Right so now those kids presumably go back to Einstein, outside a smaller number doing regional “magnets” (or whatever we are calling them. Programs?). Which would seem to increase STEM kids at Einstein and change demand for types of coursework. |
+1 let's say with the current DCC model 1/4 of students out of 2000 zoned for Einstein are stem oriented in their interests. So 500. So 125 per grade. And let's say of those more than half, let's say 75, are currently choosing and getting Wheaton or Blair through the DCC choice process. That leaves 50 per grade that are focused on STEM (and some might be more math vs science vs engineering). Now with the new boundaries there are 1600 kids total, 400 per grade and 100 stem focused kids. Now, only 20 per grade get into outside programs. That leaves 80 per grade focused on stem or an addition section. Caveat that I made up all the math above. |
Except the Blair magnet of course, which we all pay for but few attend. Whatever you do MCPS keep that special. Or should every high school offer all the electives offered at Blair because we all pay taxes for it? Look there will be differences between schools. MCPS is trying to say all schools must have a core set of advanced courses. So maybe the advocacy focus should be on making sure that the list of core courses is comprehensive enough and that it actually gets offered everywhere |
That’s an inadequate explanation. There should be funding to have the same classes at each high school. It makes no sense otherwise. |
same core set of courses including advanced courses There will different electives from school to school. |
That sounds about right but those numbers should allow for 1-2 sections of classes. |
There are not the same core courses and that is the issue. Math to graduate is a core class not elective. |
Right, this seems like it provides the demand for certain advanced classes at Einstein and presumably helps the issue of advanced coursework not being actually taught at every school. |
Agree that math is core. Obviously. The proposed regional model includes a set of math classes that must be at all schools. Maybe that list needs to be expanded? But the solution is that list not magnets, lotteries etc. All high schools must have the same core classes and the list of core classes must be extensive enough for advanced students. Otherwise some kids will be left behind. |
How do you figure only 20 kids would get into outside programs? MCPS has said their goal is to have no waitlists for these programs and have enough seats to meet the full demand. |
Can you point to where you saw that? I had not seen anything like that. My convoluted understanding was that they’d be criteria based (meaning they can be as big or small as resources allow). |
I was unclear about that. Does no waitlist mean they accept everyone who is eligible? Given they have also said they are reserving 1/3 of program spots for the home school I highly doubt they will literally take everyone who wants to study engineering at Blair |
DP during the County Council work session yesterday they did say there would be no waitlist but that seems like MCPS BS talk |
My understanding is that they plan to look at their current data on how many kids apply to Blair by region and aim to allocate roughly that number of slots per region (similar for other programs.). There will likely be some cap, though-- I think they were talking about a max of 120 kids per grade as an upper limit at the hearing yesterday? |
Also adding that the 20 kids refers to 20 kids per grade from Einstein that attend either: Blair - regional SMCS or interest based Engineering or Northwood - Medical science That's 3 STEM programs of which 2 are criteria based. Historically, higher income students are more likely to be admitted to an attend criteria based programs. 300 spots per program, of which 200 are available to non home schools, or 50 per school and 12-13 per grade. So with 3 programs it might be up to 35-40 students per grade attending any of these three programs from Einstein, but I'm guessing it will be fewer due to the criteria based programs. But if we say 30 students, that still leaves 70 students per grade staying at Einstein. |