some general questions about MoCo curriculum

[Anonymous]

We are looking to move from out of state and I'm wondering how much tech is part of MoCo curriculum - does the district give kids ipads, is the work all digital and if so, what grades (this is what is happening where we are, starting in 2nd grade, and I'm not sure how I feel about it, curious if things are the same there yet)? Also, does MoCo still use PARCC and if so are they planning to continue (I know lots of states are transitioning away from that particular test and just wondering where MD is on this). Thanks!

[Anonymous]

They get Chrome books in 3rd grade. There is some technology in the earlier grades like computer lab, etc. Yes, they do PARCC (sigh), and follow Common Core standards.

[Anonymous]

What exactly is the status of that roll out? I know it was stopped. Do kids use them in certain years and then they stop? My kids (MS and HS) have never had them. Or once you get one, you just keep it?

[Anonymous]

My kids got Chrome books in 2nd grade this year. Not sure if they'll keep the same ones next year but I think so.

[Anonymous]

So they are still adding new grades each year? I thought they cut the funding for that.

[Anonymous]

Summary for 2015 school year..

Technology Initiative

MCPS will continue the rollout of its districtwide technology initiative, which seeks to provide mobile devices—mainly Chromebook laptops—and an online learning environment to all students. Last school year, the Chromebooks were placed in all Grade 3, 5 and 6 classrooms, as well as high school social studies classrooms.

The plan was for the rollout to continue in Grades 2, 4, 7 and one more high school subject this year, but budget reductions forced the Board of Education to remove that item from the operating budget in June. Over the summer, MCPS decided to put off replacing desktop computers in offices and school labs and redirect that money to partially expand the Chromebook initiative.

The devices will be placed in all Grade 4 classes and about 150 Grade 7 classes. However, the Grade 2 and high school expansions will be delayed at least one year.

[Anonymous]

My second grader did not get a Chromebook this year.

[Anonymous]

Also, it's not as if the child brings the Chromebook home - they don't - these are utilized in the classroom in a cart - nothing goes home with the child.

[Anonymous]

My son used a Chromebook in 3rd grade this year to research topics that he will write about or present in addition to going to the school library. The only other use was for testing (MAP and PARCC). I don't think it was too much and he seemed to learn a lot about evaluating info on the web, downloading images, etc.

[Anonymous]

So this is not really any different than the "mobile computer labs" that they have had for a long while but maybe with no scheduling required.

[Anonymous]

My teacher friend told me that kids can go to improper sites on chrome books. She had a boy who was looking at inappropriate sites. I was extremely surprised to learn that. I'm sure most parents, like myself, thought that Internet access is restricted. I'm passing on the word because I personally think it should be and I'm surprised the county hasn't mandated that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: My teacher friend told me that kids can go to improper sites on chrome books. She had a boy who was looking at inappropriate sites. I was extremely surprised to learn that. I'm sure most parents, like myself, thought that Internet access is restricted. I'm passing on the word because I personally think it should be and I'm surprised the county hasn't mandated that.

I posted earlier about my son's use in 3rd grade. He did confirm that students didn't have any restrictions on the web. He told me that his teacher talked about appropriate searching and viewing and does keep an eye on what they look at online. That said, he did tell me that a kid got caught using violent games while he was supposed to be doing research. The teacher said that MCPS needs to address this issue at the admin level.

[Anonymous]

My kids are checking and sending email during the day as well (Middle school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are checking and sending email during the day as well (Middle school).

So is my DD, and I don't have a problem with that as long as she continues to get her work done with good grades, and does not get any disciplinary infractions related to computer use.

I'm not sure how I feel about wishing they had better Internet filtering for inappropriate sites. No one needs to be doing any of that at school on taxpayer provided equipment, and I do think the elementary school kids should be more protected than they are from accidentally running across something they can't unsee. By middle school, I would expect the kids themselves to be responsible for following school policy with regard to how they use their computers. On the other hand, our former school district had such strict filtering that my older DDs and their friends reported that some sites which would have been useful for schoolwork were blocked. So, I think there has to be a careful balance there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: My teacher friend told me that kids can go to improper sites on chrome books. She had a boy who was looking at inappropriate sites. I was extremely surprised to learn that. I'm sure most parents, like myself, thought that Internet access is restricted. I'm passing on the word because I personally think it should be and I'm surprised the county hasn't mandated that.

I posted earlier about my son's use in 3rd grade. He did confirm that students didn't have any restrictions on the web. He told me that his teacher talked about appropriate searching and viewing and does keep an eye on what they look at online. That said, he did tell me that a kid got caught using violent games while he was supposed to be doing research. The teacher said that MCPS needs to address this issue at the admin level.

You see, I had no idea. I thought, like I'm sure most parents do, that these things were restricted and safe. I'm sure if parents got wind of this there would be a huge uproar. I don't even let my child use the Internet at home so I am really upset about them having unrestricted Internet at school.