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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Regional test-in magnets replacing the RM, Blait SMACs and Poolesville has some distinct advantages and disadvantages. To be clear this is 100% the direction that this is going. Do not think for one second that this will end at IB programs. There is a whole initiative to change the magnet program that is being released in drips and drabs.

Pros -

1.) Cheaper and more logistical. The current routes and costs for bussing kids all over the county to serve so few students is insane. 
2.) Shorter commutes for high schoolers. MCPS already starts too early and the long bus rides are horrible for teenagers. 
3.) More seats -this should allow for substantially more seats. 
4. ) More equitable. Right now the magnet eligibility map is just bizarre. Some schools have very few options while others have many. With regional centers, every kid regardless of geography in the system should have access to the same programs.

Cons

1.) The quality of these regional magnets will differ based on the region. Regions with a higher concentration of the smartest kids (and sorry DCC people, this is not you despite your obsession) will be substantially better than regions with fewer gifted kids. You see this scenario now with RM. RM is stronger than any of the other IB programs in the county despite having the same IB curriculum. The difference is the combination of the IB curriculum and top students from a much large area.

2.) It will remove the truly top level magnet options like Blair SMACs from the system. There simply are not that many kids capable of thriving in a program like this and certainly not enough to fill four regional centers. The STEM magnets can be good but they will never be anything like Blair is today pulling the top students from a large area. Since MD has nothing like TJ, kids in Montgomery County will not have the same opportunity for a top level magnet anymore.

3.) Schools like Watkins Mill/Seneca Valley and Kennedy will struggle to attract whites and asians with only the offer a regional magnet. No one is going to choose an IB program at Kennedy over Blair CAPS. If people from NW and QO who used to go to RM only have access to magnet programs at Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley, they'll just stay in private or their home school. Kennedy/WM/SV have too many problems no matter how many incidents MCPS suppresses from being reported. 
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Good post[/quote]

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