The state of MCPS is atrocious

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:And if your source is from 2019, it’s irrelevant. COVID revealed to a ton of parents how awful MCPS really is.

Moreover, only 17% of the people contacted for the 2019 survey responded.

https://moco360.media/2019/10/03/parents-pleased-with-mcps-survey-shows/

And yet they keep sending their kids to MCPS schools, while they themselves do little to affect any change or want to increase taxes to pay for their champagne wishes.

What choice do most of us have? Not everyone is wealthy or living in a "good" school district. The only "affordable" privates are Catholic schools and that's only for elementary. Only a few Catholic schools are remotely welcoming to non-Catholic/non-Christian families. The rest of us cannot afford $50-60K privates, and there are very few privates let alone non-religious ones.

And, the privates don't have the same math track come MS/HS.

Every private I’ve seen has MS/HS math tracks.

They aren't equal. Of course they have MS/HS math tracks but often Algebra isn't started till 8th, or even 9th, vs. MCPS is 6/7th grade.

And it’s been shown that pushing kids too fast in math isn’t always appropriate. It’s not as though MCPS kids are excelling in math; far from it. So this wouldn’t be what I brag about.

This! I have a friend who teaches math at a state university. He says it would be better if middle/high schools slowed down and spent more time on Algebra instead of pushing kids through at young ages. The number of remedial Math classes at his university is growing.

MCPS curriculum experts testified to this at the BOE meeting recently. Compacted math is leading to superficial and poor understanding of algebraic fundamentals.

No. Compacted Math is not the issue. My kid went through Compacted Math and did great.

The issue is that too many students are placed in Compacted Math, when they should be in regular Math.

Another issue is that MCPS passes kids along even when they have not mastered the material.

There were SO many kids in DD’s Matt classes who should not have been accelerated and who could not keep up.

Keep Compacted Math for kids who can handle it.

Just because compacted math worked for your kid doesn’t mean it’s a good idea from a pedagogical standpoint.

I agree with the earlier poster that compacted math should be available for some, but with an acknowledgment that it’s not the best choice for everyone.

Of course rushing kids through math is bad pedagogy. They should be given time to master concepts and practice them. However, once a child has learned something, I don’t see what the pedagogical advantage is in refusing to teach them anything else for some predetermined interval.

The important thing is that kids learn the material. Time is not the only variable in that process. The content children are exposed to, how it is presented, and the children themselves are just some of the other variables involved in the process. Regardless of how many hours they sit in a math classroom, they can only learn material they’re taught.

For example:

In 1st grade, as differentiation for advanced students, they offered advanced problems on the back of the regularly assigned homework. Giving a kid a worksheet with the instruction to put in the correct > or < symbol without mentioning that those symbols represent greater than or less than is never going to work. Of course advanced students aren’t automatically going to know this. You could keep students in the class for 10 years, and they might eventually through trial and error figure out what you wanted, but I wouldn’t call it good pedagogy. Or you could actually teach the concept and move on.

Similarly, I was frequently frustrated by MCPS’s emphasis on calculator use. I told my kids they weren’t allowed to use calculators on homework without checking with me first. When DD told me they had a worksheet where they had to get square roots, it seemed like a calculator might be necessary, until I looked at the assignment. With problems like (sqrt 3) + (sqrt 27), she could have punched those numbers into a calculator and obtained a correct answer, while entirely missing the lesson. Knowing how to SIMPLIFY the problem is a much more valuable lesson. She could have filled out countless worksheets for years with the decimal answers to square roots that her calculator spit out, without ever learning how to actually work with radicals. On the other hand, once she had mastered working with radicals (fully understanding the concept, being able to employ it with ease, and had it solidly fixed in her memory), continuing to repeat the same lesson instead of using it to progress to the next level serves no purpose other than to frustrate and discourage.

I think good pedagogy is to give students the right amount of time. For some, this may mean compacted math (or even more acceleration), for others it may mean a slower math progression, perhaps even with additional instructional time with a double period, summer school, or tutoring. Every kid is different, so expecting them to learn at the same rate seems not only like bad pedagogy, but as something that is blatantly illogical.

