Hearing Testimony on FCPS Proposed CIP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah...isn't the point that all of these ESOL students wouldn't be in an IB school and that the school would meet state benchmarks?

I assume the IB only school would be crazy competitive.

Not really.

IB has such a bad reputation in fcps based off how they implemented it and also the restrictions of IB.

It would not be crazy competitive to get into an IB magnet, especially in that half of the county. It is a niche program that is not in demand or that highly regarded by most of fcps.

Plus, an IB magnet would require displacement of almost all of Lee's population. A tech magnet would not.

Yeah no. There are between 400 and 500 seats in thebIb program when you pool all of these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ Rezoning and distributing those low performing schools into neighboring schools does not work. It just creates a domino effect where where high performing families move out, creating two or three low performing schools where there was once only one. It is a domino effect.

They need to thing in a different way with Lee instead of rezoning. That has been proven over and over to not work and just creates more low schools.

Most of those kids are not on the VA tech track. A large percentage of Lee's student body will probably go into trades type careers (something we need as a society). They should do away with the failed IB program at Lee and switch to only AP, so higher achieving and tansitional students can pick classes a la carte.

Then they need to bring more academy classes into that school, perhaps soliciting corporate involvement, to give those kids real life skills in technology and trades that can translate well into job and life skills after graduation. This will meet the needs of the students at Lee.

IB obviously is not meeting their needs, even remotely. The traditional fcps model is not either as evidenced by their test scores. AP will provide a place for academically minded kids, and quality tech and trades classes will give the other kids, a large portion of their population, pride in their school along with real life skills. If it is done well, with corporate partnerships, I bet we will see a change in the achievement at Lee.

Actually, what needs to happen is to spread out affordable housing so that it is more equitable throughout the county instead of concentrated where it is. Then there would be no need for ridiculous contorted boundaries.

You are assuming all the Hispanic families at Lee want to live somewhere else. They might not. People tend to want to live in a neighborhood where they feel comfortable and have a sense of community, and where they have the least painful commute. If those folks have roots in their neighborhood and school they might not be interested in living somewhere else or having their kids rezoned away from their neighborhood and communities.

So why wouldn’t they feel comfortable anywhere? And where do you think they’re commuting to? They’re likely working all throughout the county, so they should have access to housing throughout the county.

[Anonymous]

Any update on this? I actually support the idea of creating a single IB school at the Lee site. Is there someone I could call or advocate to in order to show my support?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any update on this? I actually support the idea of creating a single IB school at the Lee site. Is there someone I could call or advocate to in order to show my support?

They are doing budget research on this. Facilities is looking at whether the demand for a spot in the IB only school would provide sufficient space in the neighboring schools. They are also looking at redistricting. Won't be in the next CIP until the numbers (bodies and $$) make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any update on this? I actually support the idea of creating a single IB school at the Lee site. Is there someone I could call or advocate to in order to show my support?

I think it's as good idea to email the school board members and some of the heads in administration like Brabrand.

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any update on this? I actually support the idea of creating a single IB school at the Lee site. Is there someone I could call or advocate to in order to show my support?

I think it's as good idea to email the school board members and some of the heads in administration like Brabrand.

Yes and let them know what a stupid idea this is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any update on this? I actually support the idea of creating a single IB school at the Lee site. Is there someone I could call or advocate to in order to show my support?

I think it's as good idea to email the school board members and some of the heads in administration like Brabrand.

Yes and let them know what a stupid idea this is.

Good to get viewpoints from many perspectives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The longer term solution is to reduce poverty in the Central Springfield area. If not, the poverty will expand west into West Springfield feeders (such as Cardinal Forest, Rolling Valley, and Keene Mill), east into Edison feeders, and south into South County feeders.

The Federal government must get control of our borders. Even if immigrants work hard and move up out of poverty, our current situation just allows more poverty to back fill in. There is a never ending supply of people who would like to be in the United States. We cannot take them all.

The TSA moves to Springfield in 2020. That will gentrify the area.

[Anonymous]

I also support creating an IB magnet HS program for students who want to be in the program. It would be a school where students can work toward IB certificates or IB diplomas.

Creating an IB magnet secondary school program may also work. It could be the smallest secondary school but the idea is to give IB students a school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also support creating an IB magnet HS program for students who want to be in the program. It would be a school where students can work toward IB certificates or IB diplomas.

Creating an IB magnet secondary school program may also work. It could be the smallest secondary school but the idea is to give IB students a school.

