Bethesda Today gives Josh Starr several quotes while downplaying MCEA, MCCPTA and petitions with 100s of signatures

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, I've gotten the impression that Bethesda Mag is now just another mouthpiece for MCPS. I miss Caitlynn Peetz.

It's more incompetence than a conspiracy. Bethesda Mag is not doing well financially so they hire interns and fresh college grads, who lack little real journalism experience. Yes, Peetz was great, I think she moved on to the Banner?

Peetz went to Education Week? Banner is someone else, though I understand she is highly esteemed too.

Talia Richardson at the Banner is fantastic. She’s why I subscribe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NAACP wrote a letter supporting it.

You mean Byron Jones wrote a letter supporting it.

That’s no different that MCCPTA. How many PTA members sign onto their letters? I’ve been a member in four different school PTA and the level of engagement from the delegate in conveying information between the county level and school has been minimal to nonexistent.

No, MCCPTA has two delegates from each school in the county eligible to vote on key matters, such as the regional programs. That's real representation. MCCPTA sent out a draft resolution on slowing the implementation of regional programs to help ensure quality, and all schools had the ability to discuss the issues. Delegates voted on this. If your delegates didn't present the issue, then I would suggest that you volunteer to do the hard work of community organizing, instead of mouthing off on an anonymous website.

+1

And, in addition to the 2 delegates/school, every PTA President can vote. So that is three votes per school and a genuine process for debating and making decisions on whether to take action.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NAACP wrote a letter supporting it.

You mean Byron Jones wrote a letter supporting it.

That’s no different that MCCPTA. How many PTA members sign onto their letters? I’ve been a member in four different school PTA and the level of engagement from the delegate in conveying information between the county level and school has been minimal to nonexistent.

No, MCCPTA has two delegates from each school in the county eligible to vote on key matters, such as the regional programs. That's real representation. MCCPTA sent out a draft resolution on slowing the implementation of regional programs to help ensure quality, and all schools had the ability to discuss the issues. Delegates voted on this. If your delegates didn't present the issue, then I would suggest that you volunteer to do the hard work of community organizing, instead of mouthing off on an anonymous website.

+1

And, in addition to the 2 delegates/school, every PTA President can vote. So that is three votes per school and a genuine process for debating and making decisions on whether to take action.

A few votes is not representative of the school population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They tried putting high profile programs in low income schools. How are those IB programs going at Watkins Mill and Kennedy?

I thought the Watkins Mill IB program was considered pretty successful? I know the one at Kennedy is not good and is generally avoided but that doesn't make all of them bad

Not sure I'd consider Watkins Mill successful.... https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DHXL5Z54F2FC/$file/MCPS%20IB%20Program%20Statistics.pdf

And yes, it's still a new program. But MCPS also hasn't done any analysis to determine what is working and what isn't.

Doesn't look that bad to me given nearly all the students receive farms

You'd have to take a look at a Watkins Mills course catalog - what are the electives offered? Watkin's Mill currently has ~1580 students. Will people choose to go to Watkin's Mill if they have a choice elsewhere to go? If Watkins Mill's population drops, they will have less class options. This regional system will have eastside losers; low-income school losers, and as always, westside, higher-income school that are the winners in this regional system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NAACP wrote a letter supporting it.

You mean Byron Jones wrote a letter supporting it.

That’s no different that MCCPTA. How many PTA members sign onto their letters? I’ve been a member in four different school PTA and the level of engagement from the delegate in conveying information between the county level and school has been minimal to nonexistent.

No, MCCPTA has two delegates from each school in the county eligible to vote on key matters, such as the regional programs. That's real representation. MCCPTA sent out a draft resolution on slowing the implementation of regional programs to help ensure quality, and all schools had the ability to discuss the issues. Delegates voted on this. If your delegates didn't present the issue, then I would suggest that you volunteer to do the hard work of community organizing, instead of mouthing off on an anonymous website.

+1

And, in addition to the 2 delegates/school, every PTA President can vote. So that is three votes per school and a genuine process for debating and making decisions on whether to take action.

A few votes is not representative of the school population.

As I wrote earlier, DP, get to work and organize your school's community to help ensure that people are well-informed. Don't just sit around and complain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NAACP wrote a letter supporting it.

