MCPS to end areawide Blair Magnet and countywide Richard Montgomery's IB program

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

+1 The regional IB programs IBDP pass rate is much lower than RMIB's. That tells you that even the 4 regional programs they created a few years ago aren't as successful. Those programs don't offer some of the HL classes that RMIB does. Why? Because there is not enough interest and probably the teachers don't want to teach it/aren't certified to teach it.

And now MCPS wants to expand it to 6 regionals? Makes zero sense to do that.

Why would Taylor want to break something that is highly successful? I listen to staff, and it seems like they have already made up their minds, but don't really have the data to back up their actions. getting rid of the magnet programming will have negative consequences for the school district.

Who says it's highly successful? A few parents who don't want to change? I don't see it--there's just a few school clusters benefitting from the most selective programs (which points to the issue that the programs are too far away or too inaccessible for some parts of the county).

Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful.

Unfortunately, no program in the county does that.

Shows how little you know about magnets

Actually, it shows that I know more about the magnets than you do.
No program in the county produces more NMSFS than all the other county schools combined. None

appears magnet programs collectively produced 87 (blair, RM, and PHS) out of 140 total for mcps. that's pretty special if you ask me

That's collectively, not single program.

Genius.

That was the claim, idiot

Oh nice. The magnet program does produce more NMSF than all other high schools combined. It’s a factually correct statement. Use your common sense. Dimwit.

Nope, not even close.

2025: Blair 42, all other MCPS high schools 98: https://www.mymcmedia.org/158-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2024: Blair 41, all other MCPS high schools 121 https://www.mymcmedia.org/186-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2023:

Wow, you are really not very smart. MCPS magnet program includes RMIB and PHS too. Where are their numbers?

Huh? There's no "magnet program" that includes multiple schools. There are lots of individual magnet programs (about a dozen.) People usually say "the magnet program" to refer either to Blair, or at certain individual schools they might mean that school's magnet program.

LOL. You must be new to MCPS. Carry on.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

+1 The regional IB programs IBDP pass rate is much lower than RMIB's. That tells you that even the 4 regional programs they created a few years ago aren't as successful. Those programs don't offer some of the HL classes that RMIB does. Why? Because there is not enough interest and probably the teachers don't want to teach it/aren't certified to teach it.

And now MCPS wants to expand it to 6 regionals? Makes zero sense to do that.

Why would Taylor want to break something that is highly successful? I listen to staff, and it seems like they have already made up their minds, but don't really have the data to back up their actions. getting rid of the magnet programming will have negative consequences for the school district.

Who says it's highly successful? A few parents who don't want to change? I don't see it--there's just a few school clusters benefitting from the most selective programs (which points to the issue that the programs are too far away or too inaccessible for some parts of the county).

Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful.

Unfortunately, no program in the county does that.

Shows how little you know about magnets

Actually, it shows that I know more about the magnets than you do.
No program in the county produces more NMSFS than all the other county schools combined. None

appears magnet programs collectively produced 87 (blair, RM, and PHS) out of 140 total for mcps. that's pretty special if you ask me

That's collectively, not single program.

Genius.

That was the claim, idiot

Oh nice. The magnet program does produce more NMSF than all other high schools combined. It’s a factually correct statement. Use your common sense. Dimwit.

Nope, not even close.

2025: Blair 42, all other MCPS high schools 98: https://www.mymcmedia.org/158-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2024: Blair 41, all other MCPS high schools 121 https://www.mymcmedia.org/186-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2023:

Wow, you are really not very smart. MCPS magnet program includes RMIB and PHS too. Where are their numbers?

Huh? There's no "magnet program" that includes multiple schools. There are lots of individual magnet programs (about a dozen.) People usually say "the magnet program" to refer either to Blair, or at certain individual schools they might mean that school's magnet program.

LOL. You must be new to MCPS. Carry on.

It's not a shame to admit you're wrong. As the PP said, there's no magnet program that includes multiple schools. If you say you're in a magnet program, people would ask you which one?

