Why no single platform?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes they used the platforms during the year but not as the primary vehicle for communication and scheduling. Because they were in class with the teachers who handed out assignments on paper. The platforms were really just a back up if they missed class.

Why are you so heartless, PP, to these kids who are struggling?

It seems to me that it's mostly some parents who are struggling.

Really PP? You must be a big supporter of the two platform system. Congratulations, you’ve made everyone’s lives unecessarily harder. I doubt you are a parent.

I'm not the PP, but also questioned why this is such an issue for your child earlier in the post. I don't think 2 platforms make sense, but again, that is what my child has experienced since 6th grade. Only 1 of my son's MS teachers handed out assignments on paper this year. The other 6 teachers use Google classroom or myMCPS classroom. I apologize for seeming heartless. I assumed that the majority of MS teachers do everything online or limit paper assignments. I still believe your child is resilient and will figure it out quickly--most kids do.

Yeah no. She has a huge notebook full of paper. One of her teachers is just setting up MYMCPS for his class for the first time. W middle school.

We’ll figure it out, no worries. I’ll stop complaining and we’ll get on with it. But have a little empathy for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High school teacher here. I hate My MCPS Classroom and did not use it before all of this. However, I've been pushing a few things out on that platform since all of this happened because it seems that parents can see those items more easily.

Bottom line is that MCEA, our union, worked with MCPS to let teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with, which makes complete sense given the extraordinary circumstances we're living through right now.

If you're getting information on multiple platforms, it's probably because we're trying to cover our butts and make sure everyone has access to the information we're putting out there.

No it’s not it’s because we have multiple teachers and they are all doing something different. It’s clusterf**k and it took them nearly three weeks to roll out this worthless piece of crap. Blah blah it’s unprecedented etc etc. Well how is it that practically every other school district in the country, or maybe even world can get their act together and not take nearly three weeks to do it?

I have friends in LA, Chicago, NYC, as well as DCPS and FCPS and they wouldn't agree that their schools systems have their act together.

DCPS and all the DCPCS launched online learning immediately. I don’t know about the other locations you mention but I could counter your anecdotes with cities and states all over the country and others all over the world who didn’t wait three weeks to get a system in place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High school teacher here. I hate My MCPS Classroom and did not use it before all of this. However, I've been pushing a few things out on that platform since all of this happened because it seems that parents can see those items more easily.

Bottom line is that MCEA, our union, worked with MCPS to let teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with, which makes complete sense given the extraordinary circumstances we're living through right now.

If you're getting information on multiple platforms, it's probably because we're trying to cover our butts and make sure everyone has access to the information we're putting out there.

No it’s not it’s because we have multiple teachers and they are all doing something different. It’s clusterf**k and it took them nearly three weeks to roll out this worthless piece of crap. Blah blah it’s unprecedented etc etc. Well how is it that practically every other school district in the country, or maybe even world can get their act together and not take nearly three weeks to do it?

I have friends in LA, Chicago, NYC, as well as DCPS and FCPS and they wouldn't agree that their schools systems have their act together.

DCPS and all the DCPCS launched online learning immediately. I don’t know about the other locations you mention but I could counter your anecdotes with cities and states all over the country and others all over the world who didn’t wait three weeks to get a system in place.

Launching immediately doesn't mean quality or done well. That was my point. My kids former DC charter seems to be doing well. My friends in DCPS complain about the quality of online instruction

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High school teacher here. I hate My MCPS Classroom and did not use it before all of this. However, I've been pushing a few things out on that platform since all of this happened because it seems that parents can see those items more easily.

Bottom line is that MCEA, our union, worked with MCPS to let teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with, which makes complete sense given the extraordinary circumstances we're living through right now.

If you're getting information on multiple platforms, it's probably because we're trying to cover our butts and make sure everyone has access to the information we're putting out there.

No it’s not it’s because we have multiple teachers and they are all doing something different. It’s clusterf**k and it took them nearly three weeks to roll out this worthless piece of crap. Blah blah it’s unprecedented etc etc. Well how is it that practically every other school district in the country, or maybe even world can get their act together and not take nearly three weeks to do it?

I have friends in LA, Chicago, NYC, as well as DCPS and FCPS and they wouldn't agree that their schools systems have their act together.

DCPS and all the DCPCS launched online learning immediately. I don’t know about the other locations you mention but I could counter your anecdotes with cities and states all over the country and others all over the world who didn’t wait three weeks to get a system in place.

Launching immediately doesn't mean quality or done well. That was my point. My kids former DC charter seems to be doing well. My friends in DCPS complain about the quality of online instruction

And my point is that if we have crappy quality then why on earth did we have to wait nearly three weeks for it? Handling this gigantic mess three weeks ago would have been infinitely preferable. By now it would have been sorted out. Like all the other school districts which have now worked out their teething problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High school teacher here. I hate My MCPS Classroom and did not use it before all of this. However, I've been pushing a few things out on that platform since all of this happened because it seems that parents can see those items more easily.

Bottom line is that MCEA, our union, worked with MCPS to let teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with, which makes complete sense given the extraordinary circumstances we're living through right now.

If you're getting information on multiple platforms, it's probably because we're trying to cover our butts and make sure everyone has access to the information we're putting out there.

No it’s not it’s because we have multiple teachers and they are all doing something different. It’s clusterf**k and it took them nearly three weeks to roll out this worthless piece of crap. Blah blah it’s unprecedented etc etc. Well how is it that practically every other school district in the country, or maybe even world can get their act together and not take nearly three weeks to do it?

I have friends in LA, Chicago, NYC, as well as DCPS and FCPS and they wouldn't agree that their schools systems have their act together.

DCPS and all the DCPCS launched online learning immediately. I don’t know about the other locations you mention but I could counter your anecdotes with cities and states all over the country and others all over the world who didn’t wait three weeks to get a system in place.

Launching immediately doesn't mean quality or done well. That was my point. My kids former DC charter seems to be doing well. My friends in DCPS complain about the quality of online instruction

And my point is that if we have crappy quality then why on earth did we have to wait nearly three weeks for it? Handling this gigantic mess three weeks ago would have been infinitely preferable. By now it would have been sorted out. Like all the other school districts which have now worked out their teething problems.

They didn't "handle this mess" three weeks ago for several reasons:

1- the closure was only officially for two weeks and if students indeed went back in 2 weeks, they wanted to be able to have them "make up" the two weeks in "regular, face to face" lessons. If the teachers were "working" and teaching during the initial two week closure, they would have to be paid more to do "make up" days. Their contract is for a number of working days. Easy to say in hindsight, but at the time some still thought there was the possibility of going back (some still do, the current order is only until 4/24)

2- legal issues and meeting the needs of all students in a new platform. It is against federal regulations to provide instruction that is not accessible to all, that's why the work initially provided was all "enrichment" and nothing new.

3- Available technology to students and staff - not only hardware, but software as well. Licenses had to be reviewed, many increased or updated to include students not being on the school network or onsite. New services purchased (MCPS did not have a ZOOM account previously that I know of- there was little need, and other priorities to spend $$)

4- Teacher training and adjustments to curricula -- Central office worked the two weeks to review what had been covered and what needed to be covered as well as adjust curriculum from longer class times and more teacher directed, to abbreviated meeting times and more self-paced and independent work. Training modules were also developed once the union and leadership decided on expectations and what teachers could be required to do in a situation that is not covered by their contract.

I'm sure there are other reasons not outlined above, but it's not as simple to take into account the needs of thousands of staff and almost 200,000 students and stay within state and federal guidelines as you may think.

[Anonymous]

Sure, lots of reasons (excuses). I get it, feeding the hungry and delivering technology to 33% of your community takes time. But SOMEONE in the massive central office should have been working on distance curriculum from day one. What has been put out sucks. Yes, there are some amazing teachers and principals, but what I have seen has been awful.

[Anonymous]

I have friends in LA, Chicago, NYC, as well as DCPS and FCPS and they wouldn't agree that their schools systems have their act together.

FCPS (MD) - no complaints here

While internet may have affected log on (We didn't experience issues.), Schoology is working well. FCPS adopted Schoololgy and most (nothing is ever perfect) teachers are comfortable with it. There are NO LIVE conferences, which is a blessing. Lessons are taped and materials are posted online. My HS kid is taking quizzes online, and my son is comfortable using the platform to turn in work.

I've worked with Google Classroom, Haiku, and Canvas. Schoology is easy to use.

Granted, FCPS is smaller, but there was an ONLINE expectation for mastering the chosen LMS. not the case for MCPS - So be patient with teachers. They are the scapegoats b/c the system never provided training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have friends in LA, Chicago, NYC, as well as DCPS and FCPS and they wouldn't agree that their schools systems have their act together.

FCPS (MD) - no complaints here

While internet may have affected log on (We didn't experience issues.), Schoology is working well. FCPS adopted Schoololgy and most (nothing is ever perfect) teachers are comfortable with it. There are NO LIVE conferences, which is a blessing. Lessons are taped and materials are posted online. My HS kid is taking quizzes online, and my son is comfortable using the platform to turn in work.

I've worked with Google Classroom, Haiku, and Canvas. Schoology is easy to use.

Granted, FCPS is smaller, but there was an ONLINE expectation for mastering the chosen LMS. not the case for MCPS - So be patient with teachers. They are the scapegoats b/c the system never provided training.

