Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really PP? This looks like a useful meeting. I’d like to know which kids getting enrichment at our school are stuck with Benchmark (which is awful) while other kids get to avoid Benchmark altogether.

Curious, why is Benchmark awful?

I have a teacher friend whose child is doing ELC, and she says she prefers Benchmark. ELC apparently does more loosey goosey creative writing and she finds the Benchmark connection to the text more compelling. It sounds like there are pros and cons to both.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really PP? This looks like a useful meeting. I’d like to know which kids getting enrichment at our school are stuck with Benchmark (which is awful) while other kids get to avoid Benchmark altogether.

Most of the schools don't get this stuff. I heard it's only at the rich schools.

Our Focus school had enrichment. My kid eventually ended up at an HGC (now CES), but in 3rd grade they were pulled out for William and Mary ELA enrichment, which was the predecessor to the current programs. I’m pretty sure the school still has enrichment now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really PP? This looks like a useful meeting. I’d like to know which kids getting enrichment at our school are stuck with Benchmark (which is awful) while other kids get to avoid Benchmark altogether.

Curious, why is Benchmark awful?

Good question, PP. Benchmark is considered awful here on DCUM but I've never heard an explanation for why. It gets kids engaging with texts and writing at an earlier age than the previous curriculum. It also teaches some content via the booklets instead of having kids write or edit random sentences that have no connection to content.

The kids absolutely hate it. None of the stories are “engaging” and they force them re-read them over and over. It’s mind numbing.

How many kids have been surveyed to know if its really hated by the kids? The curriculum includes regular books kids enjoy and that teachers can use for novel study, are teachers using this? How much of the problem is teachers and students getting used to the curriculum? Didn’t the implementation have to be accelerated during the pandemic?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really PP? This looks like a useful meeting. I’d like to know which kids getting enrichment at our school are stuck with Benchmark (which is awful) while other kids get to avoid Benchmark altogether.

Curious, why is Benchmark awful?

Good question, PP. Benchmark is considered awful here on DCUM but I've never heard an explanation for why. It gets kids engaging with texts and writing at an earlier age than the previous curriculum. It also teaches some content via the booklets instead of having kids write or edit random sentences that have no connection to content.

The kids absolutely hate it. None of the stories are “engaging” and they force them re-read them over and over. It’s mind numbing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really PP? This looks like a useful meeting. I’d like to know which kids getting enrichment at our school are stuck with Benchmark (which is awful) while other kids get to avoid Benchmark altogether.

Curious, why is Benchmark awful?

Good question, PP. Benchmark is considered awful here on DCUM but I've never heard an explanation for why. It gets kids engaging with texts and writing at an earlier age than the previous curriculum. It also teaches some content via the booklets instead of having kids write or edit random sentences that have no connection to content.

What is the point of going to this if my kid's school doesn't offer this curriculum?

Anonymous wrote:Really PP? This looks like a useful meeting. I’d like to know which kids getting enrichment at our school are stuck with Benchmark (which is awful) while other kids get to avoid Benchmark altogether.

Most of the schools don't get this stuff. I heard it's only at the rich schools.

Anonymous wrote:Really PP? This looks like a useful meeting. I’d like to know which kids getting enrichment at our school are stuck with Benchmark (which is awful) while other kids get to avoid Benchmark altogether.

Curious, why is Benchmark awful?

Really PP? This looks like a useful meeting. I’d like to know which kids getting enrichment at our school are stuck with Benchmark (which is awful) while other kids get to avoid Benchmark altogether.

There is a reason no one goes to your meetings.

There have been a number of threads asking questions about ELC and Benchmark Enrichment. MCCPTA is sponsoring a webinar next week:

Did you know that MCPS has 3 different English Language Arts (ELA) curricula for highly able learners in Elementary School?


Join MCCPTA's Gifted Education Committee as we present an overview of the curriculum used in the Centers for Enriched Studies (CES), the Enriched Literacy Curriculum (ELC), and the Supplemental Enrichment Guidance to Benchmark Advance curriculum.


We'll compare and contrast the curricula, and discuss how you can partner with your child's school to meet your child’s needs.


ELA Enrichment in MCPS Elementary Schools: Understanding the Differences Between CES, ELC and Enrichment Guidance to Benchmark Advance

Thursday Nov 11/2021

7-8:00p


Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvd--qrjMrEteReHRBMfbMkcf0QqHsda-G


After registering, you will receive information about joining the meeting.


MCCPTA Gifted Education Committee

gifted@mccpta.org