Really appalled by non-acceptance from CAP magnet at Blair

[Anonymous]

The bigger problem, IMO, is that MoCo doesn't provide enough spaces in programs like CAP and RMIB to challenge all the qualified kids. MoCo dangles a lure that your kid might get into one of these programs. As a result, people stay in downcounty MoCo until it's too late to move to a W school or go private.

Maybe we can all agree on the need for more of these programs. From what I understand, they really aren't that more expensive than providing regular instruction to the same kids who they have to teach anyway.

(And for the record, my kid is in one of these programs now, so I'm not writing out of sour grapes. I do know plenty of well-qualified kids who were turned away.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bigger problem, IMO, is that MoCo doesn't provide enough spaces in programs like CAP and RMIB to challenge all the qualified kids. MoCo dangles a lure that your kid might get into one of these programs. As a result, people stay in downcounty MoCo until it's too late to move to a W school or go private.

Maybe we can all agree on the need for more of these programs. From what I understand, they really aren't that more expensive than providing regular instruction to the same kids who they have to teach anyway.

(And for the record, my kid is in one of these programs now, so I'm not writing out of sour grapes. I do know plenty of well-qualified kids who were turned away.)

I think that's a fair statement. But just for the sake of argument, isn't it possible that those programs already do exist, that there are teachers and courses able to provide similar rigor at Wheaton's engineering magnet and Kennedy's LTI, but that too many status-focused families avoid them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bigger problem, IMO, is that MoCo doesn't provide enough spaces in programs like CAP and RMIB to challenge all the qualified kids. MoCo dangles a lure that your kid might get into one of these programs. As a result, people stay in downcounty MoCo until it's too late to move to a W school or go private.

Maybe we can all agree on the need for more of these programs. From what I understand, they really aren't that more expensive than providing regular instruction to the same kids who they have to teach anyway.

(And for the record, my kid is in one of these programs now, so I'm not writing out of sour grapes. I do know plenty of well-qualified kids who were turned away.)

I think that's a fair statement. But just for the sake of argument, isn't it possible that those programs already do exist, that there are teachers and courses able to provide similar rigor at Wheaton's engineering magnet and Kennedy's LTI, but that too many status-focused families avoid them?

Is entrance to the Wheaton and Kennedy programs by application and testing? If not, that could explain some of the difference in perceptions.

[Anonymous]

Kids are a reflection of their parents.

No wonder there are so many neurotic kids in this area.

It's a program; it's not the end of the world.

no sympathy, especially if your kid can only seem to define him/herself by CAP or magnet or IB or you name it

Anonymous wrote:So my kid has a 4.0 and is an all-around outstanding student at a MoCo middle school. But the kid was only wait listed at CAP. Not in a middle school magnet as we moved into the district from far away while she was in middle school.

Kid asks 'what more could I do'.

Honey, I have no idea. Given they don't reveal the test scores, I can't even give any insight there ...

Rather bemused that everyone who posts talks about acceptances (usually to both CAP and IB at Richard Montgomery). So just thought I'd introduce some diversity here.

Also, thank you CAP for saying you mailed the letters 31 January, they're postmarked Feb 3rd ... just in case this wasn't stressful enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids are a reflection of their parents.

No wonder there are so many neurotic kids in this area.

It's a program; it's not the end of the world.

no sympathy, especially if your kid can only seem to define him/herself by CAP or magnet or IB or you name it

Anonymous wrote:So my kid has a 4.0 and is an all-around outstanding student at a MoCo middle school. But the kid was only wait listed at CAP. Not in a middle school magnet as we moved into the district from far away while she was in middle school.

Kid asks 'what more could I do'.

Honey, I have no idea. Given they don't reveal the test scores, I can't even give any insight there ...

Rather bemused that everyone who posts talks about acceptances (usually to both CAP and IB at Richard Montgomery). So just thought I'd introduce some diversity here.

