Anonymous wrote:Disagree. They should have more.

-parent of former RMIB student

Why should there be more of them? Most districts in the county don’t have as many special and magnet programs. Folks here complain about cost, not focusing on the basics, bussing, etc etc. Getting rid of these extra programs would allow more teachers to focus on “the basics” and lower the cost of transportation because kids wouldn’t be going to programs all across the county.

Howard and Frederick county don’t have all these specialized and magnet programs but are supposedly great school districts. Why should MCPS keep this up?

I think we need more. Mostly in the arts.

Anonymous wrote:While they’re at it, they can break up mcps—it’s too big. And widen access to sports—it is unfair that so few can be on the team. And increase the quality of ELA in MS so that it’s rigorous and challenging. Offer vouchers so students aren’t stuck in a classroom full of disruptive students where little learning can be done, or with a bad teacher, etc.

If MCPS was broken up, there definitely would not be all these programs because there would not be funds or the number of students to justify them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of HS application and special programs. If many were eliminated or at least restricted to local only MCPS would save on all that bussing cost. Save cost for any additional curriculum or supplies. And it would hopefully reset some parent expectations of the district back to reality. Students could still take AP and DE.

Ou school doesn’t have advanced math classes. So, nice plan but you are hurting a lot of kids who don’t have equal access.

High school? I don't think so.

Anonymous wrote:While they’re at it, they can break up mcps—it’s too big. And widen access to sports—it is unfair that so few can be on the team. And increase the quality of ELA in MS so that it’s rigorous and challenging. Offer vouchers so students aren’t stuck in a classroom full of disruptive students where little learning can be done, or with a bad teacher, etc.

The county school system is too big and we see how that negatively impacts all students. Break it up into more manageable smaller units.

Yes to vouchers so parents have a choice and can get their kids out of a bad situation.

And more differentiation in ES and MS would be a huge improvement. Smaller class sizes for the kids who need extra help.

While they’re at it, they can break up mcps—it’s too big. And widen access to sports—it is unfair that so few can be on the team. And increase the quality of ELA in MS so that it’s rigorous and challenging. Offer vouchers so students aren’t stuck in a classroom full of disruptive students where little learning can be done, or with a bad teacher, etc.

Disagree. They should have more.

-parent of former RMIB student

Sounds like someone's kid didn't get into RM or Blair.

Just eliminating the coordinator positions for these special programs would save a lot!

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if MCPS has given thought to reducing its HS magnet and special programs offerings. There are certainly a lot of benefits that could be had from doing so.

I wonder, have you?

Thank you for the thorough analysis of the pros and cons of these profesms. I learned a lot today.

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of HS application and special programs. If many were eliminated or at least restricted to local only MCPS would save on all that bussing cost. Save cost for any additional curriculum or supplies. And it would hopefully reset some parent expectations of the district back to reality. Students could still take AP and DE.

Ou school doesn’t have advanced math classes. So, nice plan but you are hurting a lot of kids who don’t have equal access.

There are lots of HS application and special programs. If many were eliminated or at least restricted to local only MCPS would save on all that bussing cost. Save cost for any additional curriculum or supplies. And it would hopefully reset some parent expectations of the district back to reality. Students could still take AP and DE.

There are so few magnets that will not make a difference.

I wonder if MCPS has given thought to reducing its HS magnet and special programs offerings. There are certainly a lot of benefits that could be had from doing so.