feel like they're increasing and the behaviors we see in the schools are horrific. It's hard to teach ALL kids when you have such incredible disrespect, fighting and defiance being tolerated thanks to the good old Code of Conduct. The kids know there are zero consequences. Sorry I'll stop my rant now..

It's not like this everywhere. I've had friends move to other counties with NO regrets. Unfortunately, MCPS traps you with salary and good benefits. And b/c it's so big, it's hard to see OUTSIDE of MCPS.

It's scary making the move; I know. But I'm jumping ship this year after 20+ years in the county. The behaviors are out of control b/c kids know they aren't held accountable. The other day, a student told the principal to f off. Principal did nothing.

This is the beginning of the end.

It is out. of. control.

We have had SO MANY issues this year at our ES. We’re talking about 8 and 9 year old kids. Bus bullying. Attacking the teacher. Destruction of the facilities. Student fights. All with such minimal (if any) consequences. No idea how teachers do it. You could not pay me enough to deal with the disrespect, from both the students and from Central Office.

[Anonymous]

MCCPTA is out of touch on this if they think parents are upset that the curriculum replacement process is going too fast.

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/MCPS-Pauses-Search-for-New-Curriculum-After-Learning-Staff-Members-Are-Taking-Jobs-with-Vendor/

Amanda Graver, who chairs the curriculum committee for the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, said some parents had complained the search for new instructional materials seemed rushed.

“This will appease the people who feel like it was moving too fast,” she said Tuesday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda Magazine has an article, but you’re right — I haven’t seen the Washington Post or WAMU pick up the story.

I bet they will after a day or two. I hope they try to explain why MCPS doesn't think it's a violation of policy that Erick Lang didn't disclose this conflict of interest while he was interviewing with Discovery Ed while designing the RFP, and why Discovery Ed is feigning ignorance when the RFP was public knowledge and Erick Lang's position in the office of curriculum was public knowledge (and presumably the reason why he was hired).

[Anonymous]

How do you “retire” from your position to take a new job with Discovery?

[Anonymous]

When you hit a certain number of years in the county, you can retire with the max possible pension. So you retire from MCPS not retire from working period. Younger teachers won’t have this option—the days of the pension like that are gone.