Return to school: What about the MCPS magnets?

[Anonymous]

It's interesting that calls to defund the magnets are coming just as MCPS has taken action to make admissions more equitable.

It's almost as if certain folks would rather see a system dismantled than integrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most kids who attend magnet programs are smart, but not geniuses. And I’m not saying this out of jealousy. My DC was accepted into two for HS and declined. DC is very bright, but I would not call him brilliant. He is doing great in home HS and able to take all advanced classes.
Blair is not the only magnet program. There are tons, as well as special education programs at various schools. Some serve a real need. Others provide general education and half an hour of social skills a day for those who attend. The problem is not necessarily the extra cost of these programs, but the extra cost of transportation and other expenses. Literally millions and millions of extra dollars to bus kids all over the county, and in many cases they could get a very similar experience in their home school. Given the current situation, I think send most to their home school and save the money for programs that will benefit all kids in mcps. Why should magnet kids take up twice the resources as kids going to their home schools?

Just because your own child could receive a comparable education in their home school, and did not require the differentiated instruction of a magnet, does not make the same true for other kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might not be a big percentage of the overall budget, but it is still a lot of money that could be used elsewhere. Like hiring more teachers and reducing class size. Or enhancing distance learning capabilities. Or giving chrome books to kids who need them. The point is that 5 million dollars is still 5 million dollars and could be used for a lot of other things.

$5 million for bus transportation to the MCPS magnet programs? That's literally a rounding error in the MCPS $2.68 billion annual operating budget.

If this is on the table we should also reconsider transportation costs for the Wheaton Bio/engineering , CAP, Thomas Edison etc. I personally think that in such a big and diverse school system we need these special programs to serve different student populations. If the county only focuses on students who are struggling the school district will suffer. We should be able to meet the needs of different types of students and different types of learners. If they cannot they will lose community support and more people will start to demand vouchers etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most kids who attend magnet programs are smart, but not geniuses. And I’m not saying this out of jealousy. My DC was accepted into two for HS and declined. DC is very bright, but I would not call him brilliant. He is doing great in home HS and able to take all advanced classes.
Blair is not the only magnet program. There are tons, as well as special education programs at various schools. Some serve a real need. Others provide general education and half an hour of social skills a day for those who attend. The problem is not necessarily the extra cost of these programs, but the extra cost of transportation and other expenses. Literally millions and millions of extra dollars to bus kids all over the county, and in many cases they could get a very similar experience in their home school. Given the current situation, I think send most to their home school and save the money for programs that will benefit all kids in mcps. Why should magnet kids take up twice the resources as kids going to their home schools?

Just because your own child could receive a comparable education in their home school, and did not require the differentiated instruction of a magnet, does not make the same true for other kids.

My kid took algebra in 6th.. the magnet isn't necessary if the school puts the effort into all the kids needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might not be a big percentage of the overall budget, but it is still a lot of money that could be used elsewhere. Like hiring more teachers and reducing class size. Or enhancing distance learning capabilities. Or giving chrome books to kids who need them. The point is that 5 million dollars is still 5 million dollars and could be used for a lot of other things.

$5 million for bus transportation to the MCPS magnet programs? That's literally a rounding error in the MCPS $2.68 billion annual operating budget.

If this is on the table we should also reconsider transportation costs for the Wheaton Bio/engineering , CAP, Thomas Edison etc. I personally think that in such a big and diverse school system we need these special programs to serve different student populations. If the county only focuses on students who are struggling the school district will suffer. We should be able to meet the needs of different types of students and different types of learners. If they cannot they will lose community support and more people will start to demand vouchers etc.

