"DL is working well for my kid"

[Anonymous]

MCPS and the BOE talks about DL not working well for "some."

Endless DCUM posts about how DL "works well for my kid, sorry that it doesn't work well for yours."

I think we need to level set here. How are these people defining "working well"? Do they mean: kid signs in on appointed date/time, so no attendance issues; kids completes assignments satisfactorily, so grades are As & Bs. Is that the MCPS, BOE, and DCUM definition of "working well"?!!!!

Because if that's it, then why not do away with schools altogether? We could more cheaply run a giant county-wide (or state-wide) Khan Academy! Don't have to worry about any risks of anyone coming into contact with anyone else where they could transmit covid, or flu, or have a car accident on their way to school - no risks at all! We can all just have our kids stay home and get an education that way!

I thought that school was about becoming socialized, interacting with people different than you in a meaningful and genuine way; the excitement, buzz, and energy when there is a magic happening in the classroom as lightbulbs click on in kids and kids learning from each other as well as their teachers. About being inspired to do better and compete in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, in the art studio. None of that happens behind computer screens with everyone locked away at home.

I'm finding out that I have a completely different conception of what school and education are for and what objectives they serve. The school I know is essential - the teachers are essential - and it's worth taking some reasonable risks for these purposes.

[Anonymous]

I just want to take any parent who says that and give them my kids for a month.

[Anonymous]

I like that with distance learning, my high schoolers are finally getting enough sleep.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I agree OP, but there is a pandemic, so if my kid is relatively happy, learning something, and not exposing himself or others to the virus, then it's "working well".

Is it ideal? Better than before? No - none of those things, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

And yes, I have found a few silver linings including more sleep, more family time, etc.

I also recognize others are having more trouble, of course.

And while it's going fine for now, I also hope it doesn't last forever and ever for the reasons you suggest.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I agree OP, but there is a pandemic, so if my kid is relatively happy, learning something, and not exposing himself or others to the virus, then it's "working well".

Is it ideal? Better than before? No - none of those things, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

And yes, I have found a few silver linings including more sleep, more family time, etc.

I also recognize others are having more trouble, of course.

And while it's going fine for now, I also hope it doesn't last forever and ever for the reasons you suggest.

But you're OK with it lasting for another year to 18 months? Because that's what will happen if MCPS sticks to the metrics it just published.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I agree OP, but there is a pandemic, so if my kid is relatively happy, learning something, and not exposing himself or others to the virus, then it's "working well".

Is it ideal? Better than before? No - none of those things, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

And yes, I have found a few silver linings including more sleep, more family time, etc.

I also recognize others are having more trouble, of course.

And while it's going fine for now, I also hope it doesn't last forever and ever for the reasons you suggest.

+1

[Anonymous]

I am pretty quiet about it with most, but DL is working as well as it possibly could for my 6 year old. That means staying on track academically. But it takes a lot of work from me during evenings and weekends. She logs in during the day and keeps occupied with DL, and is happy.

We do have sort of a trifecta to make it work, I work full-time but flexible federal TW job now, kid reads, local family help a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I agree OP, but there is a pandemic, so if my kid is relatively happy, learning something, and not exposing himself or others to the virus, then it's "working well".

Is it ideal? Better than before? No - none of those things, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

And yes, I have found a few silver linings including more sleep, more family time, etc.

I also recognize others are having more trouble, of course.

And while it's going fine for now, I also hope it doesn't last forever and ever for the reasons you suggest.

+2

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I feel like the "going well" mantra simply means that DL is relatively conflict-free for them, their DCs are at least superficially attending/listening most class and some sort of work is being done. And also includes the corollary principle that those of us who question how much meaningful learning or socialization is actually going on, or wonder how less privileged groups are faring, even in light of the significant drop in test scores and attendance, are simply "looking for childcare" or "trying to kill teachers."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I agree OP, but there is a pandemic, so if my kid is relatively happy, learning something, and not exposing himself or others to the virus, then it's "working well".

Is it ideal? Better than before? No - none of those things, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

And yes, I have found a few silver linings including more sleep, more family time, etc.

I also recognize others are having more trouble, of course.

And while it's going fine for now, I also hope it doesn't last forever and ever for the reasons you suggest.

I agree with all of this but will add that it is going well for us with supplementation. Twice a week tutor for math for my second grader to ensure he learned what he was supposed to last spring and is understanding everything this year. A ton of books from the library. Socialization with 3 friends regularly outdoors including sports twice a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I feel like the "going well" mantra simply means that DL is relatively conflict-free for them, their DCs are at least superficially attending/listening most class and some sort of work is being done. And also includes the corollary principle that those of us who question how much meaningful learning or socialization is actually going on, or wonder how less privileged groups are faring, even in light of the significant drop in test scores and attendance, are simply "looking for childcare" or "trying to kill teachers."

