MCPS is no longer a desirable school district

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MS curriculum (non magnet) is abysmal. The foreign language (frequently taught by non-native speakers who don't actually speak the language), science, and English are a disaster. If you're math tracked, you can get in a good class with a good teacher.

Those of us who have been around a while (hint, working in the schools and as parents) have seen and experienced the changes, and it's not good at any level, ES, MS, HS.

It could be better, but compensating for this doesn't take much. Try encouraging your child to read.

This is funny, because our kids are in college, both top 20 schools, both ED, both went to what was then called the GT program in 4th and 5th, then one returned to home school and one went to a magnet middle, and both did magnet programs for HS. I also have worked in MCPS in ES, MS and HS over the past 20 years. Our kids are avid readers, and always have been.

Having educated parents helps, but doesn't fully make up for the dumpster fire MCPS has become.

It seems you're not fully informed. MCPS is far from being a mess. The real issue lies with parents who expect the county to raise their kids for them. I have a child in the RMIB program and another in Blair SMCS, and both have thrived, receiving a much better education than I did at MCPS 30 years ago. It seems like anyone who actually cares about education is doing great.

Hello fellow RMIB parent! Even at RM, which is top of the top, I can think of several teachers who are not qualified to teach what they are teaching and - couple more who refuse to give any feedback or grade assignments in time for the kids to learn from mistakes. So it’s not all rainbows and roses over there too. The truth is that the whole country’s educational system is in crisis and not enough 20-somethings are choosing this as a field, so the schools are jammed up with few options.

I’m another RMIB parent! While I agree that my kid is getting a good education, I do still acknowledge the many issues.

First off, there are way more qualified kids than there spots in RMIB. Why isn’t MCPS offering this wonderful program to any kid who qualifies?

Also, the bathroom situation at RM is abysmal. Were you at graduation? Even the SMOB brought it up.

And yes, there are definitely some teachers who are not giving feedback and/or are not qualified to teach. There is a one CS course known to be particularly bad, for example.

Teacher morale in MCPS is terrible and rightfully so. It’s a dysfunctional and corrupt school system. Tough place for students and teachers, even at RMIB.

As far as I know, every kid at RM is allowed to do the IB Diploma Programme at RM.

And the program was expanded to 4? other regional locations.

There are criteria and application processes for all of the IB programs. I'm not sure if some sites are struggling with getting enough kids or not but there has to be a cap of some sort or maybe the cap naturally emerges since not all kids meet the criteria and also the kids have to opt in.

There are not. If you are at one of the 8 high schools that has an IB program (B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill), either because it's your home school or you're there for a different program, then all you have to do to do the IB Diploma Programme is just do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MS curriculum (non magnet) is abysmal. The foreign language (frequently taught by non-native speakers who don't actually speak the language), science, and English are a disaster. If you're math tracked, you can get in a good class with a good teacher.

Those of us who have been around a while (hint, working in the schools and as parents) have seen and experienced the changes, and it's not good at any level, ES, MS, HS.

It could be better, but compensating for this doesn't take much. Try encouraging your child to read.

This is funny, because our kids are in college, both top 20 schools, both ED, both went to what was then called the GT program in 4th and 5th, then one returned to home school and one went to a magnet middle, and both did magnet programs for HS. I also have worked in MCPS in ES, MS and HS over the past 20 years. Our kids are avid readers, and always have been.

Having educated parents helps, but doesn't fully make up for the dumpster fire MCPS has become.

It seems you're not fully informed. MCPS is far from being a mess. The real issue lies with parents who expect the county to raise their kids for them. I have a child in the RMIB program and another in Blair SMCS, and both have thrived, receiving a much better education than I did at MCPS 30 years ago. It seems like anyone who actually cares about education is doing great.

Hello fellow RMIB parent! Even at RM, which is top of the top, I can think of several teachers who are not qualified to teach what they are teaching and - couple more who refuse to give any feedback or grade assignments in time for the kids to learn from mistakes. So it’s not all rainbows and roses over there too. The truth is that the whole country’s educational system is in crisis and not enough 20-somethings are choosing this as a field, so the schools are jammed up with few options.

