Middle School Magnet Test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In an appeal to the MD Board of Education, the decision stated that in the year considered (I think 2013) TPMS accepted 121 and waitlisted 72. That is close to 200 so it seems likely that they must look at more than 200 to figure out who to admit and waitlist.

This is a magnet. If you cast the net any wider, you dilute the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In an appeal to the MD Board of Education, the decision stated that in the year considered (I think 2013) TPMS accepted 121 and waitlisted 72. That is close to 200 so it seems likely that they must look at more than 200 to figure out who to admit and waitlist.

This is a magnet. If you cast the net any wider, you dilute the program.

What do you mean? This was in response to the poster who said that they only look at the top 200 applicants. Seems that they have to look at more than that to get to this number of acceptances + waitlists.

[Anonymous]

My child reported that before they started the essay section the teacher said that very few students would be able to think outside the box.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In an appeal to the MD Board of Education, the decision stated that in the year considered (I think 2013) TPMS accepted 121 and waitlisted 72. That is close to 200 so it seems likely that they must look at more than 200 to figure out who to admit and waitlist.

This is a magnet. If you cast the net any wider, you dilute the program.

What do you mean? This was in response to the poster who said that they only look at the top 200 applicants. Seems that they have to look at more than that to get to this number of acceptances + waitlists.

The kids who kill the tests are the ones meant for the program. If you widen the pool, it's doubtful you'll find more students capable nailing the reading, the Raven, and/or the essay/math section.

You'll only get kids who are mediocre at best.

Come on, folks. We know whose kids are brilliant. My kid wanted to test in, but she's not magnet material. I let her try. She said the Raven was easy up to a certain point, and most kids - including my daughter - couldn't finish or fine tune the essay.

And it's true that many cannot think outside the box. But those students who go into a test cold, read a question,and instantly come up with a brilliant response are indeed magnet quality.

It's about content knowledge and time management. Kids who have mastered time management have an advantage.

Not every kid is brilliant, and that's why they've opened up opt in IB programs at the high school level. Kids who work hard may not earn all As but they'll be challenged. A true magnet, however, is very selective, as it should be.

As a parent, I support that philosophy. But I do think that some parents take it personally when little Joey doesn't make the final cut. I'm sure Joey is smart, but he's not brilliant. And there's nothing wrong with being smart!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In an appeal to the MD Board of Education, the decision stated that in the year considered (I think 2013) TPMS accepted 121 and waitlisted 72. That is close to 200 so it seems likely that they must look at more than 200 to figure out who to admit and waitlist.

This is a magnet. If you cast the net any wider, you dilute the program.

What do you mean? This was in response to the poster who said that they only look at the top 200 applicants. Seems that they have to look at more than that to get to this number of acceptances + waitlists.

The kids who kill the tests are the ones meant for the program. If you widen the pool, it's doubtful you'll find more students capable nailing the reading, the Raven, and/or the essay/math section.

You'll only get kids who are mediocre at best.

Come on, folks. We know whose kids are brilliant. My kid wanted to test in, but she's not magnet material. I let her try. She said the Raven was easy up to a certain point, and most kids - including my daughter - couldn't finish or fine tune the essay.

And it's true that many cannot think outside the box. But those students who go into a test cold, read a question,and instantly come up with a brilliant response are indeed magnet quality.

It's about content knowledge and time management. Kids who have mastered time management have an advantage.

Not every kid is brilliant, and that's why they've opened up opt in IB programs at the high school level. Kids who work hard may not earn all As but they'll be challenged. A true magnet, however, is very selective, as it should be.

As a parent, I support that philosophy. But I do think that some parents take it personally when little Joey doesn't make the final cut. I'm sure Joey is smart, but he's not brilliant. And there's nothing wrong with being smart!

Well put. It's always a shock when you read a sensible, realistic, level-headed post on these boards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In an appeal to the MD Board of Education, the decision stated that in the year considered (I think 2013) TPMS accepted 121 and waitlisted 72. That is close to 200 so it seems likely that they must look at more than 200 to figure out who to admit and waitlist.

This is a magnet. If you cast the net any wider, you dilute the program.

What do you mean? This was in response to the poster who said that they only look at the top 200 applicants. Seems that they have to look at more than that to get to this number of acceptances + waitlists.

