Your Thoughts on Montgomery County Schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

So your neighbor has a fifth grader, and heard bad things about Curriculum 2.0, and therefore sent her first-grader to private school? What is your neighbor's first-hand experience with Curriculum 2.0? What is your first-hand experience with Curriculum 2.0?

Not the PP but why should the neighbor suffer through experiencing MCPS/2.0 first hand? Do you eat at restaurants with terrible Yelp reviews even though the owner claims its wonderful? No, you would go a restaurant with a better reputation and have a far more likely chance of getting food than experiencing the bad one for yourself.

If the neighbor can afford private and her neighbors are sharing bad things about MCPS - which seems to be confirmed not only here but in the Post, any GT list, special needs list, petitions on change.org, and a whole lot of others - it would be smart to go private.

One thing I've learned from reading Yelp reviews is that people like to complain. Similarly, one thing I've learned from reading DCUM is that people like to complain. Before my younger child started school, I read about Curriculum 2.0 on DCUM, and I thought, "OH MY GOODNESS WE ARE DOOMED! DOOMED!! DOOMED!!!" But since private school is not an option for us, off my younger child went to public school. And, as it turned out, we were not doomed. In fact, I've been quite happy with Curriculum 2.0.

If the neighbor wants to spend a lot of money to send her younger child to private school, based on some stuff she heard from other people, that's her prerogative, of course.

[Anonymous]

Also 4:22 - I may be wrong but the way I read it - the PP says they are sending the 1st grader to private - probably meaning they just did 1st grade in MCPS 2.0 - saw the unsatisfactory differences between pre 2.0 and 2.0 firsthand - and are now sending the younger child to private in 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

Not to pick, but the 5th grader would not have escaped 2.0..unless the story is really dated. 5th grade had 2.0 last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So your neighbor has a fifth grader, and heard bad things about Curriculum 2.0, and therefore sent her first-grader to private school? What is your neighbor's first-hand experience with Curriculum 2.0? What is your first-hand experience with Curriculum 2.0?

Not the PP but why should the neighbor suffer through experiencing MCPS/2.0 first hand? Do you eat at restaurants with terrible Yelp reviews even though the owner claims its wonderful? No, you would go a restaurant with a better reputation and have a far more likely chance of getting food than experiencing the bad one for yourself.

If the neighbor can afford private and her neighbors are sharing bad things about MCPS - which seems to be confirmed not only here but in the Post, any GT list, special needs list, petitions on change.org, and a whole lot of others - it would be smart to go private.

One thing I've learned from reading Yelp reviews is that people like to complain. Similarly, one thing I've learned from reading DCUM is that people like to complain. Before my younger child started school, I read about Curriculum 2.0 on DCUM, and I thought, "OH MY GOODNESS WE ARE DOOMED! DOOMED!! DOOMED!!!" But since private school is not an option for us, off my younger child went to public school. And, as it turned out, we were not doomed. In fact, I've been quite happy with Curriculum 2.0.

If the neighbor wants to spend a lot of money to send her younger child to private school, based on some stuff she heard from other people, that's her prerogative, of course.

C2.0 may work out in the long run, but it is being rolled out poorly. An 82% Final Exam Failure for HS Algebra I is not anything to be happy about.

[Anonymous]

So the reason I'm happy with our experiences in MCPS is because I'm too ignorant to know better. Thank you for enlightening me.

Maybe not for you, but for some, yes. Some people are lucky and happy with their experience because they are in a better school and have gotten good teachers, or at least decent teachers. But I dont believe this reflects the majority. Many feel like it is not good - but probably the majority feel like it is "just ok" or "fine" - I have heard these comments over and over. We have done both public here and in another state (we were outside Chicago), as well as private. There are major differences between school systems (and private) that are hard to just imagine or even see from a website or brochure - parents or kids need to experience to fully appreciate - that is all I was saying.
And a friend of mine who has a child at my child's MCPS public school says they won't even tour a private school because she "just doesn't want to know."
And your proof of this is what? And not all private schools are created the same you do know that -- don't you?

And what is your proof that a majority of parents and students are happy with MCPS 2.0? - certainly not this board!!! I was pointing out that while many people seem to LOVE or HATE the system/curriculum, most opinions probably fall closer to the middle (with people thinking it is "ok")
And yes know there are differences! That was my whole point!!!!! That not all schools are created equal - not in the same system, same city, or among privates! And not even between teachers for the same grade in the same school! It has nothing to do with privates vs public. Many publics are generally better for many kids/families than privates. And vis versa. BUT a particular student/family needs to be able to experience the differences FIRSTHAND to appreciate the real differences and make an accurate assessment!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So your neighbor has a fifth grader, and heard bad things about Curriculum 2.0, and therefore sent her first-grader to private school? What is your neighbor's first-hand experience with Curriculum 2.0? What is your first-hand experience with Curriculum 2.0?

Not the PP but why should the neighbor suffer through experiencing MCPS/2.0 first hand? Do you eat at restaurants with terrible Yelp reviews even though the owner claims its wonderful? No, you would go a restaurant with a better reputation and have a far more likely chance of getting food than experiencing the bad one for yourself.

If the neighbor can afford private and her neighbors are sharing bad things about MCPS - which seems to be confirmed not only here but in the Post, any GT list, special needs list, petitions on change.org, and a whole lot of others - it would be smart to go private.

One thing I've learned from reading Yelp reviews is that people like to complain. Similarly, one thing I've learned from reading DCUM is that people like to complain. Before my younger child started school, I read about Curriculum 2.0 on DCUM, and I thought, "OH MY GOODNESS WE ARE DOOMED! DOOMED!! DOOMED!!!" But since private school is not an option for us, off my younger child went to public school. And, as it turned out, we were not doomed. In fact, I've been quite happy with Curriculum 2.0.

If the neighbor wants to spend a lot of money to send her younger child to private school, based on some stuff she heard from other people, that's her prerogative, of course.

2.0 works for some children. The problem is it does not work for all children. My child has some delays and his thinking will not work with that teaching style. He is very bright and works best in a traditional teaching style. When we spoke with the public school, we were very disappointed. There is no way he can be in a large classroom with 25 kids and no supports. Since we have always done private services, we do not have an IEP so by the time we could get one in place, which would take months at best, he would have failed by then. A small private school is our only option. We aren't sure fully on how we will afford it but at this point we have no choice. If he was on target, it probably would be fine but he cannot do word problems (he can do addition and subtraction) but that kind of logic thinking is difficult right now. And, if he went into special education, he'd face the same challenges as they use the same 2.0 and he'd be bored as he is academically doing well prior to entering school. We spent a lot of time looking at the curriculum, got workbooks typical of the work to try it with our child and it was a disaster. Give him Kumon and he does great. Give him 2.0 and its a struggle. I do not have an issue with 2.0 as I think it has its strengths but that should not also take away from traditional teaching styles and the basics (i.e. we don't need iPads/computer, we need teachers and aides working on basic math, reading, and handwriting skills - none need an iPad for that in school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So your neighbor has a fifth grader, and heard bad things about Curriculum 2.0, and therefore sent her first-grader to private school? What is your neighbor's first-hand experience with Curriculum 2.0? What is your first-hand experience with Curriculum 2.0?

Not the PP but why should the neighbor suffer through experiencing MCPS/2.0 first hand? Do you eat at restaurants with terrible Yelp reviews even though the owner claims its wonderful? No, you would go a restaurant with a better reputation and have a far more likely chance of getting food than experiencing the bad one for yourself.

If the neighbor can afford private and her neighbors are sharing bad things about MCPS - which seems to be confirmed not only here but in the Post, any GT list, special needs list, petitions on change.org, and a whole lot of others - it would be smart to go private.

One thing I've learned from reading Yelp reviews is that people like to complain. Similarly, one thing I've learned from reading DCUM is that people like to complain. Before my younger child started school, I read about Curriculum 2.0 on DCUM, and I thought, "OH MY GOODNESS WE ARE DOOMED! DOOMED!! DOOMED!!!" But since private school is not an option for us, off my younger child went to public school. And, as it turned out, we were not doomed. In fact, I've been quite happy with Curriculum 2.0.

If the neighbor wants to spend a lot of money to send her younger child to private school, based on some stuff she heard from other people, that's her prerogative, of course.

C2.0 may work out in the long run, but it is being rolled out poorly. An 82% Final Exam Failure for HS Algebra I is not anything to be happy about.

