Cross Post: Elementary School Magnet tests | MoCo

[Anonymous]

Well, I guess, it is a little of do as I say, not as I did.

--le saboteur

[Anonymous]

I've read some pretty convincing research that shows that teacher grades/sat scores etc. aren't that predictive of how effective a teacher is. And lets be honest; even if most teachers aren't rocket scientists, they're still college grads which makes them smarter than a decent chunk of the population, and probably smarter than some of the folks knocking them on here.

Operative word here is "effective".

Face it, a C to B average with dull test scores usually doesn't get you the medical school. I have less qualms with the latter high performers teaching...even math and science. That's my own experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think it gives you a pretty good shot at being smarter than average. Lots of colleges, but many fewer who actually graduate from these online and for profit colleges. Plus teachers have to pass an exam in many states in order to actually teach. I can't honestly say that I've run into many (if any?) actually stupid teachers, which according to previous posts should be everywhere.

I wonder if these MCPS teachers take the County advise (for the students they "teach") and avoided their certifying "teacher exam" prep in favor of a good night's sleep and a good breakfast.

There is a big difference between studying and prepping for an exam that shows you have mastered a topic professionally or and even for an exam like SAT that is supposed to show achievement versus taking a prep course for a test that is supposed to test cognitive ability with a little achievement thrown in.

I would hope that all parents have their children working hard and studying for classes and exams and wanting to achieve. Giving them more math or reading at home if they feel it is needed or if their child loves it. And for those who can, are able to let their child play sports or take an academic class if they want.

The point here is that there are kids out there that operate on a different level of understanding and ability - and not all just because their parents invested in them, they had good teachers or a good school district - and programs like HGC are meant to reach those children. The test is supposed to try to identify kids that have such skills - it is not supposed to be something you study for. But certainly you can, and clearly people do.... And clearly people have different views on what the HGC's are for - some want to escape their home school - some think it is a magic ticket to "get ahead" - while others want their child to be challenged for the first time in their educational experience - or want their children to find classmates who they can related to academically. I suspect the way parents in the first two groups feel about the test is very different than those in the second two groups.

It's amazing how mean this whole thread has gotten....

[Anonymous]

There is a big difference between studying and prepping for an exam that shows you have mastered a topic professionally or and even for an exam like SAT that is supposed to show achievement versus taking a prep course for a test that is supposed to test cognitive ability with a little achievement thrown in.

I would hope that all parents have their children working hard and studying for classes and exams and wanting to achieve. Giving them more math or reading at home if they feel it is needed or if their child loves it. And for those who can, are able to let their child play sports or take an academic class if they want.

The point here is that there are kids out there that operate on a different level of understanding and ability - and not all just because their parents invested in them, they had good teachers or a good school district - and programs like HGC are meant to reach those children. The test is supposed to try to identify kids that have such skills - it is not supposed to be something you study for. But certainly you can, and clearly people do.... And clearly people have different views on what the HGC's are for - some want to escape their home school - some think it is a magic ticket to "get ahead" - while others want their child to be challenged for the first time in their educational experience - or want their children to find classmates who they can related to academically. I suspect the way parents in the first two groups feel about the test is very different than those in the second two groups.

It's amazing how mean this whole thread has gotten....

If I were MCPS I would encourage all the students to study for the HGC entrance test. I would give them the content topics well ahead of time and design a nice a way above grade level exam that will surely separate the wheat from the chaffe (Bell shape). This is a much better approach than the infantile whining nonsense of do not prepare for HGC but it is okay to use prep for the SSAT, the Explore and Math Olympiaids as surrogate prep in the 2 to 3 months before the annual exam. What's the difference? The family only has to tell MCPS they were not studying for HGC but having big time fun conveniently studying for the SSAT and Explore exams that are much tougher.

MCPS should not worry that their students are studying. This is the goal after all.

That's why you will never be a brain surgeon, concert pianist, elite swimmer like Michael Phelps or an elite quarterback like Tom Brady. Try telling Brady or Manning not to prepare for a tryout. Who are you kidding?

