Congratulations to the 3 MCPS Seniors who are Intel/Regeneron finalists

[Anonymous]

I understand why Montgomery County is rethinking the criteria for selecting kids for the magnet program for the overall good of society. But as a parent of a SMACS graduate who was an InTel finalist, I often wonder if my DC would have been admitted to the magnet program under the current criteria given that we live in a W school district where he would have had a cohort and, therefore, might no longer be eligible. While he was always a bright kid, the experience of being at the magnet with like minded kids is what allowed him to reach this level at this age. Should less privileged kids be given these opportunities? Definitely. Will these formative experiences change the trajectory of my DC’s life long term? I really don’t know. It seems more likely to change the direction for a less privileged student. But selfishly, I am glad that these criteria were not in place at the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand why Montgomery County is rethinking the criteria for selecting kids for the magnet program for the overall good of society. But as a parent of a SMACS graduate who was an InTel finalist, I often wonder if my DC would have been admitted to the magnet program under the current criteria given that we live in a W school district where he would have had a cohort and, therefore, might no longer be eligible. While he was always a bright kid, the experience of being at the magnet with like minded kids is what allowed him to reach this level at this age. Should less privileged kids be given these opportunities? Definitely. Will these formative experiences change the trajectory of my DC’s life long term? I really don’t know. It seems more likely to change the direction for a less privileged student. But selfishly, I am glad that these criteria were not in place at the time.

'

I am a parent of a Blair SMACS senior and agree. The experience of being in the magnet has been transformative for my DC, and I don't know that the cohort experience would have sufficed for DC's needs and goals.

Selfishly, I am glad DC went through years ago and not now.

[Anonymous]

Holy Moly GUACAMOLE

107/200 from New York, were Intel Scholars

https://student.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts-2019-scholars

13 from Bronx High School of Science, Bronx, New York

[Anonymous]

I actually do not understand the change in MCPS policy which is very obviously based on race and SES, because it is discriminatory. , I would have supported more magnet programs to accomodate more people, but never ever less students.

However, looking at how well Asian-Americans are represented in these competitions even from obscure schools or states not known for their academic excellence, I know that home environment, parental support and priority to education given by these families are the intangibles that can not be replicated by MCPS policies.

Also, when things are handed to you not because of academic merit but because of "other" considerations, such students will never ever rise to the top. Sorry if this sounds harsh but we will see a decline in the numbers of MCPS students in these prestigious competitions. Eventually, we will start international students from India and China getting the top prizes here because our own students will not be given the opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not an OP. But...

It is evidence that MCPS was not happy that the 4th/5th grade HGCs were full of Asian Americans and not enough Hispanic and African Americans. That was (and is) the achievement gap that MCPS is trying to close by rename the HGC to CES and adding the cohort criteria.

It is evidence that MCPS was not happy that the middle school magnet at Eastern and TPMS were full of Asian Americans and not enough Hispanic and African Americans. That was (and is) the achievement gap that MCPS is trying to close by adding the cohort criteria.

Eventually, Blair SMAC selection criteria will be changed too to "close the achievement gap"...

Eventually, there will be no more Regeneron Finalist from MCPS...

So you’re saying non Asian kids are incapable of high achievement because they’re inherently not as smart as Asians? OK, racist.

The problem with URM and achievement gap is not that these students are not represented in magnets. It is that they are severely lagging behind and below grade level. Changing magnet criteria does not change anything. In fact, I predict that the academic achievement gap is now becoming a chasm that will never be closed. The repercussions in employment is going to be huge because what we are doing is marring everything with racial politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WTF on these posters claiming MCPS wants to “close the gap” on Asian Americans winning contests?! So mean spirited. Obviously everyone at MCPS is thrilled for these kids. Shame on you.

All the Asian immigrants are what is causing the college stress to go sky high for everyone. They run their poor kids into the ground for perfection. Their practices are not healthy and it is now ruining this country as well.

https://planamag.com/why-are-asian-american-kids-killing-themselves-477a3f6ea3f2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTF on these posters claiming MCPS wants to “close the gap” on Asian Americans winning contests?! So mean spirited. Obviously everyone at MCPS is thrilled for these kids. Shame on you.

All the Asian immigrants are what is causing the college stress to go sky high for everyone. They run their poor kids into the ground for perfection. Their practices are not healthy and it is now ruining this country as well.

https://planamag.com/why-are-asian-american-kids-killing-themselves-477a3f6ea3f2

You know, you don't have to do what Asian-Americans do. Let your kids be happy and well adjusted. Why do you care? Eventually, your kids will be winners because Asian-Americans will implode from all that stress. You all do want less Asian-Americans high achievers, don't you?

Actually, I will use the same logic to make all the White Christian pro-lifers feel better too. How about abortion becomes illegal for your White Christioan daughters? Let the POC and non-Christiona abort their babies. You all do want less POC and non-Christian people in this country , don't you?

MAGA, MAGA. Thank God that Trump is not perfect and is running the country so imperfectly while finding time to grab kitty kats with his tiny hands!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole Asian/cohort thing is so tiresome. I don't know the answer, but I do know that this is not about a race of "smarter" kids. Asian families, for the most part, value education and invest in many additional educational opportunities for their kids. These kids are better prepared when it comes time for various assessments. They spend more time in classes, in music lessons, practicing, working. That pays off for them in these competitions. It may also work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities. Congrats to all the kids who are working at this level.

As an Asian American, I agree. Do I upset that there is almost zero Asian American in NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB? No, I know that these sports need different skill sets. Should NFL draft consider race? No.

I enjoy the sports whenever played by the best athletics.

That is a pretty obtuse interpretation. I was actually thinking more about interview skills when it comes to Ivy league colleges. I am not against diversity, which is why I think requiring a variety of criteria (essays, recommendations, interviews etc for placements) is a good idea, and I don't think that just because a kid has extra training means they they are "smarter" (re-read my post). I also don't think Asian kids should be punished for working hard. It's just tricky. But, regardless, these kids have achieved a wonderful accolade and should be lauded.

BTW, our current cultural emphasis on diversity is way to the advantage of Asians in theatre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole Asian/cohort thing is so tiresome. I don't know the answer, but I do know that this is not about a race of "smarter" kids. Asian families, for the most part, value education and invest in many additional educational opportunities for their kids. These kids are better prepared when it comes time for various assessments. They spend more time in classes, in music lessons, practicing, working. That pays off for them in these competitions. It may also work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities. Congrats to all the kids who are working at this level.

That seems like a back handed compliment. Why do you assume those kids don't love what they are doing? Or you assuming that maybe it's the parents pressuring them?

My 13 yr old has been spending 2+ hours/day coding. I tell him to get off after 2 hours max and give himself a break, but if I didn't tell him to do this, he'd spend all day doing it. Now.. if he was going to be in a prestigious competition to win $ for college, I'd let him spend all his time coding.

If you saw a white or black kid who broke some sports record would you say, "wow.. they spend so much time practicing that sport, but it make work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities, but congrats to them who are working at this level".

It may shock you to know that, indeed, some of these kids *really* do enjoy science and spending a lot of time on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole Asian/cohort thing is so tiresome. I don't know the answer, but I do know that this is not about a race of "smarter" kids. Asian families, for the most part, value education and invest in many additional educational opportunities for their kids. These kids are better prepared when it comes time for various assessments. They spend more time in classes, in music lessons, practicing, working. That pays off for them in these competitions. It may also work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities. Congrats to all the kids who are working at this level.

As an Asian American, I agree. Do I upset that there is almost zero Asian American in NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB? No, I know that these sports need different skill sets. Should NFL draft consider race? No.

I enjoy the sports whenever played by the best athletics.

That is a pretty obtuse interpretation. I was actually thinking more about interview skills when it comes to Ivy league colleges. I am not against diversity, which is why I think requiring a variety of criteria (essays, recommendations, interviews etc for placements) is a good idea, and I don't think that just because a kid has extra training means they they are "smarter" (re-read my post). I also don't think Asian kids should be punished for working hard. It's just tricky. But, regardless, these kids have achieved a wonderful accolade and should be lauded.

BTW, our current cultural emphasis on diversity is way to the advantage of Asians in theatre.

DP.. given that there is a large % of Asian Americans in Ivy league schools, I'd say their interviewing skills are fine. I am going to also assume that many of the kids who won go on to top tier universities because winning such a competition is pretty darn amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dude, there is like 4 non-asian kids in that group. LOL

This made me laugh!

even better if you're an adult and not a kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole Asian/cohort thing is so tiresome. I don't know the answer, but I do know that this is not about a race of "smarter" kids. Asian families, for the most part, value education and invest in many additional educational opportunities for their kids. These kids are better prepared when it comes time for various assessments. They spend more time in classes, in music lessons, practicing, working. That pays off for them in these competitions. It may also work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities. Congrats to all the kids who are working at this level.

That seems like a back handed compliment. Why do you assume those kids don't love what they are doing? Or you assuming that maybe it's the parents pressuring them?

