FCPS decline

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we're adding to the wish list of things we'd like FCPS to do better in ES, could we please add spelling to the list? They don't teach it, which absolutely floored me when I finally realized that this year. My 2nd grader has never had a spelling test. I'd have to hire a reading tutor because my kid is behind and the tutor is helping her with spelling. It's insane.

+1
I was surprised to see my child was on her own with spelling.

Same. I actually asked about it and was told I should go ahead and start correcting it at home. I will, of course, but are they really not going to teach this or vocabulary in any structured way? These Google slide lessons are so weird and abstract and my kid is not getting anything out of them.

[Anonymous]

Also missing: there are very few true neighborhood schools anymore. Schools that serve one neighborhood or development only that would be compromised of all "walkers."

There used to be community pride and spirit and "buy-in" where the school served th neighborhood, often with teachers from the same or close-by area. We all knew each other.

Now every ES needs to have some special niche whether it's an AAP/Headstart/Chinese immersion, etc. and a goal to have 800 students at every ES.

[Anonymous]

Also missing: there are very few true neighborhood schools anymore. Schools that serve one neighborhood or development only that would be compromised of all "walkers."

There used to be community pride and spirit and "buy-in" where the school served th neighborhood, often with teachers from the same or close-by area. We all knew each other.

Now every ES needs to have some special niche whether it's an AAP/Headstart/Chinese immersion, etc. and a goal to have 800 students at every ES.

I agree that there is too much eye candy in the window and not enough basic utility cookware in the store.

There are so many good thoughts in this thread. One is to let the teachers structure time with students based on student needs. They need to hire competent people and let them run the ball. It makes the teaching and learning much more responsive and that works. Often the simple and most obvious solutions are the best. There is no need to go fancy. Many people on here want textbooks that students can easily reference and where they can see their goals and progress. That makes sense. It also makes sense to try to develop reading and writing skills (unless there are accommodations needed for dyslexia, etc.). For the average student this type of education works and for students who are more advanced, independent materials can be given. I think FCPS has too many cooks stirring too many pots. Just give the teachers a reasonable range of students in a classroom and some autonomy to use materials and strategies that work.

Someone mentioned New York schools being good. Yes, I taught there and they have rules (union rules I might add) that limit the number of special needs/ESOL students that can be in a classroom. The combined limit when I was there was 3! They also did not allow a secondary teacher to have more than 3 preps. Here a teacher can have 5! They also had much better in-service opportunities and much higher state standards. Of course this does not mean that a child won't go far here, but it helps the average student to have those standards. FCPS rides on its educated parents. It's the value added that counts in determining if a school district is "good".

And finally, yes, FCPS is too big with too many moving parts.

[Anonymous]

^FCPS has not developed a culture that supports the divided population we are seeing here. Years ago we had a more middle to upper middle class population. Now we are seeing the divide like much of America. FCPS is struggling to figure it all out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
^FCPS has not developed a culture that supports the divided population we are seeing here. Years ago we had a more middle to upper middle class population. Now we are seeing the divide like much of America. FCPS is struggling to figure it all out.

Can you explain a bit more what you mean about this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
^FCPS has not developed a culture that supports the divided population we are seeing here. Years ago we had a more middle to upper middle class population. Now we are seeing the divide like much of America. FCPS is struggling to figure it all out.

How is FCPS going to overcome the "divided population" that comes down to....whatever you want to call it, racism, classism, haves/have-nots, etc. This thread is basically, we have resources, pay a lot in taxes, and invest a lot in our kids and we're pissed that we live in a county where resources are spread around so much to "other" groups instead of our kids. So we're going to use our resources for private instead.

That's the "division" -- people who think that public education means we all pay into a system that redistributes so that everyone gets what they need--that's equity--and people who think that public education means you get what you pay for, and if you pay more you get more.

That's what "the system is too big" is code for. There is too much room for redistribution. People want to carve out the richer areas from the poorer areas. Then you won't have all this political division, because you won't be trying to get people to compromise any more--they won't be dividing up the same pot. Some people will have a big pot to themselves, and some people will have a small pot.

[Anonymous]

I think if they could manage to teach to kids to spell and write AND deliver meals etc also, then I think everyone would be happier. The problem is that they can't seem to walk and chew bubble gum at the same time.

[Anonymous]

NP. I want an excellent education on the fundamentals for all kids - with actual physical textbooks and far fewer electronic resources that cost the district money but are terrible (I'm looking at you, iReady). I got this in my racially and socioeconomically diverse North Carolina school district. If it was doable there with a much smaller tax base, it is doable here.

[Anonymous]

A thoughtful and insightful discussion going on in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
^FCPS has not developed a culture that supports the divided population we are seeing here. Years ago we had a more middle to upper middle class population. Now we are seeing the divide like much of America. FCPS is struggling to figure it all out.

How is FCPS going to overcome the "divided population" that comes down to....whatever you want to call it, racism, classism, haves/have-nots, etc. This thread is basically, we have resources, pay a lot in taxes, and invest a lot in our kids and we're pissed that we live in a county where resources are spread around so much to "other" groups instead of our kids. So we're going to use our resources for private instead.

