Positives of FCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

I think the major problem with FCPS is that it's main focus is how to educate AAP kids. All the other average/above average kids with no learning issues get completely overlooked.

[Anonymous]

^^^^ its ^^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See, I think the great school ratings are crap. Sure, they show which schools have the best test scores - which basically means, where are there the most wealthy/affluent families.

We are seriously considering moving from a 9/10 to a 4. I actually think the 4 school is a better experience overall.

I was just coming in here to post this exact thing. Those ratings show SES, and not much more.

smaller school in a small community, no AAP, 4 school actually has more FUN afterschool clubs/activities (vs. everything being academic/resume builders)

I think it would be a better experience for MY child and MY family.

[Anonymous]

Please let me know when you find them -- moved here for the schools and feel like we were scammed.

Kids in honors, AAP, too -- total joke. I don't know what's happening in class because DH and I basically have to teach everything at night. This isn;t due to comprehension problems, according to our DC's their homework is largely not discussed in class and tends to be different than some of their class' focus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please let me know when you find them -- moved here for the schools and feel like we were scammed.

Kids in honors, AAP, too -- total joke. I don't know what's happening in class because DH and I basically have to teach everything at night. This isn;t due to comprehension problems, according to our DC's their homework is largely not discussed in class and tends to be different than some of their class' focus.

You sound barely literate, so perhaps it is not a surprise your children require extra help in the evenings. Our children are easily able to do their own Honors and IB homework without a parent closely supervising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please let me know when you find them -- moved here for the schools and feel like we were scammed.

Kids in honors, AAP, too -- total joke. I don't know what's happening in class because DH and I basically have to teach everything at night. This isn;t due to comprehension problems, according to our DC's their homework is largely not discussed in class and tends to be different than some of their class' focus.

You sound barely literate, so perhaps it is not a surprise your children require extra help in the evenings. Our children are easily able to do their own Honors and IB homework without a parent closely supervising.

Not the PP, but you sound strangely defensive - why? Are you a teacher or FCPS administrator?

Our experiences have been just as PP describes, and many parents we know feel the same way. We're teaching our kids after school, when they should have already been taught. This is a very common complaint within FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

I think the major problem with FCPS is that it's main focus is how to educate AAP kids. All the other average/above average kids with no learning issues get completely overlooked.

+1000

They spend way too much money trying to specialize way too much in elementary school, leaving behind the majority of kids in the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And thank you to everyone for the great comments. It sounds like MS and HS are really pretty good. ES is where more of the issues seem to come up from what I can tell.

I think that there is a disconnect between parental expectations and what a decent school does in ES, by MS and HS parents have calmed down a bit a see the big picture more clearly.

This is spot on. Could not agree more.

Partly, but also in MS and HS each teacher is responsible for just one subject and they have a set time to teach it and typically a set syllabus. So it's easier to see whether the issue is the teacher or the student or the curriculum if there is an issue. I think it also makes teachers a bit more accountable. I also am hopeful more materials are given out in middle and high, but maybe that's just wishful thinking. Have textbooks been done away with entirely even in middle and high? With elementary, all subjects are taught by one teacher or as a team with no textbooks and if there is an issue, as a parent it's hard to pin point exactly what the expectations should be and what the exact problem is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

I think the major problem with FCPS is that it's main focus is how to educate AAP kids. All the other average/above average kids with no learning issues get completely overlooked.

+1000

They spend way too much money trying to specialize way too much in elementary school, leaving behind the majority of kids in the process.

We did not feel this way. As others have noted, it's usually the parents of younger children who complain. At some point the advantages of FCPS kick in and parents become more appreciative of the many options and programs that are available in FCPS compared to other area school systems. But it can be tough at first for parents of younger children who don't want to invest much time in their children's education, yet don't want them to fall behind, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

I think the major problem with FCPS is that it's main focus is how to educate AAP kids. All the other average/above average kids with no learning issues get completely overlooked.

+1000

They spend way too much money trying to specialize way too much in elementary school, leaving behind the majority of kids in the process.

We did not feel this way. As others have noted, it's usually the parents of younger children who complain. At some point the advantages of FCPS kick in and parents become more appreciative of the many options and programs that are available in FCPS compared to other area school systems. But it can be tough at first for parents of younger children who don't want to invest much time in their children's education, yet don't want them to fall behind, either.

You are so condescending. Many parents on here with young children are very invested in their children and their children's education, but still have issues with FCPS and they are legitimate fixable issues. I don't have any more respect for older parents especially when you hear stories about them calling college dean's and professors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

I think the major problem with FCPS is that it's main focus is how to educate AAP kids. All the other average/above average kids with no learning issues get completely overlooked.

+1000

They spend way too much money trying to specialize way too much in elementary school, leaving behind the majority of kids in the process.

We did not feel this way. As others have noted, it's usually the parents of younger children who complain. At some point the advantages of FCPS kick in and parents become more appreciative of the many options and programs that are available in FCPS compared to other area school systems. But it can be tough at first for parents of younger children who don't want to invest much time in their children's education, yet don't want them to fall behind, either.

You are so condescending. Many parents on here with young children are very invested in their children and their children's education, but still have issues with FCPS and they are legitimate fixable issues. I don't have any more respect for older parents especially when you hear stories about them calling college dean's and professors.

