Deal -why no honors classes?

[Anonymous]

Everyone on the Brookland thread is acting like the principal will create an honors class system there, no problem.

But, this begs the questions, why doesn't Deal have REAL honors classes, that you have to test into or get recommendations to get into? I am having trouble seeing how this will happen at Brookland if it has not already occurred at Deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone on the Brookland thread is acting like the principal will create an honors class system there, no problem.

But, this begs the questions, why doesn't Deal have REAL honors classes, that you have to test into or get recommendations to get into? I am having trouble seeing how this will happen at Brookland if it has not already occurred at Deal.

If true, it might be because of the IB program. I've read something similar in another post.

[Anonymous]

But don't IB programs frequently have honors/ test-in components? Like at RMIB in MCPS?

[Anonymous]

My understanding from an open house is that kids are not put in tracks (classes for smarter kids, classes for kids of parents who can get kids in certain classes) but rather everyone is treated and taught at the highest level possible, with support for those who need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding from an open house is that kids are not put in tracks (classes for smarter kids, classes for kids of parents who can get kids in certain classes) but rather everyone is treated and taught at the highest level possible, with support for those who need it.

that does not seem adequate at the MS level, clearly each class will have a wide variation in abilities coming in.

[Anonymous]

There are 3 levels of math. That is decided with testing and teachers recs. but they do move kids in the first weeks if it appears they are not properly placed.

[Anonymous]

Only math is tracked then? Not English or anything else?

[Anonymous]

Deal used to have many levels and tracks before Melissa Kim. It did not yield academic distinction. Instead, it created a negative culture and segregation within the school on race and class lines. If you don't think the program is meeting your kids, talk to the teachers and principal. It is not your job to suggest that the solution is creating honors classes.

[Anonymous]

I think the bigger question is why is DCPS against honors/advanced classes before high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deal used to have many levels and tracks before Melissa Kim. It did not yield academic distinction. Instead, it created a negative culture and segregation within the school on race and class lines. If you don't think the program is meeting your kids, talk to the teachers and principal. It is not your job to suggest that the solution is creating honors classes.

To the person wondering why, don't you think this may be part of it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deal used to have many levels and tracks before Melissa Kim. It did not yield academic distinction. Instead, it created a negative culture and segregation within the school on race and class lines. If you don't think the program is meeting your kids, talk to the teachers and principal. It is not your job to suggest that the solution is creating honors classes.

+1
You don't need the label of honors at Deal. High performing kids get what they need.

[Anonymous]

Plus Spanish is tracked; Kids with prior exposure take the Spanish Humanities track.

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deal used to have many levels and tracks before Melissa Kim. It did not yield academic distinction. Instead, it created a negative culture and segregation within the school on race and class lines. If you don't think the program is meeting your kids, talk to the teachers and principal. It is not your job to suggest that the solution is creating honors classes.

You can't really tell other parents what is and isn't their job.