Churchill Getting a New Principal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not spending a fortune on someone who needs extra help isn't discrimination though. I mean, I can't jump. Should MCPS spend money to try to make me an equally good basketball player to the best players in the county?

Well, if you can't jump because someone tied your legs together, then getting help untying them would be appropriate. If we're torturing metaphors, anyway.

You're the only one torturing metaphors. Mine was perfectly clear. I'm talking about natural ability or disability. Physical or mental, it's all the same. But if you prefer, let's stay with mental and focus on kids with low to average IQs. Should MCPS spend a fortune to try to get all of them onto AP/honors classes as well?

Wow. You are obtuse. There are plenty of students at Churchill who have the ability for AP classes but are openly told that they can’t receive services in those classes. Some teachers even resist providing accommodations. Those are discriminatory acts.

It’s the same as black students being dissuaded from taking an AP class because of an implicit biases. Passing judgment without looking at the prerequisites and a student’s ability in the course is a discriminatory act.

Giving students equal access should not take away from the experience of other students. If more students enroll in AP classes then the school will hire more teachers to teach the AP classes. The achievement of the school will expand. Overall test performance in the school will improve. Diversity in these classes will add to the blending of the Churchill community vs. the segregation that has been a feature of the Churchill AP program in the past.

Its probably because those services would interfere with the normal kids in the class which would degrade the quality of their education.

As for dissuading black kids from taking AP classes, there's no evidence of that. What there is evidence of is black kids not scoring as high on entrance exams which the woke (including the new principal Taylor) believe is evidence of racism which is insane. They believe that tests should be eschewed in favor of whatever it takes to rave-balance everything.

You keep juxtaposing kids with specialized needs against “normal” kids. What a weird and offensive way to put it. A kid who has ADHD or diabetes or hearing loss is no less “normal” than any other kid. They just need accommodations to perform to the best of their ability. All the research shows, by the way, that when kids are in classes with students who have learning challenges, they actually perform better. They often get access to better teaching practices and have the benefit of a second instructor as well. You are cutting off your nose to spite your face. I’m sure you’re totally “normal” though.

I'm sorry the word normal triggers you but it's the most appropriate word for the conversation. I'm sure you prefer differently abled or some other BS term that helps you cope with having abnormal kids. And no, I am not normal. But I also wasn't coddled... er... sorry... accommodated to get through school. Life won't accommodate your kids either. They'll either sink or swim on their abilities. And again, should low or normal IQ kids get accomodations so they cantry to perform at a top level?

My own child was valedictorian of their high school class. Their special needs taught them early on to self advocate for what they need, and they’re accustomed to having to work harder than others, and they can think outside of the box. I don’t worry about them at all. You, however, sound uneducated when you use “normal” interchangeably with neurotypical. As evidenced by your many posts, you’re the one who is triggered. I think you’ve replied to every comment. Are you the same Potomac dad who testified about “normal” families in front of the Board of Education? These replies have the same tone. Anyway, I’m not angry, in fact I pity you. It must be hard to walk around with so much anger and hostility and resentment. You must be ridiculously insecure to be so easily threatened by people who don’t share your ideology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Equal access is a legal responsibility if MCPS wants federal and state funding. MCPS can also be sued by parents in Civil Court. Sometimes complying with laws written to end discriminatory practices is cheaper than violating them.

Unfortunately, as long as MCPS has a bottomless budget to hire outside attorney's to defend them, I wouldn't count on it.

MCPS has even been caught violating laws and the Fed's won't touch them. It's getting so bad it's just a matter of time before something gives.

Now, if someone pulls the plug on their funding for external legal defense and makes MCPS defend itself with in-house attorneys... that's a different story.

Currently, there are several OCR investigations for racial and disability discrimination in MCPS. When there starts to be a pattern with more than one school including for violations that mimic actions MCPS had previously signed resolution agreements for, then it raises the stakes that MCPS is intentionally violating the law.

I agree, Montgomery County tax payers ultimately pay for the expensive legal fees that MCPS racks up but that don’t come out of the MCPS budget. That’s an issue that the County Council should rectify. If legal fees came out of the MCPS budget, perhaps MCPS would be lest litigious with parents and be more motivated in following the law to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Equal access is a legal responsibility if MCPS wants federal and state funding. MCPS can also be sued by parents in Civil Court. Sometimes complying with laws written to end discriminatory practices is cheaper than violating them.

Unfortunately, as long as MCPS has a bottomless budget to hire outside attorney's to defend them, I wouldn't count on it.

MCPS has even been caught violating laws and the Fed's won't touch them. It's getting so bad it's just a matter of time before something gives.

Now, if someone pulls the plug on their funding for external legal defense and makes MCPS defend itself with in-house attorneys... that's a different story.

Currently, there are several OCR investigations for racial and disability discrimination in MCPS. When there starts to be a pattern with more than one school including for violations that mimic actions MCPS had previously signed resolution agreements for,

then it raises the stakes that MCPS is intentionally violating the law.

I agree, Montgomery County tax payers ultimately pay for the expensive legal fees that MCPS racks up but that don’t come out of the MCPS budget. That’s an issue that the County Council should rectify. If legal fees came out of the MCPS budget, perhaps MCPS would be lest litigious with parents and be more motivated in following the law to begin with.

There's no question in my mind that MCPS intentionally violated the law (on many, many occasions..). The only question is whether anyone will do something about it. OCR? Eh, I'll believe it when I see it.

And since the County Council just raised Property Taxes, I doubt they care much. As long as they can raise taxes unchecked or without a fuss by taxpayers, the music plays on.

Sorry to be such a negative nellie, but I've heard MCPS is a real piece of work. They don't even treat teachers as employees, so that any complaints or whistleblowing and *boom* you're gone. Change the computer system and *boom* no "official records". It's a Prosecutor's nightmare...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Equal access is a legal responsibility if MCPS wants federal and state funding. MCPS can also be sued by parents in Civil Court. Sometimes complying with laws written to end discriminatory practices is cheaper than violating them.

Unfortunately, as long as MCPS has a bottomless budget to hire outside attorney's to defend them, I wouldn't count on it.

MCPS has even been caught violating laws and the Fed's won't touch them. It's getting so bad it's just a matter of time before something gives.

Now, if someone pulls the plug on their funding for external legal defense and makes MCPS defend itself with in-house attorneys... that's a different story.

Currently, there are several OCR investigations for racial and disability discrimination in MCPS. When there starts to be a pattern with more than one school including for violations that mimic actions MCPS had previously signed resolution agreements for,

then it raises the stakes that MCPS is intentionally violating the law.

I agree, Montgomery County tax payers ultimately pay for the expensive legal fees that MCPS racks up but that don’t come out of the MCPS budget. That’s an issue that the County Council should rectify. If legal fees came out of the MCPS budget, perhaps MCPS would be lest litigious with parents and be more motivated in following the law to begin with.

There's no question in my mind that MCPS intentionally violated the law (on many, many occasions..). The only question is whether anyone will do something about it. OCR? Eh, I'll believe it when I see it.

And since the County Council just raised Property Taxes, I doubt they care much. As long as they can raise taxes unchecked or without a fuss by taxpayers, the music plays on.

Sorry to be such a negative nellie, but I've heard MCPS is a real piece of work. They don't even treat teachers as employees, so that any complaints or whistleblowing and *boom* you're gone. Change the computer system and *boom* no "official records". It's a Prosecutor's nightmare...

Can you provide a citation for this tax hike? It's very difficult for them to raise property taxes and I can't find a single news story that confirms this.

