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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have no problem with MCPS paying for tutoring and  prep classes for under privileged children.  I grew up lower income to uneducated immigrant parents who don't speak English.

But lowering the threshold doesn't serve the program, or the kids.  Provide the support, but don't lower the expectations.  All that does is provide a crutch for the kid.  Life doesn't provide a crutch forever.[/quote]

Yeah I agree with you and PP. Because there are more 99 percentile kids than spots in programs. Don’t lower standards. Provide opportunities to meet that standard, from the earliest possible age. So many non-profits and businesses have diversity initiatives that are reasonably effective. MCPS can too, but needs to be smart about it. Enfranchise kids early rather than waiting until double digits, when it’s much tougher to do.[/quote]

I don't think anybody here has talked about lowering standards they talked about creating a level playing field so that all children could access these opportunities not just those wealthy enough to afford expensive prep classes.[/quote]

Clearly you did not read the previous posts then.[/quote]

I did and they only suggested leveling the playing field, but I understand that's confusing to someone who is privileged.[/quote]

Please describe what level is to you.  Is it just getting rid of all prep classes?  No differentiation in school?[/quote]
I'm the first PP up thread.. I think some think that "leveling the playing field" is looking at which zip code you live in and setting the threshold based on that because they think anyone from a certain zip code who scores above a certain point must have been tutored.  But, that is not the case.  There are many students from all walks of life who are "outliers" and need more challenging academics. It is not and should not be based on skin color or your zip code or your parent's income level.

Then there are those who think if you were lucky enough to be born to certain parents then you don't need another yet another "privilege" like the magnet program. You would do fine without it.

But the problem with this way of thinking is:

1. public schools shouldn't be picking and choosing "winners" and "losers". That's not the job of a public school.    As I said, I have no issues with public schools paying for additional tutoring and even after school care, but it should not be setting criteria based on who your parents are.  That's what racists did not that long ago.
2. the whole point of a magnet is to draw in higher income students to a lower performing area.  If you do away with that, it will cause even more segregation, though it would certainly reduce transportation costs.  
I have no problem with set aside seats for in bound students.  I think that's a great way to admit more students from the less affluent areas.

3. If MCPS disregards the higher performing, high income families, such families will no longer want to be part of MCPS.  The scores will start to drop quickly.

MCPS likes to tout AP exam participation rate and scores, but at the same time look down at those who prep to get those high scores.  You can't have it both ways.

I bought my kid a cogat book from amazon.  It was like $40 or something.    That's the only prep my kid did.   MCPS could certainly buy one for low income students who are interested.   They could even offer weekend prep classes to low income students.

But setting the threshold by zip code and income level doesn't serve the mission of the magnet program, or at the end of the day, the students in the program.  Life is tough, and when you constantly rely on a crutch, when reality hits, you won't be able to stand on your own.  When  that kid leaves HS, do you imagine that kid will continue to have MCPS level the playing field for that kid for life?
[/quote]

Very well articulated. [/quote]

All good points.

My kid is a 4th grader at a Regional CES.  His older sister was also in the same CES a few years ago.

This year, the caliber of kids is SO different.  One-third of the class is in ‘remedial math’.  How is that even possible?  His older sister’s class was almost all Compacted Math, with just a handful of kids who were on-level.  None of the kids were ‘remedial math.  The kids post things on the Google discussion boards and some of the kids really need help with grammar and composition.

The racial make-up of the class has also changed dramatically.

The level of discussion and the level of ability is nowhere near what it used to be.

It will be interesting to see how things pan out this year.  My guess is that the level of instruction will have to be adjusted to meet the kids where they are.  [/quote]

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