FCPS has been such a disappointments - not sure what to do

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need an education overhaul across the whole country. I’m ready to start from scratch. So many things wrong. And I would agree that they aren’t handling diversity well at all. Why is there not a separate system for getting esol kids up to speed in English? They’re just failing those students by keeping them in mainstream when they don’t understand.

I subbed in a high school that has a large esol population. Some of these kids are coming in so poorly prepared that they have dedicated classes for them in other subjects (e.g. math) that take two periods to teach a year's worth of material. One problem is that when the population gets large enough and they don't speak English, they all hang out with peers who speak their native language and all end up in the same classes with those peers, so they learn very little English no matter what you do.

I also subbed in a MS and during one of the teacher's planning periods, another teacher brought a student in for a one on one in the empty classroom. She sat with the kid and they spent the period reviewing the alphabet (I kid you not).

That said, there are some esol kids who come in very well prepared (sometimes far better prepared than American peers the same age) in subjects other than English. And when they do they also have a much better attitude, better work ethic and more respect for learning and teachers than their American peers as well. Those kids are fine in a mainstream environment.

Similar experience as a substitute.

Also, it’s shameful and infuriating that FCPS has HS students (to include 18 year old freshmen) who can’t speak ANY English and instead demand translation services. I’m talking about a student who is unable to understand a request to state his/her name. My observations are that this is typical of Spanish speaking students. Not so Urdu, Farsi, Arabic.

And spot on observation about how the ESOL students (Spanish) all hang together. So much for inclusion and equity.

THIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Substitutes pretending they have any idea how any of this works because they babysit kids sometimes kill me.

You are woefully ignorant; I’ve been a LT substitute for over 10 years. I know what I’m talking about and I’m more than a babysitter.

Pay no attention to the haters pp.

[Anonymous]

If you think it’s bad now, fast forward to when the caravans arrive from our southern border and border walls thrown wide open for all to enter... hooray for diversity! (Hint —Start saving for private now)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was an ESL student in MCPS in the 90s and learn English . The Spanish speaking students didn’t because they would just hang out with each other. It hasn’t changed at all. I wish fellow Latinos would see how it holds them back.

But how do they pass the grade?! If you can’t read the history books in history class or write essays in English- how are you not failing?

We’re only in elementary school and I was really surprised to see that 1/4 of the class didn’t speak English. It makes it hard for the teacher to teach reading and phonics. My kids aren’t geniuses but get zero attention because they’re on target, which is depressing. Everyone should be challenged. I came from a school district that was exceptionally diverse. We had a fantastic esol program that went on for 2 years and then you were tested and most moved into mainstream classes at that point. The teachers spoke the kids native language (within reason, some were obscure) and helped so much. They didn’t just sit there teaching phonics and reading to kids who have no clue what they’re talking about. If you want to raise overall school scores, let’s try teaching English language!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go spend some time on the DCUM private school forum so you can be prepared for when you spend money to educate your kids and get to complain about how you're not getting your money's worth. No one is happy. Everyone needs something to complain about.

I happily pulled my kids out years ago for private and we couldn't be more thrilled with it.

[Anonymous]

Private is the only way to go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an ESL student in MCPS in the 90s and learn English . The Spanish speaking students didn’t because they would just hang out with each other. It hasn’t changed at all. I wish fellow Latinos would see how it holds them back.

But how do they pass the grade?! If you can’t read the history books in history class or write essays in English- how are you not failing?

Years ago I taught English at a NJ high school. We had a policy that ESOL kids who at least wrote their name on the assignment or test got a minimum passing grade. We weren’t allowed to fail them. They learned very quickly that they didn’t have to actually do anything to pass. Many still tried, but some happily took the passing grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need an education overhaul across the whole country. I’m ready to start from scratch. So many things wrong. And I would agree that they aren’t handling diversity well at all. Why is there not a separate system for getting esol kids up to speed in English? They’re just failing those students by keeping them in mainstream when they don’t understand.

I subbed in a high school that has a large esol population. Some of these kids are coming in so poorly prepared that they have dedicated classes for them in other subjects (e.g. math) that take two periods to teach a year's worth of material. One problem is that when the population gets large enough and they don't speak English, they all hang out with peers who speak their native language and all end up in the same classes with those peers, so they learn very little English no matter what you do.

I also subbed in a MS and during one of the teacher's planning periods, another teacher brought a student in for a one on one in the empty classroom. She sat with the kid and they spent the period reviewing the alphabet (I kid you not).

That said, there are some esol kids who come in very well prepared (sometimes far better prepared than American peers the same age) in subjects other than English. And when they do they also have a much better attitude, better work ethic and more respect for learning and teachers than their American peers as well. Those kids are fine in a mainstream environment.

Similar experience as a substitute.

Also, it’s shameful and infuriating that FCPS has HS students (to include 18 year old freshmen) who can’t speak ANY English and instead demand translation services. I’m talking about a student who is unable to understand a request to state his/her name. My observations are that this is typical of Spanish speaking students. Not so Urdu, Farsi, Arabic.

And spot on observation about how the ESOL students (Spanish) all hang together. So much for inclusion and equity.

I feel like your post is Exhibit A as to why they would want to hang together. You want them to attempt to hang with students who you potentially raised or share your values???? That's rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go spend some time on the DCUM private school forum so you can be prepared for when you spend money to educate your kids and get to complain about how you're not getting your money's worth. No one is happy. Everyone needs something to complain about.

I happily pulled my kids out years ago for private and we couldn't be more thrilled with it.

We are too, for your tax dollars. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I’m disappointed in aspects of FCPS but I can’t help but think that there is a small vocal minority posting in DCUM that is trying to completely undermine public education. They aren’t looking for solutions. They just reply that public education is hopeless, private is the only way to go, pro-vouchers. People eat this crap up, pull their kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed in aspects of FCPS but I can’t help but think that there is a small vocal minority posting in DCUM that is trying to completely undermine public education. They aren’t looking for solutions. They just reply that public education is hopeless, private is the only way to go, pro-vouchers. People eat this crap up, pull their kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

so....you're happy with FCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed in aspects of FCPS but I can’t help but think that there is a small vocal minority posting in DCUM that is trying to completely undermine public education. They aren’t looking for solutions. They just reply that public education is hopeless, private is the only way to go, pro-vouchers. People eat this crap up, pull their kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

And it makes no sense to not want FCPS to succeed even if your kids do not attend because of real estate values.

[Anonymous]

What can parents do? Write the school board? Impress upon FCPS that they are going to continue to lose students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What can parents do? Write the school board? Impress upon FCPS that they are going to continue to lose students?

Public education is a service. The goal is not to gain more customers. It's not a for profit company. The numbers leaving generally even out with those coming in, and many schools are over capacity. It not a real concern for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed in aspects of FCPS but I can’t help but think that there is a small vocal minority posting in DCUM that is trying to completely undermine public education. They aren’t looking for solutions. They just reply that public education is hopeless, private is the only way to go, pro-vouchers. People eat this crap up, pull their kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Au contraire, people eat this stuff up, find tutors/supplement, and then their kids become the ones who keep FCPS ratings high.