FCPS has been such a disappointments - not sure what to do

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed in aspects of FCPS but I can’t help but think that there is a small vocal minority posting in DCUM that is trying to completely undermine public education. They aren’t looking for solutions. They just reply that public education is hopeless, private is the only way to go, pro-vouchers. People eat this crap up, pull their kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

so....you're happy with FCPS?

Compared to what we saw in IN or MN, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We both went to public school and DH and I are both unbelievably disappointed in FCPS. We received much stronger educations in what I thought were crappy 1980s public schools.

DH and I both went to excellent public schools in other states, and we were really impressed with DCPS for elementary and middle school. No experience with high school, but friends have liked it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an ESL student in MCPS in the 90s and learn English . The Spanish speaking students didn’t because they would just hang out with each other. It hasn’t changed at all. I wish fellow Latinos would see how it holds them back.

But how do they pass the grade?! If you can’t read the history books in history class or write essays in English- how are you not failing?

We’re only in elementary school and I was really surprised to see that 1/4 of the class didn’t speak English. It makes it hard for the teacher to teach reading and phonics. My kids aren’t geniuses but get zero attention because they’re on target, which is depressing. Everyone should be challenged. I came from a school district that was exceptionally diverse. We had a fantastic esol program that went on for 2 years and then you were tested and most moved into mainstream classes at that point. The teachers spoke the kids native language (within reason, some were obscure) and helped so much. They didn’t just sit there teaching phonics and reading to kids who have no clue what they’re talking about. If you want to raise overall school scores, let’s try teaching English language!

Public schools don't fail students any more (for the grade), that is something if the past. It's pretty rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What can parents do? Write the school board? Impress upon FCPS that they are going to continue to lose students?

Public education is a service. The goal is not to gain more customers. It's not a for profit company. The numbers leaving generally even out with those coming in, and many schools are over capacity. It not a real concern for them.

+ they have no problem if you leave.

[Anonymous]

FCPS is too big, they should split it up by school pyramid

[Anonymous]

It was the best when grew up in the 90s but then all the illegal over ran it straining resources for the normal students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was the best when grew up in the 90s but then all the illegal over ran it straining resources for the normal students

That’s not a FCPS issue. It’s greater than the school system

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We both went to public school and DH and I are both unbelievably disappointed in FCPS. We received much stronger educations in what I thought were crappy 1980s public schools.

DH and I are FCPS graduates and have had FCPS students since 2005. It’s been a precipitous decline.

I know that our DC aren’t experiencing the same level of academic rigor that we did.

My graduating senior shouldn’t be making poster board projects, for example.

I find this hilarious. In 2005 there were over 30,000 fewer students in the FCPS system than there are now.

For those quoting the 1980s - I can't even imagine how much smaller the school system was then versus now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What can parents do? Write the school board? Impress upon FCPS that they are going to continue to lose students?

Public education is a service. The goal is not to gain more customers. It's not a for profit company. The numbers leaving generally even out with those coming in, and many schools are over capacity. It not a real concern for them.

+1

Up until 2020 people were complaining endlessly about how overcrowded the schools, their kids being put in trailers year-round, the large class sizes. Now people are leaving you think the school board is going to complain about that. They'll get that $1 billion budget no matter what because the property values in this are continuously increasing. Then they get to point to better class sizes, happier student bodies, and a stronger technology focus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an ESL student in MCPS in the 90s and learn English . The Spanish speaking students didn’t because they would just hang out with each other. It hasn’t changed at all. I wish fellow Latinos would see how it holds them back.

But how do they pass the grade?! If you can’t read the history books in history class or write essays in English- how are you not failing?

Years ago I taught English at a NJ high school. We had a policy that ESOL kids who at least wrote their name on the assignment or test got a minimum passing grade. We weren’t allowed to fail them. They learned very quickly that they didn’t have to actually do anything to pass. Many still tried, but some happily took the passing grade.

But why?!?! This isn’t good for society. I want every member of society educated on a basic level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an ESL student in MCPS in the 90s and learn English . The Spanish speaking students didn’t because they would just hang out with each other. It hasn’t changed at all. I wish fellow Latinos would see how it holds them back.

But how do they pass the grade?! If you can’t read the history books in history class or write essays in English- how are you not failing?

Years ago I taught English at a NJ high school. We had a policy that ESOL kids who at least wrote their name on the assignment or test got a minimum passing grade. We weren’t allowed to fail them. They learned very quickly that they didn’t have to actually do anything to pass. Many still tried, but some happily took the passing grade.

But why?!?! This isn’t good for society. I want every member of society educated on a basic level.

It's probably because the dropout rate in high school may be linked to kids being held back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What can parents do? Write the school board? Impress upon FCPS that they are going to continue to lose students?

Public education is a service. The goal is not to gain more customers. It's not a for profit company. The numbers leaving generally even out with those coming in, and many schools are over capacity. It not a real concern for them.

+1

Up until 2020 people were complaining endlessly about how overcrowded the schools, their kids being put in trailers year-round, the large class sizes. Now people are leaving you think the school board is going to complain about that. They'll get that $1 billion budget no matter what because the property values in this are continuously increasing. Then they get to point to better class sizes, happier student bodies, and a stronger technology focus.

+1

The more people on here cry and say they are going to take their toys and go to private school, the happier the rest of us will be. Bye!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is too big, they should split it up by school pyramid

Then your taxes are going to go up even more because everything is going to be more expensive.

And if you think size is the great indicator of quality, I’ll remind you that ACPS is considerably smaller. You’d be hard pressed to convince anyone that it's a better district.

[Anonymous]

Make sure to look at the calendars for private school. They typically have fewer days than public school. The more you pay, the less you go.

[Anonymous]

The DL with no school on Mondays has been a DISASTER for FCPS. We are going to do some intensive tutoring this summer, and next year is going to be just awful with all of this teaching to the lowest denominator. Not sure how young kids will catch up.

My sister's kids in the midwest have 2 days in person, 1 day synchronous online, and 2 days asynchronous (the one day online is Wednesdays for cleaning between cohorts). We have kids in the same grades and compare what they're learning. Our kids in FCPS are far, far behind her kids.