Also, thank you CAP for saying you mailed the letters 31 January, they're postmarked Feb 3rd ... just in case this wasn't stressful enough.

Geez, have a little compassion.

Look, what you say is correct, and it's typically the kind of perspective that comes to everyone OVER TIME.

But when somebody tries hard for something, and is not chosen, a tolerant person would step back and let them vent their frustration without the scolding commentary.

Now if the family is still despondent 6 months from now, have at it.

[Anonymous]

The LTI program is an application program:

"The LTI is an innovative program designed to prepare students for successful decision making in their scholastic and professional careers. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary curricula, leadership training, group decision making, problem solving, higher-level thinking skills, community service, and role modeling. Academy of Leadership at the University of Maryland and the University of Richmond lend their support to LTI."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids are a reflection of their parents.

No wonder there are so many neurotic kids in this area.

It's a program; it's not the end of the world.

no sympathy, especially if your kid can only seem to define him/herself by CAP or magnet or IB or you name it

Anonymous wrote:So my kid has a 4.0 and is an all-around outstanding student at a MoCo middle school. But the kid was only wait listed at CAP. Not in a middle school magnet as we moved into the district from far away while she was in middle school.

Kid asks 'what more could I do'.

Honey, I have no idea. Given they don't reveal the test scores, I can't even give any insight there ...

Rather bemused that everyone who posts talks about acceptances (usually to both CAP and IB at Richard Montgomery). So just thought I'd introduce some diversity here.

Also, thank you CAP for saying you mailed the letters 31 January, they're postmarked Feb 3rd ... just in case this wasn't stressful enough.

Judging by your tone and content and using your logic, would you conceed that your kids wont have empathy???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bigger problem, IMO, is that MoCo doesn't provide enough spaces in programs like CAP and RMIB to challenge all the qualified kids. MoCo dangles a lure that your kid might get into one of these programs. As a result, people stay in downcounty MoCo until it's too late to move to a W school or go private.

Maybe we can all agree on the need for more of these programs. From what I understand, they really aren't that more expensive than providing regular instruction to the same kids who they have to teach anyway.

(And for the record, my kid is in one of these programs now, so I'm not writing out of sour grapes. I do know plenty of well-qualified kids who were turned away.)

Sure we can agree on the need for more magnets. Equity warrior Joshua Starr has a problem though--it would get in the way of his eliminating programs that he sees as tracking.

Also think what will happen if the have a magnet program like Blair in say, Rockville. Since the demographics are, on average, of a higher SES, even if such a magnet program allowed access to students from the rgular school, the standard of instruction would likely be higher. It will make programs in the DCC look bad. So, it won't happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bigger problem, IMO, is that MoCo doesn't provide enough spaces in programs like CAP and RMIB to challenge all the qualified kids. MoCo dangles a lure that your kid might get into one of these programs. As a result, people stay in downcounty MoCo until it's too late to move to a W school or go private.

Because the only options for a good education in the downcounty are a W school, CAP, RMIB, and private?

I guess my upcounty kids are doomed, then, because we can't afford private, and they might not get into RMIB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Maybe we can all agree on the need for more of these programs. From what I understand, they really aren't that more expensive than providing regular instruction to the same kids who they have to teach anyway.

I can't. Because, first, MCPS actually has tons of special programs. And, second, "qualified" (meaning high-SES) kids can be challenged in their local, zoned schools -- it's just that the high-SES parents don't want their kids to go there. There, now you can call me an "equity warrior".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Maybe we can all agree on the need for more of these programs. From what I understand, they really aren't that more expensive than providing regular instruction to the same kids who they have to teach anyway.

I can't. Because, first, MCPS actually has tons of special programs. And, second, "qualified" (meaning high-SES) kids can be challenged in their local, zoned schools -- it's just that the high-SES parents don't want their kids to go there. There, now you can call me an "equity warrior".

