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[quote=Anonymous]I would clarify a few misinformation about the issue with coordinator replacement, as well as mainstreaming the IB magnet program. I have kids who graduated from the school in the magnet IB program, as well kids who are in the program now. So, I am speaking from experience and knowledge of the school even before the principal came to the school.

[listThe magnet IB program at RM used to be different from other magnet programs in MCPS, by providing magnet level classes for all core classes (vs. magnet level SMACS, Humanities, Global Ecology, CAP etc). So, in other words, this is the only program in MCPS which promises to provide a magnet level all rounded liberal arts experience for HS students. This is the reason why many students who were invited to the many magnet programs and yet are not sure of their career path chose RM. With the current change regarding math pathway for sophomore, that promise is not kept for a small group of students. Many parents fear this is a trial balloon for changes to come in the future to dismantle the all rounded aspect of the magnet program.

The magnet IB program at RM is very different from other IB programs in MCPS. RM does not provide IB certificates (a la carte); it only provided IB Diploma. The IB cohort used to be selected at 9th grade through test-in application process. Yes, the cluster middle schools had an advantage over other middle schools in MCPS to be selected into the program. There were 100 seats for all MCPS school outside the cluster, while there were 25/30 additional seats for the JW only. While the 25/30 seats were offered through the same selection process the ratio of qualified students at JW and offered seats was much higher than the students who got selected in the 100 seats from out of cluster middle schools. There were a few students who were accepted into the diploma program in 11th grade from RM HS student pool only. But they went through a selection panel that the previous coordinator headed. This panel was stringent in accepting students into the program who were not ready to succeed. Frankly any student who entered 9th grade from JW and did not apply for the magnet program, might not be interested or committed to complete it in 11th grade. 
I do not know the number, but from my knowledge the number of accepted students to the IB program in 11th grade was fairly small. In the recent years (last 3 years), the principal has pushed to accommodate more (40/45 additional) students to that pool. 40/45 students out of class of 160 is very big %. This created a power struggle between the Principal who wants to demonstrate access (Mettis report) for his political position vs. the coordinator who was responsible for the success of the students and reputation of the program and did not want to accept that many students unless they can succeed in the program. There is a possibility that the motivation to provide access to more students will result in big dip in diploma yield which would lead to RM giving up its diploma only IB philosophy and take the diploma certificate route. This would make RM similar to other IB program in the county.

The principal split the magnet coordinator position into two positions and as a result took away the centralized authority of a magnet IB coordinator. He promoted a teacher (who did not have IB certification) to be the diploma coordinator and hired a very inexperienced magnet coordinator (who had no experience with gifted students) to work as an administrator only. So, the person who would recruit the county wide academically gifted students is not responsible for the academic instruction of those students and the person who would be responsible for their academic success has no understanding/empathy for their individual sacrifices/challenges to succeed this program. This org restructuring concentrated the power in the hand of the principal to tweak the magnet program to his liking without any objective restraint from another leader. What adds to the agony of the parents/students that none of the trio have IB certification so far. The dismissal of the previous coordinator was devious and hence they cannot use her transitional support while these leaders learn.

The principal talks a good talk, so many parents who have not been in RM for several years and do not see the before and after picture, do not realize the zenga pieces being pulled out. The immediate effect of the change would be felt by students graduating this year and the real repercussion to the change to the magnet IB program will be seen couple of years out.
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