Sign Petition Asking for Boundaries Now, Programs Later

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw the notion that MCPS shouldn't invest in advanced courses in majority Black and Brown schools is racist. Their take is Black and Brown students are dumb based on their race and don't need these courses. The reality is Black and Brown students are underrepresented in these courses for a variety of reasons, some of which are MCPS's own fault. One of those reasons is simply not offering these courses in majority Black and Brown schools.

Nobody has said that. What has been repeated is that if there are only 5-10 kids in one school who qualify for a class, then the county does not have the resources to offer it in house- though those kids can access it through MC. Color of the skin is not a barrier for anyone in MCPS.

It does have the resources. It just doesn't want to allocate them in that way.

Exactly! If there only a few kids with interest or who qualify for a class, MCPS should NOT allocate funds in that way. Funds should be allocated for the biggest bang for the buck. And each school SHOULD determine what that is for their school population.

Educating smart kids has a massive "bang for the buck", especially those from low income communities whose parents can't afford or swing enrichment outside of school.

Transporting half the academically advanced cohort from a low income school to a high income school has a negative bang for the buck because it makes it harder to offer appropriate courses for the kids who are left behind. Their education suffers.

Any research supporting this hypothesis? Whose buck is it?

Any research supporting paying to teach MVC to Whitman students? Why are MY tax dollars paying for this? Humph.

If there is a full class of kids at any school, it makes sense for a math teacher to teach it. If there is not a full class of kids, it does not make sense. So, why don’t you ask the county for how many kids are requesting it at each school and go from there?

If there are not enough kids at Whitman, then absolutely it should be dropped. It doesn’t matter which school it is. It doesn’t matter the color of kid’s skin. All that matters is that it is for a full class of students who need that level of class.

But they don't need it. We know they don't need it because most qualified students in MCPS don't have access to it. Surely there is a better use of resources.

You’re right that they don’t NEED it, but if there’s enough interest, a school holds the class. Classes with low enrollment get canceled- it doesn’t matter if they are an art, a math, theater, whatever. Classes with high enrollment stay on the schedule. It doesn’t matter which MCPS school it is, they all follow that policy. This shouldn’t be so hard for you to understand.

The issue isn't low enrollment, its staffing allocations and what classes principals choose to offer.

If they don't need it, then cut it out from all schools. Why should kids from Whitman get it, but not at Kennedy?

You do realize it’s not just classes, right? Some schools have a marching band, others don’t. Some have a crew team, others don’t. Some have brand new buildings, others have crumbling walls. Some have ample student parking, others don’t. Some have open lunch, some have block scheduling, and so on and so forth. There are a million different aspects to these schools that make them different.

So should we cut all of that? Do you want to harm more kids so all’s fair?

Yes, let's cut it all and make things equal. You clearly don't have a good understanding of what goes on. Crew is run privately by non-profits, and anyone from any school can join the teams. I don't know about Whitman but Blair welcomes everyone.

You think it's ok that some kids go to schools with mold and falling ceilings, while your kids are in schools newly rebuilt or remodeled? You think it's healthy for kids with asthma and other breathing/health issues to be in these schools falling apart?

You think it's fair that your school has a strong music program when others don't have the basics, including marching band? MCPS could have every school have a marching band. They fund some schools, including instruments, uniforms and instructors, so why not do it for all?

You think it is fair to tell kids to get advanced classes, they have to drive or be driven to other schools, and not provide parking?

You think it's fair that some schools have open lunch and others don't?

These are all things MCPS should equalize down to class schedules.

Come on. I’d go as far as saying MCPS should prioritize putting classes like MVC and Physics C at every high school. Even if only 15 students can take it. Even if it necessitates another school not getting Linear Algebra or Quantum Mechanics anymore. I think that would be fairer and more equitable than what we have now.

But there are going to be differences between the 25-26 MCPS high schools. It’s unreasonable to demand there won’t be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw the notion that MCPS shouldn't invest in advanced courses in majority Black and Brown schools is racist. Their take is Black and Brown students are dumb based on their race and don't need these courses. The reality is Black and Brown students are underrepresented in these courses for a variety of reasons, some of which are MCPS's own fault. One of those reasons is simply not offering these courses in majority Black and Brown schools.

Nobody has said that. What has been repeated is that if there are only 5-10 kids in one school who qualify for a class, then the county does not have the resources to offer it in house- though those kids can access it through MC. Color of the skin is not a barrier for anyone in MCPS.

