The RFP in MCPS - are they going to gut the magnet and immersion programs or enhance them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^19:41. The pdf file won't let me cut and paste but i was mostly concerned about what i read in chapters 1 and 2... where it talks about "equity" issue (bottom of chapter 2) and conducting reviews to assess whether the current programs meet the original purpose...etc. Just a couple of examples but it's all over the RFP. I, personally, read these as precursors to propose changes to the special programs down the road.

I think you need to read this RFP within the context of what's going on with MCPS now days with large influx of new students it needs to serve without additional funds. Money is tight, size is of MCPS is increasing, and, I think, MCPS is looking for areas to "reinvent" - and the special program maybe on the table.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/431458.page;jsessionid=914820DED75F6FEFB3F99460E1285DFD.dcum1

Now the cuts begin! I think the RFP is one part of Starr's overall strategy to cut/save money.

[Anonymous]

Just remember that the purpose of the magnet programs was to boost the schools in which they were housed - raise the test scores and increase ethnic diversity. These programs have done a lot to improve the quality of the schools and at least on paper raise the test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just remember that the purpose of the magnet programs was to boost the schools in which they were housed - raise the test scores and increase ethnic diversity. These programs have done a lot to improve the quality of the schools and at least on paper raise the test scores.

+100.

Plus, the hope that DC will get into a MS or HS magnet has kept many an elementary school family in MCPS instead of going private.

No way MCPS will get rid of the magnets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just remember that the purpose of the magnet programs was to boost the schools in which they were housed - raise the test scores and increase ethnic diversity. These programs have done a lot to improve the quality of the schools and at least on paper raise the test scores.

+100.

Plus, the hope that DC will get into a MS or HS magnet has kept many an elementary school family in MCPS instead of going private.

No way MCPS will get rid of the magnets.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Read what Starr did while at Stamford. His recent interview also gives you hints at where he is going.

Magnets are being dismantled.

[Anonymous]

Starr interview
http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/montgomery-county-school-chief-joshua-starrs-biggest-problemeveryone-wants-to-go-to-his-schools/

Washingtonian: Is one solution to change the actual demographic makeup of the schools through school choice?

Starr: We recently put out a request-for-proposal for a major study of our choice processes. I was superintendent in Stamford, Connecticut, a tenth the size of Montgomery County but almost the same demographics. We had a rule that said every school must look like the district as a whole, within 10 percent. We don’t have that in Montgomery County.

Magnets are being dismantled becuase it "must look like the district as a whole, within 10 percent."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Starr interview
http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/montgomery-county-school-chief-joshua-starrs-biggest-problemeveryone-wants-to-go-to-his-schools/

Washingtonian: Is one solution to change the actual demographic makeup of the schools through school choice?

Starr: We recently put out a request-for-proposal for a major study of our choice processes. I was superintendent in Stamford, Connecticut, a tenth the size of Montgomery County but almost the same demographics. We had a rule that said every school must look like the district as a whole, within 10 percent. We don’t have that in Montgomery County.

Magnets are being dismantled becuase it "must look like the district as a whole, within 10 percent."

Huh? The magnets ENHANCE diversity in their schools, that's why they're placed where the are. Also the magnets are extremely valuable to MCPS for reasons noted in other posts.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the link. I personally do not like what he said. He sounds like a socialist educator. His policy on every school must look like the district as a whole within 10% is just stupid. If he applies that same rule, how would he define a "district"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starr interview
http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/montgomery-county-school-chief-joshua-starrs-biggest-problemeveryone-wants-to-go-to-his-schools/

Washingtonian: Is one solution to change the actual demographic makeup of the schools through school choice?

Starr: We recently put out a request-for-proposal for a major study of our choice processes. I was superintendent in Stamford, Connecticut, a tenth the size of Montgomery County but almost the same demographics. We had a rule that said every school must look like the district as a whole, within 10 percent. We don’t have that in Montgomery County.

Magnets are being dismantled becuase it "must look like the district as a whole, within 10 percent."

Huh? The magnets ENHANCE diversity in their schools, that's why they're placed where the are. Also the magnets are extremely valuable to MCPS for reasons noted in other posts.

Duh. Magnets are schools within schools. Minorities whine that there are very few of their demographic in the magnet. So, open up the magnet to anyone who wants it. As the kids are brought in to jerrymander the demographic make up more begin to fail. The end result is standards are diminished. At a school where there are large numbers of least prepared kids the standards are lowered to a level that is below what you would see at a "W" school.

That is how you kill magnets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Duh. Magnets are schools within schools. Minorities whine that there are very few of their demographic in the magnet. So, open up the magnet to anyone who wants it. As the kids are brought in to jerrymander the demographic make up more begin to fail. The end result is standards are diminished. At a school where there are large numbers of least prepared kids the standards are lowered to a level that is below what you would see at a "W" school.

That is how you kill magnets.

Most of the magnets actually are open to anyone who wants them. There are only a few magnets in MCPS where you have to test in.

Also, I don't think it's possible to gerrymander a demographic make-up.

Also, how dare those minorities whine about the public school system, I guess.

Starr definitely has a habit of talking when he should not talk, but no, MCPS is not going to "kill the magnets," and MCPS is also not going to get rid of zoned schools. It would be politically impossible for Starr to do either of those things, even if he wanted to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Duh. Magnets are schools within schools. Minorities whine that there are very few of their demographic in the magnet. So, open up the magnet to anyone who wants it. As the kids are brought in to jerrymander the demographic make up more begin to fail. The end result is standards are diminished. At a school where there are large numbers of least prepared kids the standards are lowered to a level that is below what you would see at a "W" school.

That is how you kill magnets.

Most of the magnets actually are open to anyone who wants them. There are only a few magnets in MCPS where you have to test in.

Also, I don't think it's possible to gerrymander a demographic make-up.

Also, how dare those minorities whine about the public school system, I guess.

Starr definitely has a habit of talking when he should not talk, but no, MCPS is not going to "kill the magnets," and MCPS is also not going to get rid of zoned schools. It would be politically impossible for Starr to do either of those things, even if he wanted to.

On the other thread, someone suggest "busing" as an option to solve 10% issue. Sounds like, though, he is willing to try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the magnets actually are open to anyone who wants them. There are only a few magnets in MCPS where you have to test in.

Also, I don't think it's possible to gerrymander a demographic make-up.

Also, how dare those minorities whine about the public school system, I guess.

Starr definitely has a habit of talking when he should not talk, but no, MCPS is not going to "kill the magnets," and MCPS is also not going to get rid of zoned schools. It would be politically impossible for Starr to do either of those things, even if he wanted to.

On the other thread, someone suggest "busing" as an option to solve 10% issue. Sounds like, though, he is willing to try.

The point is that Starr is not Lord High Emperor, who can say "Let it be done!" and it is done. If Starr is foolish enough to propose getting rid of zoned schools, the middle class will riot in the streets.

[Anonymous]

I suspect that not all magnets have the same impact on demographics. For example, the RCF spanish immersion program is probably vulnerable to termination or relocation given how it operates. Many of the students who attend are coming from schools that have higher FARMS etc. than RCF, and the only reason they applied to the magnet was to avoid attending a relatively high poverty neighborhood school. This leaves the neighborhood schools with fewer middle class students than they would otherwise have, thus exacerbating the demographic imbalances that exist between schools. Does RCF need a magnet to lift it up or level the playing field in terms of test scores and demographics? I suspect if you look around you'll find lots of schools that have a more genuine claim to needing a program of that sort to balance the numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the magnets actually are open to anyone who wants them. There are only a few magnets in MCPS where you have to test in.

Also, I don't think it's possible to gerrymander a demographic make-up.

Also, how dare those minorities whine about the public school system, I guess.

Starr definitely has a habit of talking when he should not talk, but no, MCPS is not going to "kill the magnets," and MCPS is also not going to get rid of zoned schools. It would be politically impossible for Starr to do either of those things, even if he wanted to.

On the other thread, someone suggest "busing" as an option to solve 10% issue. Sounds like, though, he is willing to try.

The point is that Starr is not Lord High Emperor, who can say "Let it be done!" and it is done. If Starr is foolish enough to propose getting rid of zoned schools, the middle class will riot in the streets.

It would be good for the middle class. The wealthy (upper middle class and rich) will riot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the magnets actually are open to anyone who wants them. There are only a few magnets in MCPS where you have to test in.

Also, I don't think it's possible to gerrymander a demographic make-up.

Also, how dare those minorities whine about the public school system, I guess.

Starr definitely has a habit of talking when he should not talk, but no, MCPS is not going to "kill the magnets," and MCPS is also not going to get rid of zoned schools. It would be politically impossible for Starr to do either of those things, even if he wanted to.

On the other thread, someone suggest "busing" as an option to solve 10% issue. Sounds like, though, he is willing to try.

The point is that Starr is not Lord High Emperor, who can say "Let it be done!" and it is done. If Starr is foolish enough to propose getting rid of zoned schools, the middle class will riot in the streets.

I am not in position to judge what he can/can't do but I am old enough to know funny things happen in life. So, I will hold my judgement until we can see how things play out. I think we can all agree on one issue though -- Starr really has a big problem and he is looking for solutions. He may see this as a way to kill two birds with one stone - close the achievement gap and get few bucks saved along the way. I really don't see the BOE pushing him back or parents/students gaining enough traction to hold him back. Starr was the wrong guy for MCPS, IMHO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Starr interview
http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/montgomery-county-school-chief-joshua-starrs-biggest-problemeveryone-wants-to-go-to-his-schools/

Washingtonian: Is one solution to change the actual demographic makeup of the schools through school choice?

Starr: We recently put out a request-for-proposal for a major study of our choice processes. I was superintendent in Stamford, Connecticut, a tenth the size of Montgomery County but almost the same demographics. We had a rule that said every school must look like the district as a whole, within 10 percent. We don’t have that in Montgomery County.

Magnets are being dismantled becuase it "must look like the district as a whole, within 10 percent."

It would be easier to take him seriously if he didn't choose the whitest, wealthiest cluster in MCPS for his own family...