We need to stop saying MCPS is one of the best school systems in the country

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I knew there was a problem in MoCo when we first moved here and noticed all the private schools in the less prosperous side of the county.

Aren't most of the MoCo private schools in the wealthy parts of the county?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I wish MCPS changed the boundaries more often, not as often as HoCo (I think they change their's every other year or so). When was the last time MCPS did it? It would help alleviate the crowding because they sure aren't building new schools or adding classes them fast enough, and with the state cutting the capital budget to MCPS, it's only going to get worse.

Remember the site selection study for B-CC Middle School #2? Remember the other site selection study for B-CC Middle School #2? Is it any wonder that MCPS does not eagerly embrace boundary studies?

No, I don't remember. I just moved here. So, what happened to this study?

Here are some reading material:

http://www.bethesdanow.com/2014/04/14/rock-creek-hills-school-opponents-prepared-to-go-to-states-highest-court/
http://www.gazette.net/article/20120417/NEWS/704179949/1022/montgomery-county-school-board-votes-rock-creek-hills-for-new-b-cc&template=gazette
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-schools-insider/post/timeline-in-bethesda-chevy-chase-a-school-becomes-a-park-becomes-an-almost-school/2011/11/09/gIQAPT6A5M_blog.html

I'm sure that the people who were actually involved have a whole lot more reading material they could provide...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, I wish MCPS changed the boundaries more often, not as often as HoCo (I think they change their's every other year or so). When was the last time MCPS did it? It would help alleviate the crowding because they sure aren't building new schools or adding classes them fast enough, and with the state cutting the capital budget to MCPS, it's only going to get worse.

Remember the site selection study for B-CC Middle School #2? Remember the other site selection study for B-CC Middle School #2? Is it any wonder that MCPS does not eagerly embrace boundary studies?

No, I don't remember. I just moved here. So, what happened to this study?

Here are some reading material:

http://www.bethesdanow.com/2014/04/14/rock-creek-hills-school-opponents-prepared-to-go-to-states-highest-court/
http://www.gazette.net/article/20120417/NEWS/704179949/1022/montgomery-county-school-board-votes-rock-creek-hills-for-new-b-cc&template=gazette
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-schools-insider/post/timeline-in-bethesda-chevy-chase-a-school-becomes-a-park-becomes-an-almost-school/2011/11/09/gIQAPT6A5M_blog.html

I'm sure that the people who were actually involved have a whole lot more reading material they could provide...

Thanks for the links. So, the latest is that they are going to build a new school in July 2015?

But when was the last time MCPS did a boundary study without having to build new schools? Aren't there some ESs that are undercapacity, and some that are over? I would think rebalancing would help the district overall in terms of closing the achievement gap and reducing some of the larger class sizes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for the links. So, the latest is that they are going to build a new school in July 2015?

But when was the last time MCPS did a boundary study without having to build new schools? Aren't there some ESs that are undercapacity, and some that are over? I would think rebalancing would help the district overall in terms of closing the achievement gap and reducing some of the larger class sizes.

The point is that anything that would be a meaningful change would have everybody out on the streets with pitchforks (or in endless committee meetings with pitchforks), followed by lawsuits, followed by a do-over, followed by more endless committee meetings with pitchforks.

Here is the formal boundary study process, minus the pitchforks:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/planning/BoundProcessDescription.pdf

If you were MCPS, would you think that this was the best thing you could do with your limited resources?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for the links. So, the latest is that they are going to build a new school in July 2015?

But when was the last time MCPS did a boundary study without having to build new schools? Aren't there some ESs that are undercapacity, and some that are over? I would think rebalancing would help the district overall in terms of closing the achievement gap and reducing some of the larger class sizes.

The point is that anything that would be a meaningful change would have everybody out on the streets with pitchforks (or in endless committee meetings with pitchforks), followed by lawsuits, followed by a do-over, followed by more endless committee meetings with pitchforks.

Here is the formal boundary study process, minus the pitchforks:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/planning/BoundProcessDescription.pdf

If you were MCPS, would you think that this was the best thing you could do with your limited resources?

