Racial make up in honors vs. non-honors classes

[Anonymous]

My African American son takes 3 "on level" classes (including PE and an arts class) and 4 "advanced" classes at our local, majority white, middle school. At back to school night this week, I was pleased to see other AA parents in the halls, and in the lunch room. His first period class, one of the on level ones, had a number of other black parents. But when we went to Advanced English, or History, for example, every face in the room was white. I came home and asked him, and he confirmed. In each of his accelerated classes he was either the only, or one of two black kids. In his on level classes there were between 4 and 6 black kids total.

This same pattern existed last year. I'm curious whether other parents are noticing the same patterns in their kids' classes and how they talk about it with their children.

[Anonymous]

This was our experience when our oldest son entered middle school. It was heart-breaking. The solution we found -- and this is not for everyone, I know -- was to move him to a very diverse private school. We did the same with our two younger children. It has been an entirely different experience than what we encountered in MCPS. BTW -- I'm not sure this matters -- but we are Caucasion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was our experience when our oldest son entered middle school. It was heart-breaking. The solution we found -- and this is not for everyone, I know -- was to move him to a very diverse private school. We did the same with our two younger children. It has been an entirely different experience than what we encountered in MCPS. BTW -- I'm not sure this matters -- but we are Caucasion.

It almost sounds like you are blaming MCPS. They cannot force black students into AP classes. Counselors can suggest and ask but unless the student is prepared for the heavy workload they won't take AP classes. Many times black students are just not prepared for this type of class.

[Anonymous]

Seems like MCPS is doing away with all differentiation to avoid lines like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was our experience when our oldest son entered middle school. It was heart-breaking. The solution we found -- and this is not for everyone, I know -- was to move him to a very diverse private school. We did the same with our two younger children. It has been an entirely different experience than what we encountered in MCPS. BTW -- I'm not sure this matters -- but we are Caucasion.

It almost sounds like you are blaming MCPS. They cannot force black students into AP classes. Counselors can suggest and ask but unless the student is prepared for the heavy workload they won't take AP classes. Many times black students are just not prepared for this type of class.

But if that is true, it is a problem that starts in elementary school. If all students are not supported, and schools don't close the achievement gap in the early grades, minority students can't catch up in the later years. I was one of those AA onlies in middle and high school, and DD is currently a high achieving elementary school student. There have been a few other high achieving AA students in her grade over the years, but not all of them have the parental support needed to do enrichment, fill out GT applications, etc. I have worked with the administration to try to increase minority parent participation and involvement, because I think that is the key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was our experience when our oldest son entered middle school. It was heart-breaking. The solution we found -- and this is not for everyone, I know -- was to move him to a very diverse private school. We did the same with our two younger children. It has been an entirely different experience than what we encountered in MCPS. BTW -- I'm not sure this matters -- but we are Caucasion.

It almost sounds like you are blaming MCPS. They cannot force black students into AP classes. Counselors can suggest and ask but unless the student is prepared for the heavy workload they won't take AP classes. Many times black students are just not prepared for this type of class.

But if that is true, it is a problem that starts in elementary school. If all students are not supported, and schools don't close the achievement gap in the early grades, minority students can't catch up in the later years. I was one of those AA onlies in middle and high school, and DD is currently a high achieving elementary school student. There have been a few other high achieving AA students in her grade over the years, but not all of them have the parental support needed to do enrichment, fill out GT applications, etc. I have worked with the administration to try to increase minority parent participation and involvement, because I think that is the key.

I agree with this. Parental involvement is critical to a child's scholastic success in most cases. The challenge is to thing creatively about how to get parents on-board when they are coping with multiple stressors and demands for their time.

[Anonymous]

*think* creatively ^

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering why it matters to you what the racial composition is of his classes? Isn't this a great opportunity to teach him that race doesn't matter? That he's a smart kid and he should learn to work well with the other smart kids in his class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering why it matters to you what the racial composition is of his classes? Isn't this a great opportunity to teach him that race doesn't matter? That he's a smart kid and he should learn to work well with the other smart kids in his class?

It matters because race does not determine your intelligence. So if there are 50% minority in the schools there should be 50% minorities in AP classes. Otherwise there is another reason why kids are not in AP classes.

It not just a minority issue -this happens to boys, kids with LDs, and minorities.

It does matter to me that my kids are not given the impression in their school experience that blacks and Hispanics are poor, not as smart and trouble.

This is a big problem in diverse MoCo schools. So I understand why the poster above who is Caucasian and in private believes her diverse experience is more balanced.

[Anonymous]

You are correct, race does not determine intelligence, but it is completely nonsensical to mandate that a class reflect the overall racial breakdown. What should determine the class breakdown is whether or not the student can do the work. If you are not ready or cant handle the AP work the you shouldn't be in the AP class. I don't need the teacher slowing down the class so your kid who shouldn't be there can catch up. I don care if he/she is black, white or Asian.

[Anonymous]

You will probably also find that in AP classes there are fewer kids from low socioeconomic homes, fewer kids from homes where parents aren't well educated, etc. Lots of groups are not well represented in AP classes.

[Anonymous]

I asked my kid last night and he said there are many Asians and southeast Asian kids in his honors classes. More than their pro rata. Is that an issue for OP as well?

[Anonymous]

A lot of people think that on grade level is fine. They don't realize that on grade level is almost like failing in some of these ultra competitive schools. It probably was not like that for them when they were growing up. They probably think that they can wait until HS to worry about courses but by the time they reach HS they are shut out of a lot of the course. Also, there are a lot of families who give there kids tutoring, supplementing education so that the kid is above grade level. So, although the kid is prepared for school and achieving the minimal/average requirements, they have already been left behind their peers.

To me it is more of an issue when there is a minority majority school and tge majority group is shut out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering why it matters to you what the racial composition is of his classes? Isn't this a great opportunity to teach him that race doesn't matter? That he's a smart kid and he should learn to work well with the other smart kids in his class?

It matters because race does not determine your intelligence. So if there are 50% minority in the schools there should be 50% minorities in AP classes. Otherwise there is another reason why kids are not in AP classes.

It not just a minority issue -this happens to boys, kids with LDs, and minorities.

It does matter to me that my kids are not given the impression in their school experience that blacks and Hispanics are poor, not as smart and trouble.

This is a big problem in diverse MoCo schools. So I understand why the poster above who is Caucasian and in private believes her diverse experience is more balanced.

Race does not determine intelligence but culture strongly influences performance in school. Going to a more diverse school does not solve the problem.

[Anonymous]

I have an African American son who will be starting elementary school next year. Any advice in terms of ideal an ideal elementary schools in MC that offer a great education and some diversity? We heard that North Chevy Chase is great but starts in grade 3?