[Anonymous]

There is a big difference between studying and prepping for an exam that shows you have mastered a topic professionally or and even for an exam like SAT that is supposed to show achievement versus taking a prep course for a test that is supposed to test cognitive ability with a little achievement thrown in.

I would hope that all parents have their children working hard and studying for classes and exams and wanting to achieve. Giving them more math or reading at home if they feel it is needed or if their child loves it. And for those who can, are able to let their child play sports or take an academic class if they want.

The point here is that there are kids out there that operate on a different level of understanding and ability - and not all just because their parents invested in them, they had good teachers or a good school district - and programs like HGC are meant to reach those children. The test is supposed to try to identify kids that have such skills - it is not supposed to be something you study for. But certainly you can, and clearly people do.... And clearly people have different views on what the HGC's are for - some want to escape their home school - some think it is a magic ticket to "get ahead" - while others want their child to be challenged for the first time in their educational experience - or want their children to find classmates who they can related to academically. I suspect the way parents in the first two groups feel about the test is very different than those in the second two groups.

It's amazing how mean this whole thread has gotten....

SSAT and Explore test preparation are excellent preparation for the MCPS elementary and middle school magnet entrance exams. So if you are worried about being accused of MCPS prep then sit for the SSAT and Explore. These tests are not under the jurisdiction of MCPS.

[Anonymous]

The point here is that there are kids out there that operate on a different level of understanding and ability - and not all just because their parents invested in them, they had good teachers or a good school district - and programs like HGC are meant to reach those children. The test is supposed to try to identify kids that have such skills - it is not supposed to be something you study for. But certainly you can, and clearly people do.... And clearly people have different views on what the HGC's are for - some want to escape their home school - some think it is a magic ticket to "get ahead" - while others want their child to be challenged for the first time in their educational experience - or want their children to find classmates who they can related to academically. I suspect the way parents in the first two groups feel about the test is very different than those in the second two groups.

It's amazing how mean this whole thread has gotten....

What skills are you talking about? Are these skills desirable? Can you study for these skills? If so, and these skills are desirable in our children, why shouldn't all children study for these skills. Isn't this the moral thing to do? On the other hand, if you can't study for these skills because you are born with them, what's all the fuss about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There is a big difference between studying and prepping for an exam that shows you have mastered a topic professionally or and even for an exam like SAT that is supposed to show achievement versus taking a prep course for a test that is supposed to test cognitive ability with a little achievement thrown in.

I would hope that all parents have their children working hard and studying for classes and exams and wanting to achieve. Giving them more math or reading at home if they feel it is needed or if their child loves it. And for those who can, are able to let their child play sports or take an academic class if they want.

The point here is that there are kids out there that operate on a different level of understanding and ability - and not all just because their parents invested in them, they had good teachers or a good school district - and programs like HGC are meant to reach those children. The test is supposed to try to identify kids that have such skills - it is not supposed to be something you study for. But certainly you can, and clearly people do.... And clearly people have different views on what the HGC's are for - some want to escape their home school - some think it is a magic ticket to "get ahead" - while others want their child to be challenged for the first time in their educational experience - or want their children to find classmates who they can related to academically. I suspect the way parents in the first two groups feel about the test is very different than those in the second two groups.

It's amazing how mean this whole thread has gotten....

If I were MCPS I would encourage all the students to study for the HGC entrance test. I would give them the content topics well ahead of time and design a nice a way above grade level exam that will surely separate the wheat from the chaffe (Bell shape). This is a much better approach than the infantile whining nonsense of do not prepare for HGC but it is okay to use prep for the SSAT, the Explore and Math Olympiaids as surrogate prep in the 2 to 3 months before the annual exam. What's the difference? The family only has to tell MCPS they were not studying for HGC but having big time fun conveniently studying for the SSAT and Explore exams that are much tougher.

MCPS should not worry that their students are studying. This is the goal after all.

That's why you will never be a brain surgeon, concert pianist, elite swimmer like Michael Phelps or an elite quarterback like Tom Brady. Try telling Brady or Manning not to prepare for a tryout. Who are you kidding?

FYI - did not say SSAT - said SAT - meaning college prep - which is all about achievement not gifted differentiation for 9-11yr olds.