You seem awfully intent on putting words in peoples' mouths. What about letting the folks for whom this is working speak for themselves, and then you can speak for yourself, and we can all share our experiences instead of assuming the worst?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I feel like the "going well" mantra simply means that DL is relatively conflict-free for them, their DCs are at least superficially attending/listening most class and some sort of work is being done. And also includes the corollary principle that those of us who question how much meaningful learning or socialization is actually going on, or wonder how less privileged groups are faring, even in light of the significant drop in test scores and attendance, are simply "looking for childcare" or "trying to kill teachers."

You seem awfully intent on putting words in peoples' mouths. What about letting the folks for whom this is working speak for themselves, and then you can speak for yourself, and we can all share our experiences instead of assuming the worst?

Are you seriously contending that these do not come up in pretty much every DCUM discussion where posters express concern about or critique DL? That is simply counter to reality. So they are permitted to cast these (often barely relevant) aspersions, but is is somehow unfair for me to do some (incredibly anodyne) speculation about "going well."??

And PS, by this metric, at least one of my kids is "doing well"--it's just a metric I think is more political than useful from an educational or policy perspective.

[Anonymous]

We switched schools this year. Out of the few years we were there, we had pretty crappy teachers who did the absolute minimum. We have always had to supplement the basics of math, spelling, reading and other stuff so we are used to being heavily involved.

Changed schools. Its been great. Almost all the teachers are really engaging, answer questions by email (our past teachers would not answer emails) and they actually teach. Some have additional sessions for support for kids struggling. A quality teacher, no matter how they deliver the materials makes a huge difference. So, yes, its working as our are learning and thriving. We can be there to review all the assignments, support with any questions and be more involved. In the past, we had no idea what was going on at school. There was no communication, no work came home, homework didn't match what they were supposed to work on in school and the school didn't allow parent volunteers in the classroom (only come in for parties and concerts).

We have found other ways to socialize. In person is nice but with COVID its not worth the risk.

What I have found is the parent or adults who have always been involved who provide a lot of support in terms of making sure they log in on time, making sure they behave with camera's on and monitor the assignments have kids who are doing well. Kids whose parents say it is their responsibility are really struggling as it took our kids a while to get used to all the online platforms but they do a lot of it themselves now without issue when a parent is not able to help. In a few weeks, I suspect we will not be as engaged as we are and they'll be on top of it so we just have to make sure assignments are done and turned in. Its been a huge effort on our part and we are happy to do it.

Our kids are really flexible about all of it. They understand how serious covid is and are willing to do their part and stay home and distance for as long as it takes. Their hope would be to do some classes online, some at school but not a hybrid like others demand where you go 2 days or week on week off. They'd like a 1/2 day at school and some classes online. Either all or nothing for each class.

We are in a new age and its time for people to be flexible and change, just like when changes happened years ago with new technologies.

The people I see and hear complaining are two working parents who need child care but for what ever reason refuse to get it. All of these families are comfortable enough to pay for it but may have to readjust their budget to make it work. Some thing its all the kids responsibility and put them in a separate room and let the kids handle it and the kids need support.

I'll gladly keep this if the choice is crappy teachers in person to good to great teachers online. The quality of the teacher and how they engage and support the kids is the priority for me and how mine learn best. We have one teacher we aren't thrilled with but keep hoping it will get better and if not, we'll continue to supplement in that area like we always have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I agree OP, but there is a pandemic, so if my kid is relatively happy, learning something, and not exposing himself or others to the virus, then it's "working well".

Is it ideal? Better than before? No - none of those things, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

And yes, I have found a few silver linings including more sleep, more family time, etc.

I also recognize others are having more trouble, of course.

And while it's going fine for now, I also hope it doesn't last forever and ever for the reasons you suggest.

I agree with all of this but will add that it is going well for us with supplementation. Twice a week tutor for math for my second grader to ensure he learned what he was supposed to last spring and is understanding everything this year. A ton of books from the library. Socialization with 3 friends regularly outdoors including sports twice a week.

Elementary school curriculums have always been really weak in MCPS. Its very slow and painful or that was our experience. We always supplemented through elementary school and that had nothing to do with DL. The difference now is you can actually see what's going on and in the past everything was done at school so out of sight out of mind.

Hopefully with the new curriculum changes with Benchmark and Eureka math things will be better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I feel like the "going well" mantra simply means that DL is relatively conflict-free for them, their DCs are at least superficially attending/listening most class and some sort of work is being done. And also includes the corollary principle that those of us who question how much meaningful learning or socialization is actually going on, or wonder how less privileged groups are faring, even in light of the significant drop in test scores and attendance, are simply "looking for childcare" or "trying to kill teachers."

Not in our home. Ours attend every single session except sick. They do all their assignments as we check to make sure they are done and done well before they get electronics or other activities. We treat it like a real school day.

We are at a less privileged school and many of the kids are thriving. I think its easy to blame that population as a scapegoat when you are not at that school and have no interactions. If anything, they are thriving as the teachers are very engaging and keep up to make sure the assignments get done. The teachers are working many hours supplementing those who need it and chasing down kids to do the work.

Our child had a huge drop in their one map score. They tried their best. It was strange as they did two different summer classes for that particular test. It happens. The teacher wasn't concerned at all.