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

+1 The regional IB programs IBDP pass rate is much lower than RMIB's. That tells you that even the 4 regional programs they created a few years ago aren't as successful. Those programs don't offer some of the HL classes that RMIB does. Why? Because there is not enough interest and probably the teachers don't want to teach it/aren't certified to teach it.

And now MCPS wants to expand it to 6 regionals? Makes zero sense to do that.

Why would Taylor want to break something that is highly successful? I listen to staff, and it seems like they have already made up their minds, but don't really have the data to back up their actions. getting rid of the magnet programming will have negative consequences for the school district.

Who says it's highly successful? A few parents who don't want to change? I don't see it--there's just a few school clusters benefitting from the most selective programs (which points to the issue that the programs are too far away or too inaccessible for some parts of the county).

Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful.

Unfortunately, no program in the county does that.

Shows how little you know about magnets

Actually, it shows that I know more about the magnets than you do.
No program in the county produces more NMSFS than all the other county schools combined. None

appears magnet programs collectively produced 87 (blair, RM, and PHS) out of 140 total for mcps. that's pretty special if you ask me

That's collectively, not single program.

Genius.

That was the claim, idiot

Oh nice. The magnet program does produce more NMSF than all other high schools combined. It’s a factually correct statement. Use your common sense. Dimwit.

Nope, not even close.

2025: Blair 42, all other MCPS high schools 98: https://www.mymcmedia.org/158-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2024: Blair 41, all other MCPS high schools 121 https://www.mymcmedia.org/186-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2023:

Wow, you are really not very smart. MCPS magnet program includes RMIB and PHS too. Where are their numbers?

Huh? There's no "magnet program" that includes multiple schools. There are lots of individual magnet programs (about a dozen.) People usually say "the magnet program" to refer either to Blair, or at certain individual schools they might mean that school's magnet program.

LOL. You must be new to MCPS. Carry on.

It's not a shame to admit you're wrong. As the PP said, there's no magnet program that includes multiple schools. If you say you're in a magnet program, people would ask you which one?

Even though most people will automatically think of Blair when you say "magnet program "

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

+1 The regional IB programs IBDP pass rate is much lower than RMIB's. That tells you that even the 4 regional programs they created a few years ago aren't as successful. Those programs don't offer some of the HL classes that RMIB does. Why? Because there is not enough interest and probably the teachers don't want to teach it/aren't certified to teach it.

And now MCPS wants to expand it to 6 regionals? Makes zero sense to do that.

Why would Taylor want to break something that is highly successful? I listen to staff, and it seems like they have already made up their minds, but don't really have the data to back up their actions. getting rid of the magnet programming will have negative consequences for the school district.

Who says it's highly successful? A few parents who don't want to change? I don't see it--there's just a few school clusters benefitting from the most selective programs (which points to the issue that the programs are too far away or too inaccessible for some parts of the county).

Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful.

Unfortunately, no program in the county does that.

Shows how little you know about magnets

Actually, it shows that I know more about the magnets than you do.
No program in the county produces more NMSFS than all the other county schools combined. None

appears magnet programs collectively produced 87 (blair, RM, and PHS) out of 140 total for mcps. that's pretty special if you ask me

That's collectively, not single program.

Genius.

That was the claim, idiot

Oh nice. The magnet program does produce more NMSF than all other high schools combined. It’s a factually correct statement. Use your common sense. Dimwit.

Nope, not even close.

2025: Blair 42, all other MCPS high schools 98: https://www.mymcmedia.org/158-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2024: Blair 41, all other MCPS high schools 121 https://www.mymcmedia.org/186-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2023:

Wow, you are really not very smart. MCPS magnet program includes RMIB and PHS too. Where are their numbers?

Huh? There's no "magnet program" that includes multiple schools. There are lots of individual magnet programs (about a dozen.) People usually say "the magnet program" to refer either to Blair, or at certain individual schools they might mean that school's magnet program.

LOL. You must be new to MCPS. Carry on.

It's not a shame to admit you're wrong. As the PP said, there's no magnet program that includes multiple schools. If you say you're in a magnet program, people would ask you which one?

