Reply to Thinking of Moving to MoCo for schools

Forum Index » Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)

Reply to "Thinking of Moving to MoCo for schools - please advise"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]This is OP. I am deeply curious. Are ther GT programs generally available in MoCo ESs? This is one thing we have been asking for on Cap Hill. Have been told it is imposdible (ven laughable to ask) in all of DCPS. We have been told that "differentiation" is the norm, but I have my doubts.[/quote]

MCPS HGC centers only accept 3% of kids. In some clusters 40% and higher of the kids test as GT. Nothing is done for kids who test as GT other than offer them additional testing and the ability to apply to a GT center. HGC centers are wonderful for writing, reading, and projects but not as challenging for math. Math is the weakest point in MCPS and acceleration is no longer allowed. Compacted math isn't very challenging. For a math centric student who really needed to be working 2 years ahead, there are no options.

There is no differentiation in MCPS either. Reading groups work at different levels but this only means that the kids in the high group get to work independently. The enriched math options are a complete joke. If your child scores off the charts, is an excellent writing, loves writing and is independently motivated than you have a shot at HGC and could take the chance. Unless your child is very math centric, he or she would probably enjoy the HGC option in MCPS but its still a chance whether you get in or not. [/quote]

No one needs to be designated GT in order to test for HGC -- the test administered to all kids whose parents apply, and every parent of a third grader is invited to apply.  Obviously, being designated GT is usually an indication that your child is a candidate for the HGC...but not a prerequisite per se.

I disagree that there is no differentiation in MCPS and that the kids in the highest groups are just working independently.  My experience has been that the teachers do try to work with each group separately and at their appropriate level.  But I'm sure it takes skilled teachers to pull it off, and so your mileage can vary.

Also, we're talking about DCPS -- I think MCPS compares quite favorably...although people can still weigh in on the differences between the MCPS clusters.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics