Today's Wash Post op ed about MCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Post is right, unfortunately. It's union appeasement. I know more and more highly educated, affluent parents who are pulling their kids out of MCPS for private school because of large class sizes and the relative dearth of music, science, art, PE, recess, etc. I know some folks will say good riddance, but in realistic terms, it does not help MCPS to have those families leaving the system. I don't think the county cares about that, but I think that's shortsighted.

We're looking to move to Howard county once our daughter finishes the HGC elementary program. HoCo schools seem to be significantly better on average.

You will find issues in Ho Co, too. Good luck finding an affordable home that feeds into River Hill, which is one of the top schools in the county (and not too shabby nationally either). Glenelg is so so - sort of like Damascus HS.

Reservoir, not too far from Laurel, will always have boundary issues as Maple Lawn grows and as the farming communities in Fulton continue to transform into areas housing McMansions.

Centennial is solid, but unless you work from home, don't work, or work in Balt., your commute will be miserable.

The one advantage Ho Co has is size; it's tiny compared to Mo Co. And much of Ho Co promotes smart growth. So you don't find packed communities in the western parts of the county. Furthermore, b/c it's small with a budget that can't compare to Mo Co's, there are fewer avenues for the gifted. You won't find IB, for example.

They've got better options for GT students in HoCo. They've got a better GT organization too. I know--I live and work here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Post is right, unfortunately. It's union appeasement. I know more and more highly educated, affluent parents who are pulling their kids out of MCPS for private school because of large class sizes and the relative dearth of music, science, art, PE, recess, etc. I know some folks will say good riddance, but in realistic terms, it does not help MCPS to have those families leaving the system. I don't think the county cares about that, but I think that's shortsighted.

We're looking to move to Howard county once our daughter finishes the HGC elementary program. HoCo schools seem to be significantly better on average.

You will find issues in Ho Co, too. Good luck finding an affordable home that feeds into River Hill, which is one of the top schools in the county (and not too shabby nationally either). Glenelg is so so - sort of like Damascus HS.

Reservoir, not too far from Laurel, will always have boundary issues as Maple Lawn grows and as the farming communities in Fulton continue to transform into areas housing McMansions.

Centennial is solid, but unless you work from home, don't work, or work in Balt., your commute will be miserable.

The one advantage Ho Co has is size; it's tiny compared to Mo Co. And much of Ho Co promotes smart growth. So you don't find packed communities in the western parts of the county. Furthermore, b/c it's small with a budget that can't compare to Mo Co's, there are fewer avenues for the gifted. You won't find IB, for example.

They've got better options for GT students in HoCo. They've got a better GT organization too. I know--I live and work here.

Can you be a bit more specific or describe what the GT options/plans/programs are on the ground-level in HoCo - we have opportunities for positions close to HoCo but haven't moved because we couldn't figure out what the GT scenarios really look like.

[Anonymous]

MoCo already has higher pay than Fairfax and other systems in the area. How much higher do we have to go to get the best? We aren't competing with law firms, we are competing with these other systems. Many, many taxpayers, like Federal employees, don't get raises.

The school system is ok., but I don't think it is as great as MoCo voters think it is. It certainly isn't great for gifted kids. I have two kids in ES. I think a lot of the reputation is based on the well-to do kids of phds, doctors, and lawyers that go to Wooton, Whitman, BCC, Walter Johnson, and Churchill. Any system would look good with these kids.

Here is my problem. The school board consists of apple ballot candidates. These are union picked candidates. This means that the union-endorsed candidates negotiate with themselves. Taxpaying voters constantly give up the right to have their own interests represented in the room. It doesn't matter who the union rolls out on the ballot, we will vote for any candidate with an apple on their sign. If you don't like this, then stop voting for the apple ballot. You will get another chance next fall. We get what we deserve.