I think we should have a wide variety of math classes and provide supports to help students succeed at their level and progress to the next level. Flexible ability grouping is not tracking. I don’t believe in gate keeping, but I also don’t believe in lowering standards. I don’t think our goal should be to go at any particular pace nor to get all the same students to the same place at the same time. I think the goal should be to teach all students what they need to know, and enable them to learn as much beyond that as they want.

MCPS offers a variety starting in MS. In ES, most ES don't do any differentiation until compacted math in 4/5, which is technically ok but they need to focus on math facts and foundation work vs. strategies. We heavily supplemented at home with workbooks. The homework was a joke and not related in any way to what was learned in class and now in MS/HS classes there is very little homework for reinforcement and at best they just do a few problems in class. The new style teaching doesn't really work. They never ever review the assignments so if a child doesn't get it right, they have no idea where they went wrong.

MCPS had offered free tutoring for the past two years. So, that was a huge help to many of us in terms of making sure our kids understood the material.

It’s pathetic that many kids needed tutoring to understand the material. That’s clearly a teaching issue.

Agree. The kids should be learning IN school. Tutors should not be required.

Like the PP said, it’s a curriculum issue, for sure.

Agere, it seemed silly we had to use the free tutoring or do it ourselves. For us, it was a combination of the curriculum and teaching.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if your source is from 2019, it’s irrelevant. COVID revealed to a ton of parents how awful MCPS really is.

Moreover, only 17% of the people contacted for the 2019 survey responded.

https://moco360.media/2019/10/03/parents-pleased-with-mcps-survey-shows/

And yet they keep sending their kids to MCPS schools, while they themselves do little to affect any change or want to increase taxes to pay for their champagne wishes.

What choice do most of us have? Not everyone is wealthy or living in a "good" school district. The only "affordable" privates are Catholic schools and that's only for elementary. Only a few Catholic schools are remotely welcoming to non-Catholic/non-Christian families. The rest of us cannot afford $50-60K privates, and there are very few privates let alone non-religious ones.

And, the privates don't have the same math track come MS/HS.

Every private I’ve seen has MS/HS math tracks.

They aren't equal. Of course they have MS/HS math tracks but often Algebra isn't started till 8th, or even 9th, vs. MCPS is 6/7th grade.

And it’s been shown that pushing kids too fast in math isn’t always appropriate. It’s not as though MCPS kids are excelling in math; far from it. So this wouldn’t be what I brag about.

This! I have a friend who teaches math at a state university. He says it would be better if middle/high schools slowed down and spent more time on Algebra instead of pushing kids through at young ages. The number of remedial Math classes at his university is growing.

MCPS curriculum experts testified to this at the BOE meeting recently. Compacted math is leading to superficial and poor understanding of algebraic fundamentals.

Compacted math or AIM? I would think AIM is more the issue as compacted math is 4-5th. I didn't think compacted math was bad but it focused too much on strategies vs. doing actual problems and math facts (though math facts should be much younger).

I think they mentioned both? Basically, we're either cramming too much too soon or we're prioritizing rapid advancement in math or substantive understanding of the subject matter.

The issue was rushing to take Algebra and the stigma around not getting to it sooner instead of when a child is prepared, be that 7th,8th, or 9th grade.

It's not rushing and in MS, kids have a huge option of classes and they can start Algebra in 7-9th grades, some can start in 6th. Its not a once size fits all like your are making it. Most smarter kids take AIM in 6th, which is pre-algebra.

I guess you didn’t read the entire comment. If it’s about rushing that is propelled by stigma or wrong beliefs. People believe that getting to Algebra by 6th or 7th grade and definitely by 8th is the only path or their kid will be left behind. They believe that just because kids are doing well in math in 1st grade they should automatically be in the accelerated path and compacted math. Some people won’t even listen to teachers and administrators that their kid is on level or needs help even when the evidence is presented. Also teachers don’t really understand all the math concepts themselves, at least not at a depth that allows explaining in differently way depending on the student(for that point neither do a lot of parents).

The above starts in ES. As others have noted, not everyone needs to be in compacted math. Additionally, kids need more exposure to word problems and real world application of math.

For the smarter/advanced kids, they need to start in 7th if they are going to go to MCPS for high school as it impacts other classes they take. It's the same class either way. There are multiple levels in MS for kids of all needs but the discussion was comparing some of the "top" privates to MCPS and while they do have advanced classes, their math in MS is where they are lacking.

