Addressing Teaching Quality and Equity in Education at McLean High School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Funny how posters are bringing up other schools when the OP is only talking about McLean.

Because McLean isn’t special in this regard. It’s a government-funded school, with pros and cons in common with others.

But it is special. Better teachers and students/families gravitate there. So, indeed, it is somewhat surprising that the OP's child has such a weak teacher. But this is what you get with unions. Good luck getting rid of the bad teachers.

🤣🤣🤣 Unions? What a dolt you are!

+1

https://www.fcft.org/

About FCFT
The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers are a union of non-administrative certified and classified Fairfax County Public Schools employees. FCFT members are teachers, counselors, social workers, librarians, teaching assistants, bus drivers, food service, clerical employees, psychologists, and other staff who work hard to make our students successful. We are standing together, united in our goal to improve both the working conditions for educators and the learning conditions for students.

The percentage of teachers that are part of FCFT is pretty small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I'm reaching out to share a concern and seek your insights. At McLean High School, known for its excellence, we've encountered a situation where our child's performance in two subjects did not improve until we hired private tutors, despite months of trying to work with the teachers. This drastic change from Ds and Fs to As has raised serious questions about the teaching effectiveness and the reliance on external tutoring for academic success.

It's troubling that success in these subjects seems contingent upon additional tutoring, which not all families can afford. This disparity begs the question: Why aren't teachers who consistently underperform held accountable, and how can we ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed without external help?

I believe it's crucial for our community to discuss these issues and advocate for a fair, high-quality educational experience for all students.

Maybe your child is in classes that they shouldn't be in if they require tutoring and extra hours studying? Not every kid needs to be in AP and Honors classes for every subject. It sound slike your child is capable of doing the work but needs a lot of extra support.

If that was the case why would tutoring fix the situation and same for other peers? Does it seem like a teaching problem?

Most kids with Ds and Fs do not receive those grades because they are doing their best and just don’t understand, they are usually not focused in class, not completing work, etc. Hiring a tutor who sits there to help the student finish assignments raises his grade, but is not an indictment of the teacher. It might be, but you can’t know that from your student’s individual experience.

I can see several scenarios.

1) Child has learning issues and needs a tutor to work with the child to learn the material in the manner that the child learns. Not every Teacher is able to teach to all learning styles. A bright kid with LDs or ADHD could very well need a specific method of instruction that is not happening in the classroom. SPED instruction/time has been problematic due to the lack of Teachers making it hard to meet kids needs.

2) Child is in a class where other kids have been supplemented/enriched and are able to move at a faster pace. Teacher moves at that pace because it is matching with the regular pacing guide, I am thinking AP//IB/DE type classes. The tutor essentially helps the child match that pace.

3) Child is not making a real effort, doesn't care. The Tutor essentially forces the child to pay attention and do the work and learn the material. It is easy for the kid to blame the teacher.

FAPE requires Schools to accommodate all these issues , you can't pass it off somewhere else if parents are not allowed to get vouchers for private school

Why wouldnt FCPS be thrilled if more SPED parents hired tutors? FAPE is expensive!

My brother and I have LDs, we had IEPs in Public School in the 1980's and 90's but also worked with tutors. It is rare that schools will be able to meet all of child's needs. FAPE is meant to provide kids with the ability to engage in their education but not to necessarily push a child to their full potential. Plenty of parents use outside tutors or supports in order to help their kids beyond what is available through the school.

WRONG.

The Supreme Court case "Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District" really shook things up for what schools need to do for students with disabilities. Before this case, the rule of thumb from an older case, "Board of Education v. Rowley," was that schools just had to give students with disabilities some kind of benefit from their education, which could be pretty minimal.

But in 2017, Endrew F., a kid with autism, and his parents didn't think his school was doing enough. They argued that the school's plan for him wasn't really set up to help him make progress. The Supreme Court agreed and said that schools have to do more than just the bare minimum. They need to make sure their education plans are specially made for each student with disabilities, aiming to help them actually make progress that makes sense for them personally, not just any progress.

So, thanks to Endrew F.'s case, schools now have a higher bar to meet. They've got to really think about what each student needs and make sure they're helping them grow and learn in a way that's right for them. It's all about making sure students with disabilities get a fair shot at learning and improving, just like everyone else.

Progress does not mean A’s or full potential. I can easily see an IEP that allowed for progress and still require tutoring if parents want the child to earn more then a C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how posters are bringing up other schools when the OP is only talking about McLean.

Because McLean isn’t special in this regard. It’s a government-funded school, with pros and cons in common with others.

But it is special. Better teachers and students/families gravitate there. So, indeed, it is somewhat surprising that the OP's child has such a weak teacher. But this is what you get with unions. Good luck getting rid of the bad teachers.

