Montgomery County Elementary School Program

[Anonymous]

Not sure what the program is called, but my friend's daughter attends Bells Mill Elementary School and even though she's a second grader, she takes fourth grade math classes. According to my friend, kids get tested a lot and teachers would help them pick the level of classes based on their individual progress. I am wondering if all Montgomery County elem. schools have this type of program. We are about to buy a house in Brookeville which belongs to Greenwood Elementary. Any information you can provide on the subject or this school is highly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher at MCPS and in the last two elementary schools I worked at, we did the same thing. We assess and students are assigned a math level based on asessments, school work, and teacher observation. A second grade student may take 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade math. We are strongly encouraged to accelerate students in math. This is coming from MCPS and is a county-wide mandate.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Does this apply to other subjects, such as reading?

[Anonymous]

Reading is differentiated in the grade level classroom. For example, a teacher will have three groups in one class, each reading a book at a different level. The teacher will work with one group while the other students are working on a related activities with their assigned reading. The teacher also works with the entire class on whole-group reading activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading is differentiated in the grade level classroom.

And, at least in our school, across grades if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Does this type of assessment and assignment stop at a certain grade, e.g. 3rd or 4th? A parent in Fairfax told me they stop at 4th grade because that's when the gifted classes begin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does this type of assessment and assignment stop at a certain grade, e.g. 3rd or 4th? A parent in Fairfax told me they stop at 4th grade because that's when the gifted classes begin.

No. In fact, my child attended math class at the middle school when DC was in fifth grade, in order to receive appropriate instruction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading is differentiated in the grade level classroom.

And, at least in our school, across grades if necessary.

Does anybody know how long the acceleration across grades might last? Do they try to put a child back into their grade level classroom as soon as possible?