Question about Highly Gifted Centers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It has gotten a bit off track. But, in fairness, the parents who are "living with" the roll out of 2.0 in their home elementary schools are, many times, interested in the center as a way to escape 2.0. In addition, those same parents are very wary of if/how 2.0 would be rolled out at the center.

Those of us dealing with 2.0 and the bureaucratic double-talk that goes with it have become fairly cynical (therefore, the theory that any 2.0 rollout at the center would be better/less damaging is met with skepticism). For some, the center would lose its value if 2.0 guts it in the way it has done with the accelerated classrooms in the high achievement elementary schools.

The following is anecdotal. DC is in 5th grade at a HGC. Last year in 4th grade out of three HGC classes, two did 5th grade Math and one did 6th grade Math. This year, one class does 6th grade Math, one does 7th grade Math and one does IM.

The social studies, science and English/Reading curriculum is uniformly accelerated and enriched (and fantastic!) but the Math depends on where the child places. The kids stay in their homerooms for all of the non-Math classes and are moved around for Math. There is no special curriculum for Math at the HGC but there is for the other subjects. I have heard (again anecdotal) that they will be bring C2.0 to the HGC for Math so the centers may not be a refuge if your child is only exceptional in Math. There is currently no differentiation within classes and I wonder how the center teachers will handle this now inevitable challenge in Math.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know whether c2.0 have a schedule to roll out?
DD is in 5th gr. HGT, will be entering 6th gr. this Fall. Will C2.0 in effect to 6th gr. this Fall?

[Anonymous]

DC is in a 4th grade HGC class. They move around for math, science/Social Studies and language arts. 3 teachers, on teaches each subject to all three groups, and they mix like they would in high school - so some kids are in all three and homeroom together, some only have three together, two subjects together, and some one and some none.

They have 3 math groupings/classes.

5th grade math (so I know of one kid who was accepted into the HGC who was in 3rd grade math in 3rd grade and went up to this class. I also know one who was advanced in 4th grade math in 3rd and went to the 5th grade math class in 4th grade.)

6th grade math

and math that is labeled grade 6/7

There are 2 or three kids my DD knows of who go to math with the 5th graders and do 7th grade math in 4th grade.

Lots of opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It has gotten a bit off track. But, in fairness, the parents who are "living with" the roll out of 2.0 in their home elementary schools are, many times, interested in the center as a way to escape 2.0. In addition, those same parents are very wary of if/how 2.0 would be rolled out at the center.

Those of us dealing with 2.0 and the bureaucratic double-talk that goes with it have become fairly cynical (therefore, the theory that any 2.0 rollout at the center would be better/less damaging is met with skepticism). For some, the center would lose its value if 2.0 guts it in the way it has done with the accelerated classrooms in the high achievement elementary schools.

The following is anecdotal. DC is in 5th grade at a HGC. Last year in 4th grade out of three HGC classes, two did 5th grade Math and one did 6th grade Math. This year, one class does 6th grade Math, one does 7th grade Math and one does IM.

The social studies, science and English/Reading curriculum is uniformly accelerated and enriched (and fantastic!) but the Math depends on where the child places. The kids stay in their homerooms for all of the non-Math classes and are moved around for Math. There is no special curriculum for Math at the HGC but there is for the other subjects. I have heard (again anecdotal) that they will be bring C2.0 to the HGC for Math so the centers may not be a refuge if your child is only exceptional in Math. There is currently no differentiation within classes and I wonder how the center teachers will handle this now inevitable challenge in Math.

This must mean that some non-HGC kids have access to the math classes you mention. Most HGCs have only 50 seats (i.e. 2 classes). If your HGC is breaking out into 3 math classes, then some of those seats are being filled by non-HGC students, yes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know whether c2.0 have a schedule to roll out?
DD is in 5th gr. HGT, will be entering 6th gr. this Fall. Will C2.0 in effect to 6th gr. this Fall?

Depends -- what math class is she taking in 6th grade next year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know whether c2.0 have a schedule to roll out?
DD is in 5th gr. HGT, will be entering 6th gr. this Fall. Will C2.0 in effect to 6th gr. this Fall?

Depends -- what math class is she taking in 6th grade next year?

No. From a chart that MCPS sent home last week (I believe it was entirely about the math curriculum) 2.0 is rolling out in 4th and 5th next year.

[Anonymous]

It will also be rolled out to Algebra so that could effect a 6th grader from a HGC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will also be rolled out to Algebra so that could effect a 6th grader from a HGC.

C2.0 Algebra1 is more difficult than the previous Algebra1, according to the Math Team Leader in Lakelands Park MS. Some of the previous Algebra2 will be included into the c2.0 Algebra1. Is it true? who knows.

[Anonymous]

I went to one of the meetings and they told us that 2.0 math would be at all the HGCs. I was disappointed, but I know from friends at Takoma Park that not all teachers are following 2.0 math...they have groups that are accelerated, BUT it is at their own discretion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to one of the meetings and they told us that 2.0 math would be at all the HGCs. I was disappointed, but I know from friends at Takoma Park that not all teachers are following 2.0 math...they have groups that are accelerated, BUT it is at their own discretion.

But what does it mean that 2.0 math is at the HGCs? Do you mean the content or the lack of acceleration? I believe that the content will be rolled out but I don't believe that there won't be acceleration.