Horizon Hill got rezoned to RM HS 20 or so yrs ago. Wasn't there a lot of grumblings? But, MCPS manage to do it. I wasn't here, but I'm sure it was quite a painful experience. But in the end, it worked out ok, and home prices in HH are still pretty high in comparison to the other areas zoned for RM, or even some in Wootton. So, if they were able to do it then, can't they do it again in other areas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I knew there was a problem in MoCo when we first moved here and noticed all the private schools in the less prosperous side of the county.

That's a problem with the citizens, not the schools. People, rightly or wrongly, don't want their kids going to schools with high percentage of Hispanic/low income/ESL students, so they send them to private. And thus, those schools become even MORE low-income/Hispanic, etc. which drags down the scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for the links. So, the latest is that they are going to build a new school in July 2015?

But when was the last time MCPS did a boundary study without having to build new schools? Aren't there some ESs that are undercapacity, and some that are over? I would think rebalancing would help the district overall in terms of closing the achievement gap and reducing some of the larger class sizes.

The point is that anything that would be a meaningful change would have everybody out on the streets with pitchforks (or in endless committee meetings with pitchforks), followed by lawsuits, followed by a do-over, followed by more endless committee meetings with pitchforks.

Here is the formal boundary study process, minus the pitchforks:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/planning/BoundProcessDescription.pdf

If you were MCPS, would you think that this was the best thing you could do with your limited resources?

Horizon Hill got rezoned to RM HS 20 or so yrs ago. Wasn't there a lot of grumblings? But, MCPS manage to do it. I wasn't here, but I'm sure it was quite a painful experience. But in the end, it worked out ok, and home prices in HH are still pretty high in comparison to the other areas zoned for RM, or even some in Wootton. So, if they were able to do it then, can't they do it again in other areas?

I'm sure they can, if they devote enough resources to it. But if it takes that much effort, then the cost vs. benefit analysis does not favor rezoning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for the links. So, the latest is that they are going to build a new school in July 2015?

But when was the last time MCPS did a boundary study without having to build new schools? Aren't there some ESs that are undercapacity, and some that are over? I would think rebalancing would help the district overall in terms of closing the achievement gap and reducing some of the larger class sizes.

The point is that anything that would be a meaningful change would have everybody out on the streets with pitchforks (or in endless committee meetings with pitchforks), followed by lawsuits, followed by a do-over, followed by more endless committee meetings with pitchforks.

Here is the formal boundary study process, minus the pitchforks:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/planning/BoundProcessDescription.pdf

If you were MCPS, would you think that this was the best thing you could do with your limited resources?

Horizon Hill got rezoned to RM HS 20 or so yrs ago. Wasn't there a lot of grumblings? But, MCPS manage to do it. I wasn't here, but I'm sure it was quite a painful experience. But in the end, it worked out ok, and home prices in HH are still pretty high in comparison to the other areas zoned for RM, or even some in Wootton. So, if they were able to do it then, can't they do it again in other areas?

I'm sure they can, if they devote enough resources to it. But if it takes that much effort, then the cost vs. benefit analysis does not favor rezoning.

I would think it's cheaper to rezone, including all the studies, etc.. than building a new school or adding classrooms. The benefit would be

1. reducing class sizes in some of the schools which may lead to
2. closing the achievement gap a bit more
3. reducing the disparity in the quality of education between the overcrowded schools and under capacity schools.

I understand this won't be a popular option for many of the affluent areas, but if they did once (to Horizon Hill which was in the W district back then), then I think they can and should do it again.

[Anonymous]

It wouldn't reduce class sizes. The class size caps are the same whether the school is under capacity or over capacity. The only difference is whether the class is in the building or in a portable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are trying to compare it with more affluent areas, then yes, it can't compete because there are lots of people that are low income in MCPS, and higher test scores usually = higher SES.

A good way to gauge how good the schools are is to look at the scores of the FARMS kids. This will tell you how effective the teachers are. Also, look at the types of programs that the schools offer.

