s/o from the 2.0 discussion, please move if you're that unhappy

[Anonymous]

And then there is this:

http://www.gtamc.org/Home/announcements-1/aboutdrjoshuastarr

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. First, 1739 I'm not condemning anyone to anything we haven't already experienced; my kid is in third grade and as such has been part of the rollout of 2.0 since the beginning, I believe. So I'm not praising a system that is different than what my child has experienced. 1219 PP, I don't know why your child isn't learning anything but have you ever considered that is not a function of the curriculum? Unless you're suggesting that your child already knows All That There Is To Know, in which case, congratulations on birthing the Second Coming. Can't wait to meet him/her.

Second, 1741PP (same person at 1739, perhaps??) I am profoundly skeptical that MCPS/MoCo will experience an outmigration of educated parents of means who value education. I am willing to bet you that there are more advanced degrees in my household than in yours, and we're not going anywhere. Neither are any of our neighbors, or the parents of our child's classmates, most of whom seem to be reasonably intelligent and care deeply about their kids. And as I said in my original post, I'll help any of the whining mommies at our school's meetings pack if they choose to go... I'll believe it when I see it, but I'd be happy if I do.

And shapes and colors PP, your patronizing words suggest a small mind. And they do nothing for your cause.

Finally, if any of the complainers had any serious expertise, I might be inclined to listen. If you are a teacher with 20 years experience and a Harvard Ed degree, feel free to opine on the merits of 2.0 versus other curricula till the cows come home. But otherwise, all you can do is speak for your child. Which you have every right and obligation to do in speaking with your child's teachers. However, you don't have the right to tell the entire school system how to educate. You're a parent, you know your child, you don't (and this means you, PP with the dramatic lectures on comparative international education based on having spent a few years in Japan as a child) know the first thing about the design of a curriculum for an entire school system. Neither do I. Which is why I moved to a place that has good schools. Not perfect, I fully admit. And if I were in charge, and could construct a system that did precisely what my child needs, it would probably look very different. (Hint, a lot more science and a lot more recess.) But even if it doesn't suit my every need/desire, MCPS is still very good, and very well-regarded, and staffed mostly by professionals who care and who invest a lot of time and effort in keeping the schools high quality.

And this - I have zero attachment to curriculum 2.0 - I'm just so sick of the conversation about education in this area dominated by the armchair experts in yoga pants, whose only frame of reference is their conviction that their child is super exceptional. Here's the thing - they are all super exceptional, even if they don't do algebra in second grade. So please, go to Arlington or private school or whereever, and let the rest of us get on with supporting our kids and our schools.

You are a breath of fresh air. I am glad there's at least one other reasonable person here.

OK, now I know there are three of us. Thank you.

Four!

[Anonymous]

Hi, OP again and I'm fascinated that people keep putting words in my mouth. I didn't suggest going to BoE meetings, although I think that is a perfectly fine idea. I agree that we live in a democracy, obviously, but it is just as obvious tome that each individual taxpayer is not entitled to determine policy for the entire county (or country) based on his or her own preference. By way of analogy, you can't insist in a certain traffic light pattern or trash pickup schedule simply because you believe it is best (for you) - you are entitled to voice your views but you also have to accept that you are part of a community, and subject to rules and procedures designed and implemented by professionals.

Finally, I based the title of this post on an explicit threat (bluff? Rant?) on another thread. I am not trying to run anyone out of anywhere, as if I could!, I'm simply trying to make a point that the apocalyptic rhetoric of the opponents of this curriculum is absurd. And not very persuasive to those of us whom you are presumably trying to persuade to support your cause.

[Anonymous]

Those families and children sufficiently challenged with curriulum 2.0 obviously may show little concern for other kids twiddling their thumbs; even if some of these same kids are asked to mentor their own children in the classroom by the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those families and children sufficiently challenged with curriulum 2.0 obviously may show little concern for other kids twiddling their thumbs; even if some of these same kids are asked to mentor their own children in the classroom by the teacher.

