School Board is Failing – Central High with 80% Poverty is Blowing McLean and Langley Out of the Water

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're a troll if you can't see why schools with a large percentage of students living in poverty would need more funding than schools with high SES.

You are missing the point, Central high has 80% poverty and has higher test scores than mclean and langley.

Asians/Africans or cooking the books?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The FCPS school board is failing miserably. They’re throwing money at failing schools like Falls Church and Justice, reducing teacher ratios, yet no results. Meanwhile, McLean and Langley, some of the top schools in the state, are being ignored. It’s time for Fairfax County taxpayers to demand better! Why are we funding failure and letting our best schools suffer? Here's the comparison:

Central High: 80.7% poverty, 83.27 score, $5,947 per pupil
McLean High: 12.2% poverty, 78.63 score, $8,768 per pupil
Langley High: 3.9% poverty, 82.25 score, $8,882 per pupil
Falls Church High: 61.4% poverty, 28.94 score, $11,958 per pupil
Justice High: 66.8% poverty, 33.12 score, $11,096 per pupil
It’s time to hold the school board accountable! What are your thoughts?

SchoolDigger Links:
Central High: www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/schools/0408001789/school.aspx
Falls Church High: www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/schools/0126000505/school.aspx
McLean High: www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/schools/0126000517/school.aspx
Langley High: www.schooldigger.com/go/VA/schools/0126000468/school.aspx

This post has to be a contender for the stupidest post of the year. Really dumb!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it pretty likely that the kids in poverty in Wise, VA are native English speakers? And those in poverty in our area are not.

Here you go, demographics of student body in Wise County Va., Demographics of student body in Wise County Va., Hispanic numbers so low they can't be counted.

https://schoolquality.virginia.gov/schools/wise-primary

Numbers are so low, they can't be counted... which last I checked puts them somewhere near 3%. Oh well. Who'd have thunk it.

Why does it matter if most kids in Wise County are native English speakers? The issue isn't just language. Fairfax County has double the per-student funding but still struggles in many schools compared to places like Wise, which makes do with less. If language barriers are a challenge here, that just points to a failure in how FCPS is addressing those needs. The real question is: What is FCPS doing with all that extra funding to help English learners succeed? That’s what matters.

Is English your native language? Just curious because that might help your inability to grasp they big picture key concepts. Like they spend just as much money per pupil as the underperforming HSs in FCPS, for all of their HSs, but without the need to teach to young adults, who may live in homes where the parents are illiterate, which means they themselves are most likely illiterate, how to read, and write in not only English but often times their native languages as well. 40% of the student body at Justice is labeled English Learner, and 15% are Special Education. 40% are English Learners in HS, which means that they are more than likely recent arrivals, not to mention those that entered the system in ES school who do to demographics may be proficient enough to pass a standardized test, but just barely.

Comparing a homogenous school district comprised of majority white students, where everyone speaks English, to one where approximately 40% are English learners is apples to oranges.

I took 4 years of HS French, but if you had given me an SOL in any subject written in French and not English, on the first day of instruction year 1 and repeated the same on the last day of the last year of instruction year 4, I would have had the same dismal results... fail. Don't underestimate the benefit of being having your native language be English, and having literate parents.

You can teach any dummy to read in their native language well enough to pass a SOL test. And if their parents are native English speakers and not illiterate themselves this isn't a high bar at all.

Let’s address the points without resorting to insults or name-calling.

First, FCPS spends significantly more per student—around $10,176—compared to Wise County's $5,947. Yet, Fairfax County struggles to outperform schools with far fewer resources. That's not just about language barriers; it’s a management issue. If language challenges are well-known, then why isn’t FCPS using its extra funding more effectively to address them?

Second, while 40% of Justice High students are English learners, that’s no excuse for poor outcomes. Schools like Langley and McLean, with fewer ESOL students, still outperform many other schools in the district. So, blaming demographics alone doesn’t hold water when the real issue is how FCPS is using its resources. If Central High can perform well despite high poverty, then FCPS has no excuse with its higher funding.