Agree some of the teachers don't understand it well enough to teach it but we've done private summer math classes and they ok to far worse than the MCPS ones. The ones that were better were the structured classes with a textbook and experienced teacher.

It's very easy to get higher MAP scores by working a bit ahead with workbooks with ES kids. It's harder once they hit Algebra or AIM if parents don't remember the math but once you get into AIM/Algebra the MAP scores don't matter as you already are on the track.

Most privates have one - two choice classes each grade level for math at best. So, MCPS wins in MS for differentiation. I looked at privates in ES and most didn't offer differentiation, a few promised extra but I doubt they did it.

But, the real issue comes with the advanced kids in MCPS with higher level classes as they all work together. Often the private school kids will take geometry in summer school to catch up to take the higher level science classes. So, its something to think about when you are looking at MS.

1. Private schools absolutely have different math tracks in MS.

2. You have yet to post any evidence of your claim that private school kids end up behind in math in HS.

They don't have the same math tracks as public except a rare few. Very smart kids in private we know didn't start Algebra till 8th grade, so they are a year behind the smart public school kids and its messing up science and other classes.

I don't need to post evidence. You are trying to justify your kids being in private. It's ok they are. I don't get why you need to be defensive and post how bad MCPS is to justify your choice. Smart kids will be just fine in MCPS. It's the middle of the road kids who basically get ignored who will struggle the most.

Here is Landon, well known decent school in MoCo as comparison: I'm assuming Form 2 is 8th grade, they start Algebra in 8th. Thats a year behind some kids in MCPS.

https://www.landon.net/uploaded/Back_to_School/2018_BTS_Portal/All-School/2018-2019-Course-of-Study.pdf

"Form II Algebra I
Algebra I is a comprehensive study of algebraic fundamentals beginning with the basic operations of real numbers and running through the more sophisticated material dealing with quadratics. Emphasis is on operations with real numbers, solving and graphing linear equations, solving word problems, systems of equations (solving by graphing, addition/multiplication and substitution), exponents, radicals, and factoring. This course prepares students for subsequent courses in algebra and geometry."

Bullis looks like they offer Algebra in 7th so they clearly have a better math track for smarter kids.
https://bullis.instructure.com/courses/5771

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if your source is from 2019, it’s irrelevant. COVID revealed to a ton of parents how awful MCPS really is.

Moreover, only 17% of the people contacted for the 2019 survey responded.

https://moco360.media/2019/10/03/parents-pleased-with-mcps-survey-shows/

And yet they keep sending their kids to MCPS schools, while they themselves do little to affect any change or want to increase taxes to pay for their champagne wishes.

What choice do most of us have? Not everyone is wealthy or living in a "good" school district. The only "affordable" privates are Catholic schools and that's only for elementary. Only a few Catholic schools are remotely welcoming to non-Catholic/non-Christian families. The rest of us cannot afford $50-60K privates, and there are very few privates let alone non-religious ones.

And, the privates don't have the same math track come MS/HS.

Every private I’ve seen has MS/HS math tracks.

They aren't equal. Of course they have MS/HS math tracks but often Algebra isn't started till 8th, or even 9th, vs. MCPS is 6/7th grade.

And it’s been shown that pushing kids too fast in math isn’t always appropriate. It’s not as though MCPS kids are excelling in math; far from it. So this wouldn’t be what I brag about.

This! I have a friend who teaches math at a state university. He says it would be better if middle/high schools slowed down and spent more time on Algebra instead of pushing kids through at young ages. The number of remedial Math classes at his university is growing.

MCPS curriculum experts testified to this at the BOE meeting recently. Compacted math is leading to superficial and poor understanding of algebraic fundamentals.

Compacted math or AIM? I would think AIM is more the issue as compacted math is 4-5th. I didn't think compacted math was bad but it focused too much on strategies vs. doing actual problems and math facts (though math facts should be much younger).

I think they mentioned both? Basically, we're either cramming too much too soon or we're prioritizing rapid advancement in math or substantive understanding of the subject matter.

The issue was rushing to take Algebra and the stigma around not getting to it sooner instead of when a child is prepared, be that 7th,8th, or 9th grade.

