Please SOUND OFF if you think FCPS is in decline!

[Anonymous]

Putting your smart and wealthy brown kid next to my poor white kid in a redistricted school isn't going to make my poor white kid any smarter than if you put a smart white and wealthy kid next to a poor brown kid. This is such social-engineering BS. Absolutely ridiculous. Focus on teaching and cut the social justice crap in this county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think people realize that most ESOL students were born in the U.S. which makes them U.S. citizens. Whether their parents are here illegally is a moot point. There is an increase in these students because Hispanics tend to have more children. They are here to stay.

Born in the US or not (and legal or illegal), they are at a disadvantage. If their parents do not speak English then they are not being read to in English - and this is proven to improve education outcomes.

Kids born here do at least start school at 5 and therefore are getting an entire elementary education in English.

Unfortunately other students are dropped into the system at a later age with little formal education in their native country or language. It is a tough road for them and their schools/teachers.

Some FCPS pyramids are being crushed by this burden and many posters on this board don't seem to understand the connection to our current immigration system. Now that the School Board is actually talking about doing what they have been saying (with One Fairfax) everyone is freaking that their boundaries might change and they might either be sent to one of these pyramids or might have to absorb students from these pyramids.

None of this is racist, just factual. Drop some poor English speaking white kids into El Salvador with little formal education and the results would be similar.

This.

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think people realize that most ESOL students were born in the U.S. which makes them U.S. citizens. Whether their parents are here illegally is a moot point. There is an increase in these students because Hispanics tend to have more children. They are here to stay.

Born in the US or not (and legal or illegal), they are at a disadvantage. If their parents do not speak English then they are not being read to in English - and this is proven to improve education outcomes.

Kids born here do at least start school at 5 and therefore are getting an entire elementary education in English.

Unfortunately other students are dropped into the system at a later age with little formal education in their native country or language. It is a tough road for them and their schools/teachers.

Some FCPS pyramids are being crushed by this burden and many posters on this board don't seem to understand the connection to our current immigration system. Now that the School Board is actually talking about doing what they have been saying (with One Fairfax) everyone is freaking that their boundaries might change and they might either be sent to one of these pyramids or might have to absorb students from these pyramids.

None of this is racist, just factual. Drop some poor English speaking white kids into El Salvador with little formal education and the results would be similar.

This.

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

Not sure, in this thread, that anyone said to deport them, just stop importing more poor students (or poor people who will have children). The rate is outpacing the ability of FCPS to keep up. How many is enough?

And if they do keep coming, the pyramids that don't usually share the burden should have to do so.

[Anonymous]

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

That's changing quickly in some systems and some schools. And, from your post, you don't teach in high school. Had a conversation with a friend who teaches ESOL in a high school, and "new" students are enrolling at a pace faster than we can handle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

That's changing quickly in some systems and some schools. And, from your post, you don't teach in high school. Had a conversation with a friend who teaches ESOL in a high school, and "new" students are enrolling at a pace faster than we can handle.

Which school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think people realize that most ESOL students were born in the U.S. which makes them U.S. citizens. Whether their parents are here illegally is a moot point. There is an increase in these students because Hispanics tend to have more children. They are here to stay.

Born in the US or not (and legal or illegal), they are at a disadvantage. If their parents do not speak English then they are not being read to in English - and this is proven to improve education outcomes.

Kids born here do at least start school at 5 and therefore are getting an entire elementary education in English.

Unfortunately other students are dropped into the system at a later age with little formal education in their native country or language. It is a tough road for them and their schools/teachers.

Some FCPS pyramids are being crushed by this burden and many posters on this board don't seem to understand the connection to our current immigration system. Now that the School Board is actually talking about doing what they have been saying (with One Fairfax) everyone is freaking that their boundaries might change and they might either be sent to one of these pyramids or might have to absorb students from these pyramids.

None of this is racist, just factual. Drop some poor English speaking white kids into El Salvador with little formal education and the results would be similar.

This.

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

Not sure, in this thread, that anyone said to deport them, just stop importing more poor students (or poor people who will have children). The rate is outpacing the ability of FCPS to keep up. How many is enough?

And if they do keep coming, the pyramids that don't usually share the burden should have to do so.

If people paid more to live in an area that isn't full of subsidized and cheap market-rate housing full of ESOL kids, why should their kids have to attend schools outside those communities?

