MCPS is cuttting compacted math and cohorted literacy enrichment

[Anonymous]

Did folks see that Sheila Berlinger, head of elementary math, pushed this through and then immediately left to become a consultant?

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sheila-berlinger-70034810_from-33-years-in-mcps-to-new-ventures-in-activity-7452325636167127043-zzk5

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TT will be remembered for bringing back high standards across the board for MCPS, and removing paternalistic expectations and de facto segregation.

I am so glad someone has the balls to do this.

Unfortunately, MCPS's regions/programs plan, as it exists, and elements of the new math clustering paradigm that burden more highly heterogeneous classroom populations mean that the de facto segregation simply will be reinforced instead of removed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm catching up on this now and read through the state guidance that MCPS is claiming forbids them from continuing compacted math. They're either blatantly lying or have terrible comprehension skills. The guidance outlines a continuum of math acceleration, with the clustering they're proposing being the first step that is essentially just enrichment (not true acceleration!) and they describe it as "curriculum extensions must be delivered through cluster grouping and serve as a structured on-ramp to formal acceleration in subsequent years." The next step would be compacting/telescoping (like what compacted math already is doing) and if a student needs even more they would be considered for skipping a grade.

So, how does MCPS intend to meet the needs of those students who need more than just the first step (clustering)? They seem to be in direct violation of this guidance and cherry picking phrases to back up their claim that the current system is inflexible and needs to be scrapped entirely.

https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/documents/dcaa/math/math-acceleration-guidance-a.pdf

Thank you for posting this. I had not read it yet and it is shocking this is the document being used as an excuse to eliminate compacted math. This specifically includes the example of students who need additional acceleration being given the opportunity to complete all of Math 4 and much of Math 5! MCPS is just lying.

Exactly. MCPS is lying through its teeth.

[Anonymous]

Sheila berlinger has the most inflated ego and never supported the staff development teachers. But now the county will probably hire her for consulting while slashing the sdt funds who actually work with kids in buildings. I hate MCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did folks see that Sheila Berlinger, head of elementary math, pushed this through and then immediately left to become a consultant?

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sheila-berlinger-70034810_from-33-years-in-mcps-to-new-ventures-in-activity-7452325636167127043-zzk5

Wow. Pathetic. All the people making these big decisions truly don’t care about what they’re doing to the school system.

[Anonymous]

My DD was in mixed groups for 3rd. The teacher relied on her and a few others to "teach/review" math with some of the other kids. The teacher would sometimes give extra problems for her to do as enrichment. She was pulled for WIN time but the WIN time at the school was focused on literacy. The kids who weren't pulled were on computers (and were doing literacy or math games that did not have any type of progression, they were just games). Now she is in a cohorted group for 4th and is much more challenged. I am really sad for next year. I am also confused if the cohorted group continues for one more year or it ends, I am getting mixed messages. Anyone know?

[Anonymous]

I used to live in mcps and moved to another state. We live in what is considered to be a very good public school system neighborhood. Our high school offers multi variable calculus and other high level math. Our district is doing the exact same thing with the gifted math and it is infuriating. But I can’t seem to understand why they are doing this? They say it’s for equity but they could offer advanced math to more children and still keep a higher level of cognitive superior kids together to get appropriate training. This doesn’t seem to be saving money. Schools don’t want stupid kids. Can someone help me understand why this is happening?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was in mixed groups for 3rd. The teacher relied on her and a few others to "teach/review" math with some of the other kids. The teacher would sometimes give extra problems for her to do as enrichment. She was pulled for WIN time but the WIN time at the school was focused on literacy. The kids who weren't pulled were on computers (and were doing literacy or math games that did not have any type of progression, they were just games). Now she is in a cohorted group for 4th and is much more challenged. I am really sad for next year. I am also confused if the cohorted group continues for one more year or it ends, I am getting mixed messages. Anyone know?

It’s supposed to continue for that group. Please still advocate against this though. Please share this information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did folks see that Sheila Berlinger, head of elementary math, pushed this through and then immediately left to become a consultant?

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sheila-berlinger-70034810_from-33-years-in-mcps-to-new-ventures-in-activity-7452325636167127043-zzk5

Wow. Pathetic. All the people making these big decisions truly don’t care about what they’re doing to the school system.

In fact she’s now set to make a ton of money consulting with MCPS to fix the huge problems she created.

[Anonymous]

I have been seeing that state guidance indicated those with a MCAP score of 4 should be accelerated. When will those scores be available for those in 3rd grade? Wouldn't we need them now to be able to advocate for class placement? I think they still have some testing dates coming up though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been seeing that state guidance indicated those with a MCAP score of 4 should be accelerated. When will those scores be available for those in 3rd grade? Wouldn't we need them now to be able to advocate for class placement? I think they still have some testing dates coming up though.

MCAP scores don't get released until very late in the fall...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to live in mcps and moved to another state. We live in what is considered to be a very good public school system neighborhood. Our high school offers multi variable calculus and other high level math. Our district is doing the exact same thing with the gifted math and it is infuriating. But I can’t seem to understand why they are doing this? They say it’s for equity but they could offer advanced math to more children and still keep a higher level of cognitive superior kids together to get appropriate training. This doesn’t seem to be saving money. Schools don’t want stupid kids. Can someone help me understand why this is happening?

Ok?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been seeing that state guidance indicated those with a MCAP score of 4 should be accelerated. When will those scores be available for those in 3rd grade? Wouldn't we need them now to be able to advocate for class placement? I think they still have some testing dates coming up though.

MCAP scores don't get released until very late in the fall...

That's disappointing, so I guess 3rd grader parents will have to advocate with less teeth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did folks see that Sheila Berlinger, head of elementary math, pushed this through and then immediately left to become a consultant?

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sheila-berlinger-70034810_from-33-years-in-mcps-to-new-ventures-in-activity-7452325636167127043-zzk5

She must have got pushed out for incompetence or as the fall gal.
Who would hire her for consulting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did folks see that Sheila Berlinger, head of elementary math, pushed this through and then immediately left to become a consultant?

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sheila-berlinger-70034810_from-33-years-in-mcps-to-new-ventures-in-activity-7452325636167127043-zzk5

omfg look at the congratulatory comments on that post.
A rogues gallery of do-nothing Central Office workers. Not one teacher.