It's not rushing and in MS, kids have a huge option of classes and they can start Algebra in 7-9th grades, some can start in 6th. Its not a once size fits all like your are making it. Most smarter kids take AIM in 6th, which is pre-algebra.

I guess you didn’t read the entire comment. If it’s about rushing that is propelled by stigma or wrong beliefs. People believe that getting to Algebra by 6th or 7th grade and definitely by 8th is the only path or their kid will be left behind. They believe that just because kids are doing well in math in 1st grade they should automatically be in the accelerated path and compacted math. Some people won’t even listen to teachers and administrators that their kid is on level or needs help even when the evidence is presented. Also teachers don’t really understand all the math concepts themselves, at least not at a depth that allows explaining in differently way depending on the student(for that point neither do a lot of parents).

The above starts in ES. As others have noted, not everyone needs to be in compacted math. Additionally, kids need more exposure to word problems and real world application of math.

For the smarter/advanced kids, they need to start in 7th if they are going to go to MCPS for high school as it impacts other classes they take. It's the same class either way. There are multiple levels in MS for kids of all needs but the discussion was comparing some of the "top" privates to MCPS and while they do have advanced classes, their math in MS is where they are lacking.

Agree some of the teachers don't understand it well enough to teach it but we've done private summer math classes and they ok to far worse than the MCPS ones. The ones that were better were the structured classes with a textbook and experienced teacher.

It's very easy to get higher MAP scores by working a bit ahead with workbooks with ES kids. It's harder once they hit Algebra or AIM if parents don't remember the math but once you get into AIM/Algebra the MAP scores don't matter as you already are on the track.

Most privates have one - two choice classes each grade level for math at best. So, MCPS wins in MS for differentiation. I looked at privates in ES and most didn't offer differentiation, a few promised extra but I doubt they did it.

But, the real issue comes with the advanced kids in MCPS with higher level classes as they all work together. Often the private school kids will take geometry in summer school to catch up to take the higher level science classes. So, its something to think about when you are looking at MS.

1. Private schools absolutely have different math tracks in MS.

2. You have yet to post any evidence of your claim that private school kids end up behind in math in HS.

They don't have the same math tracks as public except a rare few. Very smart kids in private we know didn't start Algebra till 8th grade, so they are a year behind the smart public school kids and its messing up science and other classes.

I don't need to post evidence. You are trying to justify your kids being in private. It's ok they are. I don't get why you need to be defensive and post how bad MCPS is to justify your choice. Smart kids will be just fine in MCPS. It's the middle of the road kids who basically get ignored who will struggle the most.

Here is Landon, well known decent school in MoCo as comparison: I'm assuming Form 2 is 8th grade, they start Algebra in 8th. Thats a year behind some kids in MCPS.

https://www.landon.net/uploaded/Back_to_School/2018_BTS_Portal/All-School/2018-2019-Course-of-Study.pdf

"Form II Algebra I
Algebra I is a comprehensive study of algebraic fundamentals beginning with the basic operations of real numbers and running through the more sophisticated material dealing with quadratics. Emphasis is on operations with real numbers, solving and graphing linear equations, solving word problems, systems of equations (solving by graphing, addition/multiplication and substitution), exponents, radicals, and factoring. This course prepares students for subsequent courses in algebra and geometry."

Bullis looks like they offer Algebra in 7th so they clearly have a better math track for smarter kids.
https://bullis.instructure.com/courses/5771

DP here:
1. I don’t consider taking Algebra in 8th grade “behind” at all. It still tracks to Calculus by 12th. (I also don’t consider Algebra in 9th “behind” since that is a very traditional and age-appropriate progression for many students. It’s only in recent years schools have erroneously decided to push math courses earlier and earlier. I’m looking forward to the pendulum swinging back.)
2. I don’t rate and label students “smart” based on their math placement. Is the humanities-based kid somehow not smart because (gasp. horror.) they took Algebra in 8th? Actually… let’s just not label kids, okay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not necessarily PP. I needed more time to get math. I needed my teacher to spend the majority of the class showing us how to solve problem. Then I needed the equivalent of another class to do some problems together and then on my own. Class didn't work that way so I'd go to my teacher at lunch to get this extra help. I had an excellent teacher for algebra 1 and 2.

