Is MCPS positioning to shut down the GT/magnet programs?

[Anonymous]

Or at least water them down by providing faux gifted programs in home schools and stop providing bussing? After reading several threads and a few posts that appear to be MCPS central office types posting, it seems this may be the next step.

The schools with too many gifted outlier students did not just historically send the most Asian American student applicants, they also are the schools where the most active and vocal supporters of GT/Magnet programs reside. The east and upcountry parents aren't as active. Why would the GT community come out to fight to retain magnets that they are no longer eligible to attend?

MCPS will need to explain to the board why after reducing the number of Asian students they didn't substantially increase the number of URM students. All this mess and in the end its just more white kids. Seems likely at this point, the Board will question whether to keep the magnets.

Bussing kids across the county is a HUGE expense and benefits a fraction of the students, mostly UMC whites that MCPS and the BOE doesn't wish to help. They did this with compacted math to save money.

There was deep concern within MCCPTA about MCPS moving toward shutting down the GT programs with the study that was being done and getting rid of the program director. It really looks like MCPS central staff have been on several threads lately trying to push their propaganda. The latest floated isn't the change to the magnet so great because no its cheaper with fewer busses. Not exactly a parent sentiment.

[Anonymous]

But isn’t it beneficial for all to provide enriched classes in all schools? I agree with the County that we need to reduce the amount of busing in any way possible and if we can meet the needs of the kids in their home schools, then we should!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But isn’t it beneficial for all to provide enriched classes in all schools? I agree with the County that we need to reduce the amount of busing in any way possible and if we can meet the needs of the kids in their home schools, then we should!

I agree. While I don’t think the instruction provided in the home schools is sufficient, it’s the right model. Ultimately a kid should be able to find what they need in a home school, especially at the K-8 level.

[Anonymous]

But isn’t it beneficial for all to provide enriched classes in all schools? I agree with the County that we need to reduce the amount of busing in any way possible and if we can meet the needs of the kids in their home schools, then we should!

OP here - I don't actually disagree with a move to shut down the magnet programs. There is an argument to made that they harm struggling schools by skimming off the best students. Its a huge expense. From a health standpoint, it can not be good for tweens and teens to be spending over an hour commuting to school.

However, I know that many would object. I do disagree that MCPS is never forth coming with its objectives.

[Anonymous]

I think adding some focus to the top 25% to the curriculum at all schools is a good thing..but the top 3-5% will lose out if the centers disappear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But isn’t it beneficial for all to provide enriched classes in all schools? I agree with the County that we need to reduce the amount of busing in any way possible and if we can meet the needs of the kids in their home schools, then we should!

I agree. While I don’t think the instruction provided in the home schools is sufficient, it’s the right model. Ultimately a kid should be able to find what they need in a home school, especially at the K-8 level.

+1. My kids aren’t of magnet age yet, but the whole McPS model of choosing the top 1% as determined by standardized testing seems bizarre to me when you’re talking about 2nd graders. I would have no objection to the junking of the whole busing/magnet model in favor of well-designed enrichment classes that benefit the top 10-20% at each school. Probably would be cheaper anyway without the busing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think adding some focus to the top 25% to the curriculum at all schools is a good thing..but the top 3-5% will lose out if the centers disappear.

That’s BS. I scored 99th percentile in every test I took as a kid. I did enriched programs at my home school and was perfectly fine. I think you really don’t know that many kids in those percentiles. The only kids who truly need something completely removed from all other groups of kids are the ones with IQs in the 160s and above. By definition, those are few and far between.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But isn’t it beneficial for all to provide enriched classes in all schools? I agree with the County that we need to reduce the amount of busing in any way possible and if we can meet the needs of the kids in their home schools, then we should!

I agree. While I don’t think the instruction provided in the home schools is sufficient, it’s the right model. Ultimately a kid should be able to find what they need in a home school, especially at the K-8 level.

+1. My kids aren’t of magnet age yet, but the whole McPS model of choosing the top 1% as determined by standardized testing seems bizarre to me when you’re talking about 2nd graders. I would have no objection to the junking of the whole busing/magnet model in favor of well-designed enrichment classes that benefit the top 10-20% at each school. Probably would be cheaper anyway without the busing.

For larger schools, perhaps. For smaller schools, with only one or two classes per grade, you might have only a handful of kids who are several grades ahead of the rest of their class in ability. Would those kids get a specialist for just a few hours a week? Would that be enough to support them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But isn’t it beneficial for all to provide enriched classes in all schools? I agree with the County that we need to reduce the amount of busing in any way possible and if we can meet the needs of the kids in their home schools, then we should!

I agree. While I don’t think the instruction provided in the home schools is sufficient, it’s the right model. Ultimately a kid should be able to find what they need in a home school, especially at the K-8 level.

+1. My kids aren’t of magnet age yet, but the whole McPS model of choosing the top 1% as determined by standardized testing seems bizarre to me when you’re talking about 2nd graders. I would have no objection to the junking of the whole busing/magnet model in favor of well-designed enrichment classes that benefit the top 10-20% at each school. Probably would be cheaper anyway without the busing.