Bingo. The students make MCPS not the schools. Simply look at the preformance of schools, teachers and students in parts of the County much less dense in doctors, scientists, engineers and parents with less educational attainments. The irony is most of these kids are really educated outside of the system if you study closely thie extra school enrichment and tutoring activities. They seek these extra school enrichment and tutoring because they are wise enough to recognize the teachers here teach to the lowest quintile/bar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Post is right, unfortunately. It's union appeasement. I know more and more highly educated, affluent parents who are pulling their kids out of MCPS for private school because of large class sizes and the relative dearth of music, science, art, PE, recess, etc. I know some folks will say good riddance, but in realistic terms, it does not help MCPS to have those families leaving the system. I don't think the county cares about that, but I think that's shortsighted.

We're looking to move to Howard county once our daughter finishes the HGC elementary program. HoCo schools seem to be significantly better on average.

You will find issues in Ho Co, too. Good luck finding an affordable home that feeds into River Hill, which is one of the top schools in the county (and not too shabby nationally either). Glenelg is so so - sort of like Damascus HS.

Reservoir, not too far from Laurel, will always have boundary issues as Maple Lawn grows and as the farming communities in Fulton continue to transform into areas housing McMansions.

Centennial is solid, but unless you work from home, don't work, or work in Balt., your commute will be miserable.

The one advantage Ho Co has is size; it's tiny compared to Mo Co. And much of Ho Co promotes smart growth. So you don't find packed communities in the western parts of the county. Furthermore, b/c it's small with a budget that can't compare to Mo Co's, there are fewer avenues for the gifted. You won't find IB, for example.

They've got better options for GT students in HoCo. They've got a better GT organization too. I know--I live and work here.

Can you be a bit more specific or describe what the GT options/plans/programs are on the ground-level in HoCo - we have opportunities for positions close to HoCo but haven't moved because we couldn't figure out what the GT scenarios really look like.

Take a look at this: http://www.hcpss.org/gt/

Seems pretty good to me, plus it's in the local schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Post is right, unfortunately. It's union appeasement. I know more and more highly educated, affluent parents who are pulling their kids out of MCPS for private school because of large class sizes and the relative dearth of music, science, art, PE, recess, etc. I know some folks will say good riddance, but in realistic terms, it does not help MCPS to have those families leaving the system. I don't think the county cares about that, but I think that's shortsighted.

We're looking to move to Howard county once our daughter finishes the HGC elementary program. HoCo schools seem to be significantly better on average.

You will find issues in Ho Co, too. Good luck finding an affordable home that feeds into River Hill, which is one of the top schools in the county (and not too shabby nationally either). Glenelg is so so - sort of like Damascus HS.

Reservoir, not too far from Laurel, will always have boundary issues as Maple Lawn grows and as the farming communities in Fulton continue to transform into areas housing McMansions.

Centennial is solid, but unless you work from home, don't work, or work in Balt., your commute will be miserable.

The one advantage Ho Co has is size; it's tiny compared to Mo Co. And much of Ho Co promotes smart growth. So you don't find packed communities in the western parts of the county. Furthermore, b/c it's small with a budget that can't compare to Mo Co's, there are fewer avenues for the gifted. You won't find IB, for example.

They've got better options for GT students in HoCo. They've got a better GT organization too. I know--I live and work here.

Can you be a bit more specific or describe what the GT options/plans/programs are on the ground-level in HoCo - we have opportunities for positions close to HoCo but haven't moved because we couldn't figure out what the GT scenarios really look like.

Take a look at this: http://www.hcpss.org/gt/

Seems pretty good to me, plus it's in the local schools.

I'm glad you agree. I know we have a lot more options and better teaching. Before you people scream just note I said BETTER TEACHING.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with teachers getting a 2% raise after a 3-year freeze?

I am tired of fat cats bashing union and government workers. I wish there are unions in professional jobs besides teaching. I can use one.

7% at the expense of the students.

Then fight it. Demand that we lose our steps after being frozen for 3 years. Demand that the money be used to make class sizes smaller b/c you KNOW that's the answer, right? Demand that we work longer hours, be data-driven by looking at kids as just numbers, be under scrutiny by all - b/c by making our working lives (and personal lives) more difficult, we'll be more productive.