In the end, if the district can't turn its massive funding into better results, the problem isn’t just about ESOL students—it’s about how poorly FCPS is managing resources and failing to serve all students. Instead of dismissing legitimate concerns with insults, we should be talking about why the district isn’t delivering the outcomes we’re paying for.

The idea that per pupil spending in FCPS is twice that of Wise county is just false. If you account for differences in COL, and ESL and Special Education costs. FCPS is underfunded, but even if you don't account for those extra expenses, the difference still isn't even close to what you are making up.

Personally I'd like to see more of my tax dollars stay local and not be distributed around the state... but then I guess you'd still have majority dirt roads and gas street lamps in Wise County were that the case.

Is this the new Republican rallying cry, first CRT now the children of dairy farmers are blowing McLean and Langley out of the water.

Please try harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously this OP is a dedicated troll who doesn't understand vaseox economics like cost of living and purchasing power parity.

For some strange reason, she'd rather sacrificing her children's education (based on whatever secret metrkcs are showing failure) than move to the utopia of Wise County.

Calling me a "dedicated troll" just dodges the issue and doesn’t contribute to the conversation. I’m not here to make anyone mad—I'm raising real concerns about FCPS underperforming relative to its resources. Ignoring the fact that FCPS spends far more per student than places like Wise County, yet some schools still struggle, is worth discussing.

Yes, Fairfax County has a higher cost of living, but that doesn’t excuse the lack of results. The point isn't about moving somewhere else; it's about holding FCPS accountable for how it uses its resources and why it isn’t doing better. Shutting down this conversation with insults won’t solve the problem.

No one is saying anyone needs to move anywhere, just explaining the disparity in school funding. It costs more to run a school in an expensive area.

Do you understand? Or do you need any additional explanation?

Saying average test scores are meaningless just isn’t true. They’re a valid way to see how well a school is teaching its students, especially in key subjects. Sure, no single number tells the whole story, but test scores are a big part of how schools, districts, and even states measure success.

Dismissing these numbers ignores how education is evaluated at every level. Plus, if schools are spending more but still scoring low, that’s a red flag about how resources are being used. It’s not "bad data"—it’s real info showing where things aren’t working.

I agree. What are average AP calc scores at central? AP English language? AP bio? Lets compare those scores to get a good sampling. Wait, Central offers no advanced classes, can we mark them down for 0s in the comparison?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:US News College Readiness Index/National Ranking:

Langley High: 72.6 /148

McLean High: 71.7 /218

Central High: N/A (due to absence of advanced courses) /6067

Be gone, troll.

While Langley and McLean rank highly on the US News College Readiness Index, comparing them directly to Central High doesn’t paint the full picture. Central High's lack of advanced courses does affect its ranking, but my point was about SOL performance and resource management, not advanced coursework. FCPS schools have significantly more resources yet still face academic struggles. The rankings don’t change the fact that FCPS is underperforming given its funding and resources. Let's focus on fixing what’s wrong rather than dismissing valid concerns.

You’re comparing apples to oranges.

And VA high schools, including FCPS, are UNDERfunded.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/virginias-largest-school-district-faces-budget-shortfall-teacher-raises-at-risk.amp

You’re claiming VA high schools, including FCPS, are underfunded, but that doesn't hold up when Fairfax County has a $260 million budget surplus for 2024 https://www.ffxnow.com/2024/08/08/fairfax-county-executive-unveils-proposal-for-260-million-budget-surplus/. The issue isn’t a lack of funding—it's how the money is being managed. FCPS has plenty of resources, yet many schools are still struggling, so it's not just about funding but effective allocation.

The county having a surplus isn’t the same thing as FCPS funding.

Troll.