🤣🤣🤣 Unions? What a dolt you are!

+1

https://www.fcft.org/

About FCFT
The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers are a union of non-administrative certified and classified Fairfax County Public Schools employees. FCFT members are teachers, counselors, social workers, librarians, teaching assistants, bus drivers, food service, clerical employees, psychologists, and other staff who work hard to make our students successful. We are standing together, united in our goal to improve both the working conditions for educators and the learning conditions for students.

The percentage of teachers that are part of FCFT is pretty small.

So wait a minute. You or another PP had the audacity to call someone a "dolt" for mentioning the FCPS teachers' union. Now that you've been proven wrong, that's your only response? I think we all know exactly who the dolt is here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered Tutor.com?

According to FCPS FAQ on Are tutors qualified?

"Tutors are highly qualified. They go through a rigorous vetting process, including education verification and multiple background checks. They also have to pass a subject matter exam and complete an interview. Also, Tutor.com has a quality specialist team that reviews sessions to ensure their tutors are always providing the highest level of support."

What more could you ask for?

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been paying for tutors for my kids in the McLean pyramid ever since their early elementary days. It was a benefit for them to have 1:1 instruction with someone (who was NOT ME) who could help them with questions and clarify things.

I think teaching and school is so different than when any of us went to school - curriculums have changed, teaching styles have changed, the avalanche of testing within the school year (this has ramped up significantly in the last 3-4 years) and it seems like the looming threat of "getting into a good school" has fueled this hyper competitive approach and environment.

Unfortunately, I think it is very difficult for someone who doesn't have outside help (even if that help can/does come from a parent or adult that can help them) to keep up with kids that do. Think back to your educational experience - you had good teachers, bad teachers, teachers that you didn't like and teachers that didn't like you. It's all part of it - McLean or not.

If your kid needs extra help, there are a lot of resources out there for them. Free online tutoring through FCPS, Khan Academy, your own knowledge (e.g. reading their essays, helping them with math, etc) and just general support at home. If your kid is expressing that they need help, help them. Yes, it may be a teacher, but you can't pin that all on them.

This is bs. Neither of my kids had math tutoring or math enrichment outside of school yet still managed to do well in HS math classes. Including BC Calc and beyond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I've been paying for tutors for my kids in the McLean pyramid ever since their early elementary days. It was a benefit for them to have 1:1 instruction with someone (who was NOT ME) who could help them with questions and clarify things.

I think teaching and school is so different than when any of us went to school - curriculums have changed, teaching styles have changed, the avalanche of testing within the school year (this has ramped up significantly in the last 3-4 years) and it seems like the looming threat of "getting into a good school" has fueled this hyper competitive approach and environment.

Unfortunately, I think it is very difficult for someone who doesn't have outside help (even if that help can/does come from a parent or adult that can help them) to keep up with kids that do. Think back to your educational experience - you had good teachers, bad teachers, teachers that you didn't like and teachers that didn't like you. It's all part of it - McLean or not.

If your kid needs extra help, there are a lot of resources out there for them. Free online tutoring through FCPS, Khan Academy, your own knowledge (e.g. reading their essays, helping them with math, etc) and just general support at home. If your kid is expressing that they need help, help them. Yes, it may be a teacher, but you can't pin that all on them.


This is bs. Neither of my kids had math tutoring or math enrichment outside of school yet still managed to do well in HS math classes. Including BC Calc and beyond.

How is this BS? This is my personal experience and I'm a real person whose kids are in the McLean Pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reaching out to share a concern and seek your insights. At McLean High School, known for its excellence, we've encountered a situation where our child's performance in two subjects did not improve until we hired private tutors, despite months of trying to work with the teachers. This drastic change from Ds and Fs to As has raised serious questions about the teaching effectiveness and the reliance on external tutoring for academic success.

It's troubling that success in these subjects seems contingent upon additional tutoring, which not all families can afford. This disparity begs the question: Why aren't teachers who consistently underperform held accountable, and how can we ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed without external help?

I believe it's crucial for our community to discuss these issues and advocate for a fair, high-quality educational experience for all students.

Then keep using a tutor. FCPS won't replace bad teachers. There is a teacher shortage issue.

Yes and the shortage is getting worse not better. I think you also need to look at the ratio-tutoring is 1:1 classrooms are pushing the 30 mark due to the shortage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how posters are bringing up other schools when the OP is only talking about McLean.

Because McLean isn’t special in this regard. It’s a government-funded school, with pros and cons in common with others.

But it is special. Better teachers and students/families gravitate there. So, indeed, it is somewhat surprising that the OP's child has such a weak teacher. But this is what you get with unions. Good luck getting rid of the bad teachers.