I’m another RMIB parent! While I agree that my kid is getting a good education, I do still acknowledge the many issues.

First off, there are way more qualified kids than there spots in RMIB. Why isn’t MCPS offering this wonderful program to any kid who qualifies?

Also, the bathroom situation at RM is abysmal. Were you at graduation? Even the SMOB brought it up.

And yes, there are definitely some teachers who are not giving feedback and/or are not qualified to teach. There is a one CS course known to be particularly bad, for example.

Teacher morale in MCPS is terrible and rightfully so. It’s a dysfunctional and corrupt school system. Tough place for students and teachers, even at RMIB.

As far as I know, every kid at RM is allowed to do the IB Diploma Programme at RM.

And the program was expanded to 4? other regional locations.

There are criteria and application processes for all of the IB programs. I'm not sure if some sites are struggling with getting enough kids or not but there has to be a cap of some sort or maybe the cap naturally emerges since not all kids meet the criteria and also the kids have to opt in.

There are not. If you are at one of the 8 high schools that has an IB program (B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill), either because it's your home school or you're there for a different program, then all you have to do to do the IB Diploma Programme is just do it.

Sorry, you're right. I do know that they USE high GPA as a recruiting tactic to reach out and get kids into the IB program, but you're right, it's not a requirement.

[Anonymous]

RM's Magnet IB program though is application/lottery based if you're outside of the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MS curriculum (non magnet) is abysmal. The foreign language (frequently taught by non-native speakers who don't actually speak the language), science, and English are a disaster. If you're math tracked, you can get in a good class with a good teacher.

Those of us who have been around a while (hint, working in the schools and as parents) have seen and experienced the changes, and it's not good at any level, ES, MS, HS.

It could be better, but compensating for this doesn't take much. Try encouraging your child to read.

This is funny, because our kids are in college, both top 20 schools, both ED, both went to what was then called the GT program in 4th and 5th, then one returned to home school and one went to a magnet middle, and both did magnet programs for HS. I also have worked in MCPS in ES, MS and HS over the past 20 years. Our kids are avid readers, and always have been.

Having educated parents helps, but doesn't fully make up for the dumpster fire MCPS has become.

It seems you're not fully informed. MCPS is far from being a mess. The real issue lies with parents who expect the county to raise their kids for them. I have a child in the RMIB program and another in Blair SMCS, and both have thrived, receiving a much better education than I did at MCPS 30 years ago. It seems like anyone who actually cares about education is doing great.

Hello fellow RMIB parent! Even at RM, which is top of the top, I can think of several teachers who are not qualified to teach what they are teaching and - couple more who refuse to give any feedback or grade assignments in time for the kids to learn from mistakes. So it’s not all rainbows and roses over there too. The truth is that the whole country’s educational system is in crisis and not enough 20-somethings are choosing this as a field, so the schools are jammed up with few options.

I’m another RMIB parent! While I agree that my kid is getting a good education, I do still acknowledge the many issues.

First off, there are way more qualified kids than there spots in RMIB. Why isn’t MCPS offering this wonderful program to any kid who qualifies?

Also, the bathroom situation at RM is abysmal. Were you at graduation? Even the SMOB brought it up.

And yes, there are definitely some teachers who are not giving feedback and/or are not qualified to teach. There is a one CS course known to be particularly bad, for example.

Teacher morale in MCPS is terrible and rightfully so. It’s a dysfunctional and corrupt school system. Tough place for students and teachers, even at RMIB.

As far as I know, every kid at RM is allowed to do the IB Diploma Programme at RM.

And the program was expanded to 4? other regional locations.

There are criteria and application processes for all of the IB programs. I'm not sure if some sites are struggling with getting enough kids or not but there has to be a cap of some sort or maybe the cap naturally emerges since not all kids meet the criteria and also the kids have to opt in.

There are not. If you are at one of the 8 high schools that has an IB program (B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill), either because it's your home school or you're there for a different program, then all you have to do to do the IB Diploma Programme is just do it.

