Reply to CCES HGC

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The central administration has been aware of the problems with the Principal for years and they have occasionally checked up on her but done nothing of substance.  It is still worth bringing issues to higher ups (not sure who that is now since they no longer use the community superintendent) but what would help more is if the PTA would get involved.  Historically the PTA there has not done much but the central administration is not likely to act based on individual complaints.  The upshot is that the Principal typically backs down if you do reach out to her higher ups but only on the immediate issue.     [/quote]

IMO, the PTA is very unlikely to get involved in a situation which pits them against the principal and concerns only a portion of the school's students (whether they are HGC students or home school students).  The only issue of academic concern that the PTA has been involved in in the last few years is the issue about declining quality of course offerings in the 6th grade program and whether a new school should be built.  Even in this situation, the PTA was working for the whole school.

IMO, if one wants to appeal over the head of the principal it can be done on behalf of an individual student or a group of parents making concerns known on behalf of a group of students.  Check here to see that Dr. Donna Hollginshead is listed as the 
"Associate Superintendant" who has been assigned responsibility for CCES.  http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/clusteradmin/1566.13_LevelAlikeAssignmentList.pdf

One can also use the organizational chart -- http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ -- to find other "supervisors" on particular issues.  For example, on issues related to C2.0, I would actually go ABOVE the head of the head of math curricular instruction, while cc'ing him, because he is probably responsible for getting all principals to implement C2.0 as MCPS wants it (which is clearly what Mrs. Smith is doing).  And, I would include the head of AEI (Advanced and Enriched Instruction) who is responsible for the HGC programs.

See the MCPS Staff Directory here -- http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/directory/index.aspx -- for individual phone and email contacts for central supervisory staff.

When one goes over the head of the principal, it is important to include a paper or data trail and not just oral complaints.  It is also important to remind supervisors of legal requirements imposed on the educational system -- this is more relevant for special ed parents than HGC parents, since the law doesn't impose a duty to provide the "best" education, just an appropriate one.  What is "appropriate" can vary based on individual special ed needs.  Remember, if it isn't on paper, it didn't happen.  Document your concerns with individual teachers and the principal by writing emails to them describing your concerns.  If you meet with someone, document the meeting afterwards by writing an email which describes your understanding of what occurred in the meeting.  [/quote]

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