Even though most people will automatically think of Blair when you say "magnet program "

Not in my part of the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I might have the wrong type or unpopular type of view of these things.

But our kids didn't get into the GT or magnet programs. There were a couple of years where they made it to the lottery but didn't get selected. The same with some of their classmates and our neighbors.

Personally for our family we were okay with it.

The GT, IB and magnet programs are supposed to be for the academically elite, where only the top get in. We were perfectly fine with our kids not making it and going to our local school and is one of the reasons why we chose to live where we do.

As others are trying to say, if you increase the number and seats of the programs, it dilutes the programs and isn't as rigorous or advanced like how the programs are now. Which people are saying they are okay with because it suits the needs of the many instead of the very few.

But another way of looking at it, is that maybe MCPS should be focusing on improving the instruction and quality at their individual schools. So those students who don't get in to the county wide programs (either by not quite qualifying or just not get selected by the lottery) will still get the class selection and level that that they need. Instead of having some mediocre programs that might not be better than some of the local schools around here. And the issue with the offering of the potentially mediocre is that it sounds like they're going to change the current countywide program which is considered top tier.

I had to stop myself from posting in this thread:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1287572.page

Because know that people will attack me as entitled. But I think there's something very wrong if a school doesn't have a track for students to take Algebra I by seventh grade and they have to look to going to a different school just to get on that track. But that just goes to show how there are different standards at different schools within the county and this is starting at elementary school. By the time students get to high school and eligible for these magnet/regional programs, students from different schools won't be on the same level based on the math tracks offered by their elementary schools.

Well noted.

Are you willing to fund other schools differentially enough for them to provide that level of education to their population in need of greater rigor, given that that might require smaller classes than in your area? Are you willing to fund much better ability identification, so that the needs of kids with potential are addressed via public mechanisms where family-based prep currently dominates?

This likely would mean higher taxes or less funding for your area, presuming the area you chose is as you describe because of the relatively high wealth/academic support available from families.

I'm all for provide resources and funding to help raise up disadvantaged and at risk student groups and they absolutely should.

BUT I am not willing to pay higher taxes if I do not see that I'm getting the value from it or even worse less than before. ie how MCPS appears to be lowering the standards for everyone and trying to take away advanced tracks.

Part of the issue with what MCPS is doing, as others have been posting, is that MCPS is lowering the bar rather than trying to bring the groups up to it.

It should not cost extra money to bring higher level classes to all schools.

How do you expect that to be the case? Where there is relative homogeneity of academic ability, there is less need for differentiation/cohorting, while more heterogeneous-ability populations require more, which is more logistically challenging, then requiring more funding to deliver.

This can be so whether that heterogeniety distributes more across the high end or the low end, though typically addressing differential needs of those with significant barriers -- intellectual, emotional, physical, linguistic, etc. -- is more costly than addressing those of students whose differential needs can be met with greater breadth/depth/rigor/pace. Moreover, schools addressing a higher proportion of the former (barriers), though they may receive some differential funding, do not receive enough to address the challenge in full, and then typically are faced both with that and with smaller, less logistically manageable (more costly) cohorts of those with high-end need.

You just change up a few classes and if you do more smarter kids will stay.

This does not address the question. The post explained why it would cost more to bring higher level classes to all schools.

"You just change up a few classes" offers no explanation of how the noted additional cost will be defrayed. Is it the expectation that by making this change that "smarter kids will stay" (are they leaving, now?), and that this waves a wand such that the population at the school suddenly goes from more heterogeneous with a greater proportion of students with significant barriers to a more homogenous one with fewer students with barriers? If not, the differentially high cost remains.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I might have the wrong type or unpopular type of view of these things.

But our kids didn't get into the GT or magnet programs. There were a couple of years where they made it to the lottery but didn't get selected. The same with some of their classmates and our neighbors.

Personally for our family we were okay with it.

The GT, IB and magnet programs are supposed to be for the academically elite, where only the top get in. We were perfectly fine with our kids not making it and going to our local school and is one of the reasons why we chose to live where we do.

