New middle school enriched and accelerated classes

[Anonymous]

Our school newsletter for April included the following information about the new middle school enriched and accelerated classes. Very interested to see how this plays out, as I have a current 4th grader.

Information Enriched and Accelerated Courses in Selected Middle Schools
As part of the middle school magnet field test, every fifth grader in the Takoma Park and Eastern middle school magnet programs catchment area was centrally reviewed for potential to access enriched and accelerated instruction. The following middle schools are part of the catchment: Benjamin Banneker, Briggs Chaney, William H. Farquhar, Robert Frost, Herbert Hoover, Cabin John, Francis Scott Key, Col. E. Brooke Lee, Newport Mill, Rosa Parks, North Bethesda, Thomas W. Pyle, Silver Creek, Silver Spring International, Sligo, Tilden, Julius West, Westland, Earle B. Wood, White Oak, and the Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) schools: Arygle, A. Mario Loeiderman, and Parkland.

Based on the results of the central review process, significantly more students surfaced demonstrating the potential to thrive with enriched and accelerated instruction. While some students were invited to attend the magnet, based on the data, many more demonstrated an instructional need for enriched and accelerated instruction. In order to address the increased need, new enriched and accelerated courses modeled after the instructional approaches and curriculum implemented in the Humanities and Communications and Math, Science, and Computer Science magnet programs are being implemented at local middle schools.

Course offerings will begin with the 2018–2019 school year and include mathematics and humanities. Decisions regarding the number of courses offered at each school will be monitored and finalized based on student enrollment and performance data. All middle schools in the catchment area will implement one or both courses with the exception of the three MSMC schools. MSMC schools are whole-school magnets with enrichment and acceleration opportunities embedded in the programs. School staff in the field test catchment area will receive professional learning, consultation on master scheduling, and central services support.

Below you will find course descriptions:

Applied Investigations into Mathematics (IM) 6
This course is designed to extend students’ understanding of mathematical concepts aligned with the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards, accelerating the pace of instruction while diving deeper into concepts at an equal level of intensity. This is much more than an accelerated mathematics course as the program offers access to many academic competitions and the opportunity to conduct fieldwork. Students work with an academic cohort to conduct independent inquiries using mathematics, computer science, and the scientific process to solve real-world problems.

Historical Inquiry into Global Humanities 6
This course is built around the core Grade 6 social studies curriculum that includes historical content from early civilizations, the empires of Greece and Rome, the dynasties of China, and civilizations of the first millennium. Cohort students will go beyond this core however as they learn additional content, explore deeper connections to today, engage in investigative inquiry to strengthen their writing through Document Based Questions, and enhance their learning through relevant literature connections.

Grade 5 students whose parents had opted them out of testing for the middle school magnet programs also are being considered for the enriched and accelerated courses. Middle school principals are reviewing their incoming Grade 6 student data and notification of individual student placements will be sent to parents in early April.

For questions about programming, parents may contact Accelerated and Enriched Instruction, 240.740.3110. After individual placement notifications occur in April, questions about course(s) availability, sections, and scheduling may be directed to your middle school principal.

[Anonymous]

Hi, which elementary school is your child in?

[Anonymous]

How will schools determine which of these courses to implement (or whether to implement both)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How will schools determine which of these courses to implement (or whether to implement both)?

OP here. I know nothing beyond what was in the newsletter: "Decisions regarding the number of courses offered at each school will be monitored and finalized based on student enrollment and performance data. "

Newsletter is from Drew Elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How will schools determine which of these courses to implement (or whether to implement both)?

OP here. I know nothing beyond what was in the newsletter: "Decisions regarding the number of courses offered at each school will be monitored and finalized based on student enrollment and performance data. "

Newsletter is from Drew Elementary.

So judging from that statement, it's possible they'll look at how kids did in the magnet testing and provide classes based on those scores. So if enough kids did really well in math, they'll provide a math class, and the same for the humanities class. Hopefully that means they'll evaluate the course offerings each year, and adjust accordingly, given fluctuations in student performance year on year.

[Anonymous]

Middle schools have had a list of incoming 6th graders from Central office who qualify for these classes for at least a month. I don't know if parents have been informed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Middle schools have had a list of incoming 6th graders from Central office who qualify for these classes for at least a month. I don't know if parents have been informed.

The newsletter says parents will be informed of student placements in early April.

[Anonymous]

But again with the lack of transparency. I can reasonably assume my 99-composite (and otherwise high testing kid) will be selected for both classes, if both are offered, but I have no way of knowing for sure since we're not being told what the selection criteria are. I suspect this is going to be another mess.

[Anonymous]

Please realize these classes are already on the Middle School Course selection and have been for several years. So this is not new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please realize these classes are already on the Middle School Course selection and have been for several years. So this is not new.

I'm assuming the bolded part in the description is new -- are you saying it's not?

Historical Inquiry into Global Humanities 6
This course is built around the core Grade 6 social studies curriculum that includes historical content from early civilizations, the empires of Greece and Rome, the dynasties of China, and civilizations of the first millennium. Cohort students will go beyond this core however as they learn additional content, explore deeper connections to today, engage in investigative inquiry to strengthen their writing through Document Based Questions, and enhance their learning through relevant literature connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please realize these classes are already on the Middle School Course selection and have been for several years. So this is not new.

It sounds like the way they will be taught in enriched sections is different?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please realize these classes are already on the Middle School Course selection and have been for several years. So this is not new.

It sounds like the way they will be taught in enriched sections is different?

Yeah, I think the idea is that they will be creating separate classes that will go into more depth, beyond what is normally offered in these classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please realize these classes are already on the Middle School Course selection and have been for several years. So this is not new.

+1 I was thinking the same thing. I have a 7th grader at one of those MS. I have heard the "deeper dive" spiel before. I don't think it will be all that different TBH.

Here's the course description for 2016-17 Advanced World Studies 6 (7897) - not all that different to the description in OP's post:

This course provides enriched opportunities for learning about ancient world history. Building on the current four units of Grade 6 world studies, students will deepen their understanding of the rich cultures and history from the earliest human settlements to great civilizations of the year 1000 CE. Students are challenged to analyze archaeological evidence, ask questions to further their knowledge, and understand history as an ongoing investigation. These historical thinking, reading, and writing skills support success in future Advanced Placement and honors social studies courses.

My DC took this course last year. It was super easy.

[Anonymous]

Our friends in HGC for 5th grade are going to keep us posted. They also have deposits down at privates in WDC so will see if MCPS gets its act together for ability tracking in grades 6-8.

I'd advise you to befriend the ES and MS PTA as well parents of 5th graders asap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please realize these classes are already on the Middle School Course selection and have been for several years. So this is not new.

It sounds like the way they will be taught in enriched sections is different?

Other main difference is in a class of 30+ students instead of 10 overachievers, 10 average students and 10 underperformers plus a teacher not knowing how to teach 3 different levels of students at the same time in lecture capacity. The overachievers stop raising their hand out of boredom and embarrassment of others. Ends up being a dismal 3 years of 100s of new faces, no one the same in any of your classes, trying to figure out what students actually give a damn * 30 different kids in 7-8 classes also equals low sense of community. Their "pod" system is also about 3x too big to build a sense of community.