That's the "division" -- people who think that public education means we all pay into a system that redistributes so that everyone gets what they need--that's equity--and people who think that public education means you get what you pay for, and if you pay more you get more.

That's what "the system is too big" is code for. There is too much room for redistribution. People want to carve out the richer areas from the poorer areas. Then you won't have all this political division, because you won't be trying to get people to compromise any more--they won't be dividing up the same pot. Some people will have a big pot to themselves, and some people will have a small pot.

This is spot-on, but it is certainly the case that FCPS is run today by people who look to redistribute resources to the poorer schools at every opportunity.

For example, Karen Keys Gamarra has been on the School Board as an at-large member for three years. Not once has she attended an event at McLean HS or displayed the slightest concern about the fact that the school has turned into a dilapidated trailer park. But she championed the renaming of Lee HS this summer and now wants FCPS to spend millions on setting up a brand-new "social justice" Academy program at Lewis HS. No work session will be held on solutions to the overcrowding at McLean, but the School Board will spend hours next month entertaining Keys Gamarra's "Academy" proposal. And Elaine Tholen, who would like to help McLean, will get taken along for a ride by Keys Gamarra et al. and ignored if she brings up the overcrowding at MHS.

That is just one example, but the venting you read about so frequently on this forum is the last anguished plea from MC and UMC families who expected something better from FCPS. They won't get it and soon they will exit the system. It's a bonanza for private schools and other counties (Arlington, Loudoun), but it will not turn out so well for Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
^FCPS has not developed a culture that supports the divided population we are seeing here. Years ago we had a more middle to upper middle class population. Now we are seeing the divide like much of America. FCPS is struggling to figure it all out.

How is FCPS going to overcome the "divided population" that comes down to....whatever you want to call it, racism, classism, haves/have-nots, etc. This thread is basically, we have resources, pay a lot in taxes, and invest a lot in our kids and we're pissed that we live in a county where resources are spread around so much to "other" groups instead of our kids. So we're going to use our resources for private instead.

That's the "division" -- people who think that public education means we all pay into a system that redistributes so that everyone gets what they need--that's equity--and people who think that public education means you get what you pay for, and if you pay more you get more.

That's what "the system is too big" is code for. There is too much room for redistribution. People want to carve out the richer areas from the poorer areas. Then you won't have all this political division, because you won't be trying to get people to compromise any more--they won't be dividing up the same pot. Some people will have a big pot to themselves, and some people will have a small pot.

This is spot-on, but it is certainly the case that FCPS is run today by people who look to redistribute resources to the poorer schools at every opportunity.

For example, Karen Keys Gamarra has been on the School Board as an at-large member for three years. Not once has she attended an event at McLean HS or displayed the slightest concern about the fact that the school has turned into a dilapidated trailer park. But she championed the renaming of Lee HS this summer and now wants FCPS to spend millions on setting up a brand-new "social justice" Academy program at Lewis HS. No work session will be held on solutions to the overcrowding at McLean, but the School Board will spend hours next month entertaining Keys Gamarra's "Academy" proposal. And Elaine Tholen, who would like to help McLean, will get taken along for a ride by Keys Gamarra et al. and ignored if she brings up the overcrowding at MHS.

That is just one example, but the venting you read about so frequently on this forum is the last anguished plea from MC and UMC families who expected something better from FCPS. They won't get it and soon they will exit the system. It's a bonanza for private schools and other counties (Arlington, Loudoun), but it will not turn out so well for Fairfax.

They also double down on families in that area by shaming them for having kids at TJ. What a shit-show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
^FCPS has not developed a culture that supports the divided population we are seeing here. Years ago we had a more middle to upper middle class population. Now we are seeing the divide like much of America. FCPS is struggling to figure it all out.

How is FCPS going to overcome the "divided population" that comes down to....whatever you want to call it, racism, classism, haves/have-nots, etc. This thread is basically, we have resources, pay a lot in taxes, and invest a lot in our kids and we're pissed that we live in a county where resources are spread around so much to "other" groups instead of our kids. So we're going to use our resources for private instead.

That's the "division" -- people who think that public education means we all pay into a system that redistributes so that everyone gets what they need--that's equity--and people who think that public education means you get what you pay for, and if you pay more you get more.

That's what "the system is too big" is code for. There is too much room for redistribution. People want to carve out the richer areas from the poorer areas. Then you won't have all this political division, because you won't be trying to get people to compromise any more--they won't be dividing up the same pot. Some people will have a big pot to themselves, and some people will have a small pot.

This is spot-on, but it is certainly the case that FCPS is run today by people who look to redistribute resources to the poorer schools at every opportunity.

For example, Karen Keys Gamarra has been on the School Board as an at-large member for three years. Not once has she attended an event at McLean HS or displayed the slightest concern about the fact that the school has turned into a dilapidated trailer park. But she championed the renaming of Lee HS this summer and now wants FCPS to spend millions on setting up a brand-new "social justice" Academy program at Lewis HS. No work session will be held on solutions to the overcrowding at McLean, but the School Board will spend hours next month entertaining Keys Gamarra's "Academy" proposal. And Elaine Tholen, who would like to help McLean, will get taken along for a ride by Keys Gamarra et al. and ignored if she brings up the overcrowding at MHS.