[Anonymous]

No tax expert but this may explain it - although they didn’t ‘officially’ raise taxes, taxes are always raised because of a rate change. Pols are clever - elections are coming up for County Executive and Erlich only won the last one by 40 votes. They are awash in federal dollars so they have cake. It will be inflation that will be challenging moving forward - and teacher pensions which are going to be killer for county with State limiting its part and demographics. This article explains it pretty well why there is confusion.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/government/montgomery-county-follows-state-mandate-on-advertising-possible-tax-increase/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry the word normal triggers you but it's the most appropriate word for the conversation. I'm sure you prefer differently abled or some other BS term that helps you cope with having abnormal kids. And no, I am not normal. But I also wasn't coddled... er... sorry... accommodated to get through school. Life won't accommodate your kids either. They'll either sink or swim on their abilities. And again, should low or normal IQ kids get accomodations so they cantry to perform at a top level?

Among other things, the ADA and IDEA don't "coddle", they allow for access.

I can't wait until you're stuck in a wheelchair for a couple weeks to see what having accommodations really means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not spending a fortune on someone who needs extra help isn't discrimination though. I mean, I can't jump. Should MCPS spend money to try to make me an equally good basketball player to the best players in the county?

Well, if you can't jump because someone tied your legs together, then getting help untying them would be appropriate. If we're torturing metaphors, anyway.

You're the only one torturing metaphors. Mine was perfectly clear. I'm talking about natural ability or disability. Physical or mental, it's all the same. But if you prefer, let's stay with mental and focus on kids with low to average IQs. Should MCPS spend a fortune to try to get all of them onto AP/honors classes as well?

Wow. You are obtuse. There are plenty of students at Churchill who have the ability for AP classes but are openly told that they can’t receive services in those classes. Some teachers even resist providing accommodations. Those are discriminatory acts.

It’s the same as black students being dissuaded from taking an AP class because of an implicit biases. Passing judgment without looking at the prerequisites and a student’s ability in the course is a discriminatory act.

Giving students equal access should not take away from the experience of other students. If more students enroll in AP classes then the school will hire more teachers to teach the AP classes. The achievement of the school will expand. Overall test performance in the school will improve. Diversity in these classes will add to the blending of the Churchill community vs. the segregation that has been a feature of the Churchill AP program in the past.

Its probably because those services would interfere with the normal kids in the class which would degrade the quality of their education.

As for dissuading black kids from taking AP classes, there's no evidence of that. What there is evidence of is black kids not scoring as high on entrance exams which the woke (including the new principal Taylor) believe is evidence of racism which is insane. They believe that tests should be eschewed in favor of whatever it takes to rave-balance everything.

You keep juxtaposing kids with specialized needs against “normal” kids. What a weird and offensive way to put it. A kid who has ADHD or diabetes or hearing loss is no less “normal” than any other kid. They just need accommodations to perform to the best of their ability. All the research shows, by the way, that when kids are in classes with students who have learning challenges, they actually perform better. They often get access to better teaching practices and have the benefit of a second instructor as well. You are cutting off your nose to spite your face. I’m sure you’re totally “normal” though.

I'm sorry the word normal triggers you but it's the most appropriate word for the conversation. I'm sure you prefer differently abled or some other BS term that helps you cope with having abnormal kids. And no, I am not normal. But I also wasn't coddled... er... sorry... accommodated to get through school. Life won't accommodate your kids either. They'll either sink or swim on their abilities. And again, should low or normal IQ kids get accomodations so they cantry to perform at a top level?

My own child was valedictorian of their high school class. Their special needs taught them early on to self advocate for what they need, and they’re accustomed to having to work harder than others, and they can think outside of the box. I don’t worry about them at all. You, however, sound uneducated when you use “normal” interchangeably with neurotypical. As evidenced by your many posts, you’re the one who is triggered. I think you’ve replied to every comment. Are you the same Potomac dad who testified about “normal” families in front of the Board of Education? These replies have the same tone. Anyway, I’m not angry, in fact I pity you. It must be hard to walk around with so much anger and hostility and resentment. You must be ridiculously insecure to be so easily threatened by people who don’t share your ideology.

Define neurotypical.

And "self advocate for what they need" is just another way of saying "complain so they get more than others."

