FCPS decline

[Anonymous]

I would love to hear the opinion on if you think between One Fairfax and the changing AAP policies if FCPS is even salvageable. Is there even a way to save the quality of the public schools and AAP centers? Between the missed days, not teaching new material at the end of last year, and the bedlam this year it's so disheartening. Will parents with kids in primary school being moving to private? Or, maybe there will be a push to charter schools? What does everyone think the quality of FCPS will look like in 5 - 10 years?

[Anonymous]

FCPS was never that great, academically or administratively, people are just noticing it now. FCSP's reputation will never recover.

[Anonymous]

In a couple years, this will have been a blip. The same families, students, and teachers will be here. There's plenty of complaining on this board, that's what it's for. But while FCPS is (and has been) a bit soft in the ES area, the MS and HS are very good.

[Anonymous]

FCPS will be fine because kids do well based on their parents’ education more than any other factor. Those kids will still do well, will graduate from FCPS and will end up in good colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In a couple years, this will have been a blip. The same families, students, and teachers will be here. There's plenty of complaining on this board, that's what it's for. But while FCPS is (and has been) a bit soft in the ES area, the MS and HS are very good.

This. A lot of students who needed a lot of hands on support and coaxing to do any work in MS and HS aren’t doing well right now. Most of that is SPED and ESL. That’s unfortunate but predictable. Most people whose kids aren’t in those categories don’t really care because their students can follow along online. It’s starting to shake out at the ES level too. Hopefully they’ll start ability grouping students more at the ES level whenever everyone gets back to normal. The kids who were fine during DL and learned the material shouldn’t have to sit through a year of remediation and the ones who need catching up should get the necessary help.

[Anonymous]

My hope after this is that we get a more robust private school eco system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My hope after this is that we get a more robust private school eco system.

No. Won't happen. Nor do I want it to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My hope after this is that we get a more robust private school eco system.

I think we will for elementary school. It’s potentially a pretty big money maker for the churches to start a K-5 program. I know my child’s church preschool expanded to include classes up to 3rd grade this year. If the demand continues to be there, someone will “supply.”

[Anonymous]

I have two kids in AAP and a third who is too young but I think will be different by the time she’s old enough.

When I was a kid my G&T was same as level III with a pullout. I really don’t care if AAP continues to exist. Then the one who would go to AAP kids will stay at base together and can do stuff together there. I believe all learning doesn’t have to be adult led.

This article is an oldie but goodie IMO:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/04/25/does-it-pay-to-obsess-on-where-your-kid-goes-to-college/%3foutputType=amp

I also never wanted my kids to go to TJ. I think our base gives a more well rounded education.

[Anonymous]

AAP is the least of FCPS’s problems. The district needs to invest in a science-based reading curriculum so that kids actually learn to read. Then it needs to buy textbooks and use them. My DS is in middle school and all his assignments are to watch videos and answer questions. So he isn’t “reading to learn” at all. They also need to reduce class sizes. There shouldn’t be 3rd grade classes with 30 kids in them. Maybe if Gen Ed were actually providing an education, families wouldn’t be so desperate to get their kids in AAP.

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. I have been teaching for 9 years in FCPS. I agree that there needs to be a better reading/writing program. There also needs to be time in the day to do science and SS. Background knowledge is key. The only way true ability grouping would work is with departmentalizations. You can have a kid who is a high reader but low in math and vice versa. Class sizes would also have to be smaller. Most years I have had 26-31 kids. This year I have 20 and I can give more 1:1 attention. 20 should be the max size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My hope after this is that we get a more robust private school eco system.

No. Won't happen. Nor do I want it to.

I hope it does too. What I've seen out of this year and the content is just horrendous. We are on the hunt now. I know lots of other families in the same boat. The money is certainly here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS will be fine because kids do well based on their parents’ education more than any other factor. Those kids will still do well, will graduate from FCPS and will end up in good colleges.

Yes if you’re talking about the better schools. Like Oakton and Langley will always be fine because all those kids have parents that have college degrees. Even less affluent schools in areas with lots of midrange gov workers.

The schools like mt Vernon will continue to decline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My hope after this is that we get a more robust private school eco system.

I think we will for elementary school. It’s potentially a pretty big money maker for the churches to start a K-5 program. I know my child’s church preschool expanded to include classes up to 3rd grade this year. If the demand continues to be there, someone will “supply.”

Church preschools expanded bc of the demand for care during distance learning and Covid. But yes I can see them sticking around even after that demand shock is gone. Maybe with a smaller class.

[Anonymous]

I do not understand how after all of this that people do grasp that FCPS is entirely too large to judge as one. My daughter has had excellent teachers at two different elementary schools but the true health of a school comes down to the administration.