I'm the PP. FCPS's approach seems good to me. My point was friends are complaining because they think another district is better. For example, FCPS friends expect live teaching all day, which I think is misguided. There is no perfect online system, especially considering the circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have friends in LA, Chicago, NYC, as well as DCPS and FCPS and they wouldn't agree that their schools systems have their act together.

FCPS (MD) - no complaints here

While internet may have affected log on (We didn't experience issues.), Schoology is working well. FCPS adopted Schoololgy and most (nothing is ever perfect) teachers are comfortable with it. There are NO LIVE conferences, which is a blessing. Lessons are taped and materials are posted online. My HS kid is taking quizzes online, and my son is comfortable using the platform to turn in work.

I've worked with Google Classroom, Haiku, and Canvas. Schoology is easy to use.

Granted, FCPS is smaller, but there was an ONLINE expectation for mastering the chosen LMS. not the case for MCPS - So be patient with teachers. They are the scapegoats b/c the system never provided training.

I'm the PP. FCPS's approach seems good to me. My point was friends are complaining because they think another district is better. For example, FCPS friends expect live teaching all day, which I think is misguided. There is no perfect online system, especially considering the circumstances.

absolutely! And in these cases, I believe simplicity is best. MCPS (I'm a former employee.) added too many layers to their online instruction with little LAST MINUTE training. Central office should be ashamed right now.

[Anonymous]

ES parent here. I have 3 kids in mcps.
I prefer the multiple platforms if it makes it is communicated well by the teachers and if it makes assignments easily accessible to all.

My Kindergartner had these worksheets with fruits and vegetables that we were supposed to print and work off of, take a picture and submit in mymcps classroom. 2 of the K teachers accomodated parents who don't have access to a printer and posted the sheets on seesaw for the kids to do. The kids could work on it and submit it there or take a picture after completing it online and submit it in mymcps classroom. The 3rd teacher did not post on seesaw and the kids had to draw all those vegetables and fruits in the assigned time and then do the math.

Some teachers are being considerate and making it easily accessible for all kids while some are rigid and sticking to the mymcps classroom and making it difficult. They don't understand that not everyone has a printer at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So MCPS and the union went for what was easier for 13,000 teachers rather than the 166,000 students. Got it.

For parents trying to keep on top of school for our children, it sucks.

Yes! Add my own work on top of it and I’m constantly on alert, which adds to stress during this horrific time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great. What do the kids do who don’t have an iPhone?

They can borrow a Chromebook and set it to chime when there’s a notification. I did this on my old Acer before I had a smartphone.

Really? This is what we expect kids to do?

DP. Yes, why not?

Sure, and carry it around the house and outside all day long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great. What do the kids do who don’t have an iPhone?

They can borrow a Chromebook and set it to chime when there’s a notification. I did this on my old Acer before I had a smartphone.

Really? This is what we expect kids to do?

DP. Yes, why not?

Sure, and carry it around the house and outside all day long.

Or take the walk during the MCPS-designated midday break and then check it?

Come on, you’re smarter than teachers, right ? Come up with a solution for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High school teacher here. I hate My MCPS Classroom and did not use it before all of this. However, I've been pushing a few things out on that platform since all of this happened because it seems that parents can see those items more easily.

Bottom line is that MCEA, our union, worked with MCPS to let teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with, which makes complete sense given the extraordinary circumstances we're living through right now.

If you're getting information on multiple platforms, it's probably because we're trying to cover our butts and make sure everyone has access to the information we're putting out there.

No it’s not it’s because we have multiple teachers and they are all doing something different. It’s clusterf**k and it took them nearly three weeks to roll out this worthless piece of crap. Blah blah it’s unprecedented etc etc. Well how is it that practically every other school district in the country, or maybe even world can get their act together and not take nearly three weeks to do it?

I have friends in LA, Chicago, NYC, as well as DCPS and FCPS and they wouldn't agree that their schools systems have their act together.

DCPS and all the DCPCS launched online learning immediately. I don’t know about the other locations you mention but I could counter your anecdotes with cities and states all over the country and others all over the world who didn’t wait three weeks to get a system in place.

Launching immediately doesn't mean quality or done well. That was my point. My kids former DC charter seems to be doing well. My friends in DCPS complain about the quality of online instruction

And my point is that if we have crappy quality then why on earth did we have to wait nearly three weeks for it? Handling this gigantic mess three weeks ago would have been infinitely preferable. By now it would have been sorted out. Like all the other school districts which have now worked out their teething problems.

They didn't "handle this mess" three weeks ago for several reasons:

1- the closure was only officially for two weeks and if students indeed went back in 2 weeks, they wanted to be able to have them "make up" the two weeks in "regular, face to face" lessons. If the teachers were "working" and teaching during the initial two week closure, they would have to be paid more to do "make up" days. Their contract is for a number of working days. Easy to say in hindsight, but at the time some still thought there was the possibility of going back (some still do, the current order is only until 4/24)

2- legal issues and meeting the needs of all students in a new platform. It is against federal regulations to provide instruction that is not accessible to all, that's why the work initially provided was all "enrichment" and nothing new.

