What happened to MCPS?????

[Anonymous]

How did MCPS end up going from the school system that everyone raved about to being the school system that everyone hates? We had always assumed that we would move to MD for the schools but now I'm wondering if we should just stay in DC or go to VA. We prefer MD for commute and neighborhoods but schools are most important to us. Everyone we know in Arlington, Fallschurch, and Fairfax still raves about their school system. The opposite is true of MCPS. Bad curriculum, meaningless report cards, bad superintendent, failing test scores and declining test scores...

Is it just a bad superintendent or are these bigger problems that just show its declining and will not recover?

Yes, I have looked at the websites for all the school systems above and read both the VA and MD boards in addition to talking with as many people that we know with kids in elementary school.

[Anonymous]

And are you getting your information other than from teh people on these boards?

[Anonymous]

Give it a rest with all the hand wringing, OP.

[Anonymous]

Go away troll.

[Anonymous]

As a product og MCPS and my kids are there now, I don't see a problem with it. People come here expecting things to be all clean, pressed, and perfect.

Just because they thoguht they had a smart kid and they don't they blame the school system.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that MCPS is the system that everyone hates. I think it's the system that people who post on DCUM hate. And, really, the main reasons they hate it are:

1. It isn't completely perfect for their particular child(ren), and they think it ought to be.
2. Curriculum 2.0 is a change, and people hate change.

Plus, also, people mostly post if they're unhappy about something. I am very happy with my two kids' experience in MCPS. But I don't put up posts saying "My kid had another good day in school today".

Which is not to say that MCPS is perfect -- of course it isn't! But I think much of it is a case of haters gonna hate.

[Anonymous]

I moved to from DC to MD for the so-called great MCPS, but it was a mistake. I will say that close-in Maryland has lots of other amenities, but I'm sure Virginia does, too. In retrospect, I would have stayed in DC -- charters seem to be currently more promising than MCPS -- or considered Virginia more seriously. I don't know how much to attribute to Supt. Starr, but I am less than impressed with his leadership. He is probably trying to land himself a federal appointment soon, which would be fine, because he is not able to connect with parents and kids in meaningful way. He's more invested in his "Josh" image and personal career path than really making any headway with the kids who really need a good, quality public education and may not have the financial means to supplement in other ways or opt out of working to volunteer. The unpaid volunteers seems to make the real difference, and a lot of parents in this regions have full-time jobs. I am not connected to the teacher community. Maybe the teachers and principals love him. I just don't know.

[Anonymous]

I have been happy with MCPS. I don't like the new report cards, and there are other things that annoy me, but the teachers have been very good, and that is the single most important factor. FWIW, I know plenty of people that are unhappy in Arlington and Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

This is public school, folks. It will never be perfect. The school systems around here are among the top in the country. Be grateful for what we have access to. Although...I do think Starr is kind of a dud. The way he handled the issue at NHE elementary and the music teacher left little to be desired.

[Anonymous]

have two in K right now. Can't think of anything wrong except of lack of playground space for 125 kindergarteners running around. Teachers are kind, my kids are are learning, school is warm and welcoming.

[Anonymous]

My DC is in HS in MCPS, coming in from private middle school, and we are very pleased with it. Yes class sizes are larger, but that's not a surprise or a secret and not a problem for my particular kid. Teachers are very good, classes are challenging, peer group is great.

[Anonymous]

I have two in MCPS HS now. Overall I'm happy with the education they receive. The teachers are really excellent and the peer group is good, as PP said. My only complaints are the lack of downtime in the school day for extracurriculars and studying, and the fact that the curriculum if made at the county level and feels unnecessarily bureaucratic and rigid.

[Anonymous]

My kids are in MCPS and, yes I have complained on these boards about curriculum 2.0. Make no mistake however: MCPS is a great system. There will be problems wherever you go and people will complain b/c that is an important part of being an engaged parent. My kids have had amazing teachers and overall a fantastic experience.
Trust me, your friends who are paying $40k for private school are all complaining about something behind the scenes too! There is no perfect school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that MCPS is the system that everyone hates. I think it's the system that people who post on DCUM hate. And, really, the main reasons they hate it are:

1. It isn't completely perfect for their particular child(ren), and they think it ought to be.
2. Curriculum 2.0 is a change, and people hate change.

Plus, also, people mostly post if they're unhappy about something. I am very happy with my two kids' experience in MCPS. But I don't put up posts saying "My kid had another good day in school today".

Which is not to say that MCPS is perfect -- of course it isn't! But I think much of it is a case of haters gonna hate.

Enough Said!!!!
Spot on!

[Anonymous]

How do you know that EVERYONE hates MCPS? I don't hate MCPS.