Now everything is auto graded on the app's and the teachers don't review the assignments. They might get a dozen or so problems before they move on to the next topic. Teacher does a 5-10 minute lecture and then they work on problems. Then they have a lot of free classes for kids to do catch up on the assignments they didn't do. Its nothing like how we were taught.

This was at a private school. I sent my kid to a public ES and it left a lot to be desired so I switched him to a private school where he could get the help he needed (he needed help in math like I did).

And, that makes sense. We did private early on, left for MCPS, then looked at privates again but didn't find one that was the right fit/cost. If my child was struggling in academics I'd probably do private like we did early on as I don't think MCPS is good with kids who are doing ok but struggling as those are the ones who really get lost/not a lot of help. Or, even for mild special needs. Our ES focuses on the kids who have the most severe SN so the kids who still needed support/IEP's often didn't get what they needed for lack of staffing. Smart kids will do ok most anywhere.

You hit the nail on the head. My gifted DS has done fine..his writing is not as good as it could be but it's sufficient- I have barely worked with him. My DD on the other hand who is above average intellectually but has some learning and attention issues is getting a subpar education. The school could care less because she is not severe in their eyes and so she gets very limited meaningful support at school. It is a constant effort on my behalf to make sure she has functional academic skills. I should not have to hire a lawyer and advocate and have her privately evaluated. I shouldn't have to constantly tutor her. If I didn't intervene, I doubt she would be reading and writing at all - hypothetically, if I hadn't done anything, by 4th grade when she would be 2 years below grade level- maybe mcps would give her an IEP and give her a couple hours of weekly support- she would basically be behind forever, feel like she was not smart, and the neural pathways for reading would close- and it would be that much harder to teach her each successive year. So I do this shitty juggling act. And it makes me really mad for all the other kids who don't have the resources to be able to do what I do for her.
Talk about inequity .

+1000 MCPS / Dr. McKnight / BOE have clearly shown their agenda for SN students. They hired a lawyer who has a long track history of litigation with parents to be the new Associate Superintendent for Special Education. MCPS has an unlimited budget to fight parents so students are not properly evaluated and IEPS are not fully implemented. MCPS has also left many Special Education jobs empty. They pay such a low salary for Special Education Teachers, Para Educators, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, School Psychologists, etc. that it’s difficult to attract people for these jobs. The staff that are in MCPS have seen their workload increased while they try to cover for the vacancies.

MCPS has lost their focus on the needs of students. Education and student learning is not the priority.

[Anonymous]

Why does it matter if MCPS offers Algebra one year earlier if they teach it so poorly that kids most kids aren’t proficient in math?

This isn’t the strong argument for MCPS that you all think it is.

[Anonymous]

If your public school kids switched to private in HS, they’d have to take a math placement test. Even if they took algebra 1 in MS, they might have to retake it in 9th grade. The test in Catholic school is no joke. Even if your kid got straight As in algebra 1 in MS, the placement test score trumps that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your public school kids switched to private in HS, they’d have to take a math placement test. Even if they took algebra 1 in MS, they might have to retake it in 9th grade. The test in Catholic school is no joke. Even if your kid got straight As in algebra 1 in MS, the placement test score trumps that.

Because As in MCPS are meaningless. Some schools give all kids As, regardless of if they have mastered the material. And some schools actually do give out grades based on how well you know the Math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your public school kids switched to private in HS, they’d have to take a math placement test. Even if they took algebra 1 in MS, they might have to retake it in 9th grade. The test in Catholic school is no joke. Even if your kid got straight As in algebra 1 in MS, the placement test score trumps that.

Because As in MCPS are meaningless. Some schools give all kids As, regardless of if they have mastered the material. And some schools actually do give out grades based on how well you know the Math.

Name two of the "some schools" that "give all kids As" please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not necessarily PP. I needed more time to get math. I needed my teacher to spend the majority of the class showing us how to solve problem. Then I needed the equivalent of another class to do some problems together and then on my own. Class didn't work that way so I'd go to my teacher at lunch to get this extra help. I had an excellent teacher for algebra 1 and 2.

Now everything is auto graded on the app's and the teachers don't review the assignments. They might get a dozen or so problems before they move on to the next topic. Teacher does a 5-10 minute lecture and then they work on problems. Then they have a lot of free classes for kids to do catch up on the assignments they didn't do. Its nothing like how we were taught.

