Reply to Gifted & talented programs and magnet school opportunities in the public schools?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The magnet programs at all levels are outstanding. Unfortunately, for ES and MS you can only access them through a lottery so the vast majority of qualified students can’t join the programs, which have limited seats.

[b]MCPS is about to change the upper ES/MS math pathways[/b] soon, so that’s up in the air.

And they are completely changing MS and HS magnets, as well, probably making more seats available but somewhat watered down programs, staff, and student criteria. [b]No one knows what the outcomes will be[/b], so any info we have on current programs will be obsolete by Fall 2027.

The curricular opportunities and enriched/accelerated offerings at regular home schools exist, but don’t really meet the needs of gifted students much of the time, particularly in middle school which is the weak link. [/quote]

The Math pathways change is state-mandated, beginning with the change from the Algebra 1/Geometry/Algebra 2 series to a 2-year Integrated Algebra series and following with 4 possible career- or college-major-related paths.

Nobody knows what the outcomes will be, and that includes whether or not any magnets become watered down (advocacy may be needed to ensure this doesn't happen as the needed additional capacity is plannned) and what the trajectory of current programs may be (continued/altered/sunset/moved/closed/etc.).[/quote]

This sounds horrible. It's a top-down decision from State? I believe currently all students can reach Calculus at least by graduation with one solid year dedicated to geometry. Now they think geometry is not necessary and they can combine with Algebra? Then what? [b]What does career-related path mean?[/b] If you could point to a source to read docs about these pathways, it would be wonderful. Thanks[/quote]

See the overview of the 4 pathways beginning on page 32:

https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2025/0225/Math-Policy-A.pdf

Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 proposed content:

https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DCAA/Math/revised/Integrated-Algebra-1-Crosswalk-5_7_25-A.pdf

https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DCAA/Math/revised/Integrated-Algebra-2-Crosswalk-5_8_25-A.pdf

MCPS touched on this (not deeply) at spring curriculum nights and had a minor brief, I think, at one or other spring BOE meeting (perhaps a committee meeting).

First DCUM discussion, I think, here:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1253352.page

You'd need to read that to the end, as the stuff before early March contains a lot of conjecture (e.g., 3 year sequence, as adopted in some other states), being prior to the release of the MSDE draft policy for review.  Also in several other math- or program-related threads that followed.

Things are still being fleshed out, especially for MCPS and other local school jurisdictions tasked with implementation of the MSDE policy.  Google "MSDE 'Integrated Algebra'" for a number of articles, etc.[/quote]

Thanks! Bookmarked! Highly appreciated![/quote]

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