Update from the Gatehouse. They are considering designating Key as the IB MYP regional center and Lee as the IB regional high school. Someone prepared a presentation that explained how facilities would manage the shifting elementary feeders and the study focused on projections based on pupil placement to the new center. It would be voluntary, but the thought is that demand would exceed seats so each of the pyramids feeding into the center would get a certain amount of seats and there would be a lottery/wait-list. They are debating putting bus service into the cost projections. Without it, consolidation would save money. With it, consolidation would essentially be a wash.

This is also very preliminary.

What's crazy is that this crisis was created when the county slashed ESOL funding and threw students into Lee who were in specialized programs at the Marshall night school. They thought they could do this since the state allowed them to VGLA instead of taking the SOL. It all blew up in their faces when the state was like no more VGLA and when the assessment folks starting looking into projected SOL scores saw that Lee would very quickly get in trouble with the state.

Now, instead of just admitting they screwed up in order to save a few million in instructional compensation, people are looking at the regional IB site as a way to fix the issue without going back to the Marshall model. If they can achieve it with a cost savings, it might actually happen. If it's a wash, it's less likely. And if it's more expensive, it's DOA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also support creating an IB magnet HS program for students who want to be in the program. It would be a school where students can work toward IB certificates or IB diplomas.

Creating an IB magnet secondary school program may also work. It could be the smallest secondary school but the idea is to give IB students a school.

Update from the Gatehouse. They are considering designating Key as the IB MYP regional center and Lee as the IB regional high school. Someone prepared a presentation that explained how facilities would manage the shifting elementary feeders and the study focused on projections based on pupil placement to the new center. It would be voluntary, but the thought is that demand would exceed seats so each of the pyramids feeding into the center would get a certain amount of seats and there would be a lottery/wait-list. They are debating putting bus service into the cost projections. Without it, consolidation would save money. With it, consolidation would essentially be a wash.

This is also very preliminary.

What's crazy is that this crisis was created when the county slashed ESOL funding and threw students into Lee who were in specialized programs at the Marshall night school. They thought they could do this since the state allowed them to VGLA instead of taking the SOL. It all blew up in their faces when the state was like no more VGLA and when the assessment folks starting looking into projected SOL scores saw that Lee would very quickly get in trouble with the state.

Now, instead of just admitting they screwed up in order to save a few million in instructional compensation, people are looking at the regional IB site as a way to fix the issue without going back to the Marshall model. If they can achieve it with a cost savings, it might actually happen. If it's a wash, it's less likely. And if it's more expensive, it's DOA.

IB is more expensive so it could be a cost savings to have a regional IB program and at first glance I support this. I haven't heard what the Marshall model is as an alternative and don't have the history on this. Can you give more information?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also support creating an IB magnet HS program for students who want to be in the program. It would be a school where students can work toward IB certificates or IB diplomas.

Creating an IB magnet secondary school program may also work. It could be the smallest secondary school but the idea is to give IB students a school.

Update from the Gatehouse. They are considering designating Key as the IB MYP regional center and Lee as the IB regional high school. Someone prepared a presentation that explained how facilities would manage the shifting elementary feeders and the study focused on projections based on pupil placement to the new center. It would be voluntary, but the thought is that demand would exceed seats so each of the pyramids feeding into the center would get a certain amount of seats and there would be a lottery/wait-list. They are debating putting bus service into the cost projections. Without it, consolidation would save money. With it, consolidation would essentially be a wash.

This is also very preliminary.

What's crazy is that this crisis was created when the county slashed ESOL funding and threw students into Lee who were in specialized programs at the Marshall night school. They thought they could do this since the state allowed them to VGLA instead of taking the SOL. It all blew up in their faces when the state was like no more VGLA and when the assessment folks starting looking into projected SOL scores saw that Lee would very quickly get in trouble with the state.

Now, instead of just admitting they screwed up in order to save a few million in instructional compensation, people are looking at the regional IB site as a way to fix the issue without going back to the Marshall model. If they can achieve it with a cost savings, it might actually happen. If it's a wash, it's less likely. And if it's more expensive, it's DOA.

IB is more expensive so it could be a cost savings to have a regional IB program and at first glance I support this. I haven't heard what the Marshall model is as an alternative and don't have the history on this. Can you give more information?

Marshall had an evening ESOL school. It was focused on new arrivals and older learners and worked to get students to graduate. A lot of these students were over 18. Most of these students also did training in the trades. For example, a friend of mine worked there before being de-staffed and she mentioned that many of her students were working to become CNAs, so she focused on teaching English to them so they could get through the program and graduate. It was a good program, but the county cut it to save money. It was a politically unpopular program and there was little resistance since these students were not a population that would lead to blow back (compare: cutting immersion).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also support creating an IB magnet HS program for students who want to be in the program. It would be a school where students can work toward IB certificates or IB diplomas.