Actually, I think the parents of the students who are "twiddling their thumbs" show no concern about the other children in the class. These parents are too busy "advocating" for the needs of their own children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. First, 1739 I'm not condemning anyone to anything we haven't already experienced; my kid is in third grade and as such has been part of the rollout of 2.0 since the beginning, I believe. So I'm not praising a system that is different than what my child has experienced. 1219 PP, I don't know why your child isn't learning anything but have you ever considered that is not a function of the curriculum? Unless you're suggesting that your child already knows All That There Is To Know, in which case, congratulations on birthing the Second Coming. Can't wait to meet him/her.

Second, 1741PP (same person at 1739, perhaps??) I am profoundly skeptical that MCPS/MoCo will experience an outmigration of educated parents of means who value education. I am willing to bet you that there are more advanced degrees in my household than in yours, and we're not going anywhere. Neither are any of our neighbors, or the parents of our child's classmates, most of whom seem to be reasonably intelligent and care deeply about their kids. And as I said in my original post, I'll help any of the whining mommies at our school's meetings pack if they choose to go... I'll believe it when I see it, but I'd be happy if I do.

And shapes and colors PP, your patronizing words suggest a small mind. And they do nothing for your cause.

Finally, if any of the complainers had any serious expertise, I might be inclined to listen. If you are a teacher with 20 years experience and a Harvard Ed degree, feel free to opine on the merits of 2.0 versus other curricula till the cows come home. But otherwise, all you can do is speak for your child. Which you have every right and obligation to do in speaking with your child's teachers. However, you don't have the right to tell the entire school system how to educate. You're a parent, you know your child, you don't (and this means you, PP with the dramatic lectures on comparative international education based on having spent a few years in Japan as a child) know the first thing about the design of a curriculum for an entire school system. Neither do I. Which is why I moved to a place that has good schools. Not perfect, I fully admit. And if I were in charge, and could construct a system that did precisely what my child needs, it would probably look very different. (Hint, a lot more science and a lot more recess.) But even if it doesn't suit my every need/desire, MCPS is still very good, and very well-regarded, and staffed mostly by professionals who care and who invest a lot of time and effort in keeping the schools high quality.

And this - I have zero attachment to curriculum 2.0 - I'm just so sick of the conversation about education in this area dominated by the armchair experts in yoga pants, whose only frame of reference is their conviction that their child is super exceptional. Here's the thing - they are all super exceptional, even if they don't do algebra in second grade. So please, go to Arlington or private school or whereever, and let the rest of us get on with supporting our kids and our schools.

You are a breath of fresh air. I am glad there's at least one other reasonable person here.

OK, now I know there are three of us. Thank you.

Four!

Five.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those families and children sufficiently challenged with curriulum 2.0 obviously may show little concern for other kids twiddling their thumbs; even if some of these same kids are asked to mentor their own children in the classroom by the teacher.

Actually, I think the parents of the students who are "twiddling their thumbs" show no concern about the other children in the class. These parents are too busy "advocating" for the needs of their own children.

What is your point? Are we supposed to advocate for the needs of others' children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and one more point from the OP - please stop depicting the new MCPS curriculum as the death knell for American education at the hands of India and China and the final step that will result in our children being enslaved to "foreign born PhDs."

Because, honestly do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?

Have you seen the test results and country comparisons? U.S. is the lackard by far. Same results when looking to hire, Americans aren't up to par in math or engineering. Possibly even work ethics and work habits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those families and children sufficiently challenged with curriulum 2.0 obviously may show little concern for other kids twiddling their thumbs; even if some of these same kids are asked to mentor their own children in the classroom by the teacher.

Actually, I think the parents of the students who are "twiddling their thumbs" show no concern about the other children in the class. These parents are too busy "advocating" for the needs of their own children.

What is your point? You want the bored, gifted students to teach your kids and do the group work singlehandedly? Everyone in class should "hang out" or do easy menial exercises while waiting? Day after day...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those families and children sufficiently challenged with curriulum 2.0 obviously may show little concern for other kids twiddling their thumbs; even if some of these same kids are asked to mentor their own children in the classroom by the teacher.