This was at a private school. I sent my kid to a public ES and it left a lot to be desired so I switched him to a private school where he could get the help he needed (he needed help in math like I did).

And, that makes sense. We did private early on, left for MCPS, then looked at privates again but didn't find one that was the right fit/cost. If my child was struggling in academics I'd probably do private like we did early on as I don't think MCPS is good with kids who are doing ok but struggling as those are the ones who really get lost/not a lot of help. Or, even for mild special needs. Our ES focuses on the kids who have the most severe SN so the kids who still needed support/IEP's often didn't get what they needed for lack of staffing. Smart kids will do ok most anywhere.

You hit the nail on the head. My gifted DS has done fine..his writing is not as good as it could be but it's sufficient- I have barely worked with him. My DD on the other hand who is above average intellectually but has some learning and attention issues is getting a subpar education. The school could care less because she is not severe in their eyes and so she gets very limited meaningful support at school. It is a constant effort on my behalf to make sure she has functional academic skills. I should not have to hire a lawyer and advocate and have her privately evaluated. I shouldn't have to constantly tutor her. If I didn't intervene, I doubt she would be reading and writing at all - hypothetically, if I hadn't done anything, by 4th grade when she would be 2 years below grade level- maybe mcps would give her an IEP and give her a couple hours of weekly support- she would basically be behind forever, feel like she was not smart, and the neural pathways for reading would close- and it would be that much harder to teach her each successive year. So I do this shitty juggling act. And it makes me really mad for all the other kids who don't have the resources to be able to do what I do for her.
Talk about inequity .

+1000 MCPS / Dr. McKnight / BOE have clearly shown their agenda for SN students. They hired a lawyer who has a long track history of litigation with parents to be the new Associate Superintendent for Special Education. MCPS has an unlimited budget to fight parents so students are not properly evaluated and IEPS are not fully implemented. MCPS has also left many Special Education jobs empty. They pay such a low salary for Special Education Teachers, Para Educators, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, School Psychologists, etc. that it’s difficult to attract people for these jobs. The staff that are in MCPS have seen their workload increased while they try to cover for the vacancies.

MCPS has lost their focus on the needs of students. Education and student learning is not the priority.

This. We left. I think of the kids who don’t have as savvy parents every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not necessarily PP. I needed more time to get math. I needed my teacher to spend the majority of the class showing us how to solve problem. Then I needed the equivalent of another class to do some problems together and then on my own. Class didn't work that way so I'd go to my teacher at lunch to get this extra help. I had an excellent teacher for algebra 1 and 2.

Now everything is auto graded on the app's and the teachers don't review the assignments. They might get a dozen or so problems before they move on to the next topic. Teacher does a 5-10 minute lecture and then they work on problems. Then they have a lot of free classes for kids to do catch up on the assignments they didn't do. Its nothing like how we were taught.

This was at a private school. I sent my kid to a public ES and it left a lot to be desired so I switched him to a private school where he could get the help he needed (he needed help in math like I did).

And, that makes sense. We did private early on, left for MCPS, then looked at privates again but didn't find one that was the right fit/cost. If my child was struggling in academics I'd probably do private like we did early on as I don't think MCPS is good with kids who are doing ok but struggling as those are the ones who really get lost/not a lot of help. Or, even for mild special needs. Our ES focuses on the kids who have the most severe SN so the kids who still needed support/IEP's often didn't get what they needed for lack of staffing. Smart kids will do ok most anywhere.

You hit the nail on the head. My gifted DS has done fine..his writing is not as good as it could be but it's sufficient- I have barely worked with him. My DD on the other hand who is above average intellectually but has some learning and attention issues is getting a subpar education. The school could care less because she is not severe in their eyes and so she gets very limited meaningful support at school. It is a constant effort on my behalf to make sure she has functional academic skills. I should not have to hire a lawyer and advocate and have her privately evaluated. I shouldn't have to constantly tutor her. If I didn't intervene, I doubt she would be reading and writing at all - hypothetically, if I hadn't done anything, by 4th grade when she would be 2 years below grade level- maybe mcps would give her an IEP and give her a couple hours of weekly support- she would basically be behind forever, feel like she was not smart, and the neural pathways for reading would close- and it would be that much harder to teach her each successive year. So I do this shitty juggling act. And it makes me really mad for all the other kids who don't have the resources to be able to do what I do for her.
Talk about inequity .