My 13 yr old has been spending 2+ hours/day coding. I tell him to get off after 2 hours max and give himself a break, but if I didn't tell him to do this, he'd spend all day doing it. Now.. if he was going to be in a prestigious competition to win $ for college, I'd let him spend all his time coding.

If you saw a white or black kid who broke some sports record would you say, "wow.. they spend so much time practicing that sport, but it make work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities, but congrats to them who are working at this level".

It may shock you to know that, indeed, some of these kids *really* do enjoy science and spending a lot of time on it.

I'm a science club sponsor at a high school. Last year I asked the top senior girl in the club what originally got her interested in it. She said she wasn't interested in it - it was the thing her dad had chosen for her to do. That depressed me - four years of amazing effort, at something you really didn't enjoy doing.

Yes, there are plenty of Asian students participating and being successful in many academic activities that they are passionate about. But there are also far too many there because it was the thing their parents are making them do.

[Anonymous]

Yet another thread hijacked by the warring Asian American culture bashers and the bitter cohort magnet rejects who thought a high MAP score was the golden center of the universe. Both so gross and racist.

Have either set even gone to the link to check out not the color of the kids’ skin but the content of these projects? They are incredibly impressive. And there is an open house held in March that you could take your kids to see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole Asian/cohort thing is so tiresome. I don't know the answer, but I do know that this is not about a race of "smarter" kids. Asian families, for the most part, value education and invest in many additional educational opportunities for their kids. These kids are better prepared when it comes time for various assessments. They spend more time in classes, in music lessons, practicing, working. That pays off for them in these competitions. It may also work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities. Congrats to all the kids who are working at this level.

That seems like a back handed compliment. Why do you assume those kids don't love what they are doing? Or you assuming that maybe it's the parents pressuring them?

My 13 yr old has been spending 2+ hours/day coding. I tell him to get off after 2 hours max and give himself a break, but if I didn't tell him to do this, he'd spend all day doing it. Now.. if he was going to be in a prestigious competition to win $ for college, I'd let him spend all his time coding.

If you saw a white or black kid who broke some sports record would you say, "wow.. they spend so much time practicing that sport, but it make work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities, but congrats to them who are working at this level".

It may shock you to know that, indeed, some of these kids *really* do enjoy science and spending a lot of time on it.

You don't know me. tou don't knwo how I'd react when I see a kid break a sports record. When I see a kid working nationally at a sport, I hope tey really enjoy it because I know they spend a lot of time and energy on it.

It doesn't shock me that some kids enjoy science, comp sci etc. My kid is in the SMAC magnet and has been in MSM and the HGC. And, there are definitely kids who love it, kids who are pressured by their parents and kids who both love it and are pressured. Kids tell my kid about having to stay up past midnight every night in MIDDLE school to do classwork, practice multiple instruments and do A++ extra test prep for HS magnets. That is one of many stories of pressure.

Think before you accuse. I really do hope the kids love it to be working that hard and that long.

BTW, I also have a kid who has performed at a state and nat'l level in an activity. Yes, they did/do love it. But, they are also in the magnets and need to be a kid to some extent. Mine needs some balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole Asian/cohort thing is so tiresome. I don't know the answer, but I do know that this is not about a race of "smarter" kids. Asian families, for the most part, value education and invest in many additional educational opportunities for their kids. These kids are better prepared when it comes time for various assessments. They spend more time in classes, in music lessons, practicing, working. That pays off for them in these competitions. It may also work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities. Congrats to all the kids who are working at this level.

As an Asian American, I agree. Do I upset that there is almost zero Asian American in NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB? No, I know that these sports need different skill sets. Should NFL draft consider race? No.

I enjoy the sports whenever played by the best athletics.

That is a pretty obtuse interpretation. I was actually thinking more about interview skills when it comes to Ivy league colleges. I am not against diversity, which is why I think requiring a variety of criteria (essays, recommendations, interviews etc for placements) is a good idea, and I don't think that just because a kid has extra training means they they are "smarter" (re-read my post). I also don't think Asian kids should be punished for working hard. It's just tricky. But, regardless, these kids have achieved a wonderful accolade and should be lauded.

BTW, our current cultural emphasis on diversity is way to the advantage of Asians in theatre.

DP.. given that there is a large % of Asian Americans in Ivy league schools, I'd say their interviewing skills are fine. I am going to also assume that many of the kids who won go on to top tier universities because winning such a competition is pretty darn amazing.

I guess you're not aware of the Harvard lawsuit?