It does have the resources. It just doesn't want to allocate them in that way.

Exactly! If there only a few kids with interest or who qualify for a class, MCPS should NOT allocate funds in that way. Funds should be allocated for the biggest bang for the buck. And each school SHOULD determine what that is for their school population.

Educating smart kids has a massive "bang for the buck", especially those from low income communities whose parents can't afford or swing enrichment outside of school.

Transporting half the academically advanced cohort from a low income school to a high income school has a negative bang for the buck because it makes it harder to offer appropriate courses for the kids who are left behind. Their education suffers.

Any research supporting this hypothesis? Whose buck is it?

Any research supporting paying to teach MVC to Whitman students? Why are MY tax dollars paying for this? Humph.

If there is a full class of kids at any school, it makes sense for a math teacher to teach it. If there is not a full class of kids, it does not make sense. So, why don’t you ask the county for how many kids are requesting it at each school and go from there?

If there are not enough kids at Whitman, then absolutely it should be dropped. It doesn’t matter which school it is. It doesn’t matter the color of kid’s skin. All that matters is that it is for a full class of students who need that level of class.

But they don't need it. We know they don't need it because most qualified students in MCPS don't have access to it. Surely there is a better use of resources.

You’re right that they don’t NEED it, but if there’s enough interest, a school holds the class. Classes with low enrollment get canceled- it doesn’t matter if they are an art, a math, theater, whatever. Classes with high enrollment stay on the schedule. It doesn’t matter which MCPS school it is, they all follow that policy. This shouldn’t be so hard for you to understand.

The issue isn't low enrollment, its staffing allocations and what classes principals choose to offer.

If they don't need it, then cut it out from all schools. Why should kids from Whitman get it, but not at Kennedy?

You do realize it’s not just classes, right? Some schools have a marching band, others don’t. Some have a crew team, others don’t. Some have brand new buildings, others have crumbling walls. Some have ample student parking, others don’t. Some have open lunch, some have block scheduling, and so on and so forth. There are a million different aspects to these schools that make them different.

So should we cut all of that? Do you want to harm more kids so all’s fair?

Yes, let's cut it all and make things equal. You clearly don't have a good understanding of what goes on. Crew is run privately by non-profits, and anyone from any school can join the teams. I don't know about Whitman but Blair welcomes everyone.

You think it's ok that some kids go to schools with mold and falling ceilings, while your kids are in schools newly rebuilt or remodeled? You think it's healthy for kids with asthma and other breathing/health issues to be in these schools falling apart?

You think it's fair that your school has a strong music program when others don't have the basics, including marching band? MCPS could have every school have a marching band. They fund some schools, including instruments, uniforms and instructors, so why not do it for all?

You think it is fair to tell kids to get advanced classes, they have to drive or be driven to other schools, and not provide parking?

You think it's fair that some schools have open lunch and others don't?

These are all things MCPS should equalize down to class schedules.

Come on. I’d go as far as saying MCPS should prioritize putting classes like MVC and Physics C at every high school. Even if only 15 students can take it. Even if it necessitates another school not getting Linear Algebra or Quantum Mechanics anymore. I think that would be fairer and more equitable than what we have now.

But there are going to be differences between the 25-26 MCPS high schools. It’s unreasonable to demand there won’t be.

They aren’t going to do that. They’ve been clear that what the minimum will be and it’s Calc bc. They can bus kids to another school or offer it virtually or have a teacher teach at two nearby schools and pay them mileage and give them a reduced schedule to allow for commute time. Lots of options.

And, this is a separate issue than the regional or boundary issue but with the consortium model kids have a chance to go to a nearby school and now they will not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG I siged the petition as a west county resident because I think that the regional model is not ready for prime time -- but I have to say that the DCC people are driving me nuts. They take over every single thread that has anything to do the boundary or program studies. They make this all about themselves. They are alienating potential allies across the county. They are really terrible advocates.

You understand there is a huge disparity in what your school has to offer and what ours offers? The DCC gives kids at least a chance to be lottery into another school that better meets their needs. We want equal opportunities for our kids. Your kids have what they need; ours don't.

I'm telling you that this is a really bad advocacy strategy. Don't you have some lobbyists in the DCC that can advise you?

You should be trying to get people across the county to come to your side. This program analysis is terrible and you could easily do that by focusing on how it's terrible *for everyone* not just the DCC. Instead on every thread all of you focus on how awful it is *for the DCC.* That's not effective.