Perhaps you need to grow up, and you won't feel like others who speak from experience are talking down to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

I think the major problem with FCPS is that it's main focus is how to educate AAP kids. All the other average/above average kids with no learning issues get completely overlooked.

+1000

They spend way too much money trying to specialize way too much in elementary school, leaving behind the majority of kids in the process.

We did not feel this way. As others have noted, it's usually the parents of younger children who complain. At some point the advantages of FCPS kick in and parents become more appreciative of the many options and programs that are available in FCPS compared to other area school systems. But it can be tough at first for parents of younger children who don't want to invest much time in their children's education, yet don't want them to fall behind, either.

You are so condescending. Many parents on here with young children are very invested in their children and their children's education, but still have issues with FCPS and they are legitimate fixable issues. I don't have any more respect for older parents especially when you hear stories about them calling college dean's and professors.

Perhaps you need to grow up, and you won't feel like others who speak from experience are talking down to you.

"parents of younger children who don't want to invest much time in their children's education, yet don't want them to fall behind, either". This is condescending and talking down to elementary school parents. You are blaming parents of elementary students for not investing much time but still wanting good results. That simply is not what's happening. Parents of elementary age children are working their butt off while during the school day their kid sits in a classroom of 30 and does independent work they're not ready to do on their own and realizing they are the only ones invested in their children. You are the one who needs to grow up. Why do middle school parents get grades every 2 weeks for their child, yet elementary parents have to guess at what's going on for months!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

I think the major problem with FCPS is that it's main focus is how to educate AAP kids. All the other average/above average kids with no learning issues get completely overlooked.

+1000

They spend way too much money trying to specialize way too much in elementary school, leaving behind the majority of kids in the process.

We did not feel this way. As others have noted, it's usually the parents of younger children who complain. At some point the advantages of FCPS kick in and parents become more appreciative of the many options and programs that are available in FCPS compared to other area school systems. But it can be tough at first for parents of younger children who don't want to invest much time in their children's education, yet don't want them to fall behind, either.

You are so condescending. Many parents on here with young children are very invested in their children and their children's education, but still have issues with FCPS and they are legitimate fixable issues. I don't have any more respect for older parents especially when you hear stories about them calling college dean's and professors.

Perhaps you need to grow up, and you won't feel like others who speak from experience are talking down to you.

"parents of younger children who don't want to invest much time in their children's education, yet don't want them to fall behind, either". This is condescending and talking down to elementary school parents. You are blaming parents of elementary students for not investing much time but still wanting good results. That simply is not what's happening. Parents of elementary age children are working their butt off while during the school day their kid sits in a classroom of 30 and does independent work they're not ready to do on their own and realizing they are the only ones invested in their children. You are the one who needs to grow up. Why do middle school parents get grades every 2 weeks for their child, yet elementary parents have to guess at what's going on for months!

You are not the only people invested in either your own children or the children in the class generally. Eventually you'll realize, however, that your own children are not the center of everyone's universe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

I think the major problem with FCPS is that it's main focus is how to educate AAP kids. All the other average/above average kids with no learning issues get completely overlooked.

+1000

They spend way too much money trying to specialize way too much in elementary school, leaving behind the majority of kids in the process.

We did not feel this way. As others have noted, it's usually the parents of younger children who complain. At some point the advantages of FCPS kick in and parents become more appreciative of the many options and programs that are available in FCPS compared to other area school systems. But it can be tough at first for parents of younger children who don't want to invest much time in their children's education, yet don't want them to fall behind, either.

You are so condescending. Many parents on here with young children are very invested in their children and their children's education, but still have issues with FCPS and they are legitimate fixable issues. I don't have any more respect for older parents especially when you hear stories about them calling college dean's and professors.

Perhaps you need to grow up, and you won't feel like others who speak from experience are talking down to you.

"parents of younger children who don't want to invest much time in their children's education, yet don't want them to fall behind, either". This is condescending and talking down to elementary school parents. You are blaming parents of elementary students for not investing much time but still wanting good results. That simply is not what's happening. Parents of elementary age children are working their butt off while during the school day their kid sits in a classroom of 30 and does independent work they're not ready to do on their own and realizing they are the only ones invested in their children. You are the one who needs to grow up. Why do middle school parents get grades every 2 weeks for their child, yet elementary parents have to guess at what's going on for months!

You are not the only people invested in either your own children or the children in the class generally. Eventually you'll realize, however, that your own children are not the center of everyone's universe.

First you say elementary parents aren't invested in their children enough. Now you say they think their children are the center of the universe. Which is it? Those are contradictory. The answer is elementary parents are neither.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The concern usually focuses on how well it now serves average or below-average students who don't qualify for special services.

This. My child was "average". Didn't qualify for AAP or Sped or ESOL. Did not become an athlete. Did not have a high priced education in FCPS. Had big classes, lots of testing, and mediocre experience. No immersion at his school. If everyone were like him, FCPS would have money to spare.

I think the major problem with FCPS is that it's main focus is how to educate AAP kids. All the other average/above average kids with no learning issues get completely overlooked.

+1000ver

They spend way too much money trying to specialize way too much in elementary school, leaving behind the majority of kids in the process.

Totally agree. I would welcome a "back-to-basics" approach in all subjects, with a huge de-emphasis on AAP and other special programs.