Maybe you're the ones who need to stop electing politicians who don't insist on the enforcement of zoning laws in your neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think people realize that most ESOL students were born in the U.S. which makes them U.S. citizens. Whether their parents are here illegally is a moot point. There is an increase in these students because Hispanics tend to have more children. They are here to stay.

Born in the US or not (and legal or illegal), they are at a disadvantage. If their parents do not speak English then they are not being read to in English - and this is proven to improve education outcomes.

Kids born here do at least start school at 5 and therefore are getting an entire elementary education in English.

Unfortunately other students are dropped into the system at a later age with little formal education in their native country or language. It is a tough road for them and their schools/teachers.

Some FCPS pyramids are being crushed by this burden and many posters on this board don't seem to understand the connection to our current immigration system. Now that the School Board is actually talking about doing what they have been saying (with One Fairfax) everyone is freaking that their boundaries might change and they might either be sent to one of these pyramids or might have to absorb students from these pyramids.

None of this is racist, just factual. Drop some poor English speaking white kids into El Salvador with little formal education and the results would be similar.

This.

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

Not sure, in this thread, that anyone said to deport them, just stop importing more poor students (or poor people who will have children). The rate is outpacing the ability of FCPS to keep up. How many is enough?

And if they do keep coming, the pyramids that don't usually share the burden should have to do so.

If people paid more to live in an area that isn't full of subsidized and cheap market-rate housing full of ESOL kids, why should their kids have to attend schools outside those communities?

Maybe you're the ones who need to stop electing politicians who don't insist on the enforcement of zoning laws in your neighborhoods.

I do not vote for Democrats. But 64% of Fairfax County did vote for them in the last election. I actually believe they are mostly limousine liberals. They are voting one way and living another - they are not in the schools that are seeing the troubles.

Annandale - 15.4% White (45% Hispanic)
Lee - 15.8% White (43.7% Hispanic)
Falls Church - 18% White (50% Hispanic)
Mount Vernon - 19% White (44% Hispanic)
Justice - 22% White (54.6% Hispanic)

Neither liberal or conservative white people are sending their kids to these schools. The way I see it, this mostly blue leaning county won't understand what is going on until they have to feel it in their schools. So if two-thirds of the county is going to vote for policies that support the importation of more poverty, then they should have to share it. Please convince your liberal friends and neighbors to stop voting blue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think people realize that most ESOL students were born in the U.S. which makes them U.S. citizens. Whether their parents are here illegally is a moot point. There is an increase in these students because Hispanics tend to have more children. They are here to stay.

Born in the US or not (and legal or illegal), they are at a disadvantage. If their parents do not speak English then they are not being read to in English - and this is proven to improve education outcomes.

Kids born here do at least start school at 5 and therefore are getting an entire elementary education in English.

Unfortunately other students are dropped into the system at a later age with little formal education in their native country or language. It is a tough road for them and their schools/teachers.

Some FCPS pyramids are being crushed by this burden and many posters on this board don't seem to understand the connection to our current immigration system. Now that the School Board is actually talking about doing what they have been saying (with One Fairfax) everyone is freaking that their boundaries might change and they might either be sent to one of these pyramids or might have to absorb students from these pyramids.

None of this is racist, just factual. Drop some poor English speaking white kids into El Salvador with little formal education and the results would be similar.

This.

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

Not sure, in this thread, that anyone said to deport them, just stop importing more poor students (or poor people who will have children). The rate is outpacing the ability of FCPS to keep up. How many is enough?

And if they do keep coming, the pyramids that don't usually share the burden should have to do so.

If people paid more to live in an area that isn't full of subsidized and cheap market-rate housing full of ESOL kids, why should their kids have to attend schools outside those communities?

Maybe you're the ones who need to stop electing politicians who don't insist on the enforcement of zoning laws in your neighborhoods.

I do not vote for Democrats. But 64% of Fairfax County did vote for them in the last election. I actually believe they are mostly limousine liberals. They are voting one way and living another - they are not in the schools that are seeing the troubles.

Annandale - 15.4% White (45% Hispanic)
Lee - 15.8% White (43.7% Hispanic)
Falls Church - 18% White (50% Hispanic)
Mount Vernon - 19% White (44% Hispanic)
Justice - 22% White (54.6% Hispanic)

Neither liberal or conservative white people are sending their kids to these schools. The way I see it, this mostly blue leaning county won't understand what is going on until they have to feel it in their schools. So if two-thirds of the county is going to vote for policies that support the importation of more poverty, then they should have to share it. Please convince your liberal friends and neighbors to stop voting blue.

Can you please explain what a Republican would do differently? How will voting Republican translate into better schools? I'm curious because in general, Republicans tend not to favor spending money on education. And aren't most red state public schools pretty bad compared to FCPS? Do you really think ESL students will go away if Republicans take over Fairfax County?

[Anonymous]

I do not vote for Democrats. But 64% of Fairfax County did vote for them in the last election. I actually believe they are mostly limousine liberals. They are voting one way and living another - they are not in the schools that are seeing the troubles.

Annandale - 15.4% White (45% Hispanic)
Lee - 15.8% White (43.7% Hispanic)
Falls Church - 18% White (50% Hispanic)
Mount Vernon - 19% White (44% Hispanic)
Justice - 22% White (54.6% Hispanic)

Neither liberal or conservative white people are sending their kids to these schools. The way I see it, this mostly blue leaning county won't understand what is going on until they have to feel it in their schools. So if two-thirds of the county is going to vote for policies that support the importation of more poverty, then they should have to share it. Please convince your liberal friends and neighbors to stop voting blue.

I've taught ALL kinds of kids. Do you know which schools work best? Those schools which foster a sense of community for all their students. (And, TJ is a far different story.) We don't need busing! It does not work. I taught back in the day when busing was used to integrate schools.

I don't have the answer, but you cannot do it with social engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think people realize that most ESOL students were born in the U.S. which makes them U.S. citizens. Whether their parents are here illegally is a moot point. There is an increase in these students because Hispanics tend to have more children. They are here to stay.

Born in the US or not (and legal or illegal), they are at a disadvantage. If their parents do not speak English then they are not being read to in English - and this is proven to improve education outcomes.

Kids born here do at least start school at 5 and therefore are getting an entire elementary education in English.

Unfortunately other students are dropped into the system at a later age with little formal education in their native country or language. It is a tough road for them and their schools/teachers.

Some FCPS pyramids are being crushed by this burden and many posters on this board don't seem to understand the connection to our current immigration system. Now that the School Board is actually talking about doing what they have been saying (with One Fairfax) everyone is freaking that their boundaries might change and they might either be sent to one of these pyramids or might have to absorb students from these pyramids.

None of this is racist, just factual. Drop some poor English speaking white kids into El Salvador with little formal education and the results would be similar.

This.

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

Not sure, in this thread, that anyone said to deport them, just stop importing more poor students (or poor people who will have children). The rate is outpacing the ability of FCPS to keep up. How many is enough?

And if they do keep coming, the pyramids that don't usually share the burden should have to do so.

If people paid more to live in an area that isn't full of subsidized and cheap market-rate housing full of ESOL kids, why should their kids have to attend schools outside those communities?

Maybe you're the ones who need to stop electing politicians who don't insist on the enforcement of zoning laws in your neighborhoods.

I do not vote for Democrats. But 64% of Fairfax County did vote for them in the last election. I actually believe they are mostly limousine liberals. They are voting one way and living another - they are not in the schools that are seeing the troubles.

Annandale - 15.4% White (45% Hispanic)
Lee - 15.8% White (43.7% Hispanic)
Falls Church - 18% White (50% Hispanic)
Mount Vernon - 19% White (44% Hispanic)
Justice - 22% White (54.6% Hispanic)

Neither liberal or conservative white people are sending their kids to these schools. The way I see it, this mostly blue leaning county won't understand what is going on until they have to feel it in their schools. So if two-thirds of the county is going to vote for policies that support the importation of more poverty, then they should have to share it. Please convince your liberal friends and neighbors to stop voting blue.

Can you please explain what a Republican would do differently? How will voting Republican translate into better schools? I'm curious because in general, Republicans tend not to favor spending money on education. And aren't most red state public schools pretty bad compared to FCPS? Do you really think ESL students will go away if Republicans take over Fairfax County?

If voters will stop voting Blue at all levels then perhaps the rate of immigration can be slowed which would help communities across the country, not to mention Fairfax. Honestly, people around here just throw up their hands and say, "Can't win, don't ry".