The kids who kill the tests are the ones meant for the program. If you widen the pool, it's doubtful you'll find more students capable nailing the reading, the Raven, and/or the essay/math section.

You'll only get kids who are mediocre at best.

Come on, folks. We know whose kids are brilliant. My kid wanted to test in, but she's not magnet material. I let her try. She said the Raven was easy up to a certain point, and most kids - including my daughter - couldn't finish or fine tune the essay.

And it's true that many cannot think outside the box. But those students who go into a test cold, read a question,and instantly come up with a brilliant response are indeed magnet quality.

It's about content knowledge and time management. Kids who have mastered time management have an advantage.

Not every kid is brilliant, and that's why they've opened up opt in IB programs at the high school level. Kids who work hard may not earn all As but they'll be challenged. A true magnet, however, is very selective, as it should be.

As a parent, I support that philosophy. But I do think that some parents take it personally when little Joey doesn't make the final cut. I'm sure Joey is smart, but he's not brilliant. And there's nothing wrong with being smart!

Well put. It's always a shock when you read a sensible, realistic, level-headed post on these boards.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In an appeal to the MD Board of Education, the decision stated that in the year considered (I think 2013) TPMS accepted 121 and waitlisted 72. That is close to 200 so it seems likely that they must look at more than 200 to figure out who to admit and waitlist.

This is a magnet. If you cast the net any wider, you dilute the program.

What do you mean? This was in response to the poster who said that they only look at the top 200 applicants. Seems that they have to look at more than that to get to this number of acceptances + waitlists.

The kids who kill the tests are the ones meant for the program. If you widen the pool, it's doubtful you'll find more students capable nailing the reading, the Raven, and/or the essay/math section.

You'll only get kids who are mediocre at best.

Come on, folks. We know whose kids are brilliant. My kid wanted to test in, but she's not magnet material. I let her try. She said the Raven was easy up to a certain point, and most kids - including my daughter - couldn't finish or fine tune the essay.

And it's true that many cannot think outside the box. But those students who go into a test cold, read a question,and instantly come up with a brilliant response are indeed magnet quality.

It's about content knowledge and time management. Kids who have mastered time management have an advantage.

Not every kid is brilliant, and that's why they've opened up opt in IB programs at the high school level. Kids who work hard may not earn all As but they'll be challenged. A true magnet, however, is very selective, as it should be.

As a parent, I support that philosophy. But I do think that some parents take it personally when little Joey doesn't make the final cut. I'm sure Joey is smart, but he's not brilliant. And there's nothing wrong with being smart!

I actually have a different perspective on this. My kids are in magnets and HGC currently. They are not brilliant. They are "more than above average" in my estimation - but that comes from hard work. So, each time they take these admission tests - there are no guarantees if they will get in.

If I agree that the magnets are truly for the brilliant, maybe only 5 kids would deserve to get in. So, in a way magnets are already diluted. However, the value to these 5 genius kids is that their peer group is the nearest approximation to an ideal real life work place for them. Once they get out in the real world they will not even find these many "more than above average" individuals around them in their work place.

So, why would I or many of my friends or parents of other HGC kids really want their kids to get into this program? I do not believe that most people do this because of wanting to have bragging rights. I feel sorry for you if that has been your experience. My experience has been that -

1) There is no curriculum for smart kids. The quality and level of regular school curriculum is too low (and that was pre-2.0) for many of these "more than above average" kids. The only other choice is magnet programs. The magnet curriculum may be a breeze for these 5 genius kids, but it is still challenging for the rest of magnet kids. If the magnet curriculum was offered at each school, those who self selected to take these tests, would not want to leave their home schools.

2) The standard of curriculum in many other countries is very high. I know this because I am from an Asian country. My very average nieces and nephews in my home country were not born any smarter than my own kid, but what their kids are learning and the curriculum they are following is far advanced than what my kid is learning. In the end, our kids have to compete in a global workplace.

3)Some kids and some families put a very high value on education. Many of the kids have been enriched at home from a very young age. For them not to have a school environment that is challenging will eventually mean that they will be bored and disengaged from learning.