Teachers flip this and say good luck getting rid of the bad parents lol

[Anonymous]

We've been pleased with the teachers at McLean. Class sizes are too big and that's not their fault. Occasionally there is a behavior management issue where some teachers know how to run a tight ship with certain students, and then one doesn't set enough boundaries and it takes away from class time Overall, though I think quality has been very good.

[Anonymous]

There is a teacher shortage. Until teachers are paid better and valued for what they do, this will continue to be a problem at all schools. It's not exclusive to McLean.

FCPS has free tutoring.

https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/tutoring-options-fcps/tutorcom-online-tutoring-services

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been paying for tutors for my kids in the McLean pyramid ever since their early elementary days. It was a benefit for them to have 1:1 instruction with someone (who was NOT ME) who could help them with questions and clarify things.

I think teaching and school is so different than when any of us went to school - curriculums have changed, teaching styles have changed, the avalanche of testing within the school year (this has ramped up significantly in the last 3-4 years) and it seems like the looming threat of "getting into a good school" has fueled this hyper competitive approach and environment.

Unfortunately, I think it is very difficult for someone who doesn't have outside help (even if that help can/does come from a parent or adult that can help them) to keep up with kids that do. Think back to your educational experience - you had good teachers, bad teachers, teachers that you didn't like and teachers that didn't like you. It's all part of it - McLean or not.

If your kid needs extra help, there are a lot of resources out there for them. Free online tutoring through FCPS, Khan Academy, your own knowledge (e.g. reading their essays, helping them with math, etc) and just general support at home. If your kid is expressing that they need help, help them. Yes, it may be a teacher, but you can't pin that all on them.

This is bs. Neither of my kids had math tutoring or math enrichment outside of school yet still managed to do well in HS math classes. Including BC Calc and beyond.

+1. None of my kids have used tutors or outside enrichment. My kids do tell me about peers who are struggling, who initially started in honors classes then dropped down to regular, but probably should have been in lower math in the first place to develop a foundation. I remember very clearly prior to middle school the administrators urging us not to enroll our kids in higher math before the kids had developed a strong foundation. We have held to that principle (starting out in regular classes, then moving to honors). By the time my kids were seniors, they became strong students, earning 5s on their AP exams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how posters are bringing up other schools when the OP is only talking about McLean.

Because McLean isn’t special in this regard. It’s a government-funded school, with pros and cons in common with others.

But it is special. Better teachers and students/families gravitate there. So, indeed, it is somewhat surprising that the OP's child has such a weak teacher. But this is what you get with unions. Good luck getting rid of the bad teachers.

🤣🤣🤣 Unions? What a dolt you are!

+1

https://www.fcft.org/

About FCFT
The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers are a union of non-administrative certified and classified Fairfax County Public Schools employees. FCFT members are teachers, counselors, social workers, librarians, teaching assistants, bus drivers, food service, clerical employees, psychologists, and other staff who work hard to make our students successful. We are standing together, united in our goal to improve both the working conditions for educators and the learning conditions for students.

The percentage of teachers that are part of FCFT is pretty small.

So wait a minute. You or another PP had the audacity to call someone a "dolt" for mentioning the FCPS teachers' union. Now that you've been proven wrong, that's your only response? I think we all know exactly who the dolt is here.

I’m the PP from above, not the one that used the word “dolt”. You know that there’s more than two people on this thread, right? Clearly, you are the dolt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how posters are bringing up other schools when the OP is only talking about McLean.

Because McLean isn’t special in this regard. It’s a government-funded school, with pros and cons in common with others.

But it is special. Better teachers and students/families gravitate there. So, indeed, it is somewhat surprising that the OP's child has such a weak teacher. But this is what you get with unions. Good luck getting rid of the bad teachers.

🤣🤣🤣 Unions? What a dolt you are!

+1

https://www.fcft.org/

About FCFT
The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers are a union of non-administrative certified and classified Fairfax County Public Schools employees. FCFT members are teachers, counselors, social workers, librarians, teaching assistants, bus drivers, food service, clerical employees, psychologists, and other staff who work hard to make our students successful. We are standing together, united in our goal to improve both the working conditions for educators and the learning conditions for students.

The percentage of teachers that are part of FCFT is pretty small.

So wait a minute. You or another PP had the audacity to call someone a "dolt" for mentioning the FCPS teachers' union. Now that you've been proven wrong, that's your only response? I think we all know exactly who the dolt is here.

I’m the PP from above, not the one that used the word “dolt”. You know that there’s more than two people on this thread, right? Clearly, you are the dolt.

Right - which is why I said "You or another PP..." Reading is fundamental. Clearly it was the other PP. And they are indeed a dolt who has noticeably not returned after being proven wrong.

[Anonymous]

It’s the entire FCPS, parents have supplemented their kids education for years, that’s why FCPS is rated higher. I found out the hard way.