To offer the IB program requires going through an entire candidacy and authorization process. And while having schools and staff in the district who have completed it successfully helps and reduces some of the process stress/work, it is still a big undertaking. Further it’s not a program that all students will want. The district has to manage its time/resources. The expansion to other sites in the county is still fairly new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MS curriculum (non magnet) is abysmal. The foreign language (frequently taught by non-native speakers who don't actually speak the language), science, and English are a disaster. If you're math tracked, you can get in a good class with a good teacher.

Those of us who have been around a while (hint, working in the schools and as parents) have seen and experienced the changes, and it's not good at any level, ES, MS, HS.

It could be better, but compensating for this doesn't take much. Try encouraging your child to read.

This is funny, because our kids are in college, both top 20 schools, both ED, both went to what was then called the GT program in 4th and 5th, then one returned to home school and one went to a magnet middle, and both did magnet programs for HS. I also have worked in MCPS in ES, MS and HS over the past 20 years. Our kids are avid readers, and always have been.

Having educated parents helps, but doesn't fully make up for the dumpster fire MCPS has become.

It seems you're not fully informed. MCPS is far from being a mess. The real issue lies with parents who expect the county to raise their kids for them. I have a child in the RMIB program and another in Blair SMCS, and both have thrived, receiving a much better education than I did at MCPS 30 years ago. It seems like anyone who actually cares about education is doing great.

Hello fellow RMIB parent! Even at RM, which is top of the top, I can think of several teachers who are not qualified to teach what they are teaching and - couple more who refuse to give any feedback or grade assignments in time for the kids to learn from mistakes. So it’s not all rainbows and roses over there too. The truth is that the whole country’s educational system is in crisis and not enough 20-somethings are choosing this as a field, so the schools are jammed up with few options.

I’m another RMIB parent! While I agree that my kid is getting a good education, I do still acknowledge the many issues.

First off, there are way more qualified kids than there spots in RMIB. Why isn’t MCPS offering this wonderful program to any kid who qualifies?

Also, the bathroom situation at RM is abysmal. Were you at graduation? Even the SMOB brought it up.

And yes, there are definitely some teachers who are not giving feedback and/or are not qualified to teach. There is a one CS course known to be particularly bad, for example.

Teacher morale in MCPS is terrible and rightfully so. It’s a dysfunctional and corrupt school system. Tough place for students and teachers, even at RMIB.

As far as I know, every kid at RM is allowed to do the IB Diploma Programme at RM.

And the program was expanded to 4? other regional locations.

There are criteria and application processes for all of the IB programs. I'm not sure if some sites are struggling with getting enough kids or not but there has to be a cap of some sort or maybe the cap naturally emerges since not all kids meet the criteria and also the kids have to opt in.

There are not. If you are at one of the 8 high schools that has an IB program (B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill), either because it's your home school or you're there for a different program, then all you have to do to do the IB Diploma Programme is just do it.

To offer the IB program requires going through an entire candidacy and authorization process. And while having schools and staff in the district who have completed it successfully helps and reduces some of the process stress/work, it is still a big undertaking. Further it’s not a program that all students will want. The district has to manage its time/resources. The expansion to other sites in the county is still fairly new.

The schools hosting the three new-ish regional IB programs had all already been IB schools for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MS curriculum (non magnet) is abysmal. The foreign language (frequently taught by non-native speakers who don't actually speak the language), science, and English are a disaster. If you're math tracked, you can get in a good class with a good teacher.

Those of us who have been around a while (hint, working in the schools and as parents) have seen and experienced the changes, and it's not good at any level, ES, MS, HS.

It could be better, but compensating for this doesn't take much. Try encouraging your child to read.

This is funny, because our kids are in college, both top 20 schools, both ED, both went to what was then called the GT program in 4th and 5th, then one returned to home school and one went to a magnet middle, and both did magnet programs for HS. I also have worked in MCPS in ES, MS and HS over the past 20 years. Our kids are avid readers, and always have been.

Having educated parents helps, but doesn't fully make up for the dumpster fire MCPS has become.

It seems you're not fully informed. MCPS is far from being a mess. The real issue lies with parents who expect the county to raise their kids for them. I have a child in the RMIB program and another in Blair SMCS, and both have thrived, receiving a much better education than I did at MCPS 30 years ago. It seems like anyone who actually cares about education is doing great.

Hello fellow RMIB parent! Even at RM, which is top of the top, I can think of several teachers who are not qualified to teach what they are teaching and - couple more who refuse to give any feedback or grade assignments in time for the kids to learn from mistakes. So it’s not all rainbows and roses over there too. The truth is that the whole country’s educational system is in crisis and not enough 20-somethings are choosing this as a field, so the schools are jammed up with few options.

I’m another RMIB parent! While I agree that my kid is getting a good education, I do still acknowledge the many issues.

First off, there are way more qualified kids than there spots in RMIB. Why isn’t MCPS offering this wonderful program to any kid who qualifies?

Also, the bathroom situation at RM is abysmal. Were you at graduation? Even the SMOB brought it up.

And yes, there are definitely some teachers who are not giving feedback and/or are not qualified to teach. There is a one CS course known to be particularly bad, for example.

Teacher morale in MCPS is terrible and rightfully so. It’s a dysfunctional and corrupt school system. Tough place for students and teachers, even at RMIB.

As far as I know, every kid at RM is allowed to do the IB Diploma Programme at RM.

And the program was expanded to 4? other regional locations.

There are criteria and application processes for all of the IB programs. I'm not sure if some sites are struggling with getting enough kids or not but there has to be a cap of some sort or maybe the cap naturally emerges since not all kids meet the criteria and also the kids have to opt in.

There are not. If you are at one of the 8 high schools that has an IB program (B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill), either because it's your home school or you're there for a different program, then all you have to do to do the IB Diploma Programme is just do it.

To offer the IB program requires going through an entire candidacy and authorization process. And while having schools and staff in the district who have completed it successfully helps and reduces some of the process stress/work, it is still a big undertaking. Further it’s not a program that all students will want. The district has to manage its time/resources. The expansion to other sites in the county is still fairly new.

The schools hosting the three new-ish regional IB programs had all already been IB schools for years.

Correct and now they have expanded to regional sites. Seneca Valley after a complete rebuilding and expansion of its school capacity. Which just highlights the points that standing up an IB program does not happen overnight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MS curriculum (non magnet) is abysmal. The foreign language (frequently taught by non-native speakers who don't actually speak the language), science, and English are a disaster. If you're math tracked, you can get in a good class with a good teacher.

Those of us who have been around a while (hint, working in the schools and as parents) have seen and experienced the changes, and it's not good at any level, ES, MS, HS.

It could be better, but compensating for this doesn't take much. Try encouraging your child to read.

This is funny, because our kids are in college, both top 20 schools, both ED, both went to what was then called the GT program in 4th and 5th, then one returned to home school and one went to a magnet middle, and both did magnet programs for HS. I also have worked in MCPS in ES, MS and HS over the past 20 years. Our kids are avid readers, and always have been.

Having educated parents helps, but doesn't fully make up for the dumpster fire MCPS has become.

It seems you're not fully informed. MCPS is far from being a mess. The real issue lies with parents who expect the county to raise their kids for them. I have a child in the RMIB program and another in Blair SMCS, and both have thrived, receiving a much better education than I did at MCPS 30 years ago. It seems like anyone who actually cares about education is doing great.

Hello fellow RMIB parent! Even at RM, which is top of the top, I can think of several teachers who are not qualified to teach what they are teaching and - couple more who refuse to give any feedback or grade assignments in time for the kids to learn from mistakes. So it’s not all rainbows and roses over there too. The truth is that the whole country’s educational system is in crisis and not enough 20-somethings are choosing this as a field, so the schools are jammed up with few options.

I’m another RMIB parent! While I agree that my kid is getting a good education, I do still acknowledge the many issues.

First off, there are way more qualified kids than there spots in RMIB. Why isn’t MCPS offering this wonderful program to any kid who qualifies?

Also, the bathroom situation at RM is abysmal. Were you at graduation? Even the SMOB brought it up.

And yes, there are definitely some teachers who are not giving feedback and/or are not qualified to teach. There is a one CS course known to be particularly bad, for example.