You mean Byron Jones wrote a letter supporting it.

That’s no different that MCCPTA. How many PTA members sign onto their letters? I’ve been a member in four different school PTA and the level of engagement from the delegate in conveying information between the county level and school has been minimal to nonexistent.

MCCPTA resolutions always go out over our school's PTA listserv with a request for any feedback, and important ones (like the one regarding slowing down the regional program rollout and gathering feedback) get discussed during PTA meetings to inform the delegates' vote.

But even if not all delegates do that, the resolutions still get voted on by the delegates themselves-- literally hundreds of people debating and voting on every position MCCPTA takes. That is a far cry from one or a few people taking a position and claiming they speak for a whole coalition (and implicitly a whole demographic group.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They tried putting high profile programs in low income schools. How are those IB programs going at Watkins Mill and Kennedy?

I thought the Watkins Mill IB program was considered pretty successful? I know the one at Kennedy is not good and is generally avoided but that doesn't make all of them bad

Not sure I'd consider Watkins Mill successful.... https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DHXL5Z54F2FC/$file/MCPS%20IB%20Program%20Statistics.pdf

And yes, it's still a new program. But MCPS also hasn't done any analysis to determine what is working and what isn't.

Doesn't look that bad to me given nearly all the students receive farms

You'd have to take a look at a Watkins Mills course catalog - what are the electives offered? Watkin's Mill currently has ~1580 students. Will people choose to go to Watkin's Mill if they have a choice elsewhere to go? If Watkins Mill's population drops, they will have less class options. This regional system will have eastside losers; low-income school losers, and as always, westside, higher-income school that are the winners in this regional system.

But now you are arguing something else - about whether students will choose Watkins Mill, not about whether the IB program is good. I think even Thomas Taylor might have to concede this plan does nothing to improve schools overall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NAACP wrote a letter supporting it.

You mean Byron Jones wrote a letter supporting it.

That’s no different that MCCPTA. How many PTA members sign onto their letters? I’ve been a member in four different school PTA and the level of engagement from the delegate in conveying information between the county level and school has been minimal to nonexistent.

MCCPTA resolutions always go out over our school's PTA listserv with a request for any feedback, and important ones (like the one regarding slowing down the regional program rollout and gathering feedback) get discussed during PTA meetings to inform the delegates' vote.

But even if not all delegates do that, the resolutions still get voted on by the delegates themselves-- literally hundreds of people debating and voting on every position MCCPTA takes. That is a far cry from one or a few people taking a position and claiming they speak for a whole coalition (and implicitly a whole demographic group.)

It’s rarely discussed at our meetings and any opinions that are different are dismissed. They always vote in favor regardless of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NAACP wrote a letter supporting it.

You mean Byron Jones wrote a letter supporting it.

That’s no different that MCCPTA. How many PTA members sign onto their letters? I’ve been a member in four different school PTA and the level of engagement from the delegate in conveying information between the county level and school has been minimal to nonexistent.

No, MCCPTA has two delegates from each school in the county eligible to vote on key matters, such as the regional programs. That's real representation. MCCPTA sent out a draft resolution on slowing the implementation of regional programs to help ensure quality, and all schools had the ability to discuss the issues. Delegates voted on this. If your delegates didn't present the issue, then I would suggest that you volunteer to do the hard work of community organizing, instead of mouthing off on an anonymous website.

+1

And, in addition to the 2 delegates/school, every PTA President can vote. So that is three votes per school and a genuine process for debating and making decisions on whether to take action.

A few votes is not representative of the school population.

As I wrote earlier, DP, get to work and organize your school's community to help ensure that people are well-informed. Don't just sit around and complain.

I do my share as do many others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They tried putting high profile programs in low income schools. How are those IB programs going at Watkins Mill and Kennedy?

I thought the Watkins Mill IB program was considered pretty successful? I know the one at Kennedy is not good and is generally avoided but that doesn't make all of them bad

Not sure I'd consider Watkins Mill successful.... https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DHXL5Z54F2FC/$file/MCPS%20IB%20Program%20Statistics.pdf

And yes, it's still a new program. But MCPS also hasn't done any analysis to determine what is working and what isn't.