As others are trying to say, if you increase the number and seats of the programs, it dilutes the programs and isn't as rigorous or advanced like how the programs are now. Which people are saying they are okay with because it suits the needs of the many instead of the very few.

But another way of looking at it, is that maybe MCPS should be focusing on improving the instruction and quality at their individual schools. So those students who don't get in to the county wide programs (either by not quite qualifying or just not get selected by the lottery) will still get the class selection and level that that they need. Instead of having some mediocre programs that might not be better than some of the local schools around here. And the issue with the offering of the potentially mediocre is that it sounds like they're going to change the current countywide program which is considered top tier.

I had to stop myself from posting in this thread:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1287572.page

Because know that people will attack me as entitled. But I think there's something very wrong if a school doesn't have a track for students to take Algebra I by seventh grade and they have to look to going to a different school just to get on that track. But that just goes to show how there are different standards at different schools within the county and this is starting at elementary school. By the time students get to high school and eligible for these magnet/regional programs, students from different schools won't be on the same level based on the math tracks offered by their elementary schools.

Well noted.

Are you willing to fund other schools differentially enough for them to provide that level of education to their population in need of greater rigor, given that that might require smaller classes than in your area? Are you willing to fund much better ability identification, so that the needs of kids with potential are addressed via public mechanisms where family-based prep currently dominates?

This likely would mean higher taxes or less funding for your area, presuming the area you chose is as you describe because of the relatively high wealth/academic support available from families.

I'm all for provide resources and funding to help raise up disadvantaged and at risk student groups and they absolutely should.

BUT I am not willing to pay higher taxes if I do not see that I'm getting the value from it or even worse less than before. ie how MCPS appears to be lowering the standards for everyone and trying to take away advanced tracks.

Part of the issue with what MCPS is doing, as others have been posting, is that MCPS is lowering the bar rather than trying to bring the groups up to it.

It should not cost extra money to bring higher level classes to all schools.

How do you expect that to be the case? Where there is relative homogeneity of academic ability, there is less need for differentiation/cohorting, while more heterogeneous-ability populations require more, which is more logistically challenging, then requiring more funding to deliver.

This can be so whether that heterogeniety distributes more across the high end or the low end, though typically addressing differential needs of those with significant barriers -- intellectual, emotional, physical, linguistic, etc. -- is more costly than addressing those of students whose differential needs can be met with greater breadth/depth/rigor/pace. Moreover, schools addressing a higher proportion of the former (barriers), though they may receive some differential funding, do not receive enough to address the challenge in full, and then typically are faced both with that and with smaller, less logistically manageable (more costly) cohorts of those with high-end need.

You just change up a few classes and if you do more smarter kids will stay.

This does not address the question. The post explained why it would cost more to bring higher level classes to all schools.

"You just change up a few classes" offers no explanation of how the noted additional cost will be defrayed. Is it the expectation that by making this change that "smarter kids will stay" (are they leaving, now?), and that this waves a wand such that the population at the school suddenly goes from more heterogeneous with a greater proportion of students with significant barriers to a more homogenous one with fewer students with barriers? If not, the differentially high cost remains.

How is it a higher cost? They don't use textbooks except in a few classes. Teacher and other costs are the same. So, they take one regular/honors class and make it a AP or higher level.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

+1 The regional IB programs IBDP pass rate is much lower than RMIB's. That tells you that even the 4 regional programs they created a few years ago aren't as successful. Those programs don't offer some of the HL classes that RMIB does. Why? Because there is not enough interest and probably the teachers don't want to teach it/aren't certified to teach it.

And now MCPS wants to expand it to 6 regionals? Makes zero sense to do that.

Why would Taylor want to break something that is highly successful? I listen to staff, and it seems like they have already made up their minds, but don't really have the data to back up their actions. getting rid of the magnet programming will have negative consequences for the school district.

Who says it's highly successful? A few parents who don't want to change? I don't see it--there's just a few school clusters benefitting from the most selective programs (which points to the issue that the programs are too far away or too inaccessible for some parts of the county).

Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful.

Unfortunately, no program in the county does that.