Teacher morale in MCPS is terrible and rightfully so. It’s a dysfunctional and corrupt school system. Tough place for students and teachers, even at RMIB.

As far as I know, every kid at RM is allowed to do the IB Diploma Programme at RM.

And the program was expanded to 4? other regional locations.

There are criteria and application processes for all of the IB programs. I'm not sure if some sites are struggling with getting enough kids or not but there has to be a cap of some sort or maybe the cap naturally emerges since not all kids meet the criteria and also the kids have to opt in.

There are not. If you are at one of the 8 high schools that has an IB program (B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill), either because it's your home school or you're there for a different program, then all you have to do to do the IB Diploma Programme is just do it.

To offer the IB program requires going through an entire candidacy and authorization process. And while having schools and staff in the district who have completed it successfully helps and reduces some of the process stress/work, it is still a big undertaking. Further it’s not a program that all students will want. The district has to manage its time/resources. The expansion to other sites in the county is still fairly new.

The schools hosting the three new-ish regional IB programs had all already been IB schools for years.

Correct and now they have expanded to regional sites. Seneca Valley after a complete rebuilding and expansion of its school capacity. Which just highlights the points that standing up an IB program does not happen overnight.

The earlier point being made was about how a student can begin the IBDP at any of the schools that offer it, not about the time it takes to stand up a new IB program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MS curriculum (non magnet) is abysmal. The foreign language (frequently taught by non-native speakers who don't actually speak the language), science, and English are a disaster. If you're math tracked, you can get in a good class with a good teacher.

Those of us who have been around a while (hint, working in the schools and as parents) have seen and experienced the changes, and it's not good at any level, ES, MS, HS.

It could be better, but compensating for this doesn't take much. Try encouraging your child to read.

This is funny, because our kids are in college, both top 20 schools, both ED, both went to what was then called the GT program in 4th and 5th, then one returned to home school and one went to a magnet middle, and both did magnet programs for HS. I also have worked in MCPS in ES, MS and HS over the past 20 years. Our kids are avid readers, and always have been.

Having educated parents helps, but doesn't fully make up for the dumpster fire MCPS has become.

It seems you're not fully informed. MCPS is far from being a mess. The real issue lies with parents who expect the county to raise their kids for them. I have a child in the RMIB program and another in Blair SMCS, and both have thrived, receiving a much better education than I did at MCPS 30 years ago. It seems like anyone who actually cares about education is doing great.

Hello fellow RMIB parent! Even at RM, which is top of the top, I can think of several teachers who are not qualified to teach what they are teaching and - couple more who refuse to give any feedback or grade assignments in time for the kids to learn from mistakes. So it’s not all rainbows and roses over there too. The truth is that the whole country’s educational system is in crisis and not enough 20-somethings are choosing this as a field, so the schools are jammed up with few options.

I’m another RMIB parent! While I agree that my kid is getting a good education, I do still acknowledge the many issues.

First off, there are way more qualified kids than there spots in RMIB. Why isn’t MCPS offering this wonderful program to any kid who qualifies?

Also, the bathroom situation at RM is abysmal. Were you at graduation? Even the SMOB brought it up.

And yes, there are definitely some teachers who are not giving feedback and/or are not qualified to teach. There is a one CS course known to be particularly bad, for example.

Teacher morale in MCPS is terrible and rightfully so. It’s a dysfunctional and corrupt school system. Tough place for students and teachers, even at RMIB.

As far as I know, every kid at RM is allowed to do the IB Diploma Programme at RM.

And the program was expanded to 4? other regional locations.

There are criteria and application processes for all of the IB programs. I'm not sure if some sites are struggling with getting enough kids or not but there has to be a cap of some sort or maybe the cap naturally emerges since not all kids meet the criteria and also the kids have to opt in.

There are not. If you are at one of the 8 high schools that has an IB program (B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill), either because it's your home school or you're there for a different program, then all you have to do to do the IB Diploma Programme is just do it.