Doesn't look that bad to me given nearly all the students receive farms

That's fair, but if you're a region 5 parent with a high achieving child, are you sending them to an IB program where only 17% of students are passing the IB math exam?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They tried putting high profile programs in low income schools. How are those IB programs going at Watkins Mill and Kennedy?

I thought the Watkins Mill IB program was considered pretty successful? I know the one at Kennedy is not good and is generally avoided but that doesn't make all of them bad

Not sure I'd consider Watkins Mill successful.... https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DHXL5Z54F2FC/$file/MCPS%20IB%20Program%20Statistics.pdf

And yes, it's still a new program. But MCPS also hasn't done any analysis to determine what is working and what isn't.

Doesn't look that bad to me given nearly all the students receive farms

That's fair, but if you're a region 5 parent with a high achieving child, are you sending them to an IB program where only 17% of students are passing the IB math exam?

DP. I think it’s the same as if someone would send their kids on a long bus ride to Kennedy—these people will 100% attend their home schools. the regional model set up will make some (most?) poor-performing schools worse, I agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They tried putting high profile programs in low income schools. How are those IB programs going at Watkins Mill and Kennedy?

I thought the Watkins Mill IB program was considered pretty successful? I know the one at Kennedy is not good and is generally avoided but that doesn't make all of them bad

Not sure I'd consider Watkins Mill successful.... https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DHXL5Z54F2FC/$file/MCPS%20IB%20Program%20Statistics.pdf

And yes, it's still a new program. But MCPS also hasn't done any analysis to determine what is working and what isn't.

Doesn't look that bad to me given nearly all the students receive farms

That's fair, but if you're a region 5 parent with a high achieving child, are you sending them to an IB program where only 17% of students are passing the IB math exam?

Only 40% of MCPS seniors graduate proficient in math. This is the school system we all send our kids to. Those with education/resources see when our kids are failing and help our kids either ourselves or hire tutors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NAACP wrote a letter supporting it.

You mean Byron Jones wrote a letter supporting it.

That’s no different that MCCPTA. How many PTA members sign onto their letters? I’ve been a member in four different school PTA and the level of engagement from the delegate in conveying information between the county level and school has been minimal to nonexistent.

MCCPTA resolutions always go out over our school's PTA listserv with a request for any feedback, and important ones (like the one regarding slowing down the regional program rollout and gathering feedback) get discussed during PTA meetings to inform the delegates' vote.

But even if not all delegates do that, the resolutions still get voted on by the delegates themselves-- literally hundreds of people debating and voting on every position MCCPTA takes. That is a far cry from one or a few people taking a position and claiming they speak for a whole coalition (and implicitly a whole demographic group.)

It’s rarely discussed at our meetings and any opinions that are different are dismissed. They always vote in favor regardless of.

Then that's something you should be bringing up at your board meetings. Your delegates are not doing their jobs. The delegates at our schools always discuss the resolutions at our local PTA meetings and send out the information with a request for feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They tried putting high profile programs in low income schools. How are those IB programs going at Watkins Mill and Kennedy?

I thought the Watkins Mill IB program was considered pretty successful? I know the one at Kennedy is not good and is generally avoided but that doesn't make all of them bad

Not sure I'd consider Watkins Mill successful.... https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DHXL5Z54F2FC/$file/MCPS%20IB%20Program%20Statistics.pdf

And yes, it's still a new program. But MCPS also hasn't done any analysis to determine what is working and what isn't.

Doesn't look that bad to me given nearly all the students receive farms

That's fair, but if you're a region 5 parent with a high achieving child, are you sending them to an IB program where only 17% of students are passing the IB math exam?

And MCPS has no plans in place to improve those math outcomes. Somehow, dispersing RMIB students to attend their home schools or a new regional school program is supposed to somehow improve outcomes at lower performing regional IB programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They tried putting high profile programs in low income schools. How are those IB programs going at Watkins Mill and Kennedy?

I thought the Watkins Mill IB program was considered pretty successful? I know the one at Kennedy is not good and is generally avoided but that doesn't make all of them bad

Depends how you define successful.

The data on outcomes I saw - a) # of students taking the IB exams and b) the % of students passing (demonstrating proficiency on) IB exams - it was only RMIB and BCC that had high numbers. All the other schools performance were dismal.

But MCPS Jeannie Franklin defined regional IB success as # of Black and Brown students in the program.

So you do you.