Shows how little you know about magnets

Actually, it shows that I know more about the magnets than you do.
No program in the county produces more NMSFS than all the other county schools combined. None

appears magnet programs collectively produced 87 (blair, RM, and PHS) out of 140 total for mcps. that's pretty special if you ask me

That's collectively, not single program.

Genius.

That was the claim, idiot

Oh nice. The magnet program does produce more NMSF than all other high schools combined. It’s a factually correct statement. Use your common sense. Dimwit.

Nope, not even close.

2025: Blair 42, all other MCPS high schools 98: https://www.mymcmedia.org/158-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2024: Blair 41, all other MCPS high schools 121 https://www.mymcmedia.org/186-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2023:

Wow, you are really not very smart. MCPS magnet program includes RMIB and PHS too. Where are their numbers?

Huh? There's no "magnet program" that includes multiple schools. There are lots of individual magnet programs (about a dozen.) People usually say "the magnet program" to refer either to Blair, or at certain individual schools they might mean that school's magnet program.

This whole stupid, stupid, stupid sub thread started with "Any that more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful."

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

+1 The regional IB programs IBDP pass rate is much lower than RMIB's. That tells you that even the 4 regional programs they created a few years ago aren't as successful. Those programs don't offer some of the HL classes that RMIB does. Why? Because there is not enough interest and probably the teachers don't want to teach it/aren't certified to teach it.

And now MCPS wants to expand it to 6 regionals? Makes zero sense to do that.

Why would Taylor want to break something that is highly successful? I listen to staff, and it seems like they have already made up their minds, but don't really have the data to back up their actions. getting rid of the magnet programming will have negative consequences for the school district.

Who says it's highly successful? A few parents who don't want to change? I don't see it--there's just a few school clusters benefitting from the most selective programs (which points to the issue that the programs are too far away or too inaccessible for some parts of the county).

Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful.

Unfortunately, no program in the county does that.

Shows how little you know about magnets

Actually, it shows that I know more about the magnets than you do.
No program in the county produces more NMSFS than all the other county schools combined. None

appears magnet programs collectively produced 87 (blair, RM, and PHS) out of 140 total for mcps. that's pretty special if you ask me

That's collectively, not single program.

Genius.

That was the claim, idiot

Oh nice. The magnet program does produce more NMSF than all other high schools combined. It’s a factually correct statement. Use your common sense. Dimwit.

Nope, not even close.

2025: Blair 42, all other MCPS high schools 98: https://www.mymcmedia.org/158-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2024: Blair 41, all other MCPS high schools 121 https://www.mymcmedia.org/186-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2023:

Wow, you are really not very smart. MCPS magnet program includes RMIB and PHS too. Where are their numbers?

Huh? There's no "magnet program" that includes multiple schools. There are lots of individual magnet programs (about a dozen.) People usually say "the magnet program" to refer either to Blair, or at certain individual schools they might mean that school's magnet program.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

+1 The regional IB programs IBDP pass rate is much lower than RMIB's. That tells you that even the 4 regional programs they created a few years ago aren't as successful. Those programs don't offer some of the HL classes that RMIB does. Why? Because there is not enough interest and probably the teachers don't want to teach it/aren't certified to teach it.

And now MCPS wants to expand it to 6 regionals? Makes zero sense to do that.

Why would Taylor want to break something that is highly successful? I listen to staff, and it seems like they have already made up their minds, but don't really have the data to back up their actions. getting rid of the magnet programming will have negative consequences for the school district.

Who says it's highly successful? A few parents who don't want to change? I don't see it--there's just a few school clusters benefitting from the most selective programs (which points to the issue that the programs are too far away or too inaccessible for some parts of the county).

Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful.

Unfortunately, no program in the county does that.

Shows how little you know about magnets

Actually, it shows that I know more about the magnets than you do.
No program in the county produces more NMSFS than all the other county schools combined. None

appears magnet programs collectively produced 87 (blair, RM, and PHS) out of 140 total for mcps. that's pretty special if you ask me

That's collectively, not single program.

Genius.