That is just one example, but the venting you read about so frequently on this forum is the last anguished plea from MC and UMC families who expected something better from FCPS. They won't get it and soon they will exit the system. It's a bonanza for private schools and other counties (Arlington, Loudoun), but it will not turn out so well for Fairfax.

The easiest way to narrow the achievement gap is to ruin the good schools, whether it’s TJ or McLean. They’ll go after Langley, too, when they have a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think if they could manage to teach to kids to spell and write AND deliver meals etc also, then I think everyone would be happier. The problem is that they can't seem to walk and chew bubble gum at the same time.

I don't think delivering meals has anything to do with the terrible writing instruction in FCPS. Last year in 10th grade English my DC never got grades back until basically the last week or so of the quarter. That meant no feedback at all to make progress. I think it's common for kids to turn in assignments and get a grade. No submitting drafts and getting feedback. That doesn't seem like a good was of teaching kids how to write. There is too much focus on purity in grading. The system wants to grade kids on their "own" work, so teacher redlining doesn't seem to be used anymore. That might work in other classes, but that's not a good blueprint for language arts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think if they could manage to teach to kids to spell and write AND deliver meals etc also, then I think everyone would be happier. The problem is that they can't seem to walk and chew bubble gum at the same time.

I don't think delivering meals has anything to do with the terrible writing instruction in FCPS. Last year in 10th grade English my DC never got grades back until basically the last week or so of the quarter. That meant no feedback at all to make progress. I think it's common for kids to turn in assignments and get a grade. No submitting drafts and getting feedback. That doesn't seem like a good was of teaching kids how to write. There is too much focus on purity in grading. The system wants to grade kids on their "own" work, so teacher redlining doesn't seem to be used anymore. That might work in other classes, but that's not a good blueprint for language arts.

DP, but I think PP was being facetious, while making the point that FCPS is more focused now on "equity" than academics. It's a vicious cycle: the quality of education might be better if the schools had more money and class sizes were smaller, but why should those who are more likely to vote support higher taxes and larger transfers to FCPS when they see very little of that money benefitting their own children and schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
^FCPS has not developed a culture that supports the divided population we are seeing here. Years ago we had a more middle to upper middle class population. Now we are seeing the divide like much of America. FCPS is struggling to figure it all out.

How is FCPS going to overcome the "divided population" that comes down to....whatever you want to call it, racism, classism, haves/have-nots, etc. This thread is basically, we have resources, pay a lot in taxes, and invest a lot in our kids and we're pissed that we live in a county where resources are spread around so much to "other" groups instead of our kids. So we're going to use our resources for private instead.

That's the "division" -- people who think that public education means we all pay into a system that redistributes so that everyone gets what they need--that's equity--and people who think that public education means you get what you pay for, and if you pay more you get more.

That's what "the system is too big" is code for. There is too much room for redistribution. People want to carve out the richer areas from the poorer areas. Then you won't have all this political division, because you won't be trying to get people to compromise any more--they won't be dividing up the same pot. Some people will have a big pot to themselves, and some people will have a small pot.

This is spot-on, but it is certainly the case that FCPS is run today by people who look to redistribute resources to the poorer schools at every opportunity.

For example, Karen Keys Gamarra has been on the School Board as an at-large member for three years. Not once has she attended an event at McLean HS or displayed the slightest concern about the fact that the school has turned into a dilapidated trailer park. But she championed the renaming of Lee HS this summer and now wants FCPS to spend millions on setting up a brand-new "social justice" Academy program at Lewis HS. No work session will be held on solutions to the overcrowding at McLean, but the School Board will spend hours next month entertaining Keys Gamarra's "Academy" proposal. And Elaine Tholen, who would like to help McLean, will get taken along for a ride by Keys Gamarra et al. and ignored if she brings up the overcrowding at MHS.

That is just one example, but the venting you read about so frequently on this forum is the last anguished plea from MC and UMC families who expected something better from FCPS. They won't get it and soon they will exit the system. It's a bonanza for private schools and other counties (Arlington, Loudoun), but it will not turn out so well for Fairfax.

The easiest way to narrow the achievement gap is to ruin the good schools, whether it’s TJ or McLean. They’ll go after Langley, too, when they have a chance.

I think the overcrowding issue is handled poorly across the board by FCPS. Before Bailey's Elementary was split into a lower and upper school, the school was overcrowded for years. It was supposed to be a school for the Arts and Sciences, but had to get rid of the science lab due to overcrowding. They got rid of part of the library and even a part of the cafeteria, so kids had to eat lunch in classrooms because the cafeteria was no longer big enough to have the kids eat there. The part of the playground that once had a basketball court for kids to use at recess was overrun by trailers. This went on for years. I don't think FCPS is serving any SES well. They are lowering the caliber of education for all, so the achievement gap might actually end up bigger because most lower SES families don't have the education level or financial means to fill in the gap created by the lowering of the bar.