Re-instituting Virtual Academy in MCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

Tests also had to be taken at the home school which added work for school test coordinators and resource teachers for ESOL as well.

Yes. It created more work for home school staff on top of what they’re already dealing with and less work for the remote MVA staff who had so much less on their plate to begin with.
Also, I’ve seen more than one student who returned to in person school with terrible anxiety that they weren’t documented to have before. Being at home for years away from peers and away from a routine seemed to me detrimental to them. I understand that staying at home can alleviate many people’s anxiety but at some point, most people have to face leaving the house and being out in public.

They probably had the anxiety before and staff like you refused to help. You really have no clue. Most of our kids socialized plenty outside the home and were in outside activities because the home schools denied us access despite MCPS policy.

You refusing to work with families is one reason some made the choices they did. Your school got funding for these kids so yes, you had a responsibility to them and it sounds like you failed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

Tests also had to be taken at the home school which added work for school test coordinators and resource teachers for ESOL as well.

Yes. It created more work for home school staff on top of what they’re already dealing with and less work for the remote MVA staff who had so much less on their plate to begin with.
Also, I’ve seen more than one student who returned to in person school with terrible anxiety that they weren’t documented to have before. Being at home for years away from peers and away from a routine seemed to me detrimental to them. I understand that staying at home can alleviate many people’s anxiety but at some point, most people have to face leaving the house and being out in public.

And, kids can be in person and have no friends, bullied and have zero socialization. Being in person is not the anwser if the adults in the school like you failed them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

I think the short answer is Yes. The new law would just create the mandate to establish virtual schools but leaves the details to each individual district. So the MCPS BOE will have flexibility to set guidelines and requirements for admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

No. Because the MVA some things like IEPs, services and testing were done in the home schools. Some of us refused testing that was not a graduation requirement for a variety of reasons. The MVA is appropriate for any child who wants to be in it and has parent support. Kids were in it for tons of reasons including being bullied or not feeling safe. Why didn’t you support those kids more so they would have done better in your school? People like you are one reason why some families choose the MVA.

Parents don't get to pick the school that is most convenient for them. If you want to send your kids to a special school for which there is not a compelling medical need, then you can pay for it yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

No. Because the MVA some things like IEPs, services and testing were done in the home schools. Some of us refused testing that was not a graduation requirement for a variety of reasons. The MVA is appropriate for any child who wants to be in it and has parent support. Kids were in it for tons of reasons including being bullied or not feeling safe. Why didn’t you support those kids more so they would have done better in your school? People like you are one reason why some families choose the MVA.

Parents don't get to pick the school that is most convenient for them. If you want to send your kids to a special school for which there is not a compelling medical need, then you can pay for it yourself.

Actually they do. There is now a charter and for some areas there are consortium as well as speciality programs. The MVA was open to all. And, just think, if it reopens, the kids you clearly don’t want in your school can have a place to go to get a quality education with teachers and staff who care.

By your logic we should get rid of all the magnet and other special programs as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

I think the short answer is Yes. The new law would just create the mandate to establish virtual schools but leaves the details to each individual district. So the MCPS BOE will have flexibility to set guidelines and requirements for admission.

MCPS lots a good number of kids by closing it. That took away revenue. The problem is more, will these families return. Some, yes, some no. If you are concerned about MCPS losing funding, well, they did when they shut it down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

No. Because the MVA some things like IEPs, services and testing were done in the home schools. Some of us refused testing that was not a graduation requirement for a variety of reasons. The MVA is appropriate for any child who wants to be in it and has parent support. Kids were in it for tons of reasons including being bullied or not feeling safe. Why didn’t you support those kids more so they would have done better in your school? People like you are one reason why some families choose the MVA.

Parents don't get to pick the school that is most convenient for them. If you want to send your kids to a special school for which there is not a compelling medical need, then you can pay for it yourself.

Actually they do. There is now a charter and for some areas there are consortium as well as speciality programs. The MVA was open to all. And, just think, if it reopens, the kids you clearly don’t want in your school can have a place to go to get a quality education with teachers and staff who care.

By your logic we should get rid of all the magnet and other special programs as well.

I very much would like to see the rest of the former MVA students return to school. Most have.