That was the claim, idiot

Oh nice. The magnet program does produce more NMSF than all other high schools combined. It’s a factually correct statement. Use your common sense. Dimwit.

Nope, not even close.

2025: Blair 42, all other MCPS high schools 98: https://www.mymcmedia.org/158-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2024: Blair 41, all other MCPS high schools 121 https://www.mymcmedia.org/186-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2023:

Wow, you are really not very smart. MCPS magnet program includes RMIB and PHS too. Where are their numbers?

Huh? There's no "magnet program" that includes multiple schools. There are lots of individual magnet programs (about a dozen.) People usually say "the magnet program" to refer either to Blair, or at certain individual schools they might mean that school's magnet program.

This whole stupid, stupid, stupid sub thread started with "Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful."

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

+1 The regional IB programs IBDP pass rate is much lower than RMIB's. That tells you that even the 4 regional programs they created a few years ago aren't as successful. Those programs don't offer some of the HL classes that RMIB does. Why? Because there is not enough interest and probably the teachers don't want to teach it/aren't certified to teach it.

And now MCPS wants to expand it to 6 regionals? Makes zero sense to do that.

Why would Taylor want to break something that is highly successful? I listen to staff, and it seems like they have already made up their minds, but don't really have the data to back up their actions. getting rid of the magnet programming will have negative consequences for the school district.

Who says it's highly successful? A few parents who don't want to change? I don't see it--there's just a few school clusters benefitting from the most selective programs (which points to the issue that the programs are too far away or too inaccessible for some parts of the county).

Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful.

Unfortunately, no program in the county does that.

Shows how little you know about magnets

Actually, it shows that I know more about the magnets than you do.
No program in the county produces more NMSFS than all the other county schools combined. None

appears magnet programs collectively produced 87 (blair, RM, and PHS) out of 140 total for mcps. that's pretty special if you ask me

That's collectively, not single program.

Genius.

That was the claim, idiot

Oh nice. The magnet program does produce more NMSF than all other high schools combined. It’s a factually correct statement. Use your common sense. Dimwit.

Nope, not even close.

2025: Blair 42, all other MCPS high schools 98: https://www.mymcmedia.org/158-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2024: Blair 41, all other MCPS high schools 121 https://www.mymcmedia.org/186-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2023:

Wow, you are really not very smart. MCPS magnet program includes RMIB and PHS too. Where are their numbers?

Huh? There's no "magnet program" that includes multiple schools. There are lots of individual magnet programs (about a dozen.) People usually say "the magnet program" to refer either to Blair, or at certain individual schools they might mean that school's magnet program.

LOL. You must be new to MCPS. Carry on.

It's not a shame to admit you're wrong. As the PP said, there's no magnet program that includes multiple schools. If you say you're in a magnet program, people would ask you which one?

Even though most people will automatically think of Blair when you say "magnet program "

Not in my part of the county.

+1 there is a mix of students where we are, some who go to RMIB and some who go to Blair for the magnet program. People around here would ask "which one"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I might have the wrong type or unpopular type of view of these things.

But our kids didn't get into the GT or magnet programs. There were a couple of years where they made it to the lottery but didn't get selected. The same with some of their classmates and our neighbors.

Personally for our family we were okay with it.

The GT, IB and magnet programs are supposed to be for the academically elite, where only the top get in. We were perfectly fine with our kids not making it and going to our local school and is one of the reasons why we chose to live where we do.

As others are trying to say, if you increase the number and seats of the programs, it dilutes the programs and isn't as rigorous or advanced like how the programs are now. Which people are saying they are okay with because it suits the needs of the many instead of the very few.

But another way of looking at it, is that maybe MCPS should be focusing on improving the instruction and quality at their individual schools. So those students who don't get in to the county wide programs (either by not quite qualifying or just not get selected by the lottery) will still get the class selection and level that that they need. Instead of having some mediocre programs that might not be better than some of the local schools around here. And the issue with the offering of the potentially mediocre is that it sounds like they're going to change the current countywide program which is considered top tier.

