Why is there no levelling for middle school English/ELA (is there a backstory?), and is that possible to change?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid was in 6th in 2020 when this change was announced at our school. This is the letter the principal sent:

The purpose of this letter is to share an exciting change that is occurring in regards to our English classes. Starting in School Year 20-21, all students will be enrolled in the Advanced English course, collapsing our two-tier course structure into one.

After analyzing our school performance data, soliciting student and staff feedback, and working with our leadership and supervisors in Central Office, we believe this move to heterogeneous Advanced English classes will allow all students access to rigorous instruction and better match the progressive levels of student performance we experienced this year.

As part of this process, a primary focus of the English Department will be to strengthen our capacity to differentiate instruction in heterogeneous classes using the features of the new StudySync curriculum. We are eager to embark on this journey with our students as they grow as readers, writers and speakers.

We got something similar in 2019-2020 I think. Because my son was in person 7th grade that year and we were knew to the school, having come from private. I thought it odd, even though it was a high performing school in Potomac. Surely not every child was high performing, and I had concerns whether my son was. He is smart but has a 504 for ADHD and anxiety. He did ok in the class, though. Now, looking back, it makes me wonder.

Because, fast forward to high school where he struggled in English. And I BEGGED for a regular English class for his senior year. (He had long transferred out of that cluster, after we moved to a more diverse part of the county). And they said no. All seniors take Honors English. And they will provide support for him.

He struggled this year and barely passed. Through no fault of the teachers, who are lovely. Honors English just isn't the right fit for him. It made him feel stupid and he checked out long ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was in 6th in 2020 when this change was announced at our school. This is the letter the principal sent:

The purpose of this letter is to share an exciting change that is occurring in regards to our English classes. Starting in School Year 20-21, all students will be enrolled in the Advanced English course, collapsing our two-tier course structure into one.

After analyzing our school performance data, soliciting student and staff feedback, and working with our leadership and supervisors in Central Office, we believe this move to heterogeneous Advanced English classes will allow all students access to rigorous instruction and better match the progressive levels of student performance we experienced this year.

As part of this process, a primary focus of the English Department will be to strengthen our capacity to differentiate instruction in heterogeneous classes using the features of the new StudySync curriculum. We are eager to embark on this journey with our students as they grow as readers, writers and speakers.

We got something similar in 2019-2020 I think. Because my son was in person 7th grade that year and we were knew to the school, having come from private. I thought it odd, even though it was a high performing school in Potomac. Surely not every child was high performing, and I had concerns whether my son was. He is smart but has a 504 for ADHD and anxiety. He did ok in the class, though. Now, looking back, it makes me wonder.

Because, fast forward to high school where he struggled in English. And I BEGGED for a regular English class for his senior year. (He had long transferred out of that cluster, after we moved to a more diverse part of the county). And they said no. All seniors take Honors English. And they will provide support for him.

He struggled this year and barely passed. Through no fault of the teachers, who are lovely. Honors English just isn't the right fit for him. It made him feel stupid and he checked out long ago.

Forgive typos please

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was in 6th in 2020 when this change was announced at our school. This is the letter the principal sent:

The purpose of this letter is to share an exciting change that is occurring in regards to our English classes. Starting in School Year 20-21, all students will be enrolled in the Advanced English course, collapsing our two-tier course structure into one.

After analyzing our school performance data, soliciting student and staff feedback, and working with our leadership and supervisors in Central Office, we believe this move to heterogeneous Advanced English classes will allow all students access to rigorous instruction and better match the progressive levels of student performance we experienced this year.

As part of this process, a primary focus of the English Department will be to strengthen our capacity to differentiate instruction in heterogeneous classes using the features of the new StudySync curriculum. We are eager to embark on this journey with our students as they grow as readers, writers and speakers.

We got something similar in 2019-2020 I think. Because my son was in person 7th grade that year and we were knew to the school, having come from private. I thought it odd, even though it was a high performing school in Potomac. Surely not every child was high performing, and I had concerns whether my son was. He is smart but has a 504 for ADHD and anxiety. He did ok in the class, though. Now, looking back, it makes me wonder.

Because, fast forward to high school where he struggled in English. And I BEGGED for a regular English class for his senior year. (He had long transferred out of that cluster, after we moved to a more diverse part of the county). And they said no. All seniors take Honors English. And they will provide support for him.

He struggled this year and barely passed. Through no fault of the teachers, who are lovely. Honors English just isn't the right fit for him. It made him feel stupid and he checked out long ago.

I'm so sorry. The advanced/honors for all model really serves no one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rita Montoya seemed to be really speaking to this at the latest board meeting-- that while it sounds good in theory for teachers to differentiate, that it's incredibly hard to do well in a class of 30 students.

(It seemed like Niki Hazel was just saying they'd be in the same classes, but divide kids into a below-level small group and an on-or-above small group, and that the teacher would work with the below-level kids and then could maybe have someone else to come in to keep working with below-level kids while the teacher works with the other kids? Which I would guess in most cases means the on-or-above kids get very little teacher attention.)

Niki Hazel's version of reality sounded more like wishful thinking. MCPS has been saying for years that it can do rigorous, heterogeneous instruction and they haven't. Rita's line of questioning was on point and she was gaslit by Niki and Dr. Cage.

I would always love to see footage of Dr cage and Nikki trying to keep all these 30 children on track reading different books and different activities

I wasn't impressed with the answers they gave on differentiation within a 30+ kid classroom. They didn't seem to believe the BS they were spouting anymore than I did. But I guess few parents watch those meetings, and the board members didn't push them on their weak answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rita Montoya seemed to be really speaking to this at the latest board meeting-- that while it sounds good in theory for teachers to differentiate, that it's incredibly hard to do well in a class of 30 students.

(It seemed like Niki Hazel was just saying they'd be in the same classes, but divide kids into a below-level small group and an on-or-above small group, and that the teacher would work with the below-level kids and then could maybe have someone else to come in to keep working with below-level kids while the teacher works with the other kids? Which I would guess in most cases means the on-or-above kids get very little teacher attention.)

Niki Hazel's version of reality sounded more like wishful thinking. MCPS has been saying for years that it can do rigorous, heterogeneous instruction and they haven't. Rita's line of questioning was on point and she was gaslit by Niki and Dr. Cage.

I would always love to see footage of Dr cage and Nikki trying to keep all these 30 children on track reading different books and different activities

I wasn't impressed with the answers they gave on differentiation within a 30+ kid classroom. They didn't seem to believe the BS they were spouting anymore than I did. But I guess few parents watch those meetings, and the board members didn't push them on their weak answers.

Nothing prevents others from sharing the video wider in the community so more families are aware.