At this point you have me wishing I had not signed that petition. That's not what you want. You want people across the county on your side, not just people in the DCC.

I’m not lobbying. I did not sign the petition as I did not feel it included all the concerns and it was very limited. There is not actual program analysis for true equity. The boundaries make no sense nor does the regional model. There needs to be boundary changes but how it is done it does not take into other factors such as in hs with sports and extracurricular activity and no busses for those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG I siged the petition as a west county resident because I think that the regional model is not ready for prime time -- but I have to say that the DCC people are driving me nuts. They take over every single thread that has anything to do the boundary or program studies. They make this all about themselves. They are alienating potential allies across the county. They are really terrible advocates.

You understand there is a huge disparity in what your school has to offer and what ours offers? The DCC gives kids at least a chance to be lottery into another school that better meets their needs. We want equal opportunities for our kids. Your kids have what they need; ours don't.

I'm telling you that this is a really bad advocacy strategy. Don't you have some lobbyists in the DCC that can advise you?

You should be trying to get people across the county to come to your side. This program analysis is terrible and you could easily do that by focusing on how it's terrible *for everyone* not just the DCC. Instead on every thread all of you focus on how awful it is *for the DCC.* That's not effective.

At this point you have me wishing I had not signed that petition. That's not what you want. You want people across the county on your side, not just people in the DCC.

I’m not lobbying. I did not sign the petition as I did not feel it included all the concerns and it was very limited. There is not actual program analysis for true equity. The boundaries make no sense nor does the regional model. There needs to be boundary changes but how it is done it does not take into other factors such as in hs with sports and extracurricular activity and no busses for those.

And, I don’t want you on my side as my side is not what you keep assuming. I want my kids local and not bussed. I want my kids to have the same access to classes, activities, sports and clubs as yours. This new model is going to make the dcc and other schools higher farms increasing the disparities as families will leave. If the regional model goes through we will go private or leave the county once the oldest graduates as we don’t want to disrupt them but not having our younger kids who are equally smart not get their needs and interests met. So, you win as we will leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG I siged the petition as a west county resident because I think that the regional model is not ready for prime time -- but I have to say that the DCC people are driving me nuts. They take over every single thread that has anything to do the boundary or program studies. They make this all about themselves. They are alienating potential allies across the county. They are really terrible advocates.

+1000. I think the academic program analysis has been seriously mismanaged by MCPS, but this advocacy strategy of saying west county schools should be impacted in the boundary study because east county students are impacted in the six region model is only going to alienate people. And it’s also going to hurt the hundreds of lower-income Black and Latino families in the subsidized apartments in the east side of the BCC cluster. The first round of options changed B-CC primarily by disrupting Silver Creek MS, while leaving the much wealthier Westland MS on the west side of the cluster mostly untouched. Given how far west Westland is, my guess is that any new boundary options that mess with BCC will again do so by disrupting the Silver Creek side. This isn’t just bad tactics, but also bad for families like the ones the DCC people on this thread say they care about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG I siged the petition as a west county resident because I think that the regional model is not ready for prime time -- but I have to say that the DCC people are driving me nuts. They take over every single thread that has anything to do the boundary or program studies. They make this all about themselves. They are alienating potential allies across the county. They are really terrible advocates.

+1000. I think the academic program analysis has been seriously mismanaged by MCPS, but this advocacy strategy of saying west county schools should be impacted in the boundary study because east county students are impacted in the six region model is only going to alienate people. And it’s also going to hurt the hundreds of lower-income Black and Latino families in the subsidized apartments in the east side of the BCC cluster. The first round of options changed B-CC primarily by disrupting Silver Creek MS, while leaving the much wealthier Westland MS on the west side of the cluster mostly untouched. Given how far west Westland is, my guess is that any new boundary options that mess with BCC will again do so by disrupting the Silver Creek side. This isn’t just bad tactics, but also bad for families like the ones the DCC people on this thread say they care about.

That’s why it doesn’t have a lot of signatures or support. People here are making huge assumptions we all agree with it or the strategies and we don’t. But, losing the DCC impacts far more. It’s not our place to advocate for BCC, although it would be nice if everyone worked together, as the impact with the DCC is far greater. Reality is this will all go through and things will get much worse in MCPS and the divide even greater. Boundaries need to be changed but not in the way they are doing it. Many of the wealthier families choose their homes and schools and have no issue with how diverse they are. Let the rich schools keep their boundaries, gain an extra school and leave the DCC alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG I siged the petition as a west county resident because I think that the regional model is not ready for prime time -- but I have to say that the DCC people are driving me nuts. They take over every single thread that has anything to do the boundary or program studies. They make this all about themselves. They are alienating potential allies across the county. They are really terrible advocates.