It’s true that the county surplus isn’t the same as direct FCPS funding, but they’re connected. Out of the $260M surplus, only $9.53M is going to FCPS, mostly for infrastructure projects, not for teacher raises or classroom needs.

Most of the surplus is being allocated to public safety, parks, and other areas, leaving schools underfunded. If the county has this much extra, why isn’t more of it going directly to teachers and students?

When comparing spending between FCPS and Wise County, Fairfax’s cost of living is 60-70% higher. If Wise County’s spending was adjusted for the higher COL, they’d be spending $9,515 to $10,110 per student. FCPS currently spends $10,176, meaning they’re spending 7% more at the lower COL adjustment and 0.65% more at the higher adjustment.

Even if some argue that FCPS is underfunded, the per-student spending is already proportional or more than Wise County, meaning the issue isn’t purely about funding but how the funds are being used.

So, if FCPS is already spending 7% more proportionally, why aren’t they seeing the same or better results as Wise County? This suggests a clear issue with resource management. More of the surplus should be directed to teachers and classrooms to address these issues and ensure FCPS gets better outcomes for the resources it already has.

This points to both a Fairfax County and FCPS mismanagement problem that needs to be addressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously this OP is a dedicated troll who doesn't understand vaseox economics like cost of living and purchasing power parity.

For some strange reason, she'd rather sacrificing her children's education (based on whatever secret metrkcs are showing failure) than move to the utopia of Wise County.

Calling me a "dedicated troll" just dodges the issue and doesn’t contribute to the conversation. I’m not here to make anyone mad—I'm raising real concerns about FCPS underperforming relative to its resources. Ignoring the fact that FCPS spends far more per student than places like Wise County, yet some schools still struggle, is worth discussing.

Yes, Fairfax County has a higher cost of living, but that doesn’t excuse the lack of results. The point isn't about moving somewhere else; it's about holding FCPS accountable for how it uses its resources and why it isn’t doing better. Shutting down this conversation with insults won’t solve the problem.

No one is saying anyone needs to move anywhere, just explaining the disparity in school funding. It costs more to run a school in an expensive area.

Do you understand? Or do you need any additional explanation?

Saying average test scores are meaningless just isn’t true. They’re a valid way to see how well a school is teaching its students, especially in key subjects. Sure, no single number tells the whole story, but test scores are a big part of how schools, districts, and even states measure success.

Dismissing these numbers ignores how education is evaluated at every level. Plus, if schools are spending more but still scoring low, that’s a red flag about how resources are being used. It’s not "bad data"—it’s real info showing where things aren’t working.

I agree. What are average AP calc scores at central? AP English language? AP bio? Lets compare those scores to get a good sampling. Wait, Central offers no advanced classes, can we mark them down for 0s in the comparison?

Why are you so focused on AP scores? We’re talking about average baseline standards, not the top-performing AP group. The discussion is about how well all students are doing, not just those taking advanced classes.

But you might have a point—if the AP group in FCPS is performing well, it could actually be pulling up the overall averages for the district. So, if we take out the AP group, the average scores for the larger, non-AP population could be even worse. The point is that baseline standards should be strong for all students, not just those in advanced classes. The fact that Central doesn’t offer AP classes doesn’t change that—they’re still managing to get good results on their baseline standards, which is the core of this conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're a troll if you can't see why schools with a large percentage of students living in poverty would need more funding than schools with high SES.

You are missing the point, Central high has 80% poverty and has higher test scores than mclean and langley.

Poor kids can't be smart?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously this OP is a dedicated troll who doesn't understand vaseox economics like cost of living and purchasing power parity.

For some strange reason, she'd rather sacrificing her children's education (based on whatever secret metrkcs are showing failure) than move to the utopia of Wise County.

Calling me a "dedicated troll" just dodges the issue and doesn’t contribute to the conversation. I’m not here to make anyone mad—I'm raising real concerns about FCPS underperforming relative to its resources. Ignoring the fact that FCPS spends far more per student than places like Wise County, yet some schools still struggle, is worth discussing.

