Why does mcps do a crappy job with magnet/enriched opportunities

[Anonymous]

For such a large county, why can't they have more opportunities for magnet/enriched programming for gifted students, language immersion, and performing arts. You have tons of gifted kids vying for a handful of spots, tons of parents who'd love to have bilingual learning opportunities, particulary in the early years when kids have a better chance at becoming fluent, and no separate performing arts school/opportunities for kids from throughout the county. Just a short vent

[Anonymous]

Because they refuse to be held accountable and they don't have to. Parents have some false sense of MCPS is great because they are spending a fortune on expensive overpriced homes.

[Anonymous]

The actual programs they do provide are awesome.

[Anonymous]

The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

So open up the magnet programs for the top 5 percent of kids...it seems like the enriched studies and MS and HS programs rejects plenty of 98 and even 99 percentile kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

So open up the magnet programs for the top 5 percent of kids...it seems like the enriched studies and MS and HS programs rejects plenty of 98 and even 99 percentile kids.

Because they are for 1% kids. Not for 5%. Not enough funding and space for those while there are lost of bottom %20 kids to bring up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

So open up the magnet programs for the top 5 percent of kids...it seems like the enriched studies and MS and HS programs rejects plenty of 98 and even 99 percentile kids.

Because they are for 1% kids. Not for 5%. Not enough funding and space for those while there are lost of bottom %20 kids to bring up.

Maybe they were designed for 1 percent kids but they are missing out on many brilliant kids and losing families and resources along the way who are seeking better school systems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

So open up the magnet programs for the top 5 percent of kids...it seems like the enriched studies and MS and HS programs rejects plenty of 98 and even 99 percentile kids.

Because they are for 1% kids. Not for 5%. Not enough funding and space for those while there are lost of bottom %20 kids to bring up.

The magnet MS at least are absolutely not for 1% any more. Not with the cohort criterion, in which kids with lower scores are picked over kids with higher scores because "cohort."

All of those top-scoring kids deserve to have their needs meet with high-quality curricula and teaching. OP has an absolutely valid point -- MCPS seriously does not care about meeting the needs of all learners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

So open up the magnet programs for the top 5 percent of kids...it seems like the enriched studies and MS and HS programs rejects plenty of 98 and even 99 percentile kids.

Because they are for 1% kids. Not for 5%. Not enough funding and space for those while there are lost of bottom %20 kids to bring up.

Maybe they were designed for 1 percent kids but they are missing out on many brilliant kids and losing families and resources along the way who are seeking better school systems.

Not every child is gifted, and that's okay. If there are families that feel strongly about seeking out other opportunities for their kids and have the resources to do so, that's great. I would argue that the bigger problem in MCPS is doing a good job educating the average student and special needs children, but I also realize there's no pleasing everyone especially in a system so large.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

So open up the magnet programs for the top 5 percent of kids...it seems like the enriched studies and MS and HS programs rejects plenty of 98 and even 99 percentile kids.

Because they are for 1% kids. Not for 5%. Not enough funding and space for those while there are lost of bottom %20 kids to bring up.

Maybe they were designed for 1 percent kids but they are missing out on many brilliant kids and losing families and resources along the way who are seeking better school systems.

Not every child is gifted, and that's okay. If there are families that feel strongly about seeking out other opportunities for their kids and have the resources to do so, that's great. I would argue that the bigger problem in MCPS is doing a good job educating the average student and special needs children, but I also realize there's no pleasing everyone especially in a system so large.

I agree that MCPS does not do a good job at educating the 'average student', but MCPS does a fantastic job with special needs. They have wonderful programs for DHOH students. Their GT/LD programs are fantastic. Their ESOL staff is amazing. More than most counties offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For such a large county, why can't they have more opportunities for magnet/enriched programming for gifted students, language immersion, and performing arts. You have tons of gifted kids vying for a handful of spots, tons of parents who'd love to have bilingual learning opportunities, particulary in the early years when kids have a better chance at becoming fluent, and no separate performing arts school/opportunities for kids from throughout the county. Just a short vent

I find this crazy because there are tons of bright, hardworking kids in this county, that MCPS seems to care very little about.

