MCPS - do all parents of 3rd graders receive an application for Highly Gifted Center?

[Anonymous]

We received an application in the mail today. Do all parents receive this or is this indicative that my child "qualifies"?

[Anonymous]

At our school, all families of third graders receive it.

[Anonymous]

Parents of all 3rd graders in MCPS receive the application regardless of how your child was identified based on the tests taken in 2nd grade.

If you choose to apply, your child will take another test in December or January of 3rd grade. The test scores are sent home with the acceptance/rejection letters in March.

[Anonymous]

Everyone gets it.

[Anonymous]

Three years ago we did not receive this but directly requested an application from MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone gets it.

Isn't that a huge waste of paper and postage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone gets it.

Isn't that a huge waste of paper and postage?

Yes, waste of paper & postage, but compared to MCPS's overall budget, not a significant expenditure.

I think it is also a "Cover your ass" move - the school system can say they give all families equal notification with a 100% mailing.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone heard how the Highly Gifted Centers are going to fit in with the 2.0 curriculum? I'm assumming since applications are out the county is continuing with the program.

[Anonymous]

Curriculum 2.0 is designed to close the achievement gap.
Curriculum 2.0 accomplishes this by reducing the academic bar. Multi-ability classroom simply results in all students approaching a common bar. High performers shoot down to this bar and low performers shoot up to this bar. The net effect is the close the achievement gap. This is a priority and specific aim of MCPS leadership (implicitly and explicitly tied to compensation and promotion).

The HGC will lower their bar as they will no longer see students who were previously accelerated 2 to 3 years upon entry. In Clintonian parlance -- it's simple arithmetic.

[Anonymous]

We haven't received an application. Are they sent by the school or MCPS main office?

[Anonymous]

HGC's are for the Outliers, not necessarily just the high performers. These kids will still exist. The standards will still be high because these kids still exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HGC's are for the Outliers, not necessarily just the high performers. These kids will still exist. The standards will still be high because these kids still exist.

I agree.

[Anonymous]

HGC's are for the Outliers, not necessarily just the high performers. These kids will still exist. The standards will still be high because these kids still exist.

No one said the standards are low ... simply not as high as in past.

[Anonymous]

Why lower the standards? They don't pick 4 kids from each school to attend the HGC no matter what. They pick kids "whose needs aren't being met in the home school". Hhmmm... Kinda see what you mean - that actually could be more kids now.

Wait, wait... not changing my mind on this. The standards won't be lower. They're looking for kids who have interests that aren't addressed in the home school, who want and need to learn deeper and more intensely. The home school doesn't do that. Hhmmm... kinda see what you mean. The home school could meet that need under 2.0...

Seriously, I think that if they pick the kids who are truely gifted and need the extra challenge (think Doogie howser, not just the kid who strives to please and gets all A's) they will still be picking the right kids for the program.

And I agree, there's something wrong with 2.0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

HGC's are for the Outliers, not necessarily just the high performers. These kids will still exist. The standards will still be high because these kids still exist.

No one said the standards are low ... simply not as high as in past.

I have had three kids go through the HGC over the course of 11 years (one is there now) and I disagree - standards are about the same as they were 11 years ago.