[Anonymous]

The highly vocal, yet not allowed to be named here, family comes to my neighborhood regularly. It would be funny if it the situation weren't so sad, but once the cameras are off they don't try to avoid crowds or wear masks. But the siblings are always just playing with each other or sticking to their parents- they don't seem to know how to interact with other kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

No. Because the MVA some things like IEPs, services and testing were done in the home schools. Some of us refused testing that was not a graduation requirement for a variety of reasons. The MVA is appropriate for any child who wants to be in it and has parent support. Kids were in it for tons of reasons including being bullied or not feeling safe. Why didn’t you support those kids more so they would have done better in your school? People like you are one reason why some families choose the MVA.

Parents don't get to pick the school that is most convenient for them. If you want to send your kids to a special school for which there is not a compelling medical need, then you can pay for it yourself.

Actually they do. There is now a charter and for some areas there are consortium as well as speciality programs. The MVA was open to all. And, just think, if it reopens, the kids you clearly don’t want in your school can have a place to go to get a quality education with teachers and staff who care.

By your logic we should get rid of all the magnet and other special programs as well.

I very much would like to see the rest of the former MVA students return to school. Most have.

If you work for MCPS, you should be terminated as it should be what’s best for the child and family, not what you want as you clearly are part of why kids don’t return.

Do you understand about 1/3 the kids left MCPS, and when they left they took that finding. Another 1/3 or so are in other MC.p.s programs now not getting a proper education. We have people like you to thank.

If you wanted those kids to return in person you should have done a better job meeting their needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

No. Because the MVA some things like IEPs, services and testing were done in the home schools. Some of us refused testing that was not a graduation requirement for a variety of reasons. The MVA is appropriate for any child who wants to be in it and has parent support. Kids were in it for tons of reasons including being bullied or not feeling safe. Why didn’t you support those kids more so they would have done better in your school? People like you are one reason why some families choose the MVA.

Parents don't get to pick the school that is most convenient for them. If you want to send your kids to a special school for which there is not a compelling medical need, then you can pay for it yourself.

Actually they do. There is now a charter and for some areas there are consortium as well as speciality programs. The MVA was open to all. And, just think, if it reopens, the kids you clearly don’t want in your school can have a place to go to get a quality education with teachers and staff who care.

By your logic we should get rid of all the magnet and other special programs as well.

I mean, I think the problem with your comparison is that each of those "specialty" programs has some sort of requirements for entry, whether it's living in-bounds, doing an application/lottery, passing a criteria-based test, or applying to the charter.

What people are reacting to here is that MVA didn't have any of that. If you want to make the argument that MVA is functionally a special education program, then make that case but be aware that special education resources are rationed. I cannot opt my child into a program just because I like the ratios, without a compelling need for the public to take on the additional cost of educating my special needs child.

I believe whole-heartedly in educating children with learning differences, behavioral and emotional challenges, and all sorts of other needs, but we have systems in place for a reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

No. Because the MVA some things like IEPs, services and testing were done in the home schools. Some of us refused testing that was not a graduation requirement for a variety of reasons. The MVA is appropriate for any child who wants to be in it and has parent support. Kids were in it for tons of reasons including being bullied or not feeling safe. Why didn’t you support those kids more so they would have done better in your school? People like you are one reason why some families choose the MVA.

Parents don't get to pick the school that is most convenient for them. If you want to send your kids to a special school for which there is not a compelling medical need, then you can pay for it yourself.

Actually they do. There is now a charter and for some areas there are consortium as well as speciality programs. The MVA was open to all. And, just think, if it reopens, the kids you clearly don’t want in your school can have a place to go to get a quality education with teachers and staff who care.

By your logic we should get rid of all the magnet and other special programs as well.

I very much would like to see the rest of the former MVA students return to school. Most have.

If you work for MCPS, you should be terminated as it should be what’s best for the child and family, not what you want as you clearly are part of why kids don’t return.

Do you understand about 1/3 the kids left MCPS, and when they left they took that finding. Another 1/3 or so are in other MC.p.s programs now not getting a proper education. We have people like you to thank.

If you wanted those kids to return in person you should have done a better job meeting their needs.

I don't think we have these numbers. Maybe MVA parents did an informal poll regarding *intentions* but we know intentions aren't the same as actions. I also want to respond directly to the idea that "we" should have done a better job meeting the needs of MVA kids. One of the biggest challenges is that parents of MVA kids resisted any of the testing or protocols that would have helped determine the appropriate supports. So "we" are meant to provide a tailored education in a 10:1 setting because the parents say that's how their child learns best, but without any of the normal testing that leads to that sort of ratio. Every child would learn best in a tiny classroom! That doesn't mean MCPS isn't meeting the needs of every kid, it means we don't have the resources for those sorts of ratios without a compelling need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we bring back the MVA but in a much smaller and more exclusive way? There were 2 students who were found to have moved out of state who were still attending. There were kids with no medical needs who just appreciated the comforts of school from their bed. For the first 2 years of existence, the MVA placed all of the IEP meetings and paperwork on the kids home school which I never understood why they couldn’t host their own meetings. Last year, I read IEPs for MVA students which were full of statements about the students which were simply not true (understandable given that the case manager never met the kid in person). If it comes back, someone needs to make a clear policy about who is it appropriate for.