Yes, Fairfax County has a higher cost of living, but that doesn’t excuse the lack of results. The point isn't about moving somewhere else; it's about holding FCPS accountable for how it uses its resources and why it isn’t doing better. Shutting down this conversation with insults won’t solve the problem.

No one is saying anyone needs to move anywhere, just explaining the disparity in school funding. It costs more to run a school in an expensive area.

Do you understand? Or do you need any additional explanation?

Saying average test scores are meaningless just isn’t true. They’re a valid way to see how well a school is teaching its students, especially in key subjects. Sure, no single number tells the whole story, but test scores are a big part of how schools, districts, and even states measure success.

Dismissing these numbers ignores how education is evaluated at every level. Plus, if schools are spending more but still scoring low, that’s a red flag about how resources are being used. It’s not "bad data"—it’s real info showing where things aren’t working.

I agree. What are average AP calc scores at central? AP English language? AP bio? Lets compare those scores to get a good sampling. Wait, Central offers no advanced classes, can we mark them down for 0s in the comparison?

Why are you so focused on AP scores? We’re talking about average baseline standards, not the top-performing AP group. The discussion is about how well all students are doing, not just those taking advanced classes.

But you might have a point—if the AP group in FCPS is performing well, it could actually be pulling up the overall averages for the district. So, if we take out the AP group, the average scores for the larger, non-AP population could be even worse. The point is that baseline standards should be strong for all students, not just those in advanced classes. The fact that Central doesn’t offer AP classes doesn’t change that—they’re still managing to get good results on their baseline standards, which is the core of this conversation.

Have you ever taken a stats class?

The US is painfully innumerate and data illiterate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it pretty likely that the kids in poverty in Wise, VA are native English speakers? And those in poverty in our area are not.

Here you go, demographics of student body in Wise County Va., Demographics of student body in Wise County Va., Hispanic numbers so low they can't be counted.

https://schoolquality.virginia.gov/schools/wise-primary

Numbers are so low, they can't be counted... which last I checked puts them somewhere near 3%. Oh well. Who'd have thunk it.

Why does it matter if most kids in Wise County are native English speakers? The issue isn't just language. Fairfax County has double the per-student funding but still struggles in many schools compared to places like Wise, which makes do with less. If language barriers are a challenge here, that just points to a failure in how FCPS is addressing those needs. The real question is: What is FCPS doing with all that extra funding to help English learners succeed? That’s what matters.

Is English your native language? Just curious because that might help your inability to grasp they big picture key concepts. Like they spend just as much money per pupil as the underperforming HSs in FCPS, for all of their HSs, but without the need to teach to young adults, who may live in homes where the parents are illiterate, which means they themselves are most likely illiterate, how to read, and write in not only English but often times their native languages as well. 40% of the student body at Justice is labeled English Learner, and 15% are Special Education. 40% are English Learners in HS, which means that they are more than likely recent arrivals, not to mention those that entered the system in ES school who do to demographics may be proficient enough to pass a standardized test, but just barely.

Comparing a homogenous school district comprised of majority white students, where everyone speaks English, to one where approximately 40% are English learners is apples to oranges.

I took 4 years of HS French, but if you had given me an SOL in any subject written in French and not English, on the first day of instruction year 1 and repeated the same on the last day of the last year of instruction year 4, I would have had the same dismal results... fail. Don't underestimate the benefit of being having your native language be English, and having literate parents.

You can teach any dummy to read in their native language well enough to pass a SOL test. And if their parents are native English speakers and not illiterate themselves this isn't a high bar at all.

Let’s address the points without resorting to insults or name-calling.

First, FCPS spends significantly more per student—around $10,176—compared to Wise County's $5,947. Yet, Fairfax County struggles to outperform schools with far fewer resources. That's not just about language barriers; it’s a management issue. If language challenges are well-known, then why isn’t FCPS using its extra funding more effectively to address them?