You are very funny...clearly you are not Phelps or Manning writing on DCUM....probably not a brain surgeon or concert pianist either but I could be totally wrong....but you have no idea what I do or what level of education I have. I may be old school but you are way off in your speculations about my academic and career achievements.

I bet Brady and Manning had to prep less than the 99.9% of those they beat out - yes, they work hard - but there are underlying talents there too.

I bet there are kids that work their butts off in magnets to barely get by...and others it comes much more easily for. And I bet there are some brilliant kids that don't do enough work to do as well as they could. Working hard is good but (using your analogy) expecting your child will be able to 'just work hard' in order to become a Brady or Manning someday when in reality they may just be a HS backup QB talent is a lot of pressure at 9.

[Anonymous]

Brady and Manning worked their athletic butt off since age of 7. They are prep artists.

The SSAT is an excellent prep tool for the MCPS primary school magnet entrance exams/tests/exercises. The SAT is also an excellent prep tool but more advanced.

I am quite familiar with your highest educational attainment. This is all too evident.

[Anonymous]

And that would be?

[Anonymous]

...The point here is that there are kids out there that operate on a different level of understanding and ability - and not all just because their parents invested in them, they had good teachers or a good school district - and programs like HGC are meant to reach those children. The test is supposed to try to identify kids that have such skills - it is not supposed to be something you study for. But certainly you can, and clearly people do.... And clearly people have different views on what the HGC's are for - some want to escape their home school - some think it is a magic ticket to "get ahead" - while others want their child to be challenged for the first time in their educational experience - or want their children to find classmates who they can related to academically. I suspect the way parents in the first two groups feel about the test is very different than those in the second two groups.

It's amazing how mean this whole thread has gotten....

What skills are you talking about? Are these skills desirable? Can you study for these skills? If so, and these skills are desirable in our children, why shouldn't all children study for these skills. Isn't this the moral thing to do? On the other hand, if you can't study for these skills because you are born with them, what's all the fuss about.

[Anonymous]

And that would be?

What skills are you talking about? Are these skills desirable? Can you study for these skills? If so, and these skills are desirable in our children, why shouldn't all children study for these skills. Isn't this the moral thing to do? On the other hand, if you can't study for these skills because you are born with them, what's all the fuss about.

[Anonymous]

This thread had gotten off track. The comment was made about prepping for the HGC test and now seems to have transformed into all sorts of academic prep. Prepping for an IQ test violates the intent and I would guess a waste of money for most kids. If people want to waste their money and time on that that's fine but I think its crazy. Spending money on tutoring, extra academic classes, contests etc. is something entirely different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread had gotten off track. The comment was made about prepping for the HGC test and now seems to have transformed into all sorts of academic prep. Prepping for an IQ test violates the intent and I would guess a waste of money for most kids. If people want to waste their money and time on that that's fine but I think its crazy. Spending money on tutoring, extra academic classes, contests etc. is something entirely different.

Exactly!!

[Anonymous]

If prepping is a waste of money why all the fuss from folk who are much too smart not to waste their own money? These are the folk pitching a fit. Bizarre. I do not hear anyone losing sphincter control over money wasted over club lacrosse.

[Anonymous]

...The point here is that there are kids out there that operate on a different level of understanding and ability - and not all just because their parents invested in them, they had good teachers or a good school district - and programs like HGC are meant to reach those children. The test is supposed to try to identify kids that have such skills - it is not supposed to be something you study for. But certainly you can, and clearly people do.... And clearly people have different views on what the HGC's are for - some want to escape their home school - some think it is a magic ticket to "get ahead" - while others want their child to be challenged for the first time in their educational experience - or want their children to find classmates who they can related to academically. I suspect the way parents in the first two groups feel about the test is very different than those in the second two groups.

It's amazing how mean this whole thread has gotten....

What skills are you talking about? Are these skills desirable? Can you study for these skills? If so, and these skills are desirable in our children, why shouldn't all children study for these skills. Isn't this the moral thing to do? On the other hand, if you can't study for these skills because you are born with them, what's all the fuss about?

Exactly.