To offer the IB program requires going through an entire candidacy and authorization process. And while having schools and staff in the district who have completed it successfully helps and reduces some of the process stress/work, it is still a big undertaking. Further it’s not a program that all students will want. The district has to manage its time/resources. The expansion to other sites in the county is still fairly new.

The schools hosting the three new-ish regional IB programs had all already been IB schools for years.

Correct and now they have expanded to regional sites. Seneca Valley after a complete rebuilding and expansion of its school capacity. Which just highlights the points that standing up an IB program does not happen overnight.

Seneca Valley has been an IB school since 2010. Long before the new building, which would have opened in the fall of 2020 if it hadn't been for covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So curious where you think is better.

My neice attends a public charter school in AZ and it is amazing! Excellent academics and not nearly the level of behavioral issues we have at my kids’ public MCPS HS.

Charter schools can be highly selective and are not mandated by law to educate all children, including those with emotional disabilities or trauma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The MS curriculum (non magnet) is abysmal. The foreign language (frequently taught by non-native speakers who don't actually speak the language), science, and English are a disaster. If you're math tracked, you can get in a good class with a good teacher.

Those of us who have been around a while (hint, working in the schools and as parents) have seen and experienced the changes, and it's not good at any level, ES, MS, HS.

It could be better, but compensating for this doesn't take much. Try encouraging your child to read.

This is funny, because our kids are in college, both top 20 schools, both ED, both went to what was then called the GT program in 4th and 5th, then one returned to home school and one went to a magnet middle, and both did magnet programs for HS. I also have worked in MCPS in ES, MS and HS over the past 20 years. Our kids are avid readers, and always have been.

Having educated parents helps, but doesn't fully make up for the dumpster fire MCPS has become.

It seems you're not fully informed. MCPS is far from being a mess. The real issue lies with parents who expect the county to raise their kids for them. I have a child in the RMIB program and another in Blair SMCS, and both have thrived, receiving a much better education than I did at MCPS 30 years ago. It seems like anyone who actually cares about education is doing great.

Hello fellow RMIB parent! Even at RM, which is top of the top, I can think of several teachers who are not qualified to teach what they are teaching and - couple more who refuse to give any feedback or grade assignments in time for the kids to learn from mistakes. So it’s not all rainbows and roses over there too. The truth is that the whole country’s educational system is in crisis and not enough 20-somethings are choosing this as a field, so the schools are jammed up with few options.

I’m another RMIB parent! While I agree that my kid is getting a good education, I do still acknowledge the many issues.

First off, there are way more qualified kids than there spots in RMIB. Why isn’t MCPS offering this wonderful program to any kid who qualifies?

Also, the bathroom situation at RM is abysmal. Were you at graduation? Even the SMOB brought it up.

And yes, there are definitely some teachers who are not giving feedback and/or are not qualified to teach. There is a one CS course known to be particularly bad, for example.

Teacher morale in MCPS is terrible and rightfully so. It’s a dysfunctional and corrupt school system. Tough place for students and teachers, even at RMIB.

As far as I know, every kid at RM is allowed to do the IB Diploma Programme at RM.

And the program was expanded to 4? other regional locations.

There are criteria and application processes for all of the IB programs. I'm not sure if some sites are struggling with getting enough kids or not but there has to be a cap of some sort or maybe the cap naturally emerges since not all kids meet the criteria and also the kids have to opt in.

There are not. If you are at one of the 8 high schools that has an IB program (B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill), either because it's your home school or you're there for a different program, then all you have to do to do the IB Diploma Programme is just do it.

To offer the IB program requires going through an entire candidacy and authorization process. And while having schools and staff in the district who have completed it successfully helps and reduces some of the process stress/work, it is still a big undertaking. Further it’s not a program that all students will want. The district has to manage its time/resources. The expansion to other sites in the county is still fairly new.

The schools hosting the three new-ish regional IB programs had all already been IB schools for years.

Correct and now they have expanded to regional sites. Seneca Valley after a complete rebuilding and expansion of its school capacity. Which just highlights the points that standing up an IB program does not happen overnight.

Seneca Valley has been an IB school since 2010. Long before the new building, which would have opened in the fall of 2020 if it hadn't been for covid.