Don't worry, it did work well. 18% passed. It all depends on how you look at it. Maybe more would have passed if the county had their new computers and tablets so the kids could google the answers and chat with each other to get the answers they don't know. Team work is a positive thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2.0 works for some children. The problem is it does not work for all children. My child has some delays and his thinking will not work with that teaching style. He is very bright and works best in a traditional teaching style. When we spoke with the public school, we were very disappointed. There is no way he can be in a large classroom with 25 kids and no supports. Since we have always done private services, we do not have an IEP so by the time we could get one in place, which would take months at best, he would have failed by then. A small private school is our only option. We aren't sure fully on how we will afford it but at this point we have no choice. If he was on target, it probably would be fine but he cannot do word problems (he can do addition and subtraction) but that kind of logic thinking is difficult right now. And, if he went into special education, he'd face the same challenges as they use the same 2.0 and he'd be bored as he is academically doing well prior to entering school. We spent a lot of time looking at the curriculum, got workbooks typical of the work to try it with our child and it was a disaster. Give him Kumon and he does great. Give him 2.0 and its a struggle. I do not have an issue with 2.0 as I think it has its strengths but that should not also take away from traditional teaching styles and the basics (i.e. we don't need iPads/computer, we need teachers and aides working on basic math, reading, and handwriting skills - none need an iPad for that in school).

Yes, I agree with this. However, the same is true for every curriculum. If it takes months to get the IEP he needs for the support he needs, that's not a problem with the curriculum, it's a problem with MCPS's handling of special needs, which has apparently been an on-going problem, before Curriculum 2.0 as well as after.

And I would also like to know how the "2.0 is dumbed-down garbage any preschooler could do!" people would respond to your point that 2.0 requires too much complex logic thinking for your child at this point in his development.

I hope that you find a good place for your child.

[Anonymous]

One thing I've learned from reading Yelp reviews is that people like to complain.

Yes, people complain when they have a bad experience. Personally, I don't anyone who would take the time to make up a complaint just for kicks and giggles. Honestly, something has to be pretty bad for enough people to take the time to complain. If something is mediocre, people will usually just not say or do anything.

In the service industry there is a saying that a complaint is a gift. For every one person that shares a complaint 50 others have had the same negative experience but not bothered to say anything and decided to just never use your business again. In the business world where there is competition, you can't brush off complaints and pretend everyone like your product when they don't.

MCPS is in bad shape, no point pretending otherwise.

[Anonymous]

I think people like to complain (DCUM). It is the happy satisfied people that have better things to do with their time.

[Anonymous]

I think negativity feeds on itself too. If someone dares say anything positive about MCPS they are berated. No thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
2.0 works for some children. The problem is it does not work for all children. My child has some delays and his thinking will not work with that teaching style. He is very bright and works best in a traditional teaching style. When we spoke with the public school, we were very disappointed. There is no way he can be in a large classroom with 25 kids and no supports. Since we have always done private services, we do not have an IEP so by the time we could get one in place, which would take months at best, he would have failed by then. A small private school is our only option. We aren't sure fully on how we will afford it but at this point we have no choice. If he was on target, it probably would be fine but he cannot do word problems (he can do addition and subtraction) but that kind of logic thinking is difficult right now. And, if he went into special education, he'd face the same challenges as they use the same 2.0 and he'd be bored as he is academically doing well prior to entering school. We spent a lot of time looking at the curriculum, got workbooks typical of the work to try it with our child and it was a disaster. Give him Kumon and he does great. Give him 2.0 and its a struggle. I do not have an issue with 2.0 as I think it has its strengths but that should not also take away from traditional teaching styles and the basics (i.e. we don't need iPads/computer, we need teachers and aides working on basic math, reading, and handwriting skills - none need an iPad for that in school).

But what about my children? My children are also very bright but neurotypical with no academic delays. I like the fact that their math isn't just rote memorization but includes some logical thinking. I don't know if I just want the traditional method of teaching for them.

Last year in second grade, my daughter brought home homework that was sometimes logical thinking type word problems and other times more the rote memorization problems that we all grew up doing.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in MCPS for eight years and the schools have steadily declined. My husband is up for a job transfer and when that happens we will move to NOVA. My son was in the highly sought after HGC program and it is a joke. There is no teaching going on and very little feedback.

Move to NOVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've lived in MCPS for eight years and the schools have steadily declined. My husband is up for a job transfer and when that happens we will move to NOVA. My son was in the highly sought after HGC program and it is a joke. There is no teaching going on and very little feedback.

Move to NOVA.

you'll be saying the same thing about those schools in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've lived in MCPS for eight years and the schools have steadily declined. My husband is up for a job transfer and when that happens we will move to NOVA. My son was in the highly sought after HGC program and it is a joke. There is no teaching going on and very little feedback.

Move to NOVA.

When you get to that greener, greener grass on the other side of the river, let us know how you like it.