+1000 MCPS / Dr. McKnight / BOE have clearly shown their agenda for SN students. They hired a lawyer who has a long track history of litigation with parents to be the new Associate Superintendent for Special Education. MCPS has an unlimited budget to fight parents so students are not properly evaluated and IEPS are not fully implemented. MCPS has also left many Special Education jobs empty. They pay such a low salary for Special Education Teachers, Para Educators, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, School Psychologists, etc. that it’s difficult to attract people for these jobs. The staff that are in MCPS have seen their workload increased while they try to cover for the vacancies.

MCPS has lost their focus on the needs of students. Education and student learning is not the priority.

This. We left. I think of the kids who don’t have as savvy parents every day.

There is a child in my kid’s private school who told us he left his public school because he’s dyslexic and they didn’t really help him. He said he’s much happier now. I was very impressed by how open he is about everything, but also really felt for him and his family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not necessarily PP. I needed more time to get math. I needed my teacher to spend the majority of the class showing us how to solve problem. Then I needed the equivalent of another class to do some problems together and then on my own. Class didn't work that way so I'd go to my teacher at lunch to get this extra help. I had an excellent teacher for algebra 1 and 2.

Now everything is auto graded on the app's and the teachers don't review the assignments. They might get a dozen or so problems before they move on to the next topic. Teacher does a 5-10 minute lecture and then they work on problems. Then they have a lot of free classes for kids to do catch up on the assignments they didn't do. Its nothing like how we were taught.

This was at a private school. I sent my kid to a public ES and it left a lot to be desired so I switched him to a private school where he could get the help he needed (he needed help in math like I did).

And, that makes sense. We did private early on, left for MCPS, then looked at privates again but didn't find one that was the right fit/cost. If my child was struggling in academics I'd probably do private like we did early on as I don't think MCPS is good with kids who are doing ok but struggling as those are the ones who really get lost/not a lot of help. Or, even for mild special needs. Our ES focuses on the kids who have the most severe SN so the kids who still needed support/IEP's often didn't get what they needed for lack of staffing. Smart kids will do ok most anywhere.

You hit the nail on the head. My gifted DS has done fine..his writing is not as good as it could be but it's sufficient- I have barely worked with him. My DD on the other hand who is above average intellectually but has some learning and attention issues is getting a subpar education. The school could care less because she is not severe in their eyes and so she gets very limited meaningful support at school. It is a constant effort on my behalf to make sure she has functional academic skills. I should not have to hire a lawyer and advocate and have her privately evaluated. I shouldn't have to constantly tutor her. If I didn't intervene, I doubt she would be reading and writing at all - hypothetically, if I hadn't done anything, by 4th grade when she would be 2 years below grade level- maybe mcps would give her an IEP and give her a couple hours of weekly support- she would basically be behind forever, feel like she was not smart, and the neural pathways for reading would close- and it would be that much harder to teach her each successive year. So I do this shitty juggling act. And it makes me really mad for all the other kids who don't have the resources to be able to do what I do for her.
Talk about inequity .

+1000 MCPS / Dr. McKnight / BOE have clearly shown their agenda for SN students. They hired a lawyer who has a long track history of litigation with parents to be the new Associate Superintendent for Special Education. MCPS has an unlimited budget to fight parents so students are not properly evaluated and IEPS are not fully implemented. MCPS has also left many Special Education jobs empty. They pay such a low salary for Special Education Teachers, Para Educators, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, School Psychologists, etc. that it’s difficult to attract people for these jobs. The staff that are in MCPS have seen their workload increased while they try to cover for the vacancies.

MCPS has lost their focus on the needs of students. Education and student learning is not the priority.

The salaries are not that low if you compare them to similar jobs with the county but mcps spends more time and energy fighting against helping students and that is appalling given some kids could be helped early on and not have needed so much help if they put more effort into kids in elementary school. It’s sickening that kids cannot read by 2nd grade. And, much more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not necessarily PP. I needed more time to get math. I needed my teacher to spend the majority of the class showing us how to solve problem. Then I needed the equivalent of another class to do some problems together and then on my own. Class didn't work that way so I'd go to my teacher at lunch to get this extra help. I had an excellent teacher for algebra 1 and 2.