Bullshit. There are kids who can't be challenged in their local schools and are being shipped across the county to attend schools with so called special programs. The quality of those programs are diminishing under Mr. "Stamford" Starr. MCPS can afford to create special programs in the W schools area. The problem is that it will make the achievement gap worse and equitu warrior won't look good when he has to look for his next job. Ooops, I forgot. Even the US DoE didn't want him to move to NY. Maybe Commissioner of Education in Cuba?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Maybe we can all agree on the need for more of these programs. From what I understand, they really aren't that more expensive than providing regular instruction to the same kids who they have to teach anyway.

I can't. Because, first, MCPS actually has tons of special programs. And, second, "qualified" (meaning high-SES) kids can be challenged in their local, zoned schools -- it's just that the high-SES parents don't want their kids to go there. There, now you can call me an "equity warrior".

Bullshit. There are kids who can't be challenged in their local schools and are being shipped across the county to attend schools with so called special programs. The quality of those programs are diminishing under Mr. "Stamford" Starr. MCPS can afford to create special programs in the W schools area. The problem is that it will make the achievement gap worse and equitu warrior won't look good when he has to look for his next job. Ooops, I forgot. Even the US DoE didn't want him to move to NY. Maybe Commissioner of Education in Cuba?

Are you trying to persuade me that MCPS should have more special programs, or are you trying to persuade me that the Starr-haters are nuts? You're doing a good job with the latter; not such a good one with the former.

[Anonymous]

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/poolesvillehs/magnet/MagnetFAQs91313.pdf
It was quoted verbatim.

Look at Criteria issued. The ignorance displayed within this forum is troubling. Fortunately lots of other good and nurturing folks chiming in too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how is race read into the folders? Stop making excuses for not getting in. Its meritt based pure and simple.

The selection committee is made of 20 staff members. Ten of the members come from Central Office and 10 are from PHS. Every folder is read twice. If the student is applying to all three programs the folder is ready six times. The contents of the folder are used as the criteria for selection. The folder contains: the application with an essay for each house that is written at home, 7th and 8th
grade (first nine weeks) report cards, 4 confidential teacher recommendations–English, math, social studies, science,scores from the Pearson math and verbal test given on the testing day, and a writing sample that was
created on the testing day.In addition MAPR and MSA scores are used.

Show me where everything you said above is written.

\\

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/poolesvillehs/magnet/MagnetFAQs91313.pdf
It was quoted verbatim.

Look at Criteria issued. The ignorance displayed within this forum is troubling. Fortunately lots of other good and nurturing folks chiming in too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how is race read into the folders? Stop making excuses for not getting in. Its meritt based pure and simple.

The selection committee is made of 20 staff members. Ten of the members come from Central Office and 10 are from PHS. Every folder is read twice. If the student is applying to all three programs the folder is ready six times. The contents of the folder are used as the criteria for selection. The folder contains: the application with an essay for each house that is written at home, 7th and 8th
grade (first nine weeks) report cards, 4 confidential teacher recommendations–English, math, social studies, science,scores from the Pearson math and verbal test given on the testing day, and a writing sample that was
created on the testing day.In addition MAPR and MSA scores are used.

Show me where everything you said above is written.

\\

The ignorance you show is unbeatable. This is a discussion about BLAIR. The link you gave is about POOLESVILLE. In any case race does play a part. Read what the NAACP Parents Council claims. They say that there is teacher bias by race. So, race can play a part even if you are white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The ignorance you show is unbeatable. This is a discussion about BLAIR. The link you gave is about POOLESVILLE. In any case race does play a part. Read what the NAACP Parents Council claims. They say that there is teacher bias by race. So, race can play a part even if you are white.

Oh, is admission to the Science, Math, Computer Science program at Poolesville significantly different from admission to the Science, Math, Computer Science program at Blair? I didn't know that.

In any case, it would be ludicrous to say that race plays no part. Race will play a part as long as there are racists. The question is whether the admissions committee considers race. And the answer to this question is no.