Second, while 40% of Justice High students are English learners, that’s no excuse for poor outcomes. Schools like Langley and McLean, with fewer ESOL students, still outperform many other schools in the district. So, blaming demographics alone doesn’t hold water when the real issue is how FCPS is using its resources. If Central High can perform well despite high poverty, then FCPS has no excuse with its higher funding.

In the end, if the district can't turn its massive funding into better results, the problem isn’t just about ESOL students—it’s about how poorly FCPS is managing resources and failing to serve all students. Instead of dismissing legitimate concerns with insults, we should be talking about why the district isn’t delivering the outcomes we’re paying for.

The idea that per pupil spending in FCPS is twice that of Wise county is just false. If you account for differences in COL, and ESL and Special Education costs. FCPS is underfunded, but even if you don't account for those extra expenses, the difference still isn't even close to what you are making up.

Personally I'd like to see more of my tax dollars stay local and not be distributed around the state... but then I guess you'd still have majority dirt roads and gas street lamps in Wise County were that the case.

Is this the new Republican rallying cry, first CRT now the children of dairy farmers are blowing McLean and Langley out of the water.

Please try harder.

Read my post—I did the COL proportions. Even when adjusting for COL, FCPS is spending 7% more per student than Wise County, which is around $10,176 compared to Wise’s $5,947. So, no, it’s not “twice the spending,” but FCPS is still spending more per student, even after accounting for the higher costs.

I’m not here to argue about CRT or partisan issues—this isn’t some Republican talking point. It’s just facts and data. Wise County, with 80% poverty and a significant portion of students on free or reduced lunch, is still getting comparable or better results in certain areas despite lower spending.

If FCPS is claiming to be underfunded, it’s worth asking why the results aren’t proportional to the amount they spend. This is about resource management and getting results with the money they have, not about partisan rhetoric. Let's focus on what matters: why isn't FCPS doing better with the resources it already has?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:US News College Readiness Index/National Ranking:

Langley High: 72.6 /148

McLean High: 71.7 /218

Central High: N/A (due to absence of advanced courses) /6067

Be gone, troll.

While Langley and McLean rank highly on the US News College Readiness Index, comparing them directly to Central High doesn’t paint the full picture. Central High's lack of advanced courses does affect its ranking, but my point was about SOL performance and resource management, not advanced coursework. FCPS schools have significantly more resources yet still face academic struggles. The rankings don’t change the fact that FCPS is underperforming given its funding and resources. Let's focus on fixing what’s wrong rather than dismissing valid concerns.

You’re comparing apples to oranges.

And VA high schools, including FCPS, are UNDERfunded.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/virginias-largest-school-district-faces-budget-shortfall-teacher-raises-at-risk.amp

You’re claiming VA high schools, including FCPS, are underfunded, but that doesn't hold up when Fairfax County has a $260 million budget surplus for 2024 https://www.ffxnow.com/2024/08/08/fairfax-county-executive-unveils-proposal-for-260-million-budget-surplus/. The issue isn’t a lack of funding—it's how the money is being managed. FCPS has plenty of resources, yet many schools are still struggling, so it's not just about funding but effective allocation.

The county having a surplus isn’t the same thing as FCPS funding.

Troll.

It’s true that the county surplus isn’t the same as direct FCPS funding, but they’re connected. Out of the $260M surplus, only $9.53M is going to FCPS, mostly for infrastructure projects, not for teacher raises or classroom needs.

Most of the surplus is being allocated to public safety, parks, and other areas, leaving schools underfunded. If the county has this much extra, why isn’t more of it going directly to teachers and students?

When comparing spending between FCPS and Wise County, Fairfax’s cost of living is 60-70% higher. If Wise County’s spending was adjusted for the higher COL, they’d be spending $9,515 to $10,110 per student. FCPS currently spends $10,176, meaning they’re spending 7% more at the lower COL adjustment and 0.65% more at the higher adjustment.

