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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
Support the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) from Budget Cuts!
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Anonymous
This can’t be true. MVA supporters on here claim that most kids don’t take these assessments, especially the really smart/advanced kids, which is why the data regarding student achievement is so bad for the MVA as compared to in person schools. |
Anonymous
Citation? I don't think that's in the report linked to above. |
Anonymous
| My son graduated MVA and he is now at UMD. He did not have any medical issues, the reason he was in MVA is because he absolutely thrived. It’s a fantastic school. |
Anonymous
Oh I think you are confused. My push to the previous comment / the lengthy post has nothing related to new data thread. That’s why I didn’t quote it!! It’s just a follow up when that data report is shared. You can share your report and I would reshare the comment which explain how “its analysis used inadequate data, inadequate outcomes, inadequate methods.” Let’s be fair here. |
Anonymous
See pages 27 and 29 of the report. “Students in grades 1 through 5 attending MVA were significantly less likely than their in person peers to meet their projected growth in math in Spring 2022. Within student service groups, MVA students receiving FARMS were significantly less likely than their in person peers to meet their projected growth in math…” The same is said about reading on Slide 29. Unfortunately, while the MVA might work for some, it leaves behind the youngest and poorest kids. |
Anonymous
Ok, sorry. Didn’t realize you were the arm chair data scientist who took apart the report with your cogent analysis upthread. |
Anonymous
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Good Afternoon! My name is Nancy Cipolla. I have been a teacher in MCPS for 30 years and have been fortunate enough to teach at the Virtual Academy for the past three years. I am here today to request that the Board of Education fully fund the Virtual Academy as planned for grades 2-12 for Fiscal Year 25 and beyond. In February, the board came to a unanimous agreement to fund the full program at the Virtual Academy for next year. In fact, Ms. Wolf said, “You were going to ensure that the MVA was going to stay put for Fiscal Year 2025.” There was some discussion about wanting to analyze the data at the lower school. As a teacher in MCPS, I believe it is crucial to base our decisions on evidence and data that demonstrate the efficacy of programs. So let’s discuss the data from our Lower School so you can see the value of our program and see clearly who will be affected by the decisions you make today. Let’s start by taking a deep dive into our performance data. The data for our lower school shows that we surpass the average achievement in MCPS in both reading and math. Whereas MCPS shows 46.5% average achievement in math and 55.3% average achievement in reading, our average math achievement is 84% and our average reading achievement is 77%. To break achievement down further, our end of year Dibels data showed 73% of our first graders and 69% of our second graders reading at or above grade level. NWEA Spring data shows 64% of our third, fourth, and fifth graders met proficiency on MAPR . Spring Data for MAPP and MAPM also show we are achieving better than many schools in MCPS. 72% of our first graders, 74% of our second graders, and 66% of our third graders met proficiency. An astounding 90% of fourth graders and 89% of fifth graders receiving virtual instruction in math met proficiency. The data doesn’t lie, virtual instruction works for elementary students. Our students are not only thriving but they are exceeding standards. Voice data also shows how students are building strong relationships with their peers and teachers and have self-confidence. This is an indicator that we have created equitable identity-affirming classrooms where students feel supported and comfortable asking questions . 94% of our students feel confident that they can do well. 91% of our students said they had friends in the Virtual Academy and that they had opportunities to learn about people from a variety of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Now let’s look at the demographics of the Virtual Academy. Our student population is predominantly from the Global Majority (35% Hispanic, 21.4% African American, 24.3 % Caucasian,13.8% Asian, 5.2% Multi-racial, .2 % American Indian, and.1% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander). Furthermore, our school has a 67% FARMS rate, yet we do not receive any Title I funding or benefits. The Virtual Academy also offers hybrid classes to over 200 elementary students attending approximately 30 in-person schools. Next year, our hybrid program was scheduled to expand to over 300 students. Through this program, we are able to provide instruction in enriched mathematics. Not only is this a cost savings to the county, as our four teachers would be equivalent to approximately 20 in person teaching positions, but let’s take a look at who is benefiting from hybrid instruction. 80% of the schools that utilize hybrid math instruction are Title 1 Schools, with student populations that represent the global majority. These students would not be receiving enriched math instruction if not for the Virtual Academy. As you ponder this, think about how many students are not receiving instruction in enriched literacy (ELC) in these same schools. Why are these students’ academic needs being ignored? I ask the board as you deliberate on your decision today to consider your core purpose of preparing all students to thrive in their future and your core value of equity. Think very carefully about the students you are doing harm to if you decide to close the Virtual Academy. Many of them are students who are financially disadvantaged and represent the global majority. How does this fit with your values? Each board member has an opportunity today to show Montgomery County that you are committed to your core purpose and values. By supporting the Virtual Academy, you are allowing our students to continue to thrive and you are ensuring all students have an equitable opportunity for high quality education in Montgomery County Public Schools We are asking you to fully fund the Virtual Academy as planned for grades 2-12 for FY25 and beyond. https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D64KJ25206F1/$file/Nancy Cipolla Testimony.pdf |
Anonymous
LOL I m not either🤣🤣🤣you really like to make assumptions. Oh wait a minute or are you trying to imply that you are that medicore person who generated the data report and that’s why you can keep sharing? And I m not allow to? |
Anonymous
Of course you’re allowed to post your thoughts about the report. Please continue to do so - the more you say about it the better. |
Anonymous
| @Nancy Cipolla - Separate from your testimony, I see you're looking for a different job. Why aren't you willing to be transferred to a school in MCPS? |
Anonymous
Won’t be able to work from home |
Anonymous
Are you Nancy? |
Anonymous
Why don't you want to teach in a school? |
Anonymous
The Board of Education refused to let this teacher speak at the Board meeting today. Win win for them. |
Anonymous
She submitted written comments. |