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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]A big problem is that parents get worried that their kid is on the low track, so they won't get into the MS magnet, and then they won't get into the HS magnet, and then their college choices will be disappointing. (I know, I totally know, with magnet kids of my own I'm totally aware about competition from other magnet kids for those HS magnet and college spots, also that kids not in magnets are equally smart because there just isn't enough room in the magnet programs, et cetera.)  This is definitely how lots of parents see it.  So they push to get their kids into accelerated tracks. Because if you're in on-grade math it's almost impossible to jump to above-grade math the next year, and then you have less of a chance for the Takoma magnet.... The result is a lot of kids who aren't prepared for acceleration, but Mommy and Daddy pushed for it.

To me, the solution is not to fight peoples' natural protectiveness of their kids. The solution is to offer more selective programs, so the pressure is reduced to get your kid into one of the 2 MS magnets, or one of the 3 HS magnets (well, 2 magnets plus CAP). I hate to be like this, but for many parents, some of the downcounty "choice" schools just aren't substitutes just because they aren't selective but are by lottery. (And I'm not giving Poolesville it's due, but for many of us, Poolesville isn't an option for boundary reasons and we just have the 3 HS choices).

So how about a high school magnet that actually does literature and creative writing, and not so much journalism like at CAP? How about another IB magnet, given the obvious excess demand for the existing one at RM (1/9 are accepted)?  Maybe a performing arts magnet with auditions?

I totally agree with this, particularly the part about the performing arts magnet!

Problem is, this costs money. Also, MoCo probably doesn't care what parents want, they're patting us on the head with a few HS magnets that take a fraction of the kids who are qualified and could do well at these magnets.

Rant over....[/quote][/quote]

It's annoying constantly hearing that we parents push the school to accelerate little Johnny or Joan. Really? B/c with two "advanced" kids of my own, I can tell you that my children's teachers have chosen their math placement just like they have chosen their reading groups and homeroom teachers. Even when I worried about over-acceleration, our child showed what he could really do when his teachers challenged him. Do I want him to get into the MS magnet? Sure, b/c that's where he belongs given his strengths and what he loves. And it's likely his friends will be there. That's what's important at his age.  [/quote]

That's my quote at the top. I never said that no kid belongs in a magnet! My own kids are in magnets. However, it's hard to miss the stories of parents who pushed for advancement and got it. Another poster above said she's seen it too. It's definitely there.[/quote]

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