+1000. I think the academic program analysis has been seriously mismanaged by MCPS, but this advocacy strategy of saying west county schools should be impacted in the boundary study because east county students are impacted in the six region model is only going to alienate people. And it’s also going to hurt the hundreds of lower-income Black and Latino families in the subsidized apartments in the east side of the BCC cluster. The first round of options changed B-CC primarily by disrupting Silver Creek MS, while leaving the much wealthier Westland MS on the west side of the cluster mostly untouched. Given how far west Westland is, my guess is that any new boundary options that mess with BCC will again do so by disrupting the Silver Creek side. This isn’t just bad tactics, but also bad for families like the ones the DCC people on this thread say they care about.

DCC people are posting because we're impacted a lot by these proposals and the west county schools are not. If you don't like that, that's a you problem.

[Anonymous]

We will never get anywhere with an us vs them mentality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We will never get anywhere with an us vs them mentality.

That’s how it’s always been as the divide is huge. We are paying for a much better education for some kids while others go without.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We will never get anywhere with an us vs them mentality.

It's not a mentality. The difference in how the east vs west were treated in the second round of options for the Woodward study was immediately apparent. And removing the DCC, which allows students to access coursework that west county students have at their home schools, is a double punch to families.

I get that pointing out differences in treatment is uncomfortable but the differences are real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to wonder if the "DCC poster" is a bot. I'm serious here. Either they are just pathological at repeating the same thing and arguing in the same way thread after thread, or a bot is being trained.

Oh MVC Einstein my kid will not graduate high school unless MVC is offered at Einstein is a bot? That is funny and oddly reassuring.

If MCPS does not offer it during the school day and does not provide transportation how do you propose kids get graduation requirements in?

Do high school classes taken in middle school not count towards graduation requirements?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will never get anywhere with an us vs them mentality.

That’s how it’s always been as the divide is huge. We are paying for a much better education for some kids while others go without.

That is simply not true. If you moved the population of Whitman into Kennedy’s building with their existing teachers/classes/schedules, the kids would still flourish due to their home life. The better education you seek is right in your school. Without the countywide magnets to pull kids out, each school will have a healthy group of high achievers who can track together. MCPS cannot change the demographics of the county and people from all areas of the county have prioritized shorter commutes to school, so the schools are set. If you don’t like the peers at your child’s school that is a YOU problem and not an MCPS problem. Or you can move. Nobody really cares. Schools choice for the DCC (and only the DCC) is a silly thing to fight for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will never get anywhere with an us vs them mentality.

That’s how it’s always been as the divide is huge. We are paying for a much better education for some kids while others go without.

That is simply not true. If you moved the population of Whitman into Kennedy’s building with their existing teachers/classes/schedules, the kids would still flourish due to their home life. The better education you seek is right in your school. Without the countywide magnets to pull kids out, each school will have a healthy group of high achievers who can track together. MCPS cannot change the demographics of the county and people from all areas of the county have prioritized shorter commutes to school, so the schools are set. If you don’t like the peers at your child’s school that is a YOU problem and not an MCPS problem. Or you can move. Nobody really cares. Schools choice for the DCC (and only the DCC) is a silly thing to fight for.

The petition asks to slow the regional program implementation and does not ask to keep the DCC and only for the DCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will never get anywhere with an us vs them mentality.

That’s how it’s always been as the divide is huge. We are paying for a much better education for some kids while others go without.

That is simply not true. If you moved the population of Whitman into Kennedy’s building with their existing teachers/classes/schedules, the kids would still flourish due to their home life. The better education you seek is right in your school. Without the countywide magnets to pull kids out, each school will have a healthy group of high achievers who can track together. MCPS cannot change the demographics of the county and people from all areas of the county have prioritized shorter commutes to school, so the schools are set. If you don’t like the peers at your child’s school that is a YOU problem and not an MCPS problem. Or you can move. Nobody really cares. Schools choice for the DCC (and only the DCC) is a silly thing to fight for.

The petition asks to slow the regional program implementation and does not ask to keep the DCC and only for the DCC.

The petition very much advocates for school choice for the DCC.

[Anonymous]

Why do so many DCC people lottery out of Kennedy? Is it racial makeup, lack of class offerings, behavior, something else?