This has been my experience. No, none of the parents I have made friends with at the magnet programs do this for bragging rights. They all understand that one bad testing day can prevent their kids from getting into this program. They know that luck plays a big role and each one of them has thought of a plan "B". No one is going to kill themselves if their child does not get in. I am not saying that there are not some parents like PP mentioned - but thankfully, I have managed not to have any interactions with them till now.

Most parents want a challenging curriculum for their children that can nurture their love for learning. Apart from magnets - there are no alternatives - currently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
2) The standard of curriculum in many other countries is very high. I know this because I am from an Asian country. My very average nieces and nephews in my home country were not born any smarter than my own kid, but what their kids are learning and the curriculum they are following is far advanced than what my kid is learning. In the end, our kids have to compete in a global workplace.

You also neglected to mention that your nieces and nephews are in school/tutoring for 10 or so hrs rs/day, and that doesn't include the HW afterwards. And I know this because I'm Asian, too.

[Anonymous]

So basically you think that all 200 kids selected for either acceptance or put on the wait list are the only applications that are reviewed? You don't think that they have to look. at 250 or 300 or more applications to pick those 200 students so it's an entirely numerical decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
2) The standard of curriculum in many other countries is very high. I know this because I am from an Asian country. My very average nieces and nephews in my home country were not born any smarter than my own kid, but what their kids are learning and the curriculum they are following is far advanced than what my kid is learning. In the end, our kids have to compete in a global workplace.

You also neglected to mention that your nieces and nephews are in school/tutoring for 10 or so hrs rs/day, and that doesn't include the HW afterwards. And I know this because I'm Asian, too.

The school hours and number of days are much higher in Asian countries than what is here. It does give them an edge just in terms of sheer hours a child will be learning in those countries vs. here. However, if US was insulated and did not compete in a global economy, it would not have mattered. Since our kids will be competing with these same kids, and since the posters on this site keep on bemoaning that our jobs are being outsourced, is it not important for us to understand where we are failing our kids and workers?

We are not accomodating kids who need more challenge, we are lowering the standards to bridge the achievement gap, and when we do try and implement something from other countries (Singapore Math for example) - there is such a lack of trained teachers that it becomes a big fail.

I was trying to illustrate that there are many motivations behind parents wanting to send their kids to magnet schools, and many do it not for the bragging rights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So basically you think that all 200 kids selected for either acceptance or put on the wait list are the only applications that are reviewed? You don't think that they have to look. at 250 or 300 or more applications to pick those 200 students so it's an entirely numerical decision.

If 250 test, the ones who make the cut offs with the tests are viewed. It's all about the test. So test 500! It doesn't matter. The test results automatically weed out the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
2) The standard of curriculum in many other countries is very high. I know this because I am from an Asian country. My very average nieces and nephews in my home country were not born any smarter than my own kid, but what their kids are learning and the curriculum they are following is far advanced than what my kid is learning. In the end, our kids have to compete in a global workplace.

You also neglected to mention that your nieces and nephews are in school/tutoring for 10 or so hrs rs/day, and that doesn't include the HW afterwards. And I know this because I'm Asian, too.

The school hours and number of days are much higher in Asian countries than what is here. It does give them an edge just in terms of sheer hours a child will be learning in those countries vs. here. However, if US was insulated and did not compete in a global economy, it would not have mattered. Since our kids will be competing with these same kids, and since the posters on this site keep on bemoaning that our jobs are being outsourced, is it not important for us to understand where we are failing our kids and workers?

We are not accomodating kids who need more challenge, we are lowering the standards to bridge the achievement gap, and when we do try and implement something from other countries (Singapore Math for example) - there is such a lack of trained teachers that it becomes a big fail.

I was trying to illustrate that there are many motivations behind parents wanting to send their kids to magnet schools, and many do it not for the bragging rights.

Who cares what the reasons are? I don't care about your reasons, PP, and neither does the school system.

Rules are rules. Brilliant kids are brilliant kids.

The magnets were created to desegregate - plain and simple. Geographically, some applicants have an advantage, as those in clusters where people are happy with their homes schools usually do not apply.