Even if some argue that FCPS is underfunded, the per-student spending is already proportional or more than Wise County, meaning the issue isn’t purely about funding but how the funds are being used.

So, if FCPS is already spending 7% more proportionally, why aren’t they seeing the same or better results as Wise County? This suggests a clear issue with resource management. More of the surplus should be directed to teachers and classrooms to address these issues and ensure FCPS gets better outcomes for the resources it already has.

This points to both a Fairfax County and FCPS mismanagement problem that needs to be addressed.

You are a wordy troll. Get paid by the character?

Apples and oranges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it pretty likely that the kids in poverty in Wise, VA are native English speakers? And those in poverty in our area are not.

Here you go, demographics of student body in Wise County Va., Demographics of student body in Wise County Va., Hispanic numbers so low they can't be counted.

https://schoolquality.virginia.gov/schools/wise-primary

Numbers are so low, they can't be counted... which last I checked puts them somewhere near 3%. Oh well. Who'd have thunk it.

Why does it matter if most kids in Wise County are native English speakers? The issue isn't just language. Fairfax County has double the per-student funding but still struggles in many schools compared to places like Wise, which makes do with less. If language barriers are a challenge here, that just points to a failure in how FCPS is addressing those needs. The real question is: What is FCPS doing with all that extra funding to help English learners succeed? That’s what matters.

Is English your native language? Just curious because that might help your inability to grasp they big picture key concepts. Like they spend just as much money per pupil as the underperforming HSs in FCPS, for all of their HSs, but without the need to teach to young adults, who may live in homes where the parents are illiterate, which means they themselves are most likely illiterate, how to read, and write in not only English but often times their native languages as well. 40% of the student body at Justice is labeled English Learner, and 15% are Special Education. 40% are English Learners in HS, which means that they are more than likely recent arrivals, not to mention those that entered the system in ES school who do to demographics may be proficient enough to pass a standardized test, but just barely.

Comparing a homogenous school district comprised of majority white students, where everyone speaks English, to one where approximately 40% are English learners is apples to oranges.

I took 4 years of HS French, but if you had given me an SOL in any subject written in French and not English, on the first day of instruction year 1 and repeated the same on the last day of the last year of instruction year 4, I would have had the same dismal results... fail. Don't underestimate the benefit of being having your native language be English, and having literate parents.

You can teach any dummy to read in their native language well enough to pass a SOL test. And if their parents are native English speakers and not illiterate themselves this isn't a high bar at all.

Let’s address the points without resorting to insults or name-calling.

First, FCPS spends significantly more per student—around $10,176—compared to Wise County's $5,947. Yet, Fairfax County struggles to outperform schools with far fewer resources. That's not just about language barriers; it’s a management issue. If language challenges are well-known, then why isn’t FCPS using its extra funding more effectively to address them?

Second, while 40% of Justice High students are English learners, that’s no excuse for poor outcomes. Schools like Langley and McLean, with fewer ESOL students, still outperform many other schools in the district. So, blaming demographics alone doesn’t hold water when the real issue is how FCPS is using its resources. If Central High can perform well despite high poverty, then FCPS has no excuse with its higher funding.

In the end, if the district can't turn its massive funding into better results, the problem isn’t just about ESOL students—it’s about how poorly FCPS is managing resources and failing to serve all students. Instead of dismissing legitimate concerns with insults, we should be talking about why the district isn’t delivering the outcomes we’re paying for.

The idea that per pupil spending in FCPS is twice that of Wise county is just false. If you account for differences in COL, and ESL and Special Education costs. FCPS is underfunded, but even if you don't account for those extra expenses, the difference still isn't even close to what you are making up.

Personally I'd like to see more of my tax dollars stay local and not be distributed around the state... but then I guess you'd still have majority dirt roads and gas street lamps in Wise County were that the case.

Is this the new Republican rallying cry, first CRT now the children of dairy farmers are blowing McLean and Langley out of the water.