Your ideology is why US education is so low when compared with the rest of the world. The US focuses on people who can't instead of people who can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry the word normal triggers you but it's the most appropriate word for the conversation. I'm sure you prefer differently abled or some other BS term that helps you cope with having abnormal kids. And no, I am not normal. But I also wasn't coddled... er... sorry... accommodated to get through school. Life won't accommodate your kids either. They'll either sink or swim on their abilities. And again, should low or normal IQ kids get accomodations so they cantry to perform at a top level?

Among other things, the ADA and IDEA don't "coddle", they allow for access.

I can't wait until you're stuck in a wheelchair for a couple weeks to see what having accommodations really means.

Coddled = Allow for access. Again, should people with low IQs be allowed access to GT/magnet programs / AP classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry the word normal triggers you but it's the most appropriate word for the conversation. I'm sure you prefer differently abled or some other BS term that helps you cope with having abnormal kids. And no, I am not normal. But I also wasn't coddled... er... sorry... accommodated to get through school. Life won't accommodate your kids either. They'll either sink or swim on their abilities. And again, should low or normal IQ kids get accomodations so they cantry to perform at a top level?

Among other things, the ADA and IDEA don't "coddle", they allow for access.

I can't wait until you're stuck in a wheelchair for a couple weeks to see what having accommodations really means.

Coddled = Allow for access. Again, should people with low IQs be allowed access to GT/magnet programs / AP classes?

The flaw and implicit bias in your statement about students with disabilities is that they have a low IQ. That is simply an ignorant misconception.

This thread is about Churchill, so there are no GT or magnet programs at Churchill. However, students with disabilities should have equal access to those programs as well.

For AP programs, again you seem to not be knowledgeable about the entrance requirements for the classes. Non-disabled students do not need to have a specific score on an IQ test so it would be illegal for such a requirement to only apply for disabled students.

Finally, the following people had/have disabilities but they have made monumental contributions to society. If these people were high school students at Churchill, should they be dissuaded from taking AP classes?

Stephen Hawkins
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Elon Musk
Richard Branson
Albert Einstein

People with disabilities have a wide range of strengths and weaknesses. They tend to be resilient people because of the challenges they face. Atypical neurological development also sometimes gives people unique gifts. They look at the world in new ways to solve problems. They are your entrepreneurs, inventors, and scientists.

Special Education is just good teaching practices that teaches to a student’s strengths instead of their weaknesses. Many best practices in education actually began in Special Education so all students benefit when universal design is used in classrooms.

Students with disabilities deserve equal access. They want opportunities, not lower standards or handouts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry the word normal triggers you but it's the most appropriate word for the conversation. I'm sure you prefer differently abled or some other BS term that helps you cope with having abnormal kids. And no, I am not normal. But I also wasn't coddled... er... sorry... accommodated to get through school. Life won't accommodate your kids either. They'll either sink or swim on their abilities. And again, should low or normal IQ kids get accomodations so they cantry to perform at a top level?

Among other things, the ADA and IDEA don't "coddle", they allow for access.

I can't wait until you're stuck in a wheelchair for a couple weeks to see what having accommodations really means.

Coddled = Allow for access. Again, should people with low IQs be allowed access to GT/magnet programs / AP classes?

The flaw and implicit bias in your statement about students with disabilities is that they have a low IQ. That is simply an ignorant misconception.

This thread is about Churchill, so there are no GT or magnet programs at Churchill. However, students with disabilities should have equal access to those programs as well.

For AP programs, again you seem to not be knowledgeable about the entrance requirements for the classes. Non-disabled students do not need to have a specific score on an IQ test so it would be illegal for such a requirement to only apply for disabled students.

Finally, the following people had/have disabilities but they have made monumental contributions to society. If these people were high school students at Churchill, should they be dissuaded from taking AP classes?

Stephen Hawkins
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Elon Musk
Richard Branson
Albert Einstein

People with disabilities have a wide range of strengths and weaknesses. They tend to be resilient people because of the challenges they face. Atypical neurological development also sometimes gives people unique gifts. They look at the world in new ways to solve problems. They are your entrepreneurs, inventors, and scientists.

