Fairfax County: McLean Citizens Association demands smaller class sizes

[Anonymous]

think it is safe to assume there is a higher % of military children at the school because of its proximity to Ft Belvoir and the relative affordability of homes in its boundary. Its mobility rate is quite high for our district, which already has a high mobility rate. It has a high % of ESL students and a high percentage of FRL students. It's special needs population is also equally high for the district. All of those factors contribute the fact that Bucknell has a much high population (as a % of its students) of harder to teach students. It is easy to get high scores in schools that have fewer students (as a %) in any of those categories. Mobility compounds all of the other hurdles as you are starting over at zero with a high % of students every year in every grade. If we tested in September and agin in June with the students that were there all year, I think you would see significant improvement.

Doubtful. There are many schools much closer and the neighborhoods south of Belvoir tend to be less expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

think it is safe to assume there is a higher % of military children at the school because of its proximity to Ft Belvoir and the relative affordability of homes in its boundary. Its mobility rate is quite high for our district, which already has a high mobility rate. It has a high % of ESL students and a high percentage of FRL students. It's special needs population is also equally high for the district. All of those factors contribute the fact that Bucknell has a much high population (as a % of its students) of harder to teach students. It is easy to get high scores in schools that have fewer students (as a %) in any of those categories. Mobility compounds all of the other hurdles as you are starting over at zero with a high % of students every year in every grade. If we tested in September and agin in June with the students that were there all year, I think you would see significant improvement.

Doubtful. There are many schools much closer and the neighborhoods south of Belvoir tend to be less expensive.

It is the mobility rate that matters here and it is very high.

[Anonymous]

It is the mobility rate that matters here and it is very high.

Totally agree. Another issue with the mobility rate is that it has been high for several years--that means that many of the kids tested in sixth grade--possibly most--have been in the school for only a year or so.

[Anonymous]

I just looked at the stats for this school. In 2013-13 this school had a 78% free and reduced lunch rate, 44% limited English proficiency rate, 20% special education services rates, and a 24% mobility rate. If you look at the DRA scores, you see that fewer than half of first and second graders are reading at or above grade level. The behavior offenses are also very high for an elementary school. Most of them have ZERO offenses.

This is a very, very high needs school population by almost any standard. Look at ANY McLean elementary school and compare any of the above stats.

[Anonymous]

My guess is, that with this big push on testing, these kids are being harmed more than most. The teachers are probably required to teach way above the level. That may work with really smart kids, but if these kids don't have the basics, it can be harmful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is, that with this big push on testing, these kids are being harmed more than most. The teachers are probably required to teach way above the level. That may work with really smart kids, but if these kids don't have the basics, it can be harmful.

That is my question. Could the reading and writing standards be too high for a population that is still learning English? Or at least too high to accommodate in the time slot allotted for language arts? There are a lot of schools that have low language arts scores. Even the better neighborhood schools.

[Anonymous]

Could the reading and writing standards be too high for a population that is still learning English?

Likely. Also, likely with high poverty American born kids. Sure, some kids may swim the first time they are thrown in deep water, but would you take the chance with your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just looked at the stats for this school. In 2013-13 this school had a 78% free and reduced lunch rate, 44% limited English proficiency rate, 20% special education services rates, and a 24% mobility rate. If you look at the DRA scores, you see that fewer than half of first and second graders are reading at or above grade level. The behavior offenses are also very high for an elementary school. Most of them have ZERO offenses.

This is a very, very high needs school population by almost any standard. Look at ANY McLean elementary school and compare any of the above stats.

There is only one year where the behavior offenses were great and they are all in the more minor offense categories.

[Anonymous]

There is only one year where the behavior offenses were great and they are all in the more minor offense categories.

You have no idea how much instructional time can be lost with "more minor" offenses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There is only one year where the behavior offenses were great and they are all in the more minor offense categories.

You have no idea how much instructional time can be lost with "more minor" offenses?

Please stop saying people have no idea. You have no idea what people know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just looked at the stats for this school. In 2013-13 this school had a 78% free and reduced lunch rate, 44% limited English proficiency rate, 20% special education services rates, and a 24% mobility rate. If you look at the DRA scores, you see that fewer than half of first and second graders are reading at or above grade level. The behavior offenses are also very high for an elementary school. Most of them have ZERO offenses.

This is a very, very high needs school population by almost any standard. Look at ANY McLean elementary school and compare any of the above stats.

There are many schools in-between McLean and Title One schools. I'm not sure comparing title one schools to McLean does a whole lot of good at any time. McLean does well, so we should look at what they do successfully, but the schools shouldn't really be compared to each other as to whether a title one school is successful or not. There are about 140 elementary schools just in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely pick this school if it was in my budget, was close to work, and if I spoke Spanish. It's a nice neighborhood in a nice location. I don't meet any of the criteria mentioned, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't pick it if I did and my budget, commute, and language has no reflection on how well the school teaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just looked at the stats for this school. In 2013-13 this school had a 78% free and reduced lunch rate, 44% limited English proficiency rate, 20% special education services rates, and a 24% mobility rate. If you look at the DRA scores, you see that fewer than half of first and second graders are reading at or above grade level. The behavior offenses are also very high for an elementary school. Most of them have ZERO offenses.

This is a very, very high needs school population by almost any standard. Look at ANY McLean elementary school and compare any of the above stats.

There are many schools in-between McLean and Title One schools. I'm not sure comparing title one schools to McLean does a whole lot of good at any time. McLean does well, so we should look at what they do successfully, but the schools shouldn't really be compared to each other as to whether a title one school is successful or not. There are about 140 elementary schools just in FCPS.

McLean does well because they all go to preschool, have been read to since inception, have parents that are able feed them healthy food, sleep in a comfortable bed in comfortable temperature for enough time, have parents that have very high educations... BTDTGTTS. They are some of the most prepared children on the planet. Whatever McLean does, will not work in a different population.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely pick this school if it was in my budget, was close to work, and if I spoke Spanish. It's a nice neighborhood in a nice location. I don't meet any of the criteria mentioned, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't pick it if I did and my budget, commute, and language has no reflection on how well the school teaches.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Please stop saying people have no idea. You have no idea what people know.

Oh, have you also taught in that environment?