Please try harder.

Read my post—I did the COL proportions. Even when adjusting for COL, FCPS is spending 7% more per student than Wise County, which is around $10,176 compared to Wise’s $5,947. So, no, it’s not “twice the spending,” but FCPS is still spending more per student, even after accounting for the higher costs.

I’m not here to argue about CRT or partisan issues—this isn’t some Republican talking point. It’s just facts and data. Wise County, with 80% poverty and a significant portion of students on free or reduced lunch, is still getting comparable or better results in certain areas despite lower spending.

If FCPS is claiming to be underfunded, it’s worth asking why the results aren’t proportional to the amount they spend. This is about resource management and getting results with the money they have, not about partisan rhetoric. Let's focus on what matters: why isn't FCPS doing better with the resources it already has?

Why do you keep repeating the same inaccurate numbers? They've already been disproven. Wise does not spend that per pupil. Neither does Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it pretty likely that the kids in poverty in Wise, VA are native English speakers? And those in poverty in our area are not.

Here you go, demographics of student body in Wise County Va., Demographics of student body in Wise County Va., Hispanic numbers so low they can't be counted.

https://schoolquality.virginia.gov/schools/wise-primary

Numbers are so low, they can't be counted... which last I checked puts them somewhere near 3%. Oh well. Who'd have thunk it.

Why does it matter if most kids in Wise County are native English speakers? The issue isn't just language. Fairfax County has double the per-student funding but still struggles in many schools compared to places like Wise, which makes do with less. If language barriers are a challenge here, that just points to a failure in how FCPS is addressing those needs. The real question is: What is FCPS doing with all that extra funding to help English learners succeed? That’s what matters.

Is English your native language? Just curious because that might help your inability to grasp they big picture key concepts. Like they spend just as much money per pupil as the underperforming HSs in FCPS, for all of their HSs, but without the need to teach to young adults, who may live in homes where the parents are illiterate, which means they themselves are most likely illiterate, how to read, and write in not only English but often times their native languages as well. 40% of the student body at Justice is labeled English Learner, and 15% are Special Education. 40% are English Learners in HS, which means that they are more than likely recent arrivals, not to mention those that entered the system in ES school who do to demographics may be proficient enough to pass a standardized test, but just barely.

Comparing a homogenous school district comprised of majority white students, where everyone speaks English, to one where approximately 40% are English learners is apples to oranges.

I took 4 years of HS French, but if you had given me an SOL in any subject written in French and not English, on the first day of instruction year 1 and repeated the same on the last day of the last year of instruction year 4, I would have had the same dismal results... fail. Don't underestimate the benefit of being having your native language be English, and having literate parents.

You can teach any dummy to read in their native language well enough to pass a SOL test. And if their parents are native English speakers and not illiterate themselves this isn't a high bar at all.

Let’s address the points without resorting to insults or name-calling.

First, FCPS spends significantly more per student—around $10,176—compared to Wise County's $5,947. Yet, Fairfax County struggles to outperform schools with far fewer resources. That's not just about language barriers; it’s a management issue. If language challenges are well-known, then why isn’t FCPS using its extra funding more effectively to address them?

Second, while 40% of Justice High students are English learners, that’s no excuse for poor outcomes. Schools like Langley and McLean, with fewer ESOL students, still outperform many other schools in the district. So, blaming demographics alone doesn’t hold water when the real issue is how FCPS is using its resources. If Central High can perform well despite high poverty, then FCPS has no excuse with its higher funding.

In the end, if the district can't turn its massive funding into better results, the problem isn’t just about ESOL students—it’s about how poorly FCPS is managing resources and failing to serve all students. Instead of dismissing legitimate concerns with insults, we should be talking about why the district isn’t delivering the outcomes we’re paying for.

The idea that per pupil spending in FCPS is twice that of Wise county is just false. If you account for differences in COL, and ESL and Special Education costs. FCPS is underfunded, but even if you don't account for those extra expenses, the difference still isn't even close to what you are making up.

