Differentiation in MCPS elementary
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
We're currently trying to decide whether our DD is going to stay in her private school or switch to MCPS for Kindergarten. Private is a stretch for us, but we want to support our kid as much as we can. My main concerns are two-fold: the class sizes (moving from ~15 to 30 is a huge jump) and differentiation. DD is reading and doing basic math (addition and subtraction of numbers up to 20). Both DH and I excelled at math as kids -- I was the kid that worked ahead in my workbooks and taught myself math to the point I ended up in algebra at 6th grade (also the only girl in my calc bc class in high school, but I digress). DH was similar and we're seeing the same thing in DD.
I don't want her to get bored or be forced to stay on pace with everyone else if she's beyond what is being taught. I know about the HGCs and the testing in 3rd grade (and the competition for that), but I'm wondering what is done for differentiation before that. (and yes, before the trolls come out -- I know every parent thinks their kid is gifted, yadayada, that's not what I'm asking about. I just know how I was in school and I see the same things in DD). |
Anonymous
|
There will not be the differentiation you want- probably in private or public. They will have small groups, but they have to stay with the curriculum. If she wants to self teach herself, neither school will hold her back at home.
However, as you already mentioned, there will be down the line. There will be more opportunities for acceleration in mcps than almost any private. |
Anonymous
| Our mcps public did pull-out groups for math and reading. My son felt interested and challenged up until 3rd grade, when things got a little slow, but then he tested into a CES and was challenged again. Also, you should do some research about your particular school’s class sizes. If you’re in the east of the county they are likely very small. Ours was never over 17 kids from K to 2nd. |
Anonymous
|
We are at a Silver Spring Focus school and there has been very little differentiation.
Occasionally, they will try a pull-our type of group, but it doesn’t last long because it can be logistically complicated. There have been years where the teacher has 5 different Reading Groups in one classroom and it’s really hard to meet with ALL those groups if you are the teacher. So lots of down time and ‘independent reading’ or reading on the computer (Epic). Math is usually just extra worksheets if there is any enrichment. We started supplementing at home with my math loving kid and that was helpful in keeping her interested in Math. |
Anonymous
| Our 4th grader who does very well in math was put in the "high" group for math starting in 2nd grade, given additional worksheets/word problems. Now in 4th he is in compacted math, which teaches them 4th, 5th, and 6th grade math in two years instead of three. He's still fairly bored, but at least it's something. I'm hoping things will pick up even more in middle school, high school. |
Anonymous
| There are very smart kids in public school, OP. Arguably more than there are in private, at least in the younger grades. She'll be fine. |
Anonymous
+1. This can be very school-dependent. Class sizes and differentiation plans can differ from school to school, and/or grade level to grade level. I would try connecting with parents at your assigned school to get the most helpful info. |
Anonymous
|
I volunteered in reading groups for K and 1st grade ( MCPS focus school)
They do separate them into groups for reading, My kid was also reading before K and some kids were just learning the alphabet. She was not bored. Do you know for a fact that the school your kid will go to has class sizes of 30 for K? I know it happens but its not the same all over, we had 16 in our K class, 17 in 1st and now 14 in 2nd grade. We've had a great experience and my kid likes going to school with to be honest is all I ask for at this age. |
Anonymous
|
W school cluster, bright kids, large class sizes, no differentiation for high flyers in primary grades. All the attention goes to those struggling with learning and those with behavior issues. When you get to 4th grade, you have CES, MS and HS you have magnets.
And we wouldn't do it any differently. Kids have great friends in the neighborhood, are healthy and well adjusted. Just don't kid yourself about differentiation in a large class when your child is doing just fine. |
Anonymous
| What school OP? It is rare to have that many kids in K. Ours had 21 per class (BCC pyramid, non focus, non FARMs). My kid was placed in the highest reading group and the enrichment math group and thus received some differentiation. Overall, I found K to be pretty academic compared with what I expected. If you want that experience, then I’d switch to MCPS. If you want more social-emotional focus then I’d stick with private. |
Anonymous
Please do show me the evidence you have for this claim. |
Anonymous
|
My kid is still 2 years away from kindergarten, but one of her friends has an older sister in 1st grade who went through the same preschool DD is in. Her mother has told us the math is laughably easy for her daughter and pretty much everyone coming out of that preschool--or any decent preschool. She said the same is true for reading.
|
Anonymous
| Look at Montessori. Math in Montessori is amazing and easy beyond anything in MCPS. |
Anonymous
Give me a break. We are talking about Kindergarten. Do you genuinely believe Kindergartners at private schools are there because they are smarter than their peers? |
Anonymous
Typo, that should say WAY beyond, not easy. |