If folks would go back you’d see the question was “Why isn’t MCPS offering this wonderful program to any kid who qualifies?”. The answer is that a) it requires resources and that programs can’t be stood up overnight. To increase opportunity, MCPS open up the IB programs to be regional sites not just local programs. Some of that occurred as places had space to be able to enroll students outside of the local catchment. B) not every student wants to engage in the IB program so going through the effort to stand up an IB program would not be worth it.

Having multiple regional sites has only been in effect a couple years. So folks should expect that idea to be evaluated before any further expansion.

[Anonymous]

The school where I teach choose to create three new electives knowing that it would cause general class sizes to expand dramatically if they couldn’t get central office to agree to a 0.6 allocation.

The expansion in general class sizes doesn’t impact me directly. I don’t teach the affected courses. However, it impacts the school atmosphere as a whole since students and teachers in the affected classes will be more stressed. The electives weren’t even created to serve student demand or address student needs. They were adopted to keep three staff members happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So curious where you think is better.

My neice attends a public charter school in AZ and it is amazing! Excellent academics and not nearly the level of behavioral issues we have at my kids’ public MCPS HS.

Charter schools can be highly selective and are not mandated by law to educate all children, including those with emotional disabilities or trauma.

So what? Other schools are busy focusing on those with "trauma"...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school where I teach choose to create three new electives knowing that it would cause general class sizes to expand dramatically if they couldn’t get central office to agree to a 0.6 allocation.

The expansion in general class sizes doesn’t impact me directly. I don’t teach the affected courses. However, it impacts the school atmosphere as a whole since students and teachers in the affected classes will be more stressed. The electives weren’t even created to serve student demand or address student needs. They were adopted to keep three staff members happy.

This happen all the time with middle school electives. A bunch of electives at a school I taught at had their names and course codes changed to meet the recent state middle school technology course requirements even though those classes involve very little technology. Messing with the schedule and courses is also a way to get rid of certain staff or to create new programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We moved to Montgomery County because of the schools, and now, we are moving out for the exact same reason. MCPS has been deteriorating on so many levels over the last decade. It feels like watching a car wreck in slow motion. Our kids deserve better.

MCPS is one of the 20 largest, most diverse (socioeconomically & ethnically) public school systems in the country. Everyone has a different experience. Too bad it didn't work out for you and your family.

I hope you're going to a smaller, generally all-around wealthy district.

For the record, we have been part of the school system for 10+ years and feel our kids have gotten a very good education and will be better prepared for college that most graduating seniors in the US.

I think MCPS does high achieving in the W's well, but I also think those kids would do well anywhere. One of my kids did great and I'd absolutely agree they were very well prepared for college. They even said college was way easier than high school.
The kids in the middle get lost though, especially at the W high schools. It's a really soul sucking place to be if you struggle with academics at all as our second child did.
Anyways just to echo it's a big HUGE district. IMO too big and unwieldy so that those middle kids do get lost.
-not OP

It's this. If you have more than one kid, then MCPS's secret sauce has been revealed to you -- that they count on the children themselves to make them a good school district. If you don't have a naturally high-flying kid or a bank account for tutors, MCPS will not bother teaching your child. Why should they, when they can just count on the other kids to pick up the statistical slack?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school where I teach choose to create three new electives knowing that it would cause general class sizes to expand dramatically if they couldn’t get central office to agree to a 0.6 allocation.

The expansion in general class sizes doesn’t impact me directly. I don’t teach the affected courses. However, it impacts the school atmosphere as a whole since students and teachers in the affected classes will be more stressed. The electives weren’t even created to serve student demand or address student needs. They were adopted to keep three staff members happy.

This happen all the time with middle school electives. A bunch of electives at a school I taught at had their names and course codes changed to meet the recent state middle school technology course requirements even though those classes involve very little technology. Messing with the schedule and courses is also a way to get rid of certain staff or to create new programs.

This is terrible. Meanwhile there are current elective that students in other schools don’t even have the option of taking. Further just changing the name of a MS course without adopting appropriate curriculum to align just sets kids up for issues in HS.