3- Available technology to students and staff - not only hardware, but software as well. Licenses had to be reviewed, many increased or updated to include students not being on the school network or onsite. New services purchased (MCPS did not have a ZOOM account previously that I know of- there was little need, and other priorities to spend $$)

4- Teacher training and adjustments to curricula -- Central office worked the two weeks to review what had been covered and what needed to be covered as well as adjust curriculum from longer class times and more teacher directed, to abbreviated meeting times and more self-paced and independent work. Training modules were also developed once the union and leadership decided on expectations and what teachers could be required to do in a situation that is not covered by their contract.

I'm sure there are other reasons not outlined above, but it's not as simple to take into account the needs of thousands of staff and almost 200,000 students and stay within state and federal guidelines as you may think.

Excuses, excuses. No one literally NO ONE believed that they would be back at school in two weeks. Give us a break. They screwed up big time. What a mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High school teacher here. I hate My MCPS Classroom and did not use it before all of this. However, I've been pushing a few things out on that platform since all of this happened because it seems that parents can see those items more easily.

Bottom line is that MCEA, our union, worked with MCPS to let teachers use the platform they are most comfortable with, which makes complete sense given the extraordinary circumstances we're living through right now.

If you're getting information on multiple platforms, it's probably because we're trying to cover our butts and make sure everyone has access to the information we're putting out there.

No it’s not it’s because we have multiple teachers and they are all doing something different. It’s clusterf**k and it took them nearly three weeks to roll out this worthless piece of crap. Blah blah it’s unprecedented etc etc. Well how is it that practically every other school district in the country, or maybe even world can get their act together and not take nearly three weeks to do it?

I have friends in LA, Chicago, NYC, as well as DCPS and FCPS and they wouldn't agree that their schools systems have their act together.

DCPS and all the DCPCS launched online learning immediately. I don’t know about the other locations you mention but I could counter your anecdotes with cities and states all over the country and others all over the world who didn’t wait three weeks to get a system in place.

Launching immediately doesn't mean quality or done well. That was my point. My kids former DC charter seems to be doing well. My friends in DCPS complain about the quality of online instruction

And my point is that if we have crappy quality then why on earth did we have to wait nearly three weeks for it? Handling this gigantic mess three weeks ago would have been infinitely preferable. By now it would have been sorted out. Like all the other school districts which have now worked out their teething problems.

They didn't "handle this mess" three weeks ago for several reasons:

1- the closure was only officially for two weeks and if students indeed went back in 2 weeks, they wanted to be able to have them "make up" the two weeks in "regular, face to face" lessons. If the teachers were "working" and teaching during the initial two week closure, they would have to be paid more to do "make up" days. Their contract is for a number of working days. Easy to say in hindsight, but at the time some still thought there was the possibility of going back (some still do, the current order is only until 4/24)

2- legal issues and meeting the needs of all students in a new platform. It is against federal regulations to provide instruction that is not accessible to all, that's why the work initially provided was all "enrichment" and nothing new.

3- Available technology to students and staff - not only hardware, but software as well. Licenses had to be reviewed, many increased or updated to include students not being on the school network or onsite. New services purchased (MCPS did not have a ZOOM account previously that I know of- there was little need, and other priorities to spend $$)

4- Teacher training and adjustments to curricula -- Central office worked the two weeks to review what had been covered and what needed to be covered as well as adjust curriculum from longer class times and more teacher directed, to abbreviated meeting times and more self-paced and independent work. Training modules were also developed once the union and leadership decided on expectations and what teachers could be required to do in a situation that is not covered by their contract.

I'm sure there are other reasons not outlined above, but it's not as simple to take into account the needs of thousands of staff and almost 200,000 students and stay within state and federal guidelines as you may think.

Excuses, excuses. No one literally NO ONE believed that they would be back at school in two weeks. Give us a break. They screwed up big time. What a mess.

Yep. Compare that to Miami-Dade:

In Miami, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said he started planning for this in January when he first heard about the coronavirus crisis in China. The Miami-Dade County Public Schools had already invested in digital technology, and the district began creating online curriculum, working with the FBI and the Secret Service on digital security.

As the crisis arrived to the United States, Carvalho negotiated an agreement with the teachers union for remote learning weeks before the schools closed. The district surveyed families to find out who needed computers and distributed 60,000 devices. A plan to feed all 350,000 students was put in place.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/plunging-into-remote-learning-families-find-stress-chaos-and-some-surprising-wins/2020/03/27/36429de4-6f90-11ea-aa80-c2470c6b2034_story.html

MCPS screws up again. Why did their planners not envision this need, like Miami did?