For larger schools, perhaps. For smaller schools, with only one or two classes per grade, you might have only a handful of kids who are several grades ahead of the rest of their class in ability. Would those kids get a specialist for just a few hours a week? Would that be enough to support them?[/quote
The smallest schools in MoCo aren’t that small. Anyway you can do mixed age/grade Enriched classes. Where I grew up in NY the gifted program was pullout 2-3 times a week in afternoons with a class of 3rd to 5th graders with differentiated assignments. Kids were supposed to be the top of their class and sometimes you would see 3rd graders who were at the same level as the gifted 5th graders.

[Anonymous]

Fine with me. Most kids at my kids’ elementary school don’t want to be bused far away. Better to serve the kids closer to home.

[Anonymous]

The high school magnets are the big expense. These would need to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But isn’t it beneficial for all to provide enriched classes in all schools? I agree with the County that we need to reduce the amount of busing in any way possible and if we can meet the needs of the kids in their home schools, then we should!

I agree. While I don’t think the instruction provided in the home schools is sufficient, it’s the right model. Ultimately a kid should be able to find what they need in a home school, especially at the K-8 level.

+1. My kids aren’t of magnet age yet, but the whole McPS model of choosing the top 1% as determined by standardized testing seems bizarre to me when you’re talking about 2nd graders. I would have no objection to the junking of the whole busing/magnet model in favor of well-designed enrichment classes that benefit the top 10-20% at each school. Probably would be cheaper anyway without the busing.

For larger schools, perhaps. For smaller schools, with only one or two classes per grade, you might have only a handful of kids who are several grades ahead of the rest of their class in ability. Would those kids get a specialist for just a few hours a week? Would that be enough to support them?[/quote
The smallest schools in MoCo aren’t that small. Anyway you can do mixed age/grade Enriched classes. Where I grew up in NY the gifted program was pullout 2-3 times a week in afternoons with a class of 3rd to 5th graders with differentiated assignments. Kids were supposed to be the top of their class and sometimes you would see 3rd graders who were at the same level as the gifted 5th graders.

Right at smaller schools with only 2 classes per grade, that means half the kids. If you think they are getting the same experience as kids at the regional magnets now..you are wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or at least water them down by providing faux gifted programs in home schools and stop providing bussing? After reading several threads and a few posts that appear to be MCPS central office types posting, it seems this may be the next step.

The schools with too many gifted outlier students did not just historically send the most Asian American student applicants, they also are the schools where the most active and vocal supporters of GT/Magnet programs reside. The east and upcountry parents aren't as active. Why would the GT community come out to fight to retain magnets that they are no longer eligible to attend?

MCPS will need to explain to the board why after reducing the number of Asian students they didn't substantially increase the number of URM students. All this mess and in the end its just more white kids. Seems likely at this point, the Board will question whether to keep the magnets.

Bussing kids across the county is a HUGE expense and benefits a fraction of the students, mostly UMC whites that MCPS and the BOE doesn't wish to help. They did this with compacted math to save money.

There was deep concern within MCCPTA about MCPS moving toward shutting down the GT programs with the study that was being done and getting rid of the program director. It really looks like MCPS central staff have been on several threads lately trying to push their propaganda. The latest floated isn't the change to the magnet so great because no its cheaper with fewer busses. Not exactly a parent sentiment.

Oh, You again? WHERE are you getting the data to make these claims?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think adding some focus to the top 25% to the curriculum at all schools is a good thing..but the top 3-5% will lose out if the centers disappear.

That’s BS. I scored 99th percentile in every test I took as a kid. I did enriched programs at my home school and was perfectly fine. I think you really don’t know that many kids in those percentiles. The only kids who truly need something completely removed from all other groups of kids are the ones with IQs in the 160s and above. By definition, those are few and far between.

+1. And even for the kids with IQ scores in the 160s, unless you are trying to Dougie Howser them and send them to Harvard at age 11, they are better off working in their social skills in a mainstreamed K-8. Those kids will be fine academically but do need a lot of social skills scaffolding. The trick is to give them energy ugh challenge that they don’t check out altogether. A good enriched program can do that. Even giving more teachers GT training would help. My kid’s teacher (at his regular home school) had a GT masters and the difference in his approach was notable. It made all the difference for that year.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, since these programs are put in the schools with poor people and in ghetto area or inaccessible areas (Poolesville) they should shut it down. Let W schools rule!!

When magnet students go to their home schools they are top performing students. They have higher chances of getting into Ivy schools. Affluent people and Asians will always supplement their students so that's great.

Asians will move to NoVa, because they are not wedded to any specific place in DMV, so so-called better schools like QO, NW and Damascus will become what they really are - low performing schools with all races except Asians.

Do it. I dare you, MCPS. Because Asians are already going to HoCo and schools like Centennial HS.