Go ahead. Fight it.

The nastier you are to us - the less respect we receive - the higher the turnover rate. As it stands now, 40% leave w/in the first 5 years. Those are great statistics.

Thanks for the support, PP. Our students thank you, too.

Getting more money doesn't reduce your work hours. Shifting that money to use hiring more teachers and para educators might.

No government workers have gotten raises for the past three years. The economy has sucked. Don't act like you are getting treated like a stepchild.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Post is right, unfortunately. It's union appeasement. I know more and more highly educated, affluent parents who are pulling their kids out of MCPS for private school because of large class sizes and the relative dearth of music, science, art, PE, recess, etc. I know some folks will say good riddance, but in realistic terms, it does not help MCPS to have those families leaving the system. I don't think the county cares about that, but I think that's shortsighted.

We're looking to move to Howard county once our daughter finishes the HGC elementary program. HoCo schools seem to be significantly better on average.

You will find issues in Ho Co, too. Good luck finding an affordable home that feeds into River Hill, which is one of the top schools in the county (and not too shabby nationally either). Glenelg is so so - sort of like Damascus HS.

Reservoir, not too far from Laurel, will always have boundary issues as Maple Lawn grows and as the farming communities in Fulton continue to transform into areas housing McMansions.

Centennial is solid, but unless you work from home, don't work, or work in Balt., your commute will be miserable.

The one advantage Ho Co has is size; it's tiny compared to Mo Co. And much of Ho Co promotes smart growth. So you don't find packed communities in the western parts of the county. Furthermore, b/c it's small with a budget that can't compare to Mo Co's, there are fewer avenues for the gifted. You won't find IB, for example.

They've got better options for GT students in HoCo. They've got a better GT organization too. I know--I live and work here.

Can you be a bit more specific or describe what the GT options/plans/programs are on the ground-level in HoCo - we have opportunities for positions close to HoCo but haven't moved because we couldn't figure out what the GT scenarios really look like.

Take a look at this: http://www.hcpss.org/gt/

Seems pretty good to me, plus it's in the local schools.

I'm glad you agree. I know we have a lot more options and better teaching. Before you people scream just note I said BETTER TEACHING.

What does THAT mean?

Are you STATING OUTRIGHT that Mo Co teachers aren't that stellar? Such a lame statement w/o any backing . . . Is that how you make claims? using NO evidence?

You're certainly stellar, no doubt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with teachers getting a 2% raise after a 3-year freeze?

I am tired of fat cats bashing union and government workers. I wish there are unions in professional jobs besides teaching. I can use one.

7% at the expense of the students.

Then fight it. Demand that we lose our steps after being frozen for 3 years. Demand that the money be used to make class sizes smaller b/c you KNOW that's the answer, right? Demand that we work longer hours, be data-driven by looking at kids as just numbers, be under scrutiny by all - b/c by making our working lives (and personal lives) more difficult, we'll be more productive.

Go ahead. Fight it.

The nastier you are to us - the less respect we receive - the higher the turnover rate. As it stands now, 40% leave w/in the first 5 years. Those are great statistics.

Thanks for the support, PP. Our students thank you, too.

Getting more money doesn't reduce your work hours. Shifting that money to use hiring more teachers and para educators might.

No government workers have gotten raises for the past three years. The economy has sucked. Don't act like you are getting treated like a stepchild.

The Feds and local government employees aren't teaching YOUR children.

If you don't care about children, then shut up. A happy teacher is a good teacher. And those who struggle to support families - or themselves, for that matter - aren't going to be successful in the classroom.

I am not complaining about MY circumstances. As an 18-year vet - and career changer - I am making $60K part time. My husband, who's also in the system, makes just a bit over $100K. I am worried about young teachers - new teachers - who leave in droves b/c they can't afford to live.

You are so very ignorant to assume that newbies are just living off the love their students give them.

Love doesn't pay the bills, sweet thing.