Actually, I think the parents of the students who are "twiddling their thumbs" show no concern about the other children in the class. These parents are too busy "advocating" for the needs of their own children.

What is your point? You want the bored, gifted students to teach your kids and do the group work singlehandedly? Everyone in class should "hang out" or do easy menial exercises while waiting? Day after day...

I don't get these arguments. Why does this have to be an us vs them situation. In the past, MCPS was able to handle kids moving at different speeds. Math Pathways is a perfect example of this. Other school systems also are able to handle kids with different abilities. There is no reason why all kids can't be challenged. It is not about pitting one group versus another. Why settle for one size fits all, when we can have several sizes for everyone.

[Anonymous]

just so you don't think it's just that some kids are doing worksheets they already know that's the issue, my DD last year (3rd grade) spent a majority of her time doing logic puzzles the teacher gave her or making up codes for her friend to solve during math class because she had already mastered the material. When I finally realized how often and regular this was, too much time had passed to push to do something (mid year). The teacher said she didn't want to give my DD and another more advanced work, because that would spoil it for next year. But they were already able to do well on the test, getting 100% on the reassessment. The teacher was never able to teach the challenge work, because she was helping other kids get the grade level work. (This was a 4th grade math class taught to 3rd graders, with 5th grade challenge work)

What a waste of a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. First, 1739 I'm not condemning anyone to anything we haven't already experienced; my kid is in third grade and as such has been part of the rollout of 2.0 since the beginning, I believe. So I'm not praising a system that is different than what my child has experienced. 1219 PP, I don't know why your child isn't learning anything but have you ever considered that is not a function of the curriculum? Unless you're suggesting that your child already knows All That There Is To Know, in which case, congratulations on birthing the Second Coming. Can't wait to meet him/her.

Second, 1741PP (same person at 1739, perhaps??) I am profoundly skeptical that MCPS/MoCo will experience an outmigration of educated parents of means who value education. I am willing to bet you that there are more advanced degrees in my household than in yours, and we're not going anywhere. Neither are any of our neighbors, or the parents of ourN child's classmates, most of whom seem to be reasonably intelligent and care deeply about their kids. And as I said in my original post, I'll help any of the whining mommies at our school's meetings pack if they choose to go... I'll believe it when I see it, but I'd be happy if I do.

And shapes and colors PP, your patronizing words suggest a small mind. And they do nothing for your cause.

Finally, if any of the complainers had any serious expertise, I might be inclined to listen. If you are a teacher with 20 years experience and a Harvard Ed degree, feel free to opine on the merits of 2.0 versus other curricula till the cows come home. But otherwise, all you can do is speak for your child. Which you have every right and obligation to do in speaking with your child's teachers. However, you don't have the right to tell the entire school system how to educate. You're a parent, you know your child, you don't (and this means you, PP with the dramatic lectures on comparative international education based on having spent a few years in Japan as a child) know the first thing about the design of a curriculum for an entire school system. Neither do I. Which is why I moved to a place that has good schools. Not perfect, I fully admit. And if I were in charge, and could construct a system that did precisely what my child needs, it would probably look very different. (Hint, a lot more science and a lot more recess.) But even if it doesn't suit my every need/desire, MCPS is still very good, and very well-regarded, and staffed mostly by professionals who care and who invest a lot of time and effort in keeping the schools high quality.

And this - I have zero attachment to curriculum 2.0 - I'm just so sick of the conversation about education in this area dominated by the armchair experts in yoga pants, whose only frame of reference is their conviction that their child is super exceptional. Here's the thing - they are all super exceptional, even if they don't do algebra in second grade. So please, go to Arlington or private school or whereever, and let the rest of us get on with supporting our kids and our schools.

You are a breath of fresh air. I am glad there's at least one other reasonable person here.

OK, now I know there are three of us. Thank you.

Four!

Five.

Six

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. First, 1739 I'm not condemning anyone to anything we haven't already experienced; my kid is in third grade and as such has been part of the rollout of 2.0 since the beginning, I believe. So I'm not praising a system that is different than what my child has experienced. 1219 PP, I don't know why your child isn't learning anything but have you ever considered that is not a function of the curriculum? Unless you're suggesting that your child already knows All That There Is To Know, in which case, congratulations on birthing the Second Coming. Can't wait to meet him/her.

