Thursday Nov 20 BOE Discussion on Boundaries and Regional Program Model

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

Why do you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

They're talking about schools' local programs continuing if there is interest, and they can gauge that from student course requests.

They need to ask students. If it’s not offered students cannot request it. At our school meetings parents ask and the answer it no.

Again, they're talking about existing local programs continuing if there is interest.

Again, they don’t ask then claim not interest. Be real.

They ask students every year to request courses for the next year. If a program's courses don't have enough interest, that program is likely to be discontinued.

What are you talking about. We’ve been at five schools and never once’s asked about interest. It’s take what’s offered.

You need to be proactive and request the courses- this is why some schools have more than others, the students and parents request them. DOn't complain if you don't put in the effort.

Of course many of us have requested classes. The principal, central office and BOE all say no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

They're talking about schools' local programs continuing if there is interest, and they can gauge that from student course requests.

They need to ask students. If it’s not offered students cannot request it. At our school meetings parents ask and the answer it no.

Again, they're talking about existing local programs continuing if there is interest.

They also said that about individual course offerings when discussing what classes every school will offer (if there is interest).

[Anonymous]

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

They're talking about schools' local programs continuing if there is interest, and they can gauge that from student course requests.

They need to ask students. If it’s not offered students cannot request it. At our school meetings parents ask and the answer it no.

Again, they're talking about existing local programs continuing if there is interest.

They also said that about individual course offerings when discussing what classes every school will offer (if there is interest).

I have no problem with that as long as all of the every-school offerings will be available to all students to select during course registration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

They're talking about schools' local programs continuing if there is interest, and they can gauge that from student course requests.

They need to ask students. If it’s not offered students cannot request it. At our school meetings parents ask and the answer it no.

Again, they're talking about existing local programs continuing if there is interest.

They also said that about individual course offerings when discussing what classes every school will offer (if there is interest).

I have no problem with that as long as all of the every-school offerings will be available to all students to select during course registration.

What is the minimum level of interest? Who decides that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

They're talking about schools' local programs continuing if there is interest, and they can gauge that from student course requests.

They need to ask students. If it’s not offered students cannot request it. At our school meetings parents ask and the answer it no.

Again, they're talking about existing local programs continuing if there is interest.

They also said that about individual course offerings when discussing what classes every school will offer (if there is interest).

I have no problem with that as long as all of the every-school offerings will be available to all students to select during course registration.

What is the minimum level of interest? Who decides that?

The principal, depending also on available teachers and classroom space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

They're talking about schools' local programs continuing if there is interest, and they can gauge that from student course requests.

They need to ask students. If it’s not offered students cannot request it. At our school meetings parents ask and the answer it no.

Again, they're talking about existing local programs continuing if there is interest.

They also said that about individual course offerings when discussing what classes every school will offer (if there is interest).

I have no problem with that as long as all of the every-school offerings will be available to all students to select during course registration.

What is the minimum level of interest? Who decides that?

The principal, depending also on available teachers and classroom space.

Or sometimes they will offer two small classes in the same room taught by the same teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

They're talking about schools' local programs continuing if there is interest, and they can gauge that from student course requests.

They need to ask students. If it’s not offered students cannot request it. At our school meetings parents ask and the answer it no.

Again, they're talking about existing local programs continuing if there is interest.

They also said that about individual course offerings when discussing what classes every school will offer (if there is interest).

I have no problem with that as long as all of the every-school offerings will be available to all students to select during course registration.

What is the minimum level of interest? Who decides that?

The principal, depending also on available teachers and classroom space.

Sounds like nothing will change

[Anonymous]

Except a bunch of kids will get disappointed signing up for a class that will never pccur

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

They're talking about schools' local programs continuing if there is interest, and they can gauge that from student course requests.

They need to ask students. If it’s not offered students cannot request it. At our school meetings parents ask and the answer it no.

Again, they're talking about existing local programs continuing if there is interest.

They also said that about individual course offerings when discussing what classes every school will offer (if there is interest).

I have no problem with that as long as all of the every-school offerings will be available to all students to select during course registration.

But, it’s not. Either you take what is offered or go to Mc. The disparity is huge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

And the 14-25 percent who are will have a good program to apply to.

Of which fewer than half will be able to swing the commute, the majority will be stuck at a school where the high performing cohort has been hollowed out.

I think people are overestimating how many high performing students will even be interested in leaving their home schools to attend these half-formed, questionably staffed, unfunded, regional programs which don't even provide neighborhood bus routes.

They'll do it to access AP science courses that their home school doesn't offer.

All high schools will have AP science classes.

They don’t now. It’s doubtful.

which is why changes are underway

CO always caveats their statements about what every school will offer with "if there is interest". That is just a roundabout way of saying no, not every school will offer an AP physics class (much less three different types of AP physics). Just like right now.

If they cared about interests they’d ask the families

Yep. You can't know if there is interest in a course that isn't offered at all. They do not track interest and the program analysis has not involved any kind of survey of student interest in specific classes or programs. Nor have they suggested they intend to do so.

But the people responding will only have the beginning of an overlap with the programs. MCPS is longer than any cohort of parents.

So why do they talk about offering courses "if there is interest" if there is no way to track interest?

They're talking about schools' local programs continuing if there is interest, and they can gauge that from student course requests.

They need to ask students. If it’s not offered students cannot request it. At our school meetings parents ask and the answer it no.

Again, they're talking about existing local programs continuing if there is interest.