As for the schools themselves - Republicans could refocus on the basics, ensure their are enough text books, kill off programs like IB, and stop the obsession with social justice issues. ESOL costs have gone way up in the last 15 years - some of this money could be spent in other areas if this tide of non-English speakers was at least slowed down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I do not vote for Democrats. But 64% of Fairfax County did vote for them in the last election. I actually believe they are mostly limousine liberals. They are voting one way and living another - they are not in the schools that are seeing the troubles.

Annandale - 15.4% White (45% Hispanic)
Lee - 15.8% White (43.7% Hispanic)
Falls Church - 18% White (50% Hispanic)
Mount Vernon - 19% White (44% Hispanic)
Justice - 22% White (54.6% Hispanic)

Neither liberal or conservative white people are sending their kids to these schools. The way I see it, this mostly blue leaning county won't understand what is going on until they have to feel it in their schools. So if two-thirds of the county is going to vote for policies that support the importation of more poverty, then they should have to share it. Please convince your liberal friends and neighbors to stop voting blue.

I've taught ALL kinds of kids. Do you know which schools work best? Those schools which foster a sense of community for all their students. (And, TJ is a far different story.) We don't need busing! It does not work. I taught back in the day when busing was used to integrate schools.

I don't have the answer, but you cannot do it with social engineering.

I have a feeling a huge percentage of FCPS high school students are far enough away from their schools to qualify for a bus ride. If boundaries could be adjusted in certain areas so that a poorer student rode a few miles further to a wealthier high school I'm sure FCPS could make that happen. They wouldn't even have to be islands. Nobody is talking about busing students across the county (except for Great Falls parents near the Loudoun border - they are already bused across the county to Langley and none of them seem to mind).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think people realize that most ESOL students were born in the U.S. which makes them U.S. citizens. Whether their parents are here illegally is a moot point. There is an increase in these students because Hispanics tend to have more children. They are here to stay.

Born in the US or not (and legal or illegal), they are at a disadvantage. If their parents do not speak English then they are not being read to in English - and this is proven to improve education outcomes.

Kids born here do at least start school at 5 and therefore are getting an entire elementary education in English.

Unfortunately other students are dropped into the system at a later age with little formal education in their native country or language. It is a tough road for them and their schools/teachers.

Some FCPS pyramids are being crushed by this burden and many posters on this board don't seem to understand the connection to our current immigration system. Now that the School Board is actually talking about doing what they have been saying (with One Fairfax) everyone is freaking that their boundaries might change and they might either be sent to one of these pyramids or might have to absorb students from these pyramids.

None of this is racist, just factual. Drop some poor English speaking white kids into El Salvador with little formal education and the results would be similar.

This.

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

Not sure, in this thread, that anyone said to deport them, just stop importing more poor students (or poor people who will have children). The rate is outpacing the ability of FCPS to keep up. How many is enough?

And if they do keep coming, the pyramids that don't usually share the burden should have to do so.

If people paid more to live in an area that isn't full of subsidized and cheap market-rate housing full of ESOL kids, why should their kids have to attend schools outside those communities?

Maybe you're the ones who need to stop electing politicians who don't insist on the enforcement of zoning laws in your neighborhoods.

I do not vote for Democrats. But 64% of Fairfax County did vote for them in the last election. I actually believe they are mostly limousine liberals. They are voting one way and living another - they are not in the schools that are seeing the troubles.

Annandale - 15.4% White (45% Hispanic)
Lee - 15.8% White (43.7% Hispanic)
Falls Church - 18% White (50% Hispanic)
Mount Vernon - 19% White (44% Hispanic)
Justice - 22% White (54.6% Hispanic)

Neither liberal or conservative white people are sending their kids to these schools. The way I see it, this mostly blue leaning county won't understand what is going on until they have to feel it in their schools. So if two-thirds of the county is going to vote for policies that support the importation of more poverty, then they should have to share it. Please convince your liberal friends and neighbors to stop voting blue.

Can you please explain what a Republican would do differently? How will voting Republican translate into better schools? I'm curious because in general, Republicans tend not to favor spending money on education. And aren't most red state public schools pretty bad compared to FCPS? Do you really think ESL students will go away if Republicans take over Fairfax County?

If voters will stop voting Blue at all levels then perhaps the rate of immigration can be slowed which would help communities across the country, not to mention Fairfax. Honestly, people around here just throw up their hands and say, "Can't win, don't ry".

As for the schools themselves - Republicans could refocus on the basics, ensure their are enough text books, kill off programs like IB, and stop the obsession with social justice issues. ESOL costs have gone way up in the last 15 years - some of this money could be spent in other areas if this tide of non-English speakers was at least slowed down.

