Support the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) from Budget Cuts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:The Virtual Academy does a poor job in educating children as it is currently constructed. All available data released by MCPS to date points to a program that is failing - both in attracting new students and in educating the ones it has. Enrollment has been declining steadily since the pandemic has abated. The families that are left are the true believers in virtual education and rightfully believe that the program is best for their kid. Problem is, you can identify groups of kids that number far higher than the mva’s current enrollment who could also use a special program to make school better but can’t get it funded because their method doesn’t happen to be a legacy of Covid.

It’s rough that the BOE said they’d fund it back in the winter and now are going back on their word. But it’s not like the program was enthusiastically embraced by the Board. The only reason it survived was because they said the advanced notice to families would be too short if they cut it. Why that’s changed for them, I don’t know, but any family who didn’t have alternate plans ready were sticking their head in the sand about the reality that their kids face - thriving in a program that has virtually no support outside of those who are a part of it.

The BOE hasn't said anything. They haven't had a meeting. They voted to fund the MVA and now some random MCPS admin wants to close the thing down. You good with that process?

'Random'? He's the director of OSSWB?

And that means he can cut a school? No according to State law.

Not a school. A program.

Read the budget. School.

The MVA website says

The Montgomery Virtual Academy is a comprehensive educational program that provides students an opportunity to ...

Students are enrolled in their home school and take courses with Montgomery Virtual.

Students have access to services at their home school including meals, extracurricular activities, and athletics.

Virtual Academy Students can participate in activities, sports, and clubs at their home school.

It's a program.

.

On top of this home schools are required to house all the records for MVA students, test them in person for standardized testing and facilitate IEP meetings for them too.

The home school also has to provide an instrument of the kid doesn’t have one and they are enrolled in the VA’s music class.

That was not our experience. We were told to buy or rent one. Nor were we allowed at several schools to get activities or athletics. And, meals are at a few central pick up points.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's ok if virtual is not right for your family or your kids. But, it is the right choice for other families and their children and why terminate a program that has such a low cost to MCPS and is benefitting some students?

This was always meant to be a temporary program to serve high risk families during the pandemic. You were just in denial about that.

No, it was promised long term. No one is in denial. It works for some kids and families. The cost in nominal to MCPS. Why take it away?

Yikes. It was never promised. There was no long term plan once Covid money ran out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

There are enough students. The MVA has a waitlist and they could offer a hybrid program as well.

Enrollment in the program dropped by over 40% each year it’s been in place. Overall since its inception it has lost more than 65% of its participants. The fact that there’s a waitlist is meaningless. It’s a program that’s hemorrhaging kids.

They aren't letting new kids in. Kids graduate, families move....

Naw that’s not it but keep trying to make up excuses and maybe something will stick. 7.87% of the MVA’s enrollment in 2021-2022 was 12th graders yet enrollment dropped over 40% after that school year ended. So 32% of the program’s cohort moved that summer? Similarly, 7.79% of the MVA program’s enrollment was 12th graders in 2022-2023 but enrollment dropped 43.9% after they graduated. So another 36% of the program moved out of moco? That’s why enrollment has plummeted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's ok if virtual is not right for your family or your kids. But, it is the right choice for other families and their children and why terminate a program that has such a low cost to MCPS and is benefitting some students?

This was always meant to be a temporary program to serve high risk families during the pandemic. You were just in denial about that.

No, it was promised long term. No one is in denial. It works for some kids and families. The cost in nominal to MCPS. Why take it away?

Yikes. It was never promised. There was no long term plan once Covid money ran out.

Yikes. It was in the budget for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

There are enough students. The MVA has a waitlist and they could offer a hybrid program as well.

Enrollment in the program dropped by over 40% each year it’s been in place. Overall since its inception it has lost more than 65% of its participants. The fact that there’s a waitlist is meaningless. It’s a program that’s hemorrhaging kids.

They aren't letting new kids in. Kids graduate, families move....

Naw that’s not it but keep trying to make up excuses and maybe something will stick. 7.87% of the MVA’s enrollment in 2021-2022 was 12th graders yet enrollment dropped over 40% after that school year ended. So 32% of the program’s cohort moved that summer? Similarly, 7.79% of the MVA program’s enrollment was 12th graders in 2022-2023 but enrollment dropped 43.9% after they graduated. So another 36% of the program moved out of moco? That’s why enrollment has plummeted?

They aren't letting new students in as they don't have the staffing. It was always clear some would just the there a year or so till covid got better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

There are enough students. The MVA has a waitlist and they could offer a hybrid program as well.