We are in such a cluster where few apply. I'm not desperate to get my kids out of their home base. But if you can't stand your middle school, the magnet is a way out - and sometimes a direct avenue to Blair's magnets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So basically you think that all 200 kids selected for either acceptance or put on the wait list are the only applications that are reviewed? You don't think that they have to look. at 250 or 300 or more applications to pick those 200 students so it's an entirely numerical decision.

If 250 test, the ones who make the cut offs with the tests are viewed. It's all about the test. So test 500! It doesn't matter. The test results automatically weed out the kids.

Huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Who cares what the reasons are? I don't care about your reasons, PP, and neither does the school system.

Rules are rules. Brilliant kids are brilliant kids.

The magnets were created to desegregate - plain and simple. Geographically, some applicants have an advantage, as those in clusters where people are happy with their homes schools usually do not apply.

We are in such a cluster where few apply. I'm not desperate to get my kids out of their home base. But if you can't stand your middle school, the magnet is a way out - and sometimes a direct avenue to Blair's magnets.

Huh? Are you the crazy troll teacher who was posting a few days back on this forum? Your post makes no sense whatsoever. Are you bipolar?

You say it if for brilliant kids, but that the magnets were actually created to desegregate? So which is it? And I really did not know that the schools in MCPS were segregated.

You say some kids have a geographical advantage because people from better schools do not apply? So that would mean that Coldsprings ES HGC should not have any student in it because it is in the heart of "W" schools cluster, and there would be no competition to get in. So the median scores to get in should be lower than other HGC schools - whereas in fact it is higher.

If you are in a cluster where few apply, should your child not have a better chance of getting in, since she took the test. Oh wait - yeah, she is not brilliant. So, she really does not have geographical advantage...or does she? But, you do not want to leave the home base, so why are you on this thread if your kids are not interested in this track.

And if magnets are not really that desirable except for people in bad middle schools then I bet no one would even care to get into Blair magnet because it is a part of the same desegregation effort where kids from good home schools do not come. So, should that not change the demographics of Blair magnet? Should it not have less Asians and Whites from high SES households?

[Anonymous]

I won't even bother with most of your rambling post.

But why don't you read up on some history so that you're learn something.

http://dianeravitch.net/2012/09/09/charter-schools-an-magnet-schools/

Magnet schools were initially created by local school boards in the late 1960s and 1970s to promote racial integration.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/edureview/k12119901.htm

Since its creation in 1985, to promote desegregation at the 2,500-student school in Silver Spring, the magnet has sent more than 1,000 graduates on to the nation's top universities and has enhanced Blair's reputation as one of the most dynamic schools in the state.

Aside from Poolesville, which is predominately white and Asian, magnets were created in the DCC high schools and their feeders.

You don't see magnets in the Wootton cluster now, do you? or Whitman?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Who cares what the reasons are? I don't care about your reasons, PP, and neither does the school system.

Rules are rules. Brilliant kids are brilliant kids.

The magnets were created to desegregate - plain and simple. Geographically, some applicants have an advantage, as those in clusters where people are happy with their homes schools usually do not apply.

We are in such a cluster where few apply. I'm not desperate to get my kids out of their home base. But if you can't stand your middle school, the magnet is a way out - and sometimes a direct avenue to Blair's magnets.

Huh? Are you the crazy troll teacher who was posting a few days back on this forum? Your post makes no sense whatsoever. Are you bipolar?

You say it if for brilliant kids, but that the magnets were actually created to desegregate? So which is it? And I really did not know that the schools in MCPS were segregated.

You say some kids have a geographical advantage because people from better schools do not apply? So that would mean that Coldsprings ES HGC should not have any student in it because it is in the heart of "W" schools cluster, and there would be no competition to get in. So the median scores to get in should be lower than other HGC schools - whereas in fact it is higher.

If you are in a cluster where few apply, should your child not have a better chance of getting in, since she took the test. Oh wait - yeah, she is not brilliant. So, she really does not have geographical advantage...or does she? But, you do not want to leave the home base, so why are you on this thread if your kids are not interested in this track.

And if magnets are not really that desirable except for people in bad middle schools then I bet no one would even care to get into Blair magnet because it is a part of the same desegregation effort where kids from good home schools do not come. So, should that not change the demographics of Blair magnet? Should it not have less Asians and Whites from high SES households?