I come from the SF Bay Area. There are school districts there that have really high test scores, but a lot of those schools are high SES and some are over 50% Asian. The school districts have huge budget shortfalls and very little in programs that they offer, and parents shell out $ for extras like music, art and library. In CA, most of the budget for schools is controlled at the state level.

So, MCPS, while not the "best" district in the country, is still one of the better ones.

I am not ASIAN, but I detest that stereotype. Being of some Asian decent does not make you a genius. Asia is a big continent, lots countries and cultures. UGH.....
Just because you think it is a positive stereotype, does not mean it is NOT a stereotype, JUST.STOP. It's dehumanizing and lazy and stupid.

I'm the PP, and I'm Asian. Sorry if that stereotype bothers you so much, but in general, yes, where you have a huge Asian population, the schools generally have a higher test score. I can name you at least 5 of such HS in MD and CA where this is true. In MCPS, that would be Wootton. In almost every MCPS HS, if you look at the test scores broken down by race, Asians usually test very high. Stereotypes come from somewhere, not just thin air.

Not just because of Asians. What a long/tough journey for Asians to come this land ! You can't just walk cross the boarder, so those Asians who made the trip here were tough minded and very competitive Asians. I believe there a lot not so smart and competitive Asians back in Asia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It wouldn't reduce class sizes. The class size caps are the same whether the school is under capacity or over capacity. The only difference is whether the class is in the building or in a portable.

Schools that are under capacity could take more kids from other schools that are at overcapacity to level the class sizes between neighboring schools. It is ridiculous to have neighboring schools be so far off in terms of capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It wouldn't reduce class sizes. The class size caps are the same whether the school is under capacity or over capacity. The only difference is whether the class is in the building or in a portable.

Schools that are under capacity could take more kids from other schools that are at overcapacity to level the class sizes between neighboring schools. It is ridiculous to have neighboring schools be so far off in terms of capacity.

How would it level the class sizes? Meaning the number of students per class, not the number of students per grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are trying to compare it with more affluent areas, then yes, it can't compete because there are lots of people that are low income in MCPS, and higher test scores usually = higher SES.

A good way to gauge how good the schools are is to look at the scores of the FARMS kids. This will tell you how effective the teachers are. Also, look at the types of programs that the schools offer.

I come from the SF Bay Area. There are school districts there that have really high test scores, but a lot of those schools are high SES and some are over 50% Asian. The school districts have huge budget shortfalls and very little in programs that they offer, and parents shell out $ for extras like music, art and library. In CA, most of the budget for schools is controlled at the state level.

So, MCPS, while not the "best" district in the country, is still one of the better ones.

I am not ASIAN, but I detest that stereotype. Being of some Asian decent does not make you a genius. Asia is a big continent, lots countries and cultures. UGH.....
Just because you think it is a positive stereotype, does not mean it is NOT a stereotype, JUST.STOP. It's dehumanizing and lazy and stupid.

I'm the PP, and I'm Asian. Sorry if that stereotype bothers you so much, but in general, yes, where you have a huge Asian population, the schools generally have a higher test score. I can name you at least 5 of such HS in MD and CA where this is true. In MCPS, that would be Wootton. In almost every MCPS HS, if you look at the test scores broken down by race, Asians usually test very high. Stereotypes come from somewhere, not just thin air.

Not just because of Asians. What a long/tough journey for Asians to come this land ! You can't just walk cross the boarder, so those Asians who made the trip here were tough minded and very competitive Asians. I believe there a lot not so smart and competitive Asians back in Asia.

And there are those here that aren't so smart and competitve, but in general, the majority of the ones here are, and we are talking about the Asians here, not the ones back in Asia.

And actually, you have to be pretty damn tough to cross the border from the south illegally. Have you not read some of the stories of those that make that trek? I don't think I could do it. I'm thankful that I took an airplane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Not just because of Asians. What a long/tough journey for Asians to come this land ! You can't just walk cross the boarder, so those Asians who made the trip here were tough minded and very competitive Asians. I believe there a lot not so smart and competitive Asians back in Asia

You can't "just" walk across the border from Mexico, either.

[Anonymous]

It is amazing how many communities I have lived in that claim they have some of the best schools in the country.