MCPS to end areawide Blair Magnet and countywide Richard Montgomery's IB program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Virtual class could be an option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS can't serve the entire county with resources equally - end the programs. Period.

The programs aren't the issue but they should require parents to provide transportation. And, they should not allow famlies outside the DCC to attend Blair as they have their own schools with much better offerings. Instead, expand it and make more offerings at all schools.

Inequality initiative?

Parents are forced to drive their kids to different schools all the time. A few years ago I had to drive mine daily for a math class while kids at other schools got buses. Thankfully a few of us carpooled but it was a pain.

What was the reason why some kids got buses and others didn’t? Was it the distance between your house and the school where the math class was held?

No idea. Parents should not be required to transport during school hours.

No student is required to choose an alternate school.

Sometimes it is not in the student’s control. We moved here from another state when DC was in middle school. Our MCPS MS, while a lovely place overall, did not offer the math course DC needed in 8th grade. There were no alternatives, so DC had to attend the HS to take it. And the MS did not have to provide transportation.

I don’t think the MS should have been required to offer an in-person course just for one student, but there should be a solution that doesn’t require outside transportation during the school day.

...assuming all middle schools offering that class (presumably Algebra 2) did so via virtual.

Virtual classes are an inferior form of education.

What evidence do you have for that, for MS/HS-level classes without any lab or other physical components, for motivated and focused students?

Why don't you google virtual education outcomes during the pandemic? Remember when all parents were losing their minds because MCPS stayed virtual for an additional semester than many other school districts? They were outraged because students were struggling academically with Zoom classes. Ample evidence exists about virtual education and its poor outcomes.

I recall they were mixed. Better students did well without the in person classes. Which is consistent with the general idea that no we don't need much from the schools, and withholding better classes is more about politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Virtual class could be an option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS can't serve the entire county with resources equally - end the programs. Period.

The programs aren't the issue but they should require parents to provide transportation. And, they should not allow famlies outside the DCC to attend Blair as they have their own schools with much better offerings. Instead, expand it and make more offerings at all schools.

Inequality initiative?

Parents are forced to drive their kids to different schools all the time. A few years ago I had to drive mine daily for a math class while kids at other schools got buses. Thankfully a few of us carpooled but it was a pain.

What was the reason why some kids got buses and others didn’t? Was it the distance between your house and the school where the math class was held?

No idea. Parents should not be required to transport during school hours.

No student is required to choose an alternate school.

Sometimes it is not in the student’s control. We moved here from another state when DC was in middle school. Our MCPS MS, while a lovely place overall, did not offer the math course DC needed in 8th grade. There were no alternatives, so DC had to attend the HS to take it. And the MS did not have to provide transportation.

I don’t think the MS should have been required to offer an in-person course just for one student, but there should be a solution that doesn’t require outside transportation during the school day.

...assuming all middle schools offering that class (presumably Algebra 2) did so via virtual.

Virtual classes are an inferior form of education.

What evidence do you have for that, for MS/HS-level classes without any lab or other physical components, for motivated and focused students?

Why don't you google virtual education outcomes during the pandemic? Remember when all parents were losing their minds because MCPS stayed virtual for an additional semester than many other school districts? They were outraged because students were struggling academically with Zoom classes. Ample evidence exists about virtual education and its poor outcomes.

Oh come on, you don't seriously think that the challenges of forced across-the-board virtual learning during the pandemic mean that the entire concept of virtual learning doesn't work, do you? I can't believe I have to explain this to you and honestly don't even know where to start. It sounds like you do not in fact have any evidence for this belief besides wanting to compare apples to oranges...

MCPS shut down its post-COVID virtual academy because the academic outcomes were so bad compared to in-person schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Virtual class could be an option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS can't serve the entire county with resources equally - end the programs. Period.

The programs aren't the issue but they should require parents to provide transportation. And, they should not allow famlies outside the DCC to attend Blair as they have their own schools with much better offerings. Instead, expand it and make more offerings at all schools.

Inequality initiative?

Parents are forced to drive their kids to different schools all the time. A few years ago I had to drive mine daily for a math class while kids at other schools got buses. Thankfully a few of us carpooled but it was a pain.

What was the reason why some kids got buses and others didn’t? Was it the distance between your house and the school where the math class was held?

No idea. Parents should not be required to transport during school hours.

No student is required to choose an alternate school.

Sometimes it is not in the student’s control. We moved here from another state when DC was in middle school. Our MCPS MS, while a lovely place overall, did not offer the math course DC needed in 8th grade. There were no alternatives, so DC had to attend the HS to take it. And the MS did not have to provide transportation.

I don’t think the MS should have been required to offer an in-person course just for one student, but there should be a solution that doesn’t require outside transportation during the school day.

...assuming all middle schools offering that class (presumably Algebra 2) did so via virtual.