"Can't win, don't try"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think people realize that most ESOL students were born in the U.S. which makes them U.S. citizens. Whether their parents are here illegally is a moot point. There is an increase in these students because Hispanics tend to have more children. They are here to stay.

Born in the US or not (and legal or illegal), they are at a disadvantage. If their parents do not speak English then they are not being read to in English - and this is proven to improve education outcomes.

Kids born here do at least start school at 5 and therefore are getting an entire elementary education in English.

Unfortunately other students are dropped into the system at a later age with little formal education in their native country or language. It is a tough road for them and their schools/teachers.

Some FCPS pyramids are being crushed by this burden and many posters on this board don't seem to understand the connection to our current immigration system. Now that the School Board is actually talking about doing what they have been saying (with One Fairfax) everyone is freaking that their boundaries might change and they might either be sent to one of these pyramids or might have to absorb students from these pyramids.

None of this is racist, just factual. Drop some poor English speaking white kids into El Salvador with little formal education and the results would be similar.

This.

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

Not sure, in this thread, that anyone said to deport them, just stop importing more poor students (or poor people who will have children). The rate is outpacing the ability of FCPS to keep up. How many is enough?

And if they do keep coming, the pyramids that don't usually share the burden should have to do so.

If people paid more to live in an area that isn't full of subsidized and cheap market-rate housing full of ESOL kids, why should their kids have to attend schools outside those communities?

Maybe you're the ones who need to stop electing politicians who don't insist on the enforcement of zoning laws in your neighborhoods.

I do not vote for Democrats. But 64% of Fairfax County did vote for them in the last election. I actually believe they are mostly limousine liberals. They are voting one way and living another - they are not in the schools that are seeing the troubles.

Annandale - 15.4% White (45% Hispanic)
Lee - 15.8% White (43.7% Hispanic)
Falls Church - 18% White (50% Hispanic)
Mount Vernon - 19% White (44% Hispanic)
Justice - 22% White (54.6% Hispanic)

Neither liberal or conservative white people are sending their kids to these schools. The way I see it, this mostly blue leaning county won't understand what is going on until they have to feel it in their schools. So if two-thirds of the county is going to vote for policies that support the importation of more poverty, then they should have to share it. Please convince your liberal friends and neighbors to stop voting blue.

These are student demographics, not voter demographics, and the precincts in those areas are among the most Democratic in the county. The most conservative precincts in the county are zoned for Langley, Robinson, and Oakton, among the whitest high schools in the county.

[Anonymous]

I have a feeling a huge percentage of FCPS high school students are far enough away from their schools to qualify for a bus ride. If boundaries could be adjusted in certain areas so that a poorer student rode a few miles further to a wealthier high school I'm sure FCPS could make that happen. They wouldn't even have to be islands. Nobody is talking about busing students across the county (except for Great Falls parents near the Loudoun border - they are already bused across the county to Langley and none of them seem to mind).

Boundaries should be realistic. And, there is a big difference between a ten minute bus ride and a thirty minute bus ride. There is also expense in additional costs to transportation.

I agree that it is ridiculous that kids on the Loudoun line are being bused to Langley--but, right now, Langley is underserved and Herndon is not. Where would you send the Herndon kids? Which kids would you put into Langley? Those at Lee?

I'd love to see your suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My point was that most of them are U.S. citizens so the poster who wants to deport them is way off base. They aren't going anywhere. They were born here and have just as much right to an education as everyone else's kids. I am an ESOL teacher in another district and if I tested our incoming kindergarten class (native English speakers included), I would estimate that a good 75% of them would qualify for ESOL services. The native English speakers have more in common with my ESOL students than native English speakers in wealthy areas. They live similar lifestyles- no outside of school enrichment, lots and lots of screen time (nothing academic though), little to no time spent being read to, high expectations that the school will teach them everything they need to know, etc.

That's changing quickly in some systems and some schools. And, from your post, you don't teach in high school. Had a conversation with a friend who teaches ESOL in a high school, and "new" students are enrolling at a pace faster than we can handle.

Which school?

I teach in Maryland and I am quite aware that there are many older students arriving with a low level of education in their home countries. The point is that nothing can be done about this either since the SC decided on this a long time ago. Students can be enrolled in school without regard to their status.