MCPS is no longer a desirable school district

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

And you think this doesn’t happen in other districts or even private school. Private school is a bit better because it’s a significantly smaller environs and they already selected those they think are going to do well with little to no help. If a kid does need help, guess where those tutors or Special Ed services are being sourced. By parents and with their own money.

[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.

RM is by far the best IB program. No comparison.

[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.

RM is by far the best IB program. No comparison.

Door opens [camera sweep of a gun shadow on the wall]

Poolsville parent enters the conversation….

‘I beg your pardon. There are no weapons when you are in the outer exurbs’

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

And you think this doesn’t happen in other districts or even private school. Private school is a bit better because it’s a significantly smaller environs and they already selected those they think are going to do well with little to no help. If a kid does need help, guess where those tutors or Special Ed services are being sourced. By parents and with their own money.

DP. So true! The previous PP doesn't seem to understand that there's a huge correlation between school ratings and SES. It's not a secret that highly rated schools are also the wealthiest, which means more 2 parent households that can offer tuturing, prep courses, and other extracurricular actitivies. Duh.

[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.

RM is by far the best IB program. No comparison.

Door opens [camera sweep of a gun shadow on the wall]

Poolsville parent enters the conversation….

‘I beg your pardon. There are no weapons when you are in the outer exurbs’

Poolesville's a great school, but it doesn't have an 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: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.

RM is by far the best IB program. No comparison.

Door opens [camera sweep of a gun shadow on the wall]

Poolsville parent enters the conversation….

‘I beg your pardon. There are no weapons when you are in the outer exurbs’

Poolesville's a great school, but it doesn't have an IB program.

Poolesville HS is the number one high school in MCPS. It doesn't need an IB program.

[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.

Machiavelli has nothing on MCPS!

[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.

RM is by far the best IB program. No comparison.

Door opens [camera sweep of a gun shadow on the wall]

Poolsville parent enters the conversation….

‘I beg your pardon. There are no weapons when you are in the outer exurbs’

Poolesville's a great school, but it doesn't have an IB program.

Poolesville HS is the number one high school in MCPS. It doesn't need an IB program.

OK, but the PP who mentioned Poolesville was replying to a post saying "RM is by far the best IB program."

[Anonymous]

Mcps has gone downhill fast in the last 20 plus years I've worked here. We simply cannot handle the large growth in immigrants, the growing special education, mental health, and behavioral needs coupled with the central office chaos, lack of seasoned administrators, and lack of competent educators. In another 10 years I think it will look more like pg county schools with some exceptions like the magnets, w schools, Poolesville, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mcps has gone downhill fast in the last 20 plus years I've worked here. We simply cannot handle the large growth in immigrants, the growing special education, mental health, and behavioral needs coupled with the central office chaos, lack of seasoned administrators, and lack of competent educators. In another 10 years I think it will look more like pg county schools with some exceptions like the magnets, w schools, Poolesville, etc

We already look like PG County schools.

[Anonymous]

Too many parents claiming their kids need special ed. Give me a break. Go learn like the rest of the kids and stop whining. If your kid is a snowflake hire them a tutor and don’t rely on the county

[Anonymous]

Parents will still pick MCPS over PG County any day. #Truth

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents will still pick MCPS over PG County any day. #Truth

Yes, but for how long

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents will still pick MCPS over PG County any day. #Truth

Yes, but for how long

MCPS is still the most sought after school district in the region. Does it have its issues? Sure but so do all the other districts. Public school systems, except for very small wealthy ones, are going to continue having issues because they are continuously expected to do more and more and serve as the community’s center. We expect schools to be these idyllic places of learning that serve millions of kids, but we also want to be able to decide what that looks, how it’s done, and what’s taught when most folks have no idea about any of it. And we expect it to be similar to 20 years ago when so much about society has changed since then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents will still pick MCPS over PG County any day. #Truth

Yes, but for how long

MCPS is still the most sought after school district in the region. Does it have its issues? Sure but so do all the other districts. Public school systems, except for very small wealthy ones, are going to continue having issues because they are continuously expected to do more and more and serve as the community’s center. We expect schools to be these idyllic places of learning that serve millions of kids, but we also want to be able to decide what that looks, how it’s done, and what’s taught when most folks have no idea about any of it. And we expect it to be similar to 20 years ago when so much about society has changed since then.

+1

It’s the parents who are ruining MCPS.

IEPs and 504s for everyone. Special accommodations for every kid. Forcing DEI discussions, forcing Unity day on kids. All these things take away from learning.

Parent are also not disciplining their kids at home so they come to school and act like jerks. These kids are distracting teachers and making them feel unsafe.

Kids are also addicted to their phones. The cannot focus in class. Parents are angry school systems are taking away phone.

Kids aren’t learning because they are jerks and their parents are jerks. Stop blaming MCPS.