Reply to BOE reconsidering the Virtual Academy, Leader in Me, and Innovative School Year Calendar

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Looking at the conversation, and the data, I think a fair and reasonable solution would be:

1) Eliminate MVA for K-5, as it is not working

2) Keep MVA for 6-12, but only for kids for whom it is necessary. Essentially, require a 504 or IEP the way you would any other accommodation that fits under FAPE.

3) Reconfirm with home schools their obligation to include MVA students in extracurriculars, and make sure MVA parents know who to call if that doesn't happen. [/quote]

Except that data is not accurate because it is from the first year of the program and classes were done very differently.  Why aren’t they releasing data from last year or this year.   Why aren’t they breaking down the numbers to compare it with every school as that is not a true comparison.

As for #3, that is one of the reasons why many families are returning in person and many tried and tried to work with their home schools and they were not responsive.

As for #2, who decides if it is necessary.  If a child prefers it, they should have their choice.  Your kids get to choose, so why shouldn’t they.  Look at the petition and hear some of the kids talk about being bullied.   Mcps refuses to handle any behavioral issues in the schools, so why do you feel you know what’s best for them and bullying can cause life long trauma.

The sensible thing is to make it a school, not a program which would fund it like a regular school and/increase funding for more staff for reading and other specialists to help with the low scores or go back to offering the tutoring programs to families.

In terms of attendance, they need to breakdown why kids are absent.  I know several kids who have long or multiple hospitalizations and they long in when they can.  Also, I know sometimes my kid was marked absent when they were there and the teacher refused to fix it even though we could prove they were there via screen shot and photos.  The attendance secretary deferred to the teacher.

Mcps wastes so much money.  There are so many other good ways to cut the budget without directly hurting a group of kids.  This is such a small amount in the budget.

And, some of these kids will need special placements.  Are they even available for next year and consider that cost.

Or, would you prefer unqualified parents to homeschool instead?

The BOA is trying to take away attention off the more pressing issues by throwing two programs under the bus.  Instead they should be focusing on cleaning house and making things safe as well as addressing the other concerns.

These are not your kids.  If virtual did not work in your home, that’s ok.  But don’t take it away from others who need or want it.  [/quote]

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