Creating an IB magnet secondary school program may also work. It could be the smallest secondary school but the idea is to give IB students a school.

Update from the Gatehouse. They are considering designating Key as the IB MYP regional center and Lee as the IB regional high school. Someone prepared a presentation that explained how facilities would manage the shifting elementary feeders and the study focused on projections based on pupil placement to the new center. It would be voluntary, but the thought is that demand would exceed seats so each of the pyramids feeding into the center would get a certain amount of seats and there would be a lottery/wait-list. They are debating putting bus service into the cost projections. Without it, consolidation would save money. With it, consolidation would essentially be a wash.

This is also very preliminary.

What's crazy is that this crisis was created when the county slashed ESOL funding and threw students into Lee who were in specialized programs at the Marshall night school. They thought they could do this since the state allowed them to VGLA instead of taking the SOL. It all blew up in their faces when the state was like no more VGLA and when the assessment folks starting looking into projected SOL scores saw that Lee would very quickly get in trouble with the state.

Now, instead of just admitting they screwed up in order to save a few million in instructional compensation, people are looking at the regional IB site as a way to fix the issue without going back to the Marshall model. If they can achieve it with a cost savings, it might actually happen. If it's a wash, it's less likely. And if it's more expensive, it's DOA.

IB is more expensive so it could be a cost savings to have a regional IB program and at first glance I support this. I haven't heard what the Marshall model is as an alternative and don't have the history on this. Can you give more information?

Marshall had an evening ESOL school. It was focused on new arrivals and older learners and worked to get students to graduate. A lot of these students were over 18. Most of these students also did training in the trades. For example, a friend of mine worked there before being de-staffed and she mentioned that many of her students were working to become CNAs, so she focused on teaching English to them so they could get through the program and graduate. It was a good program, but the county cut it to save money. It was a politically unpopular program and there was little resistance since these students were not a population that would lead to blow back (compare: cutting immersion).

Was the state against this program or was it just a budget cut during the recession? Was this in addition to them going to a day school or a completely separate school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also support creating an IB magnet HS program for students who want to be in the program. It would be a school where students can work toward IB certificates or IB diplomas.

Creating an IB magnet secondary school program may also work. It could be the smallest secondary school but the idea is to give IB students a school.

Update from the Gatehouse. They are considering designating Key as the IB MYP regional center and Lee as the IB regional high school. Someone prepared a presentation that explained how facilities would manage the shifting elementary feeders and the study focused on projections based on pupil placement to the new center. It would be voluntary, but the thought is that demand would exceed seats so each of the pyramids feeding into the center would get a certain amount of seats and there would be a lottery/wait-list. They are debating putting bus service into the cost projections. Without it, consolidation would save money. With it, consolidation would essentially be a wash.

This is also very preliminary.

What's crazy is that this crisis was created when the county slashed ESOL funding and threw students into Lee who were in specialized programs at the Marshall night school. They thought they could do this since the state allowed them to VGLA instead of taking the SOL. It all blew up in their faces when the state was like no more VGLA and when the assessment folks starting looking into projected SOL scores saw that Lee would very quickly get in trouble with the state.

Now, instead of just admitting they screwed up in order to save a few million in instructional compensation, people are looking at the regional IB site as a way to fix the issue without going back to the Marshall model. If they can achieve it with a cost savings, it might actually happen. If it's a wash, it's less likely. And if it's more expensive, it's DOA.

IB is more expensive so it could be a cost savings to have a regional IB program and at first glance I support this. I haven't heard what the Marshall model is as an alternative and don't have the history on this. Can you give more information?

Marshall had an evening ESOL school. It was focused on new arrivals and older learners and worked to get students to graduate. A lot of these students were over 18. Most of these students also did training in the trades. For example, a friend of mine worked there before being de-staffed and she mentioned that many of her students were working to become CNAs, so she focused on teaching English to them so they could get through the program and graduate. It was a good program, but the county cut it to save money. It was a politically unpopular program and there was little resistance since these students were not a population that would lead to blow back (compare: cutting immersion).

Was the state against this program or was it just a budget cut during the recession? Was this in addition to them going to a day school or a completely separate school?

No, the state didn't have anything to do with the program. It was a county program and the county was looking to cut programs that wouldn't cause of big blow back.

The state falls into this because these students used to take VGLA or weren't tested at SOL as new comers. The state changed its rule on testing for these types of ESOL students. That caught the county off guard. They didn't expect this to happen. Now, it's the whole exercise of showing they didn't screw up by doing something to prevent the bad consequences of their original idea.