I had to stop myself from posting in this thread:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1287572.page

Because know that people will attack me as entitled. But I think there's something very wrong if a school doesn't have a track for students to take Algebra I by seventh grade and they have to look to going to a different school just to get on that track. But that just goes to show how there are different standards at different schools within the county and this is starting at elementary school. By the time students get to high school and eligible for these magnet/regional programs, students from different schools won't be on the same level based on the math tracks offered by their elementary schools.

Well noted.

Are you willing to fund other schools differentially enough for them to provide that level of education to their population in need of greater rigor, given that that might require smaller classes than in your area? Are you willing to fund much better ability identification, so that the needs of kids with potential are addressed via public mechanisms where family-based prep currently dominates?

This likely would mean higher taxes or less funding for your area, presuming the area you chose is as you describe because of the relatively high wealth/academic support available from families.

I'm all for provide resources and funding to help raise up disadvantaged and at risk student groups and they absolutely should.

BUT I am not willing to pay higher taxes if I do not see that I'm getting the value from it or even worse less than before. ie how MCPS appears to be lowering the standards for everyone and trying to take away advanced tracks.

Part of the issue with what MCPS is doing, as others have been posting, is that MCPS is lowering the bar rather than trying to bring the groups up to it.

It should not cost extra money to bring higher level classes to all schools.

How do you expect that to be the case? Where there is relative homogeneity of academic ability, there is less need for differentiation/cohorting, while more heterogeneous-ability populations require more, which is more logistically challenging, then requiring more funding to deliver.

This can be so whether that heterogeniety distributes more across the high end or the low end, though typically addressing differential needs of those with significant barriers -- intellectual, emotional, physical, linguistic, etc. -- is more costly than addressing those of students whose differential needs can be met with greater breadth/depth/rigor/pace. Moreover, schools addressing a higher proportion of the former (barriers), though they may receive some differential funding, do not receive enough to address the challenge in full, and then typically are faced both with that and with smaller, less logistically manageable (more costly) cohorts of those with high-end need.

You just change up a few classes and if you do more smarter kids will stay.

This does not address the question. The post explained why it would cost more to bring higher level classes to all schools.

"You just change up a few classes" offers no explanation of how the noted additional cost will be defrayed. Is it the expectation that by making this change that "smarter kids will stay" (are they leaving, now?), and that this waves a wand such that the population at the school suddenly goes from more heterogeneous with a greater proportion of students with significant barriers to a more homogenous one with fewer students with barriers? If not, the differentially high cost remains.

How is it a higher cost? They don't use textbooks except in a few classes. Teacher and other costs are the same. So, they take one regular/honors class and make it a AP or higher level.

Teachers need to be trained on teaching advanced coursework. Do you think all teachers are plug and play, and any HS teacher would suffice to teach a magnet level class. Please tell me you are not an MCPS employee.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushback on the viability of recreating magnet programs on regional basis:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/13/mcps-program-changes-concerns/

Good, and we need a lot more of this. It was strategic that they introduced this proposal during the summer, when fewer parents and teachers are paying attention. They sought no input, and they thought they could build momentum for it before there the pushback.

The best comment is the final line: “Because we can have all these wonderful regions … but if we still have a disparity in the outcomes, are we really putting the equity lens on that?” This is what I keep coming back to regarding the proposal: what does it actually fix? What's the point of destroying these great programs? There's no logic or rationale to it.

They are not destroying the programs. They are expanding access to the programs for the great many who are able to handle the rigor but did not have application luck.

They ARE dismantling the magnet programs. There are insufficient teachers who can teach advanced programs. From the article: Taylor said the district’s recommendation includes areas of certification the district offers, but he doesn’t know if there’s interest from faculty to “dive in and hyper-specialize.”

He doesn't know. That means he is making decisions with insufficient information. You can't expand programs without trained, hyper-specialized teachers for those programs.

The actual number of highly able students are insufficient to form regional magnets. We aren't provided information on these numbers because it likely would show that the number of highly able students cab't support rigorous magnets in all regions.

+1 The regional IB programs IBDP pass rate is much lower than RMIB's. That tells you that even the 4 regional programs they created a few years ago aren't as successful. Those programs don't offer some of the HL classes that RMIB does. Why? Because there is not enough interest and probably the teachers don't want to teach it/aren't certified to teach it.

