letter received today from MCPS about HGC

[Anonymous]

We received a letter today from MCPS about the changes to HGC. It sounds like parents don't get to nominate their child anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong. The letter states:

- All Grade 3 students in your school will be centrally reviewed for potential candidacy for the CPHG rather than parents submitting a parent application. Students who demonstrate an overall above average academic profile will be considered for one of the seats in the CPHG. All parents will be notified of this process in late January 2017. Upon notification, parents will have the option of requesting or declining CPHG testing.

So the question is - will "all parents" be notified in late January or "all parents of kids who have been recommended by the school".

[Anonymous]

They are trying to increase diversity so every kid will be tested. Too many poor kids that are smart werent tested because they parents knew nothing about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are trying to increase diversity so every kid will be tested. Too many poor kids that are smart werent tested because they parents knew nothing about it.

I agree with this part. First step in killing the GT program in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are trying to increase diversity so every kid will be tested. Too many poor kids that are smart werent tested because they parents knew nothing about it.

I agree with this part. First step in killing the GT program in MCPS.

Wish we could do the same in Fairfax County. It's not a true program for the small percentage of gifted students who do need something outside the gen Ed class. It's just over hyped special snowflake centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are trying to increase diversity so every kid will be tested. Too many poor kids that are smart werent tested because they parents knew nothing about it.

I agree with this part. First step in killing the GT program in MCPS.

How does it kill GT Programs to ensure that every potentially qualified kid gets tested? Literally who does that hurt, other than the kids who were lucky enough to win the parent lottery?

[Anonymous]

As Fairfax knows when you increase the number of seats in the program, it is no longer a gifted program. If 1 of the 3 4th and 5th grade classes at Stonegate is supposed to be a highly gifted center, we can assume that it is really just slightly different than a typical classroom. After a few years they will say that all the classrooms should have the same opportunity. Didn't that basically happen at Tacoma elementary? It was a testin gifted magnet but now it is basically for the whole school and a few OOB kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As Fairfax knows when you increase the number of seats in the program, it is no longer a gifted program. If 1 of the 3 4th and 5th grade classes at Stonegate is supposed to be a highly gifted center, we can assume that it is really just slightly different than a typical classroom. After a few years they will say that all the classrooms should have the same opportunity. Didn't that basically happen at Tacoma elementary? It was a testin gifted magnet but now it is basically for the whole school and a few OOB kids.

Are they talking about increasing the seats? No I don't think so. They are talking about doing their own homework in terms of finding the students they think are worthy. That's quite different.

[Anonymous]

? I didn't get such a letter. I did receive the application a few weeks ago, though. Is it maybe different depending on the school? I wonder if schools that typically don't have many kids apply to HGC are the ones that are just going to screen all kids.

[Anonymous]

This is a move to make sure the program is not dominated by Asian/white kids. When politics get in the way of education, we all lose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As Fairfax knows when you increase the number of seats in the program, it is no longer a gifted program. If 1 of the 3 4th and 5th grade classes at Stonegate is supposed to be a highly gifted center, we can assume that it is really just slightly different than a typical classroom. After a few years they will say that all the classrooms should have the same opportunity. Didn't that basically happen at Tacoma elementary? It was a testin gifted magnet but now it is basically for the whole school and a few OOB kids.

Are they talking about increasing the seats? No I don't think so. They are talking about doing their own homework in terms of finding the students they think are worthy. That's quite different.

The number of seats is going up 50% next year..many of which are just for the students in two particular schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a move to make sure the program is not dominated by Asian/white kids. When politics get in the way of education, we all lose.

My kid is Asian and attended HGC. I don't see anything wrong with MCPS trying to reach out to other groups to encourage their kids to apply. It doesn't mean that they are necessarily going to lower the standards for the URM kids to get in (I hope not). I see it as more of an outreach type thing than anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As Fairfax knows when you increase the number of seats in the program, it is no longer a gifted program. If 1 of the 3 4th and 5th grade classes at Stonegate is supposed to be a highly gifted center, we can assume that it is really just slightly different than a typical classroom. After a few years they will say that all the classrooms should have the same opportunity. Didn't that basically happen at Tacoma elementary? It was a testin gifted magnet but now it is basically for the whole school and a few OOB kids.

Are they talking about increasing the seats? No I don't think so. They are talking about doing their own homework in terms of finding the students they think are worthy. That's quite different.

The number of seats is going up 50% next year..many of which are just for the students in two particular schools.

It's a pilot program of some sorts. I think it's in the clusters where the seats for HGC are already somewhat small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a move to make sure the program is not dominated by Asian/white kids. When politics get in the way of education, we all lose.

My kid is Asian and attended HGC. I don't see anything wrong with MCPS trying to reach out to other groups to encourage their kids to apply. It doesn't mean that they are necessarily going to lower the standards for the URM kids to get in (I hope not). I see it as more of an outreach type thing than anything else.

I think you are naive but I guess time will tell. Look up def for holistic admission.

[Anonymous]

The test will be the same, It is just going to include more kids. I think its a good thing. ( Im talking about moco)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The test will be the same, It is just going to include more kids. I think its a good thing. ( Im talking about moco)

Has MCPS said the selection criteria will NOT change?