Virtual classes are an inferior form of education.

What evidence do you have for that, for MS/HS-level classes without any lab or other physical components, for motivated and focused students?

Why don't you google virtual education outcomes during the pandemic? Remember when all parents were losing their minds because MCPS stayed virtual for an additional semester than many other school districts? They were outraged because students were struggling academically with Zoom classes. Ample evidence exists about virtual education and its poor outcomes.

We did virtual for several years and had a great experience, better than in person. There were more labs than we've had in person. It takes a good teacher and students willing to participate and parent support. We had to buy supplies for the labs and hands on projects but it was no big deal.

Instead of using others as a talking point, use your experience. It was great for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Virtual class could be an option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS can't serve the entire county with resources equally - end the programs. Period.

The programs aren't the issue but they should require parents to provide transportation. And, they should not allow famlies outside the DCC to attend Blair as they have their own schools with much better offerings. Instead, expand it and make more offerings at all schools.

Inequality initiative?

Parents are forced to drive their kids to different schools all the time. A few years ago I had to drive mine daily for a math class while kids at other schools got buses. Thankfully a few of us carpooled but it was a pain.

What was the reason why some kids got buses and others didn’t? Was it the distance between your house and the school where the math class was held?

No idea. Parents should not be required to transport during school hours.

No student is required to choose an alternate school.

Sometimes it is not in the student’s control. We moved here from another state when DC was in middle school. Our MCPS MS, while a lovely place overall, did not offer the math course DC needed in 8th grade. There were no alternatives, so DC had to attend the HS to take it. And the MS did not have to provide transportation.

I don’t think the MS should have been required to offer an in-person course just for one student, but there should be a solution that doesn’t require outside transportation during the school day.

...assuming all middle schools offering that class (presumably Algebra 2) did so via virtual.

Virtual classes are an inferior form of education.

What evidence do you have for that, for MS/HS-level classes without any lab or other physical components, for motivated and focused students?

Why don't you google virtual education outcomes during the pandemic? Remember when all parents were losing their minds because MCPS stayed virtual for an additional semester than many other school districts? They were outraged because students were struggling academically with Zoom classes. Ample evidence exists about virtual education and its poor outcomes.

Oh come on, you don't seriously think that the challenges of forced across-the-board virtual learning during the pandemic mean that the entire concept of virtual learning doesn't work, do you? I can't believe I have to explain this to you and honestly don't even know where to start. It sounds like you do not in fact have any evidence for this belief besides wanting to compare apples to oranges...

MCPS shut down its post-COVID virtual academy because the academic outcomes were so bad compared to in-person schools.

No, that's not why they shut it down. The data families and staff did said it was equal or better when you look at the population it served. MCPS and BOE deliberately did not release the data. Can you show us the data showing bad outcomes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Virtual class could be an option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS can't serve the entire county with resources equally - end the programs. Period.

The programs aren't the issue but they should require parents to provide transportation. And, they should not allow famlies outside the DCC to attend Blair as they have their own schools with much better offerings. Instead, expand it and make more offerings at all schools.

Inequality initiative?

Parents are forced to drive their kids to different schools all the time. A few years ago I had to drive mine daily for a math class while kids at other schools got buses. Thankfully a few of us carpooled but it was a pain.

What was the reason why some kids got buses and others didn’t? Was it the distance between your house and the school where the math class was held?

No idea. Parents should not be required to transport during school hours.

No student is required to choose an alternate school.

Sometimes it is not in the student’s control. We moved here from another state when DC was in middle school. Our MCPS MS, while a lovely place overall, did not offer the math course DC needed in 8th grade. There were no alternatives, so DC had to attend the HS to take it. And the MS did not have to provide transportation.

I don’t think the MS should have been required to offer an in-person course just for one student, but there should be a solution that doesn’t require outside transportation during the school day.

...assuming all middle schools offering that class (presumably Algebra 2) did so via virtual.

Virtual classes are an inferior form of education.

What evidence do you have for that, for MS/HS-level classes without any lab or other physical components, for motivated and focused students?

What labs or physical components? My kids have had zero in-person for science. They had more in virtual. Its teacher and school-specific.

[Anonymous]

Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Yay!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Virtual class could be an option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS can't serve the entire county with resources equally - end the programs. Period.

The programs aren't the issue but they should require parents to provide transportation. And, they should not allow famlies outside the DCC to attend Blair as they have their own schools with much better offerings. Instead, expand it and make more offerings at all schools.

Inequality initiative?

Parents are forced to drive their kids to different schools all the time. A few years ago I had to drive mine daily for a math class while kids at other schools got buses. Thankfully a few of us carpooled but it was a pain.

What was the reason why some kids got buses and others didn’t? Was it the distance between your house and the school where the math class was held?