No. Because the MVA some things like IEPs, services and testing were done in the home schools. Some of us refused testing that was not a graduation requirement for a variety of reasons. The MVA is appropriate for any child who wants to be in it and has parent support. Kids were in it for tons of reasons including being bullied or not feeling safe. Why didn’t you support those kids more so they would have done better in your school? People like you are one reason why some families choose the MVA.

Parents don't get to pick the school that is most convenient for them. If you want to send your kids to a special school for which there is not a compelling medical need, then you can pay for it yourself.

Actually they do. There is now a charter and for some areas there are consortium as well as speciality programs. The MVA was open to all. And, just think, if it reopens, the kids you clearly don’t want in your school can have a place to go to get a quality education with teachers and staff who care.

By your logic we should get rid of all the magnet and other special programs as well.

I very much would like to see the rest of the former MVA students return to school. Most have.

If you work for MCPS, you should be terminated as it should be what’s best for the child and family, not what you want as you clearly are part of why kids don’t return.

Do you understand about 1/3 the kids left MCPS, and when they left they took that finding. Another 1/3 or so are in other MC.p.s programs now not getting a proper education. We have people like you to thank.

If you wanted those kids to return in person you should have done a better job meeting their needs.

I don't think we have these numbers. Maybe MVA parents did an informal poll regarding *intentions* but we know intentions aren't the same as actions. I also want to respond directly to the idea that "we" should have done a better job meeting the needs of MVA kids. One of the biggest challenges is that parents of MVA kids resisted any of the testing or protocols that would have helped determine the appropriate supports. So "we" are meant to provide a tailored education in a 10:1 setting because the parents say that's how their child learns best, but without any of the normal testing that leads to that sort of ratio. Every child would learn best in a tiny classroom! That doesn't mean MCPS isn't meeting the needs of every kid, it means we don't have the resources for those sorts of ratios without a compelling need.

Those numbers are obviously made up and wrong. The vast majority of MVA's 2600 former students returned to school.

And most school funding isn't allocated on a per pupil basis anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think MD should create a virtual academy for the entire state.

The bill encourages districts that aren’t able to create their own virtual academy to team up with other districts and share academies. So maybe they all end up teaming up with whatever district has the best program and essentially create a state wide school. But the state isn’t going to do that via the bill that’s proposed - it puts the mandate on each district to figure it out.

You realize that a state wide program would cost more and be paid out of MCPS funds. Why do you keep pushing it? It’s not what anyone wants. The money is there.

That’s right. The money follows the student. So if MCPS reinstitutes the virtual academy, it just takes money away from whatever in-person school the now virtual student attends and shifts it to the virtual program. Not sure how MCPS reported to the state legislature that closing the MVA saved the county millions. It should have been pretty neutral since they money is there and is just shifting around from brick and mortar schools to the online program.

It wouldn't simply "shift" money around because a school doesn't suddenly become $18k less expensive to operate when one student moves out. Adding virtual programs would increase the overall costs of schools.

Umm, no. Fewer students means fewer teachers, fewer portables, less subsidy of lunches, fewer buildings and fewer buses.

But one or two fewer students at a school doesn't allow you to have fewer teachers, fewer portables, fewer buildings or fewer buses.

System wide, there were not 1-2 students, there were enough to consolidate. Time to get more nimble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think MD should create a virtual academy for the entire state.

The bill encourages districts that aren’t able to create their own virtual academy to team up with other districts and share academies. So maybe they all end up teaming up with whatever district has the best program and essentially create a state wide school. But the state isn’t going to do that via the bill that’s proposed - it puts the mandate on each district to figure it out.

Seems like a good bill. I support the virtual academy 100% but I wish the state would provide some funding or incentive for these districts or at least some good guidance.

[Anonymous]

The program was a heck of a lot cheaper than sending 1-2 kids to private placement paid for by MCPS due to their not being able to be in regular school. It would pay for itself.