The BOE is almost dismissive at the meetings when parents try to advocate for more 'enriched' programming or curriculum offerings.

The current leadership (BOE/Superintendent) have made it completely clear that they have zero interest in supporting enriched programming. Their one and only focus is closing the Achievement Gap. And, that being said, it is in their best interest to not offer extensive enrichment opportunities.

Also agree with the PP that parents don't hold the BOE accountable. We continue to vote for people who don't care about our kids.

And, lastly, MCPS is TOO DAMN BIG. It is impossible for a school system this size to effectively meet the needs of its students. And, over the past decade, as a parent, I feel that it's doing a pretty crappy job at meeting the needs of most students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

So open up the magnet programs for the top 5 percent of kids...it seems like the enriched studies and MS and HS programs rejects plenty of 98 and even 99 percentile kids.

Because they are for 1% kids. Not for 5%. Not enough funding and space for those while there are lost of bottom %20 kids to bring up.

Maybe they were designed for 1 percent kids but they are missing out on many brilliant kids and losing families and resources along the way who are seeking better school systems.

Not every child is gifted, and that's okay. If there are families that feel strongly about seeking out other opportunities for their kids and have the resources to do so, that's great. I would argue that the bigger problem in MCPS is doing a good job educating the average student and special needs children, but I also realize there's no pleasing everyone especially in a system so large.

I agree that MCPS does not do a good job at educating the 'average student', but MCPS does a fantastic job with special needs. They have wonderful programs for DHOH students. Their GT/LD programs are fantastic. Their ESOL staff is amazing. More than most counties offer.

Do you have first hand knowledge of all these programs. As a parent of a dyslexic child, I can say there is lots of dissatisfaction in the SN community. GT/LD has so few slots.

[Anonymous]

Why does GT/LD have so few slots? At our ES, there are 9 kids in the GT/LD class, with 1 teacher. That’s an amazing ratio. Couldn’t they add a few kids if there’s a need?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

So open up the magnet programs for the top 5 percent of kids...it seems like the enriched studies and MS and HS programs rejects plenty of 98 and even 99 percentile kids.

Because they are for 1% kids. Not for 5%. Not enough funding and space for those while there are lost of bottom %20 kids to bring up.

Maybe they were designed for 1 percent kids but they are missing out on many brilliant kids and losing families and resources along the way who are seeking better school systems.

Not every child is gifted, and that's okay. If there are families that feel strongly about seeking out other opportunities for their kids and have the resources to do so, that's great. I would argue that the bigger problem in MCPS is doing a good job educating the average student and special needs children, but I also realize there's no pleasing everyone especially in a system so large.

As a parent of a child with special needs, I’ve had a very different experience with MCPS. I’m glad to hear you’ve had a different experience than we’ve had.

I agree that MCPS does not do a good job at educating the 'average student', but MCPS does a fantastic job with special needs. They have wonderful programs for DHOH students. Their GT/LD programs are fantastic. Their ESOL staff is amazing. More than most counties offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are awesome because they do not include every kid whose mom thinks they are gifted. Faifax has a program which includes about 20% of the kids and people complain it is pretty watered down. Can't have it both ways.

So open up the magnet programs for the top 5 percent of kids...it seems like the enriched studies and MS and HS programs rejects plenty of 98 and even 99 percentile kids.

Because they are for 1% kids. Not for 5%. Not enough funding and space for those while there are lost of bottom %20 kids to bring up.

Maybe they were designed for 1 percent kids but they are missing out on many brilliant kids and losing families and resources along the way who are seeking better school systems.

Not every child is gifted, and that's okay. If there are families that feel strongly about seeking out other opportunities for their kids and have the resources to do so, that's great. I would argue that the bigger problem in MCPS is doing a good job educating the average student and special needs children, but I also realize there's no pleasing everyone especially in a system so large.

I agree that MCPS does not do a good job at educating the 'average student', but MCPS does a fantastic job with special needs. They have wonderful programs for DHOH students. Their GT/LD programs are fantastic. Their ESOL staff is amazing. More than most counties offer.

It depends on the school and SN. We had a terrible experience and my child gets no help. Its an absolute joke and we've spent a lot of money on private therapies to make sure our child can be successful.