No idea. Parents should not be required to transport during school hours.

No student is required to choose an alternate school.

Sometimes it is not in the student’s control. We moved here from another state when DC was in middle school. Our MCPS MS, while a lovely place overall, did not offer the math course DC needed in 8th grade. There were no alternatives, so DC had to attend the HS to take it. And the MS did not have to provide transportation.

I don’t think the MS should have been required to offer an in-person course just for one student, but there should be a solution that doesn’t require outside transportation during the school day.

...assuming all middle schools offering that class (presumably Algebra 2) did so via virtual.

Virtual classes are an inferior form of education.

What evidence do you have for that, for MS/HS-level classes without any lab or other physical components, for motivated and focused students?

What labs or physical components? My kids have had zero in-person for science. They had more in virtual. Its teacher and school-specific.

LOL. this reminds me of my kid's medical school anatomy lab. getting your hands on real dead body is so much different than looking at some pics on computer. carry on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Virtual class could be an option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS can't serve the entire county with resources equally - end the programs. Period.

The programs aren't the issue but they should require parents to provide transportation. And, they should not allow famlies outside the DCC to attend Blair as they have their own schools with much better offerings. Instead, expand it and make more offerings at all schools.

Inequality initiative?

Parents are forced to drive their kids to different schools all the time. A few years ago I had to drive mine daily for a math class while kids at other schools got buses. Thankfully a few of us carpooled but it was a pain.

What was the reason why some kids got buses and others didn’t? Was it the distance between your house and the school where the math class was held?

No idea. Parents should not be required to transport during school hours.

No student is required to choose an alternate school.

Sometimes it is not in the student’s control. We moved here from another state when DC was in middle school. Our MCPS MS, while a lovely place overall, did not offer the math course DC needed in 8th grade. There were no alternatives, so DC had to attend the HS to take it. And the MS did not have to provide transportation.

I don’t think the MS should have been required to offer an in-person course just for one student, but there should be a solution that doesn’t require outside transportation during the school day.

...assuming all middle schools offering that class (presumably Algebra 2) did so via virtual.

Virtual classes are an inferior form of education.

What evidence do you have for that, for MS/HS-level classes without any lab or other physical components, for motivated and focused students?

What labs or physical components? My kids have had zero in-person for science. They had more in virtual. Its teacher and school-specific.

LOL. this reminds me of my kid's medical school anatomy lab. getting your hands on real dead body is so much different than looking at some pics on computer. carry on

So you're saying medical school is more advanced than high school. Who knew?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They are indeed destroying the program. You have your head in the sand.

There are not enough teachers to teach the advanced concepts, especially in STEM, and there are not enough students to take the very advanced classes if you spread out the very high achievers. You will not have equal outcomes in the regional programs.

Those concerns are exactly stated in the article.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. Virtual class could be an option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If MCPS can't serve the entire county with resources equally - end the programs. Period.

The programs aren't the issue but they should require parents to provide transportation. And, they should not allow famlies outside the DCC to attend Blair as they have their own schools with much better offerings. Instead, expand it and make more offerings at all schools.

Inequality initiative?

Parents are forced to drive their kids to different schools all the time. A few years ago I had to drive mine daily for a math class while kids at other schools got buses. Thankfully a few of us carpooled but it was a pain.

What was the reason why some kids got buses and others didn’t? Was it the distance between your house and the school where the math class was held?

No idea. Parents should not be required to transport during school hours.

No student is required to choose an alternate school.

Sometimes it is not in the student’s control. We moved here from another state when DC was in middle school. Our MCPS MS, while a lovely place overall, did not offer the math course DC needed in 8th grade. There were no alternatives, so DC had to attend the HS to take it. And the MS did not have to provide transportation.

I don’t think the MS should have been required to offer an in-person course just for one student, but there should be a solution that doesn’t require outside transportation during the school day.

...assuming all middle schools offering that class (presumably Algebra 2) did so via virtual.

Virtual classes are an inferior form of education.

What evidence do you have for that, for MS/HS-level classes without any lab or other physical components, for motivated and focused students?

What labs or physical components? My kids have had zero in-person for science. They had more in virtual. Its teacher and school-specific.

LOL. this reminds me of my kid's medical school anatomy lab. getting your hands on real dead body is so much different than looking at some pics on computer. carry on

So you're saying medical school is more advanced than high school. Who knew?!

Again, you missed the point. No surprise there. Hands-on experience is "ALWAYS" better than hands-off experience. Get that much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Yay!

Gross. And so the same few school clusters will send the bulk of the students to these “magnets,” because many parents don’t want to send their kids on 1 hr bus rides to get to school each way.

And they’ll keep patting themselves on the back telling themselves their kids are the smartest, when selection is only based on MAP-M or MAP-R scores which can be easily prepped for.