Support the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) from Budget Cuts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Virtual Academy does a poor job in educating children as it is currently constructed. All available data released by MCPS to date points to a program that is failing - both in attracting new students and in educating the ones it has. Enrollment has been declining steadily since the pandemic has abated. The families that are left are the true believers in virtual education and rightfully believe that the program is best for their kid. Problem is, you can identify groups of kids that number far higher than the mva’s current enrollment who could also use a special program to make school better but can’t get it funded because their method doesn’t happen to be a legacy of Covid.

It’s rough that the BOE said they’d fund it back in the winter and now are going back on their word. But it’s not like the program was enthusiastically embraced by the Board. The only reason it survived was because they said the advanced notice to families would be too short if they cut it. Why that’s changed for them, I don’t know, but any family who didn’t have alternate plans ready were sticking their head in the sand about the reality that their kids face - thriving in a program that has virtually no support outside of those who are a part of it.

The BOE hasn't said anything. They haven't had a meeting. They voted to fund the MVA and now some random MCPS admin wants to close the thing down. You good with that process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Virtual Academy does a poor job in educating children as it is currently constructed. All available data released by MCPS to date points to a program that is failing - both in attracting new students and in educating the ones it has. Enrollment has been declining steadily since the pandemic has abated. The families that are left are the true believers in virtual education and rightfully believe that the program is best for their kid. Problem is, you can identify groups of kids that number far higher than the mva’s current enrollment who could also use a special program to make school better but can’t get it funded because their method doesn’t happen to be a legacy of Covid.

It’s rough that the BOE said they’d fund it back in the winter and now are going back on their word. But it’s not like the program was enthusiastically embraced by the Board. The only reason it survived was because they said the advanced notice to families would be too short if they cut it. Why that’s changed for them, I don’t know, but any family who didn’t have alternate plans ready were sticking their head in the sand about the reality that their kids face - thriving in a program that has virtually no support outside of those who are a part of it.

The BOE hasn't said anything. They haven't had a meeting. They voted to fund the MVA and now some random MCPS admin wants to close the thing down. You good with that process?

Yes. I wish MCPS admins would cut even more wasteful spending like they’re doing here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Virtual Academy does a poor job in educating children as it is currently constructed. All available data released by MCPS to date points to a program that is failing - both in attracting new students and in educating the ones it has. Enrollment has been declining steadily since the pandemic has abated. The families that are left are the true believers in virtual education and rightfully believe that the program is best for their kid. Problem is, you can identify groups of kids that number far higher than the mva’s current enrollment who could also use a special program to make school better but can’t get it funded because their method doesn’t happen to be a legacy of Covid.

It’s rough that the BOE said they’d fund it back in the winter and now are going back on their word. But it’s not like the program was enthusiastically embraced by the Board. The only reason it survived was because they said the advanced notice to families would be too short if they cut it. Why that’s changed for them, I don’t know, but any family who didn’t have alternate plans ready were sticking their head in the sand about the reality that their kids face - thriving in a program that has virtually no support outside of those who are a part of it.

The BOE hasn't said anything. They haven't had a meeting. They voted to fund the MVA and now some random MCPS admin wants to close the thing down. You good with that process?

'Random'? He's the director of OSSWB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Signed.

Although my child is now back in the classroom, his mental health was at a breaking point due to the lack of special education services available in MCPS (behavioral issues and he was labeled ED though we now know it is autism). Although they did finally approve him for a private placement (at public expense), the trauma was already too intense. Having him do virtual instruction allowed us to see a whole new child. He went off of heavy medication and started to enjoy learning. At this point, he is no longer a special education student at all. In 1.5 year of virtual instruction, he went from a full-time special education student needing a private placement to not needing special education at all. According to his psychiatrist, many other children followed the same path.

Kids are all different and have different needs. This seems like an easy answer to help many students wh are non-traditional learners. If you don't have one of them, you don't understand how needed this program is.

I can't even imagine how bad the special education placements are going to be if they take this program away.

MCPS needs to take away programs that do not directly benefit children rather than this program. They need to look into central office!

+1. The COVID shutdown and virtual instruction allowed my kid to thrive. I could finally see what he needed to be successful and advocate for him.

Thrive. The most overused word in education during the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

How would cutting MVA even save money? Those kids are now going to go back to their home schools and need teachers there. I'm sure there's a small amount of savings on the tech used, but that can't really be substantial, can it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would cutting MVA even save money? Those kids are now going to go back to their home schools and need teachers there. I'm sure there's a small amount of savings on the tech used, but that can't really be substantial, can it?

A lot of deniers here don't like to believe this, but many teachers had class sizes of 8-12 virtually. 800 kids spread over elementary to high school across MCPS' 200 schools does not mean more teachers. It means a sprinkle more of kids in each schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would cutting MVA even save money? Those kids are now going to go back to their home schools and need teachers there. I'm sure there's a small amount of savings on the tech used, but that can't really be substantial, can it?

A little under $5 million. When spread out back to their home schools, MCPS won't need more teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Virtual Academy does a poor job in educating children as it is currently constructed. All available data released by MCPS to date points to a program that is failing - both in attracting new students and in educating the ones it has. Enrollment has been declining steadily since the pandemic has abated. The families that are left are the true believers in virtual education and rightfully believe that the program is best for their kid. Problem is, you can identify groups of kids that number far higher than the mva’s current enrollment who could also use a special program to make school better but can’t get it funded because their method doesn’t happen to be a legacy of Covid.

It’s rough that the BOE said they’d fund it back in the winter and now are going back on their word. But it’s not like the program was enthusiastically embraced by the Board. The only reason it survived was because they said the advanced notice to families would be too short if they cut it. Why that’s changed for them, I don’t know, but any family who didn’t have alternate plans ready were sticking their head in the sand about the reality that their kids face - thriving in a program that has virtually no support outside of those who are a part of it.

The BOE hasn't said anything. They haven't had a meeting. They voted to fund the MVA and now some random MCPS admin wants to close the thing down. You good with that process?

'Random'? He's the director of OSSWB?

Who are you referring to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Signed.

Although my child is now back in the classroom, his mental health was at a breaking point due to the lack of special education services available in MCPS (behavioral issues and he was labeled ED though we now know it is autism). Although they did finally approve him for a private placement (at public expense), the trauma was already too intense. Having him do virtual instruction allowed us to see a whole new child. He went off of heavy medication and started to enjoy learning. At this point, he is no longer a special education student at all. In 1.5 year of virtual instruction, he went from a full-time special education student needing a private placement to not needing special education at all. According to his psychiatrist, many other children followed the same path.

Kids are all different and have different needs. This seems like an easy answer to help many students wh are non-traditional learners. If you don't have one of them, you don't understand how needed this program is.

I can't even imagine how bad the special education placements are going to be if they take this program away.

MCPS needs to take away programs that do not directly benefit children rather than this program. They need to look into central office!

+1. The COVID shutdown and virtual instruction allowed my kid to thrive. I could finally see what he needed to be successful and advocate for him.

Thrive. The most overused word in education during the pandemic.

Followed by "grace."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Signed.

Although my child is now back in the classroom, his mental health was at a breaking point due to the lack of special education services available in MCPS (behavioral issues and he was labeled ED though we now know it is autism). Although they did finally approve him for a private placement (at public expense), the trauma was already too intense. Having him do virtual instruction allowed us to see a whole new child. He went off of heavy medication and started to enjoy learning. At this point, he is no longer a special education student at all. In 1.5 year of virtual instruction, he went from a full-time special education student needing a private placement to not needing special education at all. According to his psychiatrist, many other children followed the same path.

Kids are all different and have different needs. This seems like an easy answer to help many students wh are non-traditional learners. If you don't have one of them, you don't understand how needed this program is.

I can't even imagine how bad the special education placements are going to be if they take this program away.

MCPS needs to take away programs that do not directly benefit children rather than this program. They need to look into central office!

You need to testify at a board meeting if you haven’t already, this is so powerful. Hugs to you and your son. Shame on MCPS for cutting such an important program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

OMG why do some of you keep pushing this? The state of MD has no intention of providing a virtual program. Just stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

OMG why do some of you keep pushing this? The state of MD has no intention of providing a virtual program. Just stop.

And it is just a matter of time before MCPS stops providing one.

If you were interested in a long-term solution, you'd shift your focus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Virtual Academy does a poor job in educating children as it is currently constructed. All available data released by MCPS to date points to a program that is failing - both in attracting new students and in educating the ones it has. Enrollment has been declining steadily since the pandemic has abated. The families that are left are the true believers in virtual education and rightfully believe that the program is best for their kid. Problem is, you can identify groups of kids that number far higher than the mva’s current enrollment who could also use a special program to make school better but can’t get it funded because their method doesn’t happen to be a legacy of Covid.

It’s rough that the BOE said they’d fund it back in the winter and now are going back on their word. But it’s not like the program was enthusiastically embraced by the Board. The only reason it survived was because they said the advanced notice to families would be too short if they cut it. Why that’s changed for them, I don’t know, but any family who didn’t have alternate plans ready were sticking their head in the sand about the reality that their kids face - thriving in a program that has virtually no support outside of those who are a part of it.

The BOE hasn't said anything. They haven't had a meeting. They voted to fund the MVA and now some random MCPS admin wants to close the thing down. You good with that process?

'Random'? He's the director of OSSWB?

And that means he can cut a school? No according to State law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's ok if virtual is not right for your family or your kids. But, it is the right choice for other families and their children and why terminate a program that has such a low cost to MCPS and is benefitting some students?

This was always meant to be a temporary program to serve high risk families during the pandemic. You were just in denial about that.