And now MCPS wants to expand it to 6 regionals? Makes zero sense to do that.

Why would Taylor want to break something that is highly successful? I listen to staff, and it seems like they have already made up their minds, but don't really have the data to back up their actions. getting rid of the magnet programming will have negative consequences for the school district.

Who says it's highly successful? A few parents who don't want to change? I don't see it--there's just a few school clusters benefitting from the most selective programs (which points to the issue that the programs are too far away or too inaccessible for some parts of the county).

Any programs that produces more NMSF winners than all other county high schools COMBINED, I would consider them highly successful.

Unfortunately, no program in the county does that.

Shows how little you know about magnets

Actually, it shows that I know more about the magnets than you do.
No program in the county produces more NMSFS than all the other county schools combined. None

appears magnet programs collectively produced 87 (blair, RM, and PHS) out of 140 total for mcps. that's pretty special if you ask me

That's collectively, not single program.

Genius.

That was the claim, idiot

Oh nice. The magnet program does produce more NMSF than all other high schools combined. It’s a factually correct statement. Use your common sense. Dimwit.

Nope, not even close.

2025: Blair 42, all other MCPS high schools 98: https://www.mymcmedia.org/158-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2024: Blair 41, all other MCPS high schools 121 https://www.mymcmedia.org/186-county-students-named-national-merit-semifinalists/
2023:

Wow, you are really not very smart. MCPS magnet program includes RMIB and PHS too. Where are their numbers?

Huh? There's no "magnet program" that includes multiple schools. There are lots of individual magnet programs (about a dozen.) People usually say "the magnet program" to refer either to Blair, or at certain individual schools they might mean that school's magnet program.

LOL. You must be new to MCPS. Carry on.

It's not a shame to admit you're wrong. As the PP said, there's no magnet program that includes multiple schools. If you say you're in a magnet program, people would ask you which one?

MCPS magnet program has three county wide programs. Are you arguing that is not the case? WTF?

[Anonymous]

Don't forget PHS!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I might have the wrong type or unpopular type of view of these things.

But our kids didn't get into the GT or magnet programs. There were a couple of years where they made it to the lottery but didn't get selected. The same with some of their classmates and our neighbors.

Personally for our family we were okay with it.

The GT, IB and magnet programs are supposed to be for the academically elite, where only the top get in. We were perfectly fine with our kids not making it and going to our local school and is one of the reasons why we chose to live where we do.

As others are trying to say, if you increase the number and seats of the programs, it dilutes the programs and isn't as rigorous or advanced like how the programs are now. Which people are saying they are okay with because it suits the needs of the many instead of the very few.

But another way of looking at it, is that maybe MCPS should be focusing on improving the instruction and quality at their individual schools. So those students who don't get in to the county wide programs (either by not quite qualifying or just not get selected by the lottery) will still get the class selection and level that that they need. Instead of having some mediocre programs that might not be better than some of the local schools around here. And the issue with the offering of the potentially mediocre is that it sounds like they're going to change the current countywide program which is considered top tier.

I had to stop myself from posting in this thread:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1287572.page

Because know that people will attack me as entitled. But I think there's something very wrong if a school doesn't have a track for students to take Algebra I by seventh grade and they have to look to going to a different school just to get on that track. But that just goes to show how there are different standards at different schools within the county and this is starting at elementary school. By the time students get to high school and eligible for these magnet/regional programs, students from different schools won't be on the same level based on the math tracks offered by their elementary schools.

What school doesn't have a track for kids to take Algebra I by 7th grade?

Every school has an algebra in 7th, I think, its just algebra in 6th, most don't. The bigger issue is the kid swho don't get into magnets and the schools stop at Calc BC leaving kids without enough math to graduate.

Doesn't every HS have AP stats? If they take AP Calc in 11th grade, they can take AP stats in 12th. Lots of kids do that.

[Anonymous]

When will teacher postings for regional magnets get posted? In the spring. I’m interested in applying