You'll feel the pain soon enough when every few months your children have yet ANOTHER teacher replacing one who's just left. In one science class alone, we had three substitutes who were frustrated with the pay and work load. Two came from private industry.

You're really in for it. So don't say I didn't warn you.

[Anonymous]

None of the school budget was focused on helping the children. It was all about the adults.

[Anonymous]

How many months out of the year do MCPS teachers work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many months out of the year do MCPS teachers work?

You can't figure that out?

sad . . .

full months: September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May

3 weeks in June, 1 week in August

10 FULL MONTHS

[Anonymous]

I can only imagine that many of you are jealous of teachers.

What else could it be?

While planning and grading take up HOURS of our personal lives, we are home with our kids. I may be grading during a dance session, but I'm there with my daughter. And if my children go to camp, it's purely for enrichment to break up the summer months.

Although I can't do drop off, as my work hours start at 7 am, I do pick up. I help with homework as I make dinner. And I'm at the pool with my children.

So complain all you want. Put us down. Continue to be condescending to the people who spend more hours with your children than YOU do. We'll continue to teach, knowing that we can be with OUR children and recognizing that oftentimes YOUR children think of us as their substitute parents.

Enjoy the summer as you watch it through your office window.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only imagine that many of you are jealous of teachers.

So which is it:

Teachers have it so good that everybody is jealous
OR
We're underpaid and unappreciated and everybody looks down on us.

FWIW, I generally think that teachers are underpaid. I _don't_ think teachers in MoCo are underpaid. I work with several people whose wives are/were teachers in other districts. They're astounded by the salaries MoCo teachers make.

[Anonymous]

I can only imagine that many of you are jealous of teachers.

What else could it be?

While planning and grading take up HOURS of our personal lives, we are home with our kids. I may be grading during a dance session, but I'm there with my daughter. And if my children go to camp, it's purely for enrichment to break up the summer months.

Although I can't do drop off, as my work hours start at 7 am, I do pick up. I help with homework as I make dinner. And I'm at the pool with my children.
So complain all you want. Put us down. Continue to be condescending to the people who spend more hours with your children than YOU do. We'll continue to teach, knowing that we can be with OUR children and recognizing that oftentimes YOUR children think of us as their substitute parents.

Enjoy the summer as you watch it through your office window.

I'm not sure what prompted this violin-like whine but I did not know teachers were the only persons in our country with kids for whom office work takes up HOURS of their personal lives. Like our children, the rest of us adults, are really learning alot from MCPS teachers. Keep up the superlative work. You should go on strike since you have to prep for and bring work home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm not sure what prompted this violin-like whine but I did not know teachers were the only persons in our country with kids for whom office work takes up HOURS of their personal lives. Like our children, the rest of us adults, are really learning alot from MCPS teachers. Keep up the superlative work. You should go on strike since you have to prep for and bring work home.

Perhaps one day MoCo teachers will find it necessary to work to the rule. Then you'll see how much UNCOMPENSATAED time they GIVE to your children each and every day. Imagine no college recommendations being written. No after school clubs. Stale lessons because it would be impossible to create new ones in the 45 minutes per day the average teacher is paid to plan, grade, contact parents, etc.

Enough with drinking the Washington Post Editorial Board Koolaid! Teachers are getting a fair deal here. Not a good deal by any stretch of the imagination because it will be the 4th consecutive year without a COLA. They are receiving a step increase of AT MOST 3% starting with the new fiscal year on July 1, and then a MAKEUP step increase in May 2013. They will therefore still have missed one step increase, and it remains to be seen if they will receive a step increase in July 2013. If they don't, they're back to square one.

BTW, please THINK before you post. All you who think that the money being used to pay for a step increase this coming year could be better used elsewhere to save time for teachers think again. Many teachers have to take second jobs after school to make ends meet. The only way to prevent this is to provide for step increases at the very least. Hiring a few paras will not reduce a teacher's workload. Paying teachers enough so they don't have to work a second job WILL reduce their workload. Less time working a second job = more time devoted to teaching (off the clock and uncompensated of course)