Now everything is auto graded on the app's and the teachers don't review the assignments. They might get a dozen or so problems before they move on to the next topic. Teacher does a 5-10 minute lecture and then they work on problems. Then they have a lot of free classes for kids to do catch up on the assignments they didn't do. Its nothing like how we were taught.

This was at a private school. I sent my kid to a public ES and it left a lot to be desired so I switched him to a private school where he could get the help he needed (he needed help in math like I did).

And, that makes sense. We did private early on, left for MCPS, then looked at privates again but didn't find one that was the right fit/cost. If my child was struggling in academics I'd probably do private like we did early on as I don't think MCPS is good with kids who are doing ok but struggling as those are the ones who really get lost/not a lot of help. Or, even for mild special needs. Our ES focuses on the kids who have the most severe SN so the kids who still needed support/IEP's often didn't get what they needed for lack of staffing. Smart kids will do ok most anywhere.

You hit the nail on the head. My gifted DS has done fine..his writing is not as good as it could be but it's sufficient- I have barely worked with him. My DD on the other hand who is above average intellectually but has some learning and attention issues is getting a subpar education. The school could care less because she is not severe in their eyes and so she gets very limited meaningful support at school. It is a constant effort on my behalf to make sure she has functional academic skills. I should not have to hire a lawyer and advocate and have her privately evaluated. I shouldn't have to constantly tutor her. If I didn't intervene, I doubt she would be reading and writing at all - hypothetically, if I hadn't done anything, by 4th grade when she would be 2 years below grade level- maybe mcps would give her an IEP and give her a couple hours of weekly support- she would basically be behind forever, feel like she was not smart, and the neural pathways for reading would close- and it would be that much harder to teach her each successive year. So I do this shitty juggling act. And it makes me really mad for all the other kids who don't have the resources to be able to do what I do for her.
Talk about inequity .

+1000 MCPS / Dr. McKnight / BOE have clearly shown their agenda for SN students. They hired a lawyer who has a long track history of litigation with parents to be the new Associate Superintendent for Special Education. MCPS has an unlimited budget to fight parents so students are not properly evaluated and IEPS are not fully implemented. MCPS has also left many Special Education jobs empty. They pay such a low salary for Special Education Teachers, Para Educators, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, School Psychologists, etc. that it’s difficult to attract people for these jobs. The staff that are in MCPS have seen their workload increased while they try to cover for the vacancies.

MCPS has lost their focus on the needs of students. Education and student learning is not the priority.

This. We left. I think of the kids who don’t have as savvy parents every day.

There is a child in my kid’s private school who told us he left his public school because he’s dyslexic and they didn’t really help him. He said he’s much happier now. I was very impressed by how open he is about everything, but also really felt for him and his family.

Mcps is terrible for reading issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your public school kids switched to private in HS, they’d have to take a math placement test. Even if they took algebra 1 in MS, they might have to retake it in 9th grade. The test in Catholic school is no joke. Even if your kid got straight As in algebra 1 in MS, the placement test score trumps that.

Because As in MCPS are meaningless. Some schools give all kids As, regardless of if they have mastered the material. And some schools actually do give out grades based on how well you know the Math.

Not seeing this at all. If anything they are grading harder. I have zero issues with retakes as at least the kids can go over what they missed when the teachers don’t. Most public school kids are not going to a Catholic high school nor need to repeat it b

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter if MCPS offers Algebra one year earlier if they teach it so poorly that kids most kids aren’t proficient in math?

This isn’t the strong argument for MCPS that you all think it is.

Why do you need to justify your private school s choices? We’ve done private school math classes and they were not any better and one was far worse than anything we had in mcps. We used the privates for summer prep. We did not do it this year as last year was so bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter if MCPS offers Algebra one year earlier if they teach it so poorly that kids most kids aren’t proficient in math?

This isn’t the strong argument for MCPS that you all think it is.

Why do you need to justify your private school s choices? We’ve done private school math classes and they were not any better and one was far worse than anything we had in mcps. We used the privates for summer prep. We did not do it this year as last year was so bad.

Huh? I have no idea what you’re talking about.