Again, they don’t ask then claim not interest. Be real.

They ask students every year to request courses for the next year. If a program's courses don't have enough interest, that program is likely to be discontinued.

But there is no exploration of what programs and classes are of interest.

I think they look at Maryland Dept of Labor forecasts about future jobs and use that data to place programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

Central office is pulling programs out of the air; doesn't seem there is much rhyme or reason to many of them.

BCC already has an engineering program. They will attract students from other schools with it which will increase the staff allocation for BCC. Can't say the same for the Einstein biomedical program that doesn't exist and won't get any resources.

Both Whitman and BCC have engineering. That means Whitman students continue to have the same access they always had.

Northwood, Einstein, and Blair do not have engineering programs. DCC students who want engineering go to Wheaton, which is closer than BCC will be. Moreover, the DCC model allowed a few hundred non-Wheaton students per year to access the engineering program.

The new model will accept maybe 30 non-BCC students in the first few years. It seems like there won’t be limits on BCC students who want to sign up for engineering classes.

So basically, BCC and Whitman students will have unrestricted access to engineering, while 30 students from Blair, Einstein and Northwood will get into the program.

There’s no equity in this proposal and MCPS should stop pretending otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

Central office is pulling programs out of the air; doesn't seem there is much rhyme or reason to many of them.

BCC already has an engineering program. They will attract students from other schools with it which will increase the staff allocation for BCC. Can't say the same for the Einstein biomedical program that doesn't exist and won't get any resources.

Both Whitman and BCC have engineering. That means Whitman students continue to have the same access they always had.

Northwood, Einstein, and Blair do not have engineering programs. DCC students who want engineering go to Wheaton, which is closer than BCC will be. Moreover, the DCC model allowed a few hundred non-Wheaton students per year to access the engineering program.

The new model will accept maybe 30 non-BCC students in the first few years. It seems like there won’t be limits on BCC students who want to sign up for engineering classes.

So basically, BCC and Whitman students will have unrestricted access to engineering, while 30 students from Blair, Einstein and Northwood will get into the program.

There’s no equity in this proposal and MCPS should stop pretending otherwise.

I take your points although we are DTSS and closer to BCC than Wheaton. I like the zoning of Region 1, except Whitman.

I think the local set asides are an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Btw an equity mindset would mean placing programs in schools that have gaps. Like if there are zero advanced science classes at a school, put a science program there.

They are doing the opposite. They are putting programs at schools that already have the classes. Then they proposing having certain kids from other schools get driven by their parents to their home school to take a bus to this school that already has these classes to take them.

Highlighted sentence is exactly the reason why SMCS was originally established at Blair. Wootton and Churchill kids sacrifice long bus ride for an excellent education, and kids living in DCC area also benefits from (Blair kids can freely take any magnet class as long as prerequisite is met and counselor approves). CO can move this program to Kennedy or Gaithersburg. It’ll still be excellent and filled with majority of W kids. They can add one more closer to Ws so to allow more access. Dismantling it completely and make 6…… that’s as crazy as it sounds like.

No.
Keep repeating that same lie, doesn't make it true.
The magnet was placed there to stem white flight.

DP I don't personally know the history of Blair's SMCS. That being said, if what you are saying is true, isn't putting criteria based academic programs at Whitman and BCC that are only reasonably accessible to families with their own transportation a way to promote White flight?

Whitman and BCC are not the only places that will have criteria based academic programs. STEM won't be at either places, for example.

On Thursday they proposed an interest based engineering program at BCC. It will not attract kids struggling in math. 75% of Black students and 86% of Latino students in MCPS are not proficient in high school math.

Central office is pulling programs out of the air; doesn't seem there is much rhyme or reason to many of them.

BCC already has an engineering program. They will attract students from other schools with it which will increase the staff allocation for BCC. Can't say the same for the Einstein biomedical program that doesn't exist and won't get any resources.

Both Whitman and BCC have engineering. That means Whitman students continue to have the same access they always had.

Northwood, Einstein, and Blair do not have engineering programs. DCC students who want engineering go to Wheaton, which is closer than BCC will be. Moreover, the DCC model allowed a few hundred non-Wheaton students per year to access the engineering program.

The new model will accept maybe 30 non-BCC students in the first few years. It seems like there won’t be limits on BCC students who want to sign up for engineering classes.

So basically, BCC and Whitman students will have unrestricted access to engineering, while 30 students from Blair, Einstein and Northwood will get into the program.

There’s no equity in this proposal and MCPS should stop pretending otherwise.

I take your points although we are DTSS and closer to BCC than Wheaton. I like the zoning of Region 1, except Whitman.

I think the local set asides are an issue.

The issue of local access isn’t one-size fits all. For example, the music magnets are criteria based, but the criteria may just be “participated in middle school band or chorus.” And since music ensembles need a large number of kids, there’s not reason to restrict access for local students. Give magnets kids first priority for specialized classes like music theory, but band and chorus should be broadly accessible.

For the programs like SMCS, home school students shouldn’t have a better chance of admission than their regional peers. Give each cluster in the region the same number of seats.

Of course, that will make people mad because if there are middle school disparities, it will mean different levels of preparation for the rigor of the magnet, and the magnet itself might have to adjust to meet the needs of all enrolled students.

But that would means MCPS has strengthen middle and elementary schools to better prepare students. It’s easier to just let magnets become enclaves for students in the richest clusters.