Special Education is just good teaching practices that teaches to a student’s strengths instead of their weaknesses. Many best practices in education actually began in Special Education so all students benefit when universal design is used in classrooms.

Students with disabilities deserve equal access. They want opportunities, not lower standards or handouts.

+1

My kid has learning differences, but I'm sure his IQ is much higher than the person posting all of the garbage about kids who aren't "normal". What a piece of work.

[Anonymous]

The sad part is how this type of ignorant thinking filters down from parents to their children. Bullying is a very real at Churchill. Students with disabilities are easy targets. People can be cruel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry the word normal triggers you but it's the most appropriate word for the conversation. I'm sure you prefer differently abled or some other BS term that helps you cope with having abnormal kids. And no, I am not normal. But I also wasn't coddled... er... sorry... accommodated to get through school. Life won't accommodate your kids either. They'll either sink or swim on their abilities. And again, should low or normal IQ kids get accomodations so they cantry to perform at a top level?

Among other things, the ADA and IDEA don't "coddle", they allow for access.

I can't wait until you're stuck in a wheelchair for a couple weeks to see what having accommodations really means.

Coddled = Allow for access. Again, should people with low IQs be allowed access to GT/magnet programs / AP classes?

The flaw and implicit bias in your statement about students with disabilities is that they have a low IQ. That is simply an ignorant misconception.

This thread is about Churchill, so there are no GT or magnet programs at Churchill. However, students with disabilities should have equal access to those programs as well.

For AP programs, again you seem to not be knowledgeable about the entrance requirements for the classes. Non-disabled students do not need to have a specific score on an IQ test so it would be illegal for such a requirement to only apply for disabled students.

Finally, the following people had/have disabilities but they have made monumental contributions to society. If these people were high school students at Churchill, should they be dissuaded from taking AP classes?

Stephen Hawkins
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Elon Musk
Richard Branson
Albert Einstein

People with disabilities have a wide range of strengths and weaknesses. They tend to be resilient people because of the challenges they face. Atypical neurological development also sometimes gives people unique gifts. They look at the world in new ways to solve problems. They are your entrepreneurs, inventors, and scientists.

Special Education is just good teaching practices that teaches to a student’s strengths instead of their weaknesses. Many best practices in education actually began in Special Education so all students benefit when universal design is used in classrooms.

Students with disabilities deserve equal access. They want opportunities, not lower standards or handouts.

"The flaw and implicit bias in your statement about students with disabilities is that they have a low IQ."

I never said this nor do I believe it. But apparently you do because it's the conclusion you jumped to. I asked if kids with low IQs should have accomodations made so that they can access advanced classes. Where does one draw the line with how much extra help kids
get.

I'm also not advocating for anyone being kept out of any class they are qualified for. However, if a kid requires a monumental amount of EXTRA help (or and entire extra teacher) perhaps that kid doesn't belong in that class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry the word normal triggers you but it's the most appropriate word for the conversation. I'm sure you prefer differently abled or some other BS term that helps you cope with having abnormal kids. And no, I am not normal. But I also wasn't coddled... er... sorry... accommodated to get through school. Life won't accommodate your kids either. They'll either sink or swim on their abilities. And again, should low or normal IQ kids get accomodations so they cantry to perform at a top level?

Among other things, the ADA and IDEA don't "coddle", they allow for access.

I can't wait until you're stuck in a wheelchair for a couple weeks to see what having accommodations really means.

Coddled = Allow for access. Again, should people with low IQs be allowed access to GT/magnet programs / AP classes?

The flaw and implicit bias in your statement about students with disabilities is that they have a low IQ. That is simply an ignorant misconception.

This thread is about Churchill, so there are no GT or magnet programs at Churchill. However, students with disabilities should have equal access to those programs as well.