Enrollment in the program dropped by over 40% each year it’s been in place. Overall since its inception it has lost more than 65% of its participants. The fact that there’s a waitlist is meaningless. It’s a program that’s hemorrhaging kids.

They aren't letting new kids in. Kids graduate, families move....

Naw that’s not it but keep trying to make up excuses and maybe something will stick. 7.87% of the MVA’s enrollment in 2021-2022 was 12th graders yet enrollment dropped over 40% after that school year ended. So 32% of the program’s cohort moved that summer? Similarly, 7.79% of the MVA program’s enrollment was 12th graders in 2022-2023 but enrollment dropped 43.9% after they graduated. So another 36% of the program moved out of moco? That’s why enrollment has plummeted?

They aren't letting new students in as they don't have the staffing. It was always clear some would just the there a year or so till covid got better.

And covid isn't better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

There are enough students. The MVA has a waitlist and they could offer a hybrid program as well.

Enrollment in the program dropped by over 40% each year it’s been in place. Overall since its inception it has lost more than 65% of its participants. The fact that there’s a waitlist is meaningless. It’s a program that’s hemorrhaging kids.

They aren't letting new kids in. Kids graduate, families move....

Naw that’s not it but keep trying to make up excuses and maybe something will stick. 7.87% of the MVA’s enrollment in 2021-2022 was 12th graders yet enrollment dropped over 40% after that school year ended. So 32% of the program’s cohort moved that summer? Similarly, 7.79% of the MVA program’s enrollment was 12th graders in 2022-2023 but enrollment dropped 43.9% after they graduated. So another 36% of the program moved out of moco? That’s why enrollment has plummeted?

They aren't letting new students in as they don't have the staffing. It was always clear some would just the there a year or so till covid got better.

And covid isn't better.

Be sure to use that in your testimony, Sterling. It definitely won't make you sound hysterical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's ok if virtual is not right for your family or your kids. But, it is the right choice for other families and their children and why terminate a program that has such a low cost to MCPS and is benefitting some students?

This was always meant to be a temporary program to serve high risk families during the pandemic. You were just in denial about that.

The stories you see on TV are heartbreaking, it was my understanding that this program was going to be temporary.

Can somebody explain to me if these kids have a one-to-one teacher or are the kids separated by grade or ability? How are the kids divided up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

There are enough students. The MVA has a waitlist and they could offer a hybrid program as well.

Enrollment in the program dropped by over 40% each year it’s been in place. Overall since its inception it has lost more than 65% of its participants. The fact that there’s a waitlist is meaningless. It’s a program that’s hemorrhaging kids.

They aren't letting new kids in. Kids graduate, families move....

Naw that’s not it but keep trying to make up excuses and maybe something will stick. 7.87% of the MVA’s enrollment in 2021-2022 was 12th graders yet enrollment dropped over 40% after that school year ended. So 32% of the program’s cohort moved that summer? Similarly, 7.79% of the MVA program’s enrollment was 12th graders in 2022-2023 but enrollment dropped 43.9% after they graduated. So another 36% of the program moved out of moco? That’s why enrollment has plummeted?

They aren't letting new students in as they don't have the staffing. It was always clear some would just the there a year or so till covid got better.

And covid isn't better.

Be sure to use that in your testimony, Sterling. It definitely won't make you sound hysterical.

Just factual. Covid in Maryland wastewater is still higher than last summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

There are enough students. The MVA has a waitlist and they could offer a hybrid program as well.

Enrollment in the program dropped by over 40% each year it’s been in place. Overall since its inception it has lost more than 65% of its participants. The fact that there’s a waitlist is meaningless. It’s a program that’s hemorrhaging kids.

They aren't letting new kids in. Kids graduate, families move....

Naw that’s not it but keep trying to make up excuses and maybe something will stick. 7.87% of the MVA’s enrollment in 2021-2022 was 12th graders yet enrollment dropped over 40% after that school year ended. So 32% of the program’s cohort moved that summer? Similarly, 7.79% of the MVA program’s enrollment was 12th graders in 2022-2023 but enrollment dropped 43.9% after they graduated. So another 36% of the program moved out of moco? That’s why enrollment has plummeted?

They aren't letting new students in as they don't have the staffing. It was always clear some would just the there a year or so till covid got better.

And covid isn't better.

Be sure to use that in your testimony, Sterling. It definitely won't make you sound hysterical.

Just factual. Covid in Maryland wastewater is still higher than last summer.

With all due respect, if long term isolation from Covid exposure is a priority for your family, why not just move to a state that offers a stable, long term virtual option? Sure moving is inconvenient but people move for schools all the time. It’s not like MVA or Montgomery county in general are all that special, and the MVA course offerings at the high school level weren’t particularly diverse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's ok if virtual is not right for your family or your kids. But, it is the right choice for other families and their children and why terminate a program that has such a low cost to MCPS and is benefitting some students?

This was always meant to be a temporary program to serve high risk families during the pandemic. You were just in denial about that.

No, it was promised long term. No one is in denial. It works for some kids and families. The cost in nominal to MCPS. Why take it away?

Yikes. It was never promised. There was no long term plan once Covid money ran out.

Yikes. It was in the budget for next year.

One year is not long term. Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

There are enough students. The MVA has a waitlist and they could offer a hybrid program as well.

Enrollment in the program dropped by over 40% each year it’s been in place. Overall since its inception it has lost more than 65% of its participants. The fact that there’s a waitlist is meaningless. It’s a program that’s hemorrhaging kids.

They aren't letting new kids in. Kids graduate, families move....

Naw that’s not it but keep trying to make up excuses and maybe something will stick. 7.87% of the MVA’s enrollment in 2021-2022 was 12th graders yet enrollment dropped over 40% after that school year ended. So 32% of the program’s cohort moved that summer? Similarly, 7.79% of the MVA program’s enrollment was 12th graders in 2022-2023 but enrollment dropped 43.9% after they graduated. So another 36% of the program moved out of moco? That’s why enrollment has plummeted?

They aren't letting new students in as they don't have the staffing. It was always clear some would just the there a year or so till covid got better.

And covid isn't better.

Be sure to use that in your testimony, Sterling. It definitely won't make you sound hysterical.

Just factual. Covid in Maryland wastewater is still higher than last summer.

With all due respect, if long term isolation from Covid exposure is a priority for your family, why not just move to a state that offers a stable, long term virtual option? Sure moving is inconvenient but people move for schools all the time. It’s not like MVA or Montgomery county in general are all that special, and the MVA course offerings at the high school level weren’t particularly diverse.

Why move? The MVA is already funded for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a statewide virtual option for everyone.

+1 I went to a state virtual school for remedial classes and was able to enroll in AP classrooms by high school. I even stayed enrolled in the online program while going to my local high school. I had enough credits to graduate in my junior year, because it ignited my passion for learning.

This is the obvious solution. It doesn't make sense to do virtual at a local level. There just aren't enough students, even in a district the size of MoCo.

There are enough students. The MVA has a waitlist and they could offer a hybrid program as well.

Enrollment in the program dropped by over 40% each year it’s been in place. Overall since its inception it has lost more than 65% of its participants. The fact that there’s a waitlist is meaningless. It’s a program that’s hemorrhaging kids.

They aren't letting new kids in. Kids graduate, families move....

Naw that’s not it but keep trying to make up excuses and maybe something will stick. 7.87% of the MVA’s enrollment in 2021-2022 was 12th graders yet enrollment dropped over 40% after that school year ended. So 32% of the program’s cohort moved that summer? Similarly, 7.79% of the MVA program’s enrollment was 12th graders in 2022-2023 but enrollment dropped 43.9% after they graduated. So another 36% of the program moved out of moco? That’s why enrollment has plummeted?

They aren't letting new students in as they don't have the staffing. It was always clear some would just the there a year or so till covid got better.

And covid isn't better.

Be sure to use that in your testimony, Sterling. It definitely won't make you sound hysterical.

Just factual. Covid in Maryland wastewater is still higher than last summer.

With all due respect, if long term isolation from Covid exposure is a priority for your family, why not just move to a state that offers a stable, long term virtual option? Sure moving is inconvenient but people move for schools all the time. It’s not like MVA or Montgomery county in general are all that special, and the MVA course offerings at the high school level weren’t particularly diverse.

Why move? The MVA is already funded for next year.

You’re still confused about the meaning of long term. Even if MCPS restores the funding for next year, that’s likely it. You’re going to have to figure something else out.

[Anonymous]

Parents Coalition posted to FB a MCPS letter to parents to at MVA stating MVA was closing and offering help transitioning. Anyone have more info?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents Coalition posted to FB a MCPS letter to parents to at MVA stating MVA was closing and offering help transitioning. Anyone have more info?

Game over. The MVA is done.

But why was the board insisting no decisions would be made until June 11 when they knew comms about the MVA closing would have to go out well before that? So stupid.