Personally I'd like to see more of my tax dollars stay local and not be distributed around the state... but then I guess you'd still have majority dirt roads and gas street lamps in Wise County were that the case.

Is this the new Republican rallying cry, first CRT now the children of dairy farmers are blowing McLean and Langley out of the water.

Please try harder.

Read my post—I did the COL proportions. Even when adjusting for COL, FCPS is spending 7% more per student than Wise County, which is around $10,176 compared to Wise’s $5,947. So, no, it’s not “twice the spending,” but FCPS is still spending more per student, even after accounting for the higher costs.

I’m not here to argue about CRT or partisan issues—this isn’t some Republican talking point. It’s just facts and data. Wise County, with 80% poverty and a significant portion of students on free or reduced lunch, is still getting comparable or better results in certain areas despite lower spending.

If FCPS is claiming to be underfunded, it’s worth asking why the results aren’t proportional to the amount they spend. This is about resource management and getting results with the money they have, not about partisan rhetoric. Let's focus on what matters: why isn't FCPS doing better with the resources it already has?

Your “data” doesn’t support this claim.

Troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously this OP is a dedicated troll who doesn't understand vaseox economics like cost of living and purchasing power parity.

For some strange reason, she'd rather sacrificing her children's education (based on whatever secret metrkcs are showing failure) than move to the utopia of Wise County.

Calling me a "dedicated troll" just dodges the issue and doesn’t contribute to the conversation. I’m not here to make anyone mad—I'm raising real concerns about FCPS underperforming relative to its resources. Ignoring the fact that FCPS spends far more per student than places like Wise County, yet some schools still struggle, is worth discussing.

Yes, Fairfax County has a higher cost of living, but that doesn’t excuse the lack of results. The point isn't about moving somewhere else; it's about holding FCPS accountable for how it uses its resources and why it isn’t doing better. Shutting down this conversation with insults won’t solve the problem.

No one is saying anyone needs to move anywhere, just explaining the disparity in school funding. It costs more to run a school in an expensive area.

Do you understand? Or do you need any additional explanation?

Saying average test scores are meaningless just isn’t true. They’re a valid way to see how well a school is teaching its students, especially in key subjects. Sure, no single number tells the whole story, but test scores are a big part of how schools, districts, and even states measure success.

Dismissing these numbers ignores how education is evaluated at every level. Plus, if schools are spending more but still scoring low, that’s a red flag about how resources are being used. It’s not "bad data"—it’s real info showing where things aren’t working.

I agree. What are average AP calc scores at central? AP English language? AP bio? Lets compare those scores to get a good sampling. Wait, Central offers no advanced classes, can we mark them down for 0s in the comparison?

Why are you so focused on AP scores? We’re talking about average baseline standards, not the top-performing AP group. The discussion is about how well all students are doing, not just those taking advanced classes.

But you might have a point—if the AP group in FCPS is performing well, it could actually be pulling up the overall averages for the district. So, if we take out the AP group, the average scores for the larger, non-AP population could be even worse. The point is that baseline standards should be strong for all students, not just those in advanced classes. The fact that Central doesn’t offer AP classes doesn’t change that—they’re still managing to get good results on their baseline standards, which is the core of this conversation.

Because I couldn't care less about average SOL scores. I don't expect ELL students to pass a test designed for fluent english speakers. I do care about the district meeting the needs of high performing students which FCPS excels at and Central fails miserable at

[Anonymous]

What "test score" OP? You sound insane.

[Anonymous]

Can't wait to see this rehashed by Harry Jackson, Stephanie Lundquist-Arora, or some other GOP troll.

I was in a summer program with some kids from around the state, including SE Virginia (Lee County, Wise County, etc.). If you think those kids - regardless of how much their schools may drill on SOLs - are getting a better education than kids in FCPS, you are simply delusional.