For AP programs, again you seem to not be knowledgeable about the entrance requirements for the classes. Non-disabled students do not need to have a specific score on an IQ test so it would be illegal for such a requirement to only apply for disabled students.

Finally, the following people had/have disabilities but they have made monumental contributions to society. If these people were high school students at Churchill, should they be dissuaded from taking AP classes?

Stephen Hawkins
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Elon Musk
Richard Branson
Albert Einstein

People with disabilities have a wide range of strengths and weaknesses. They tend to be resilient people because of the challenges they face. Atypical neurological development also sometimes gives people unique gifts. They look at the world in new ways to solve problems. They are your entrepreneurs, inventors, and scientists.

Special Education is just good teaching practices that teaches to a student’s strengths instead of their weaknesses. Many best practices in education actually began in Special Education so all students benefit when universal design is used in classrooms.

Students with disabilities deserve equal access. They want opportunities, not lower standards or handouts.

P. S. atypical means abnormal. If the word normal triggers you but the word atypical doesn't, you're a weirdo or perhaps autistic. The fact that you rigidly fixated on Churchill not having a GT program because it's a high school instead of being able to extrapolate that I was referring to these programs in general, points to the 2nd one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The sad part is how this type of ignorant thinking filters down from parents to their children. Bullying is a very real at Churchill. Students with disabilities are easy targets. People can be cruel.

It’s even worse when staff have these same biases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry the word normal triggers you but it's the most appropriate word for the conversation. I'm sure you prefer differently abled or some other BS term that helps you cope with having abnormal kids. And no, I am not normal. But I also wasn't coddled... er... sorry... accommodated to get through school. Life won't accommodate your kids either. They'll either sink or swim on their abilities. And again, should low or normal IQ kids get accomodations so they cantry to perform at a top level?

Among other things, the ADA and IDEA don't "coddle", they allow for access.

I can't wait until you're stuck in a wheelchair for a couple weeks to see what having accommodations really means.

Coddled = Allow for access. Again, should people with low IQs be allowed access to GT/magnet programs / AP classes?

The flaw and implicit bias in your statement about students with disabilities is that they have a low IQ. That is simply an ignorant misconception.

This thread is about Churchill, so there are no GT or magnet programs at Churchill. However, students with disabilities should have equal access to those programs as well.

For AP programs, again you seem to not be knowledgeable about the entrance requirements for the classes. Non-disabled students do not need to have a specific score on an IQ test so it would be illegal for such a requirement to only apply for disabled students.

Finally, the following people had/have disabilities but they have made monumental contributions to society. If these people were high school students at Churchill, should they be dissuaded from taking AP classes?

Stephen Hawkins
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Elon Musk
Richard Branson
Albert Einstein

People with disabilities have a wide range of strengths and weaknesses. They tend to be resilient people because of the challenges they face. Atypical neurological development also sometimes gives people unique gifts. They look at the world in new ways to solve problems. They are your entrepreneurs, inventors, and scientists.

Special Education is just good teaching practices that teaches to a student’s strengths instead of their weaknesses. Many best practices in education actually began in Special Education so all students benefit when universal design is used in classrooms.

Students with disabilities deserve equal access. They want opportunities, not lower standards or handouts.

P. S. atypical means abnormal. If the word normal triggers you but the word atypical doesn't, you're a weirdo or perhaps autistic. The fact that you rigidly fixated on Churchill not having a GT program because it's a high school instead of being able to extrapolate that I was referring to these programs in general, points to the 2nd one.

In the context of child development, atypical means unusual. When a child is comprehensively tested for an IEP, a child with atypical development will demonstrate unusual patterns of strengths and weaknesses. The key to learning is teaching to a child’s strengths, not weaknesses.

For example, if a child is dyslexic, they might receive equal access to an AP social studies class with the use of a computer that reads text to them. The child still does the work, just in a different format.

FYI some high schools have GT programs, just not Churchill - Walter Johnson has a GTLD program for example. The GTLD program accepts students from out of boundary much like IB and magnet programs do.