School is not giving what was expected

[Anonymous]

I think we're going off course. While the OP correlated the price of the house he/she lives in to the quality of the education he/she expected, I think the core of the issue is the frustration with the quality of the FCPS education. To that end, I think many MANY parents are in the same boat, whether you're living in an apartment or a $3M house--either way, the curriculum sucks in ES! The teachers are woefully undertrained to handle to amount of work necessary to provide a healthy and open teaching environment for their kids. Many involved parents can write a thesis about all the things that could be done better, and when some bring it up at School Board meetings, it's always the same pathetic response--funding, not enough funding to do great things that can be done. Status quo is much easier than making wholesale changes on how to fully develop a challenging curriculum that doesn't tax each teacher while playing up to each kid's potential.

[Anonymous]

Yet FCPS has enough funding to push FCPSon down to middle schools this year, and elementary schools after that, even though they don't have funding to supply teachers and students with textbooks and workbooks. I'm so sick of seeing the worksheets that come home that are riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, and the deemphasis on correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar usage in elementary school. Like a previous poster, I have many of my FCPS papers from (ahem) 30+ years ago, when I went to a school that was then, and is now, rated far lower than the ones my kids attend. Yet from grades K-3, the 1980s schoolwork was ALL on handwriting paper with lines, everything was corrected by the teachers for spelling and punctuation, and by the end of 2nd grade, the work (from the entire class, many of whom were 1st generation or immigrants) was far better than the stuff the current, highly rated school, posts as its "show-off" work for parents.

[Anonymous]

I think more parents should get together and form homeschooling coops.

Get together, agree on a philosophy, curriculum and share the teaching, costs,and babysitting for very young children. There are already some in the area. I know of at least one in the Langley pyramid, they actually teach grammar to the kids lol. I suspect many will go on to Langley for high school, maybe Cooper too. The foundation will have been built.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sell my house and go private. You have $$. Seems like not a real problem.

+ 1000 Sell the big house and spend the money on your kids.

But, I do have sympathy for the fact that many parents reasonably thought good public schools meant, well, that they were actually good schools, and not that they were simply buying into a pyramid where parents can afford tutors / mathnesium / to spend an hour or more a day on learning to read at home.

Lemme guess, ASFS? Or Arlington in general?

[Anonymous]

School quality should not be tied to the property taxes in the immediate area - but they are. The fact that you think you should get special treatment because you have more money is elitist and entitled. You don’t pay elevated taxes.

You pay taxes proportional to your income and your home value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School quality should not be tied to the property taxes in the immediate area - but they are. The fact that you think you should get special treatment because you have more money is elitist and entitled. You don’t pay elevated taxes.

You pay taxes proportional to your income and your home value.

It's undeniable that school quality is related to the demographics of the people served. Schools with high FARMS will have different attendant issues than a school with highly motivated, involved parents with access to additional resources.

The fact of the matter is that public institutions do tend to cater somewhat to the needs of the affluent due to the disproportionate resources that they have that allow those people to be more involved in their children's schooling. That's just the reality.

You can make arguments for more funding allocations for schools with more issues, but the educational experience and quality seems more tied to a students class and values than the efforts of the schools.

I would prefer that each school tailors it's needs to that particular constiuency, but that would require moving from a large school district system at the county level to town level government like in the north east.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School quality should not be tied to the property taxes in the immediate area - but they are. The fact that you think you should get special treatment because you have more money is elitist and entitled. You don’t pay elevated taxes.

You pay taxes proportional to your income and your home value.

It's undeniable that school quality is related to the demographics of the people served. Schools with high FARMS will have different attendant issues than a school with highly motivated, involved parents with access to additional resources.

The fact of the matter is that public institutions do tend to cater somewhat to the needs of the affluent due to the disproportionate resources that they have that allow those people to be more involved in their children's schooling. That's just the reality.

You can make arguments for more funding allocations for schools with more issues, but the educational experience and quality seems more tied to a students class and values than the efforts of the schools.

I would prefer that each school tailors it's needs to that particular constiuency, but that would require moving from a large school district system at the county level to town level government like in the north east.

FCPS devotes a disproportionate amount of money and attention to the poorer schools, especially in the lower grades. They assume the schools in the wealthier communities can run on auto-pilot. That is really what this thread is all about.

By the time the kids are in middle and high school, wealthier parents will have supplemented with additional tutoring and enrichment activities, so their kids tend to end up in the honors/AP/IB courses and most of the parents calm down.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but y'all sound like a bunch of boomers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, but y'all sound like a bunch of boomers.

Ok Becky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only teachers who come out better with collective bargaining are the ones who work for the unions. Been there, done that.
Building reps are usually the sorriest teachers--spend all their time standing up for "rights."

One of them told us (faculty) once to "work to our contract." Leave school as soon as was "official." No work at home, etc. Most of us worked as usual. Why? We wanted the kids to learn--not stand up for our 'rights."

I disagree. I have experience in both a state with collective bargaining (all but three states allow it) and VA (FCPS). Why shouldn't those who are in the classroom have a voice at the table? Collective bargaining resulted in smaller class sizes, more planning time that was not taken up by meetings, better pay and benefits. Children benefit from smaller class sizes. Teachers are getting burned our because we don't have sufficient planning time while at work so the planning gets pushed into the evenings. Yes, we expect to do work outside of school and yes, we all want the kids to do well, but when there isn't time to plan and teachers burn the candle at both ends the students pay the price. When teachers leave due to inadequate pay compared to the COL, it does not help the students. When a class is staffed by substitutes because a permanent teacher isn't available for hire, it does not help the students.

Seems it continues to gain traction. The Loudoun County BOS and FCPS School Board are both supportive:

https://www.fcps.edu/news/fairfax-county-school-board-amends-state-and-federal-legislative-agenda

https://www.afscme.org/now/collective-bargaining-bill-passed-by-the-virginia-house-of-delegates

https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/teachers-union-firefighters-back-collective-bargaining-bill/article_ef5141f2-3956-11ea-8921-f3edb09b8364.html

https://bluevirginia.us/2020/02/fairfax-school-board-loudoun-supervisors-vote-in-support-of-collective-bargaining

I’m a first year teacher with years of experience in Massachusetts public schools as a substitute, aide, and student teacher. My evaluations as an aide and student teacher were all efficient. I moved down here after getting an offer at a job fair in Boston. It’s really competitive to get into the schools up there so many people sub or work as an aide for a long time, but I could not afford that. Many also move away or give up on pursing teaching altogether. I moved here because I loved my experiences in classrooms and student teaching. I wanted 1-3rd grade and they assigned me to AAP high grades at a very high stress school. I don’t have a gifted endorsement and never studied it. Gifted classrooms are rare in MA. Honestly the standards are high for all students so it isn’t necessary. I’m not facing a horrible, stressful first year in a career I thought I’d love. I’m being told I’m ineffective for things like calling parents by their first name even if that’s what they sign emails with. Maybe New England is just more laid back because it’s more respectful to address people with the name they want you to use, not being super formal BS. I’ve been trying hard to not let my students and families down, but nothing here makes sense to me. No set curriculum, no textbooks, meetings are always way to formal (teachers would laugh at CT meetings when I student taught and my friends are shocked we have formal agendas here). I’m being told I’m ineffective in many areas and might give up on the profession altogether. I’m certainly down with this district. I’m not shocked they can’t even find subs here. These schools stress people out and put them in positions they really shouldn’t even be in because they can’t find someone certified to fill the position. I expected my first year of teaching to be hard, but not so hard that I contemplate leaving often because it’s such a mess here. I feel bad for all of you on this forum wanting a better curriculum because I’d like one to go by too and not to be told to use this stupid, useless pacing guide that moved slows and rarely has anything to suggest for differentiation. I’d honestly love to work with some of the parents here to help push for better for the kids of VA, but people just think I’m annoying when I state that I know the kids could do more. If I try to teaching something like grammar and someone walks in I get in trouble (it has happened). We just have to follow this stupid, useless guide. All my students who are good at writing work on it outside of school. They’ve told me they don’t learn things here that I know for a fact the public schools teach back home. I can’t see why anyone would want to sub here. Admin would probably just micromanage and tear them apart until they leave. I’m not sure how you get better curriculum and resources, but I’d like to help the parents push for it as I know better exists out there. - anonymous person unimpressed with VA public education.

Originally was going to post this to the sub shortage thread, but this seemed appropriate too. I’ve been disappointed as I’ve heard these schools are good. They can not compare to the best districts in MA. I say this not as a snob, but as someone who genuinely would like to work with the parents pushing for better. But I’m not sure I can as anytime I open my mouth about how shocked I am by my students’ poor handwriting and writing abilities I receive rude and judgmental remarks.

[Anonymous]

^ yes I made a lot of errors typing that on my phone. Ironic as I’m discussing how sad the writing curriculum here makes me, I know. Oops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only teachers who come out better with collective bargaining are the ones who work for the unions. Been there, done that.
Building reps are usually the sorriest teachers--spend all their time standing up for "rights."

One of them told us (faculty) once to "work to our contract." Leave school as soon as was "official." No work at home, etc. Most of us worked as usual. Why? We wanted the kids to learn--not stand up for our 'rights."

