Are you a troll? There is a current US investigation of MCPS because MCPS did not pick in order of test scores. |
Uh, no, there isn't. They are investigating "complaints from Asian American parents that the new process unlawfully uses race as a factor and discriminates against their children." https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/montgomery-schools-not-so-perfect-process-needs-transparency/2019/04/30/f467bf92-66be-11e9-a1b6-b29b90efa879_story.html |
Sorry, I insulted trolls. You're just new to this topic. There are many long threads on the changes to CES and MS magnet admissions. |
I'm well aware of the many threads. But your characterization of the civil rights investigation is inaccurate. |
An investigation that would only happen in Betsy's DeVos' Education Department largely to appease the victim mentality of Trump's base and has absolutely zero merit. |
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My understanding was the latest criteria used a more nuanced approach to uncover higher caliber students than the older method used. The old system gave deference to students whose parents spent hundreds of thousands more to buy property in one of the "good" schools and ended up helping those who needed the least help. The new system focuses on aptitude and ability and puts less emphasis on a family's affluence.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/13/us/education-gifted-students.html?fbclid=IwAR1t9K8SmpMWKU_0PytVO_Sc4hAjeOcCb9dSvj_EiALow0HhC7m5vyAk9tA |
Interesting quote from that article.
The new system considers all 3rd graders for these programs, not just a few hundred whose parents applied. Asians made up the larger percentage of the application pool prior to universal screening. The new process is more inclusive, and it stands to reason that there was a slight decrease in their representation. |
| Where do they get students socioeconomic status from? I don’t recall providing that info at Kindergarten orientation. |
NP. That isnt what the "investigation" is about because there was never a time when children were judged solely on test scores. Previously, factors such as teacher recommendations, take home essays, and extracurricular achievements were also considered. At no point have admissions been based on a single test, nor should they be. It is just that the groups who received the greatest benefit from the previous system are frustrated that admissions now consider a different set of factors. |
You live in silver spring or Gaithersburg? Then you need help at some level |
The “cohort” criteria looks at whether there is a large enough group of similarly high performing students at the home school to provide a peer group for the student. Banded MCPS scores create an MCPS percentage that compares a student’s score to the scores of all of the other students in schools with a similar poverty level (FARMs rate) as that student’s current school. There are three bands/groups based on the school’s FARMs rate - low, medium, high poverty. It’s not based on individual student SES other than they do know if that student receives FARMs (probably they also know if the student has ever received FARMs) |
It's not really socioeconomic status. It's just the percentage of students applying for free and reduced price meals (FARMS). |
Then you are straight up lying. Or you simply were not paying attention. I went to just one MS Magnet meeting and the lady came right out and said that this year, a 90%ile student at a lower performing school would have a better chance at MS Magnet admission than a 99%ile student at a higher performing school. It’s fine if you think that is the right approach, (maybe it is?) but don’t lie about what happened. |
Oh for goodness sake, you guys are talking about different things. The MIDDLE school magnets are considering cohorts. But at the elementary level CES, each neighborhood has their own school so it’s still more about scores. Potomac and Bethesda have their own CES schools, so it’s not like they’re sending poor kids from the east county to Potomac and Bethesda’s CES schools. |
I guess you didn't apply for FARMS for your children then. |