Why are #s so low for '%age of students meeting university system of MD entrance requirements'

[Anonymous]

Looking at the At A Glance reports (https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/sharedaccountability/glance/)

the #s for meeting state university entrance requirements seem really low. (41% for county wide)

Even the 'high achieving' schools have, IMHO, relatively low #s (e.g. Walter Johnson=50%, Whitman=57.6%)

The reports say the data is from the 2016-2017 year and the site says the number is calculated by the state.

I'd think WJ parents would be all up in arms to learn that only half of the 2017 graduating class met the state university system entrance requirements - but I never knew this data was tracked much less ever heard anyone discussing it. What am I missing?

[Anonymous]

From a county perspective, I would attribute some of that to:

ESOL 11.2%
FARMS 27%
SPED 10%

Can't speak to WJ specifically.

[Anonymous]

These are the UMD entrance requirements:

Four years of English
Four years of math, including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Students who complete Algebra II prior to their final year must complete the four-year mathematics requirement by taking a course or courses that utilize non-trivial algebra. Examples of courses meeting this requirement include Algebra II, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus and successor courses, Statistics, and College Algebra.
Three years of history or social science
Three years of science in at least two different areas, with at least two lab experiences
Two years of foreign language

[Anonymous]

13:42 continued. The graduation requirements for MCPS are different. MCPS does not require students to complete Algebra II. Some students may never get that high. MCPS also does not require two years of foreign language, contrary to popular belief. Students may substitute a "program completer," which is often vocational education.

I don't know if there are any other entrance requirements for UMD that I am missing. Montgomery College, for instance, requires a minimum score on either the SAT or Accuplacer in order to enroll in credit-bearing courses, rather than remedial English or Math. Does UMD have a similar requirement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are the UMD entrance requirements:

Four years of English
Four years of math, including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Students who complete Algebra II prior to their final year must complete the four-year mathematics requirement by taking a course or courses that utilize non-trivial algebra. Examples of courses meeting this requirement include Algebra II, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus and successor courses, Statistics, and College Algebra.
Three years of history or social science
Three years of science in at least two different areas, with at least two lab experiences
Two years of foreign language

I live in Howard County and these are the high school graduation requirements. There is a way around the foreign language requirement but they will let you know that you need it if you're on a college track. I know several parents who have complained about the Algebra II requirement but I really don't think it's unreasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are the UMD entrance requirements:

Four years of English
Four years of math, including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Students who complete Algebra II prior to their final year must complete the four-year mathematics requirement by taking a course or courses that utilize non-trivial algebra. Examples of courses meeting this requirement include Algebra II, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus and successor courses, Statistics, and College Algebra.
Three years of history or social science
Three years of science in at least two different areas, with at least two lab experiences
Two years of foreign language

May be students interested in humanities, arts, music, linguistics, etc. may be doing three science courses, as required by MCPS, but may not have two lab experiences.

MCPS Curriculum: 22 credits required in Grades 9–12 for graduation
English ................................................................. 4
Math..................................................................... 4
Science ................................................................ 3
Social Studies......................................................... 3
Fine Arts................................................................ 1
Foreign Language orAdvanced Technology Education ......2
Health Education .................................................... 0.5
Physical Education .................................................. 1
Technology Education ...............................................1
Electives ............................................................... 2.5 (selected from academic majors or special subjects)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:42 continued. The graduation requirements for MCPS are different. MCPS does not require students to complete Algebra II. Some students may never get that high. MCPS also does not require two years of foreign language, contrary to popular belief. Students may substitute a "program completer," which is often vocational education.

I don't know if there are any other entrance requirements for UMD that I am missing. Montgomery College, for instance, requires a minimum score on either the SAT or Accuplacer in order to enroll in credit-bearing courses, rather than remedial English or Math. Does UMD have a similar requirement?

UMD is probably not accepting students who are not ready for college credit level classes..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:42 continued. The graduation requirements for MCPS are different. MCPS does not require students to complete Algebra II. Some students may never get that high. MCPS also does not require two years of foreign language, contrary to popular belief. Students may substitute a "program completer," which is often vocational education.

I don't know if there are any other entrance requirements for UMD that I am missing. Montgomery College, for instance, requires a minimum score on either the SAT or Accuplacer in order to enroll in credit-bearing courses, rather than remedial English or Math. Does UMD have a similar requirement?

ou are required to complete the following units by the time you finish high school.

English (four units) – emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature
Mathematics (four units) – Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and an advanced math course beyond Algebra II*
Science (three units) – including at least one unit in life or biological science, at least one unit in physical science, and at least one laboratory course
Social Science (two units) – including one unit in US History and one unit in history, economics, sociology, or civics
Foreign Language (two units) – both units must be in the same language (required for 2004 high school graduates and beyond)


They don't post a minimum ACT/SAT but they have an average and clearly many people don't cut it.

[Anonymous]

MD has little financial incentive to accept the lower tiers of in-state students. ESP. Because we have a robust CC system and many other state schools. I know many low B students who did 2 years at MC, UMBC, or Frostburg, then transferred to CP while their friends with 3.8s went straight to second tier out of state schools. Everyone on DCUM seems to view that 12th grade acceptance letter as the only way to get a UMD diploma.

[Anonymous]

There has to be something more to the course completion data - might be with "C" or higher, which could knock out a lot of kids passing classes with Ds.

RMHS has 37.4% meeting UM system requirements on At-a-Glance. 2018 graduates were ~600. 2018 had 142/298 accepted to UMDCP (48% of applicants, 24% of graduates), with the majority with >3.0 unweighted GPA, >3.75 weighted GPA.

[Anonymous]

Don’t worry, I’m the name of diversity and inclusion, they let in 30% unqualified students and exclude qualified MCPS kids in the doing. But the parents of those kids will still get the benefit of paying for the tuition breaks given for the unqualified ones.

I’m I being cynical? Yep.

[Anonymous]

Not everyone is cut out for college. It’s a shame our school system pushes everyone towards college even when they shouldn’t be there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not everyone is cut out for college. It’s a shame our school system pushes everyone towards college even when they shouldn’t be there.

A lot of people get paid very well though with this scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There has to be something more to the course completion data - might be with "C" or higher, which could knock out a lot of kids passing classes with Ds.

RMHS has 37.4% meeting UM system requirements on At-a-Glance. 2018 graduates were ~600. 2018 had 142/298 accepted to UMDCP (48% of applicants, 24% of graduates), with the majority with >3.0 unweighted GPA, >3.75 weighted GPA.

The 37% number seems very low when you consider !that 20% approx are IB and certainly qualify so that leaves very few non ib kids. Also the 142 accepted is very close to a third of the senior class. It is unlikely all of the unaccepted students applied even though they did not meet the requirements for acceptance.

[Anonymous]

Who cares? Seriously not everyone needs to attend or is cut ou for college. The county should focus more on customer service and votech.