I disagree. I have experience in both a state with collective bargaining (all but three states allow it) and VA (FCPS). Why shouldn't those who are in the classroom have a voice at the table? Collective bargaining resulted in smaller class sizes, more planning time that was not taken up by meetings, better pay and benefits. Children benefit from smaller class sizes. Teachers are getting burned our because we don't have sufficient planning time while at work so the planning gets pushed into the evenings. Yes, we expect to do work outside of school and yes, we all want the kids to do well, but when there isn't time to plan and teachers burn the candle at both ends the students pay the price. When teachers leave due to inadequate pay compared to the COL, it does not help the students. When a class is staffed by substitutes because a permanent teacher isn't available for hire, it does not help the students.

Seems it continues to gain traction. The Loudoun County BOS and FCPS School Board are both supportive:

https://www.fcps.edu/news/fairfax-county-school-board-amends-state-and-federal-legislative-agenda

https://www.afscme.org/now/collective-bargaining-bill-passed-by-the-virginia-house-of-delegates

https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/teachers-union-firefighters-back-collective-bargaining-bill/article_ef5141f2-3956-11ea-8921-f3edb09b8364.html

https://bluevirginia.us/2020/02/fairfax-school-board-loudoun-supervisors-vote-in-support-of-collective-bargaining

I’m a first year teacher with years of experience in Massachusetts public schools as a substitute, aide, and student teacher. My evaluations as an aide and student teacher were all efficient. I moved down here after getting an offer at a job fair in Boston. It’s really competitive to get into the schools up there so many people sub or work as an aide for a long time, but I could not afford that. Many also move away or give up on pursing teaching altogether. I moved here because I loved my experiences in classrooms and student teaching. I wanted 1-3rd grade and they assigned me to AAP high grades at a very high stress school. I don’t have a gifted endorsement and never studied it. Gifted classrooms are rare in MA. Honestly the standards are high for all students so it isn’t necessary. I’m not facing a horrible, stressful first year in a career I thought I’d love. I’m being told I’m ineffective for things like calling parents by their first name even if that’s what they sign emails with. Maybe New England is just more laid back because it’s more respectful to address people with the name they want you to use, not being super formal BS. I’ve been trying hard to not let my students and families down, but nothing here makes sense to me. No set curriculum, no textbooks, meetings are always way to formal (teachers would laugh at CT meetings when I student taught and my friends are shocked we have formal agendas here). I’m being told I’m ineffective in many areas and might give up on the profession altogether. I’m certainly down with this district. I’m not shocked they can’t even find subs here. These schools stress people out and put them in positions they really shouldn’t even be in because they can’t find someone certified to fill the position. I expected my first year of teaching to be hard, but not so hard that I contemplate leaving often because it’s such a mess here. I feel bad for all of you on this forum wanting a better curriculum because I’d like one to go by too and not to be told to use this stupid, useless pacing guide that moved slows and rarely has anything to suggest for differentiation. I’d honestly love to work with some of the parents here to help push for better for the kids of VA, but people just think I’m annoying when I state that I know the kids could do more. If I try to teaching something like grammar and someone walks in I get in trouble (it has happened). We just have to follow this stupid, useless guide. All my students who are good at writing work on it outside of school. They’ve told me they don’t learn things here that I know for a fact the public schools teach back home. I can’t see why anyone would want to sub here. Admin would probably just micromanage and tear them apart until they leave. I’m not sure how you get better curriculum and resources, but I’d like to help the parents push for it as I know better exists out there. - anonymous person unimpressed with VA public education.

Originally was going to post this to the sub shortage thread, but this seemed appropriate too. I’ve been disappointed as I’ve heard these schools are good. They can not compare to the best districts in MA. I say this not as a snob, but as someone who genuinely would like to work with the parents pushing for better. But I’m not sure I can as anytime I open my mouth about how shocked I am by my students’ poor handwriting and writing abilities I receive rude and judgmental remarks.

I feel sorry for you, it sounds like you want whats best for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ yes I made a lot of errors typing that on my phone. Ironic as I’m discussing how sad the writing curriculum here makes me, I know. Oops.

Not at all, doesn't bother us a bit! Anyway, welcome to our DC area, your experience confirms to me our schools here seem to be mirroring the bureaucracy found in DC politics.

I'm curious, when you mentioned the best school districts in MA, what were some of them, were they mostly in the Boston area? I.e I heard the ones in Lexington were really good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've already decided that my grandchildren are going to private school.

You have custody? Their parents don’t get a choice?

[Anonymous]

My kids school is not highly rated. Lots of AAP kids go to the center. The AAP teachers work hard and have high expectations. Maybe because most parents aren’t supplementing? It’s unfortunate though because it’s not the same in gen ed.