Second, 1741PP (same person at 1739, perhaps??) I am profoundly skeptical that MCPS/MoCo will experience an outmigration of educated parents of means who value education. I am willing to bet you that there are more advanced degrees in my household than in yours, and we're not going anywhere. Neither are any of our neighbors, or the parents of ourN child's classmates, most of whom seem to be reasonably intelligent and care deeply about their kids. And as I said in my original post, I'll help any of the whining mommies at our school's meetings pack if they choose to go... I'll believe it when I see it, but I'd be happy if I do.

And shapes and colors PP, your patronizing words suggest a small mind. And they do nothing for your cause.

Finally, if any of the complainers had any serious expertise, I might be inclined to listen. If you are a teacher with 20 years experience and a Harvard Ed degree, feel free to opine on the merits of 2.0 versus other curricula till the cows come home. But otherwise, all you can do is speak for your child. Which you have every right and obligation to do in speaking with your child's teachers. However, you don't have the right to tell the entire school system how to educate. You're a parent, you know your child, you don't (and this means you, PP with the dramatic lectures on comparative international education based on having spent a few years in Japan as a child) know the first thing about the design of a curriculum for an entire school system. Neither do I. Which is why I moved to a place that has good schools. Not perfect, I fully admit. And if I were in charge, and could construct a system that did precisely what my child needs, it would probably look very different. (Hint, a lot more science and a lot more recess.) But even if it doesn't suit my every need/desire, MCPS is still very good, and very well-regarded, and staffed mostly by professionals who care and who invest a lot of time and effort in keeping the schools high quality.

And this - I have zero attachment to curriculum 2.0 - I'm just so sick of the conversation about education in this area dominated by the armchair experts in yoga pants, whose only frame of reference is their conviction that their child is super exceptional. Here's the thing - they are all super exceptional, even if they don't do algebra in second grade. So please, go to Arlington or private school or whereever, and let the rest of us get on with supporting our kids and our schools.

You are a breath of fresh air. I am glad there's at least one other reasonable person here.

OK, now I know there are three of us. Thank you.

Four!

Five.

Six

Make it Seven

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those families and children sufficiently challenged with curriulum 2.0 obviously may show little concern for other kids twiddling their thumbs; even if some of these same kids are asked to mentor their own children in the classroom by the teacher.

Actually, I think the parents of the students who are "twiddling their thumbs" show no concern about the other children in the class. These parents are too busy "advocating" for the needs of their own children.

What is your point? You want the bored, gifted students to teach your kids and do the group work singlehandedly? Everyone in class should "hang out" or do easy menial exercises while waiting? Day after day...

The point is that the person who thinks parents of "non-gifted" children advocating for the need for their own children are morally bankrupt, while parents who advocate for the needs of their "gifted" children are morally superior. The first post makes the assumption that a parent of a child who is sufficiently challenged doesn't care about any other children, while demonstrating that she/he only cares about the "gifted" children. Just as you are going to advocate for your child, I will advocate for mine.

Personally, I would be more than happy to have not only differentiated classes, but to permit the parents to decide in which class their children belong. However, I think we would need more teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:just so you don't think it's just that some kids are doing worksheets they already know that's the issue, my DD last year (3rd grade) spent a majority of her time doing logic puzzles the teacher gave her or making up codes for her friend to solve during math class because she had already mastered the material. When I finally realized how often and regular this was, too much time had passed to push to do something (mid year). The teacher said she didn't want to give my DD and another more advanced work, because that would spoil it for next year. But they were already able to do well on the test, getting 100% on the reassessment. The teacher was never able to teach the challenge work, because she was helping other kids get the grade level work. (This was a 4th grade math class taught to 3rd graders, with 5th grade challenge work)

What a waste of a year.

Awful.
I'm a realtor and this will help me answer the increasing amount of questions I am getting about Montgomery County schools. (I will however, not tell my clients to come on dcum!)