Edison is a trade school. One of three in the county. Wheaton is part of the consortium down county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most kids who attend magnet programs are smart, but not geniuses. And I’m not saying this out of jealousy. My DC was accepted into two for HS and declined. DC is very bright, but I would not call him brilliant. He is doing great in home HS and able to take all advanced classes.
Blair is not the only magnet program. There are tons, as well as special education programs at various schools. Some serve a real need. Others provide general education and half an hour of social skills a day for those who attend. The problem is not necessarily the extra cost of these programs, but the extra cost of transportation and other expenses. Literally millions and millions of extra dollars to bus kids all over the county, and in many cases they could get a very similar experience in their home school. Given the current situation, I think send most to their home school and save the money for programs that will benefit all kids in mcps. Why should magnet kids take up twice the resources as kids going to their home schools?

Happy to tell you they do not take up twice the reasources of other students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might not be a big percentage of the overall budget, but it is still a lot of money that could be used elsewhere. Like hiring more teachers and reducing class size. Or enhancing distance learning capabilities. Or giving chrome books to kids who need them. The point is that 5 million dollars is still 5 million dollars and could be used for a lot of other things.

$5 million for bus transportation to the MCPS magnet programs? That's literally a rounding error in the MCPS $2.68 billion annual operating budget.

If this is on the table we should also reconsider transportation costs for the Wheaton Bio/engineering , CAP, Thomas Edison etc. I personally think that in such a big and diverse school system we need these special programs to serve different student populations. If the county only focuses on students who are struggling the school district will suffer. We should be able to meet the needs of different types of students and different types of learners. If they cannot they will lose community support and more people will start to demand vouchers etc.

Edison is a trade school. One of three in the county. Wheaton is part of the consortium down county.

Read this: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wheatonhs/academies/magnet/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most kids who attend magnet programs are smart, but not geniuses. And I’m not saying this out of jealousy. My DC was accepted into two for HS and declined. DC is very bright, but I would not call him brilliant. He is doing great in home HS and able to take all advanced classes.
Blair is not the only magnet program. There are tons, as well as special education programs at various schools. Some serve a real need. Others provide general education and half an hour of social skills a day for those who attend. The problem is not necessarily the extra cost of these programs, but the extra cost of transportation and other expenses. Literally millions and millions of extra dollars to bus kids all over the county, and in many cases they could get a very similar experience in their home school. Given the current situation, I think send most to their home school and save the money for programs that will benefit all kids in mcps. Why should magnet kids take up twice the resources as kids going to their home schools?

Just because your own child could receive a comparable education in their home school, and did not require the differentiated instruction of a magnet, does not make the same true for other kids.

My kid took algebra in 6th.. the magnet isn't necessary if the school puts the effort into all the kids needs.

So did mine. Acceleration alone is not sufficient for gifted ed. Algebra with 7th and 8th graders was not a challenge for my DC. Our younger child is going to TPMS and is looking forward to being truly challenged, especially in math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might not be a big percentage of the overall budget, but it is still a lot of money that could be used elsewhere. Like hiring more teachers and reducing class size. Or enhancing distance learning capabilities. Or giving chrome books to kids who need them. The point is that 5 million dollars is still 5 million dollars and could be used for a lot of other things.

$5 million for bus transportation to the MCPS magnet programs? That's literally a rounding error in the MCPS $2.68 billion annual operating budget.

If this is on the table we should also reconsider transportation costs for the Wheaton Bio/engineering , CAP, Thomas Edison etc. I personally think that in such a big and diverse school system we need these special programs to serve different student populations. If the county only focuses on students who are struggling the school district will suffer. We should be able to meet the needs of different types of students and different types of learners. If they cannot they will lose community support and more people will start to demand vouchers etc.

Edison is a trade school. One of three in the county. Wheaton is part of the consortium down county.

They are all special programs serving the needs of different types of students. I support the 3 programs for students who are interested in learning a trade and I am glad to support the wonderful Biomedical and Engineering program at Wheaton (I would assume there are buses transporting Consortium students to the programs of their choice?). I would hope there would be the same understanding and support from other parents for highly gifted and highly gifted LD students.

[Anonymous]

Magnets are the ‘special forces’ for admin promotions. Notice where they choose to put them. This way admins can take credit for raising almighty test scores without actually doing anything for the vast majority of kids. Also, agree with the point they are trying to keep higher SES kids in the system. Going to be interesting to see how MCPS continues to justify their existence going forward...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Magnets are the ‘special forces’ for admin promotions. Notice where they choose to put them. This way admins can take credit for raising almighty test scores without actually doing anything for the vast majority of kids. Also, agree with the point they are trying to keep higher SES kids in the system. Going to be interesting to see how MCPS continues to justify their existence going forward...

For example, in Poolesville?

[Anonymous]

It's the same "Me, me" altitude at work.

"If it does not directly benefit me, let me kill it".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that calls to defund the magnets are coming just as MCPS has taken action to make admissions more equitable.

It's almost as if certain folks would rather see a system dismantled than integrated.

Admissions to magnets are already plenty equitable but it will not end achievement gap. Why? The majority of students are too far behind in basic education to do well in the admission test or within the magnet program. Money and effort needs to be spent to give all children a RIGOROUS education from pre-school and ES onwards.

Most of the students do not need a magnet program which should be for the highest achieving interested students only. But, all students need a comprehensive rigorous education with textbooks and a curriculum. Also, extend the school year and the school day so that EC activities and tutoring can happen at the school itself. Test the students, track the students and make parents a partner in ensuring discipline in the classroom. The restorative justice is not helping anyone.

Fighting to make magnet schools "equitable" is basically a distraction created so most people do not fight for better education within regular programing in MCPS. Think of magnet program as an elective plastic surgery procedure. It is useless when you need a heart transplant. MCPS students need better education period. The magnet program is miniscule and does not make any difference in bridging the achievement gap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that calls to defund the magnets are coming just as MCPS has taken action to make admissions more equitable.

It's almost as if certain folks would rather see a system dismantled than integrated.

Admissions to magnets are already plenty equitable but it will not end achievement gap. Why? The majority of students are too far behind in basic education to do well in the admission test or within the magnet program. Money and effort needs to be spent to give all children a RIGOROUS education from pre-school and ES onwards.

Most of the students do not need a magnet program which should be for the highest achieving interested students only. But, all students need a comprehensive rigorous education with textbooks and a curriculum. Also, extend the school year and the school day so that EC activities and tutoring can happen at the school itself. Test the students, track the students and make parents a partner in ensuring discipline in the classroom. The restorative justice is not helping anyone.

Fighting to make magnet schools "equitable" is basically a distraction created so most people do not fight for better education within regular programing in MCPS. Think of magnet program as an elective plastic surgery procedure. It is useless when you need a heart transplant. MCPS students need better education period. The magnet program is miniscule and does not make any difference in bridging the achievement gap.

Magnets aren't there to end the achievement gap.

But no, admissions are not "plenty equitable."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that calls to defund the magnets are coming just as MCPS has taken action to make admissions more equitable.

It's almost as if certain folks would rather see a system dismantled than integrated.

Admissions to magnets are already plenty equitable but it will not end achievement gap. Why? The majority of students are too far behind in basic education to do well in the admission test or within the magnet program. Money and effort needs to be spent to give all children a RIGOROUS education from pre-school and ES onwards.

Most of the students do not need a magnet program which should be for the highest achieving interested students only. But, all students need a comprehensive rigorous education with textbooks and a curriculum. Also, extend the school year and the school day so that EC activities and tutoring can happen at the school itself. Test the students, track the students and make parents a partner in ensuring discipline in the classroom. The restorative justice is not helping anyone.

Fighting to make magnet schools "equitable" is basically a distraction created so most people do not fight for better education within regular programing in MCPS. Think of magnet program as an elective plastic surgery procedure. It is useless when you need a heart transplant. MCPS students need better education period. The magnet program is miniscule and does not make any difference in bridging the achievement gap.

This.