Reply to Bio & Honors Bio and schools with only Honors Bio

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]MCPS has done away with any meaningful distinctions between honors and on-level courses. If your school offers only honors-level Bio, it's pretty much a regular bio class with honors being in name only.

I assume schools that offer both on-level and honors versions of the same class have some differences,  but I've never been able to get a clear articulation of what those differences are from educators or counselors.[/quote]

I get that you have gripes but this is simply untrue. [/quote]

It is, in fact, true. Starting with next year's 9th graders, there will be only Honors or AP. So your choices are Honors ESOL, Honors Special Ed, or regular Honors. Regular Honors sweeps up every kid who is not in ESOL or receiving special education services.

Yes, it's a farce. I'm not someone who has complained much about MCPS, but pretending that kids (and teachers) wouldn't benefit from differentiation at that age is just Orwellian. I absolutely understand the concerns about equity, but if that's the issue then keep true Honors classes but remove the gatekeeping measures. Let every kid sign up and sink or swim. But just getting rid of on-level and forcing everyone into an undifferentiated mass is bad for absolutely everyone. [/quote]

+10000. The way they are doing it is not equity.  Removing gate keeping to classes, that’s equity.  Providing needed supports and feedback, that’s equity.  Encouraging all students to work hard, and binging those students showing the potential to succeed in more rigorous coursework, regardless of background, that’s equity. Throwing in occasionally some harder work in the on level class to see if kids step up or do well and then determining if you can elevate the level of class in certain areas or should suggest some kids move up during the next semester, that’s equity.  This is just craziness run amock.[/quote]

Oh but you are wrong. It is equitable.  Your children are encouraged to take AP level classes. So if the problem is that they aren't being challenged by the school-step right in there and sign them up for APs
 The only gatekeeper to AP classes, ultimately,  is you.[/quote]

Its not equitable and in fact a disservice to kids both on level and in honors.  There is a difference between Honors and AP classes. Honors classes are meant to be HS classes with greater depth, expectation and sometimes quicker pacing.  AP classes are meant to be college level introductory course taken in HS.  Further, no HS offers or suggest AP BIo for 9th graders, nor should they.  AP Science classes are best taken once you have some background info and understanding of the rigor you are stepping into.  Most 9th graders are not ready or prepared.    So when you have mixed classes what usually happens, is that its taught as on-level, but still forces the honors students to take the more difficult exams while missing out on the expectation and content. OR the teacher tries to keep the content of the honors course is taught, but the teacher spends a huge amount of time trying to support the on-level students who can’t keep up, usually at the detriment of rigor and expectation of the honor’s level.  Equity is about removing artificial barriers to success and leveling the playing field to where everyone has the opportunity to try if they want.  Its not about assuming that all people will success in all endeavors if just placed there, particularly without the preparation needed.

Its not equitable to throw everyone into the same class but then downgrade the level of class instruction.  its not equitable to throw everyone into a more rigorous class knowing that a whole handful are going to sink because they don’t have the background and skills to succeed.  It would however be equitable to allow those who can succeed in a more rigorous class to do so, while still providing a similar on-level class for other students.  AND providing other students the skills (time management, vocabulary, math tutoring, etc.) /support (ADHD counselor, study hall, etc) that would allow them to step up to more rigorous classes.[/quote]

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