Anonymous
04/19/2024 20:51
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
They need better teachers, and better training for them once hired. THIS is what DEI should actually mean, for goodness' sakes!
Take my kids' math experience, for ex:
1. My son's 12th grade AP Calc BC teacher was awful last year. He didn't explain any of it clearly. The students who did well were very strong in math to begin with. We hired an expensive, and excellent math tutor, so DS could keep up. How on earth is this equitable?
2. My daughter's Algebra 2 teacher is similar. She doesn't explain anything on the tests unless kids show up to her office hours, which some kids can't do. Kids twiddled their thumbs for TWO days, and were told to do whatever they wanted during class, the week the notes were late. Apparently she doesn't write them herself, the math team does, and she just reads through them or something. Thankfully my daughter is naturally strong in math, and doesn't actually need much guidance. But if my son was in that class, he'd fail miserably. How is that equitable?!
I could cite you some other examples from my son's AP Computer Science Principles teacher, or his AP World History teacher. Or some of my kids' friends' experiences with abysmal world language teachers. One who long-termed subbed for a year and who didn't even speak the language! Talk about setting kids back...
This is the most basic requirement: that teachers actually know how to teach.
That requirement is not being met right now, and it should be met 100% of the time.
Take my kids' math experience, for ex:
1. My son's 12th grade AP Calc BC teacher was awful last year. He didn't explain any of it clearly. The students who did well were very strong in math to begin with. We hired an expensive, and excellent math tutor, so DS could keep up. How on earth is this equitable?
2. My daughter's Algebra 2 teacher is similar. She doesn't explain anything on the tests unless kids show up to her office hours, which some kids can't do. Kids twiddled their thumbs for TWO days, and were told to do whatever they wanted during class, the week the notes were late. Apparently she doesn't write them herself, the math team does, and she just reads through them or something. Thankfully my daughter is naturally strong in math, and doesn't actually need much guidance. But if my son was in that class, he'd fail miserably. How is that equitable?!
I could cite you some other examples from my son's AP Computer Science Principles teacher, or his AP World History teacher. Or some of my kids' friends' experiences with abysmal world language teachers. One who long-termed subbed for a year and who didn't even speak the language! Talk about setting kids back...
This is the most basic requirement: that teachers actually know how to teach.
That requirement is not being met right now, and it should be met 100% of the time.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 20:40
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
Anonymous wrote:Attention All MCPS Parents/Caregivers:
In 2023:
● Only half of all tenth graders in the county passed the English 10 MCAP exam.
● Even at our most affluent schools, only half of students receiving FARMS passed.
● At our highest poverty schools, only one third of students passed the test.
What can we do to improve student outcomes?
The MCCPTA Curriculum Committee is offering an Instructional Equity Workshop by Zoom on
Thursday, May 2 from 7-9 pm to help PTA leaders, caregivers and teachers learn how
curriculum and instruction can better support our students for their futures.
Please join us on Thursday, May 2, at 7 pm. to 9 p.m. to:
● Understand "The Opportunity Myth" and the four critical resources to help students
prepare for college and career.
● Learn the important role of instructional materials in creating equity and what this looks
like in reading and literacy classes.
● Get an update on exciting developments in K-5 Reading in MCPS and explore current 6-8
and 9-12 literature courses.
● Hear from MCPS leaders and have an opportunity to share what you're seeing in
schools.
● Walk away with clear action steps for your PTA to find out more at your school and
advocate for strong literacy experiences across K-12.
Let’s make a difference together.
Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkd-uuqjspEtOy-UYWS6fQJCoYwMqlONqv
This sounds like it might be a good thing. Anyone have any specifics on what this could be?
First thing we could do is find a proven test that is nationally recognized.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 20:30
Subject: Re:INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
Anonymous wrote:Word salad stupidity
Education and English majors have ruined society
Anonymous
04/19/2024 20:29
Subject: Re:INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
Word salad stupidity
Education and English majors have ruined society
Education and English majors have ruined society
Anonymous
04/19/2024 18:29
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
Anonymous wrote:No, but we can drag down the top performers which is what equity ends up doing.Anonymous wrote:Aaargh, you think we haven’t been fighting this fight for years? I’m MCPS staff. We absolutely believe in equity as a goal. But this is not something that a new curriculum is going to fix! Children’s backgrounds and home lives are not something we can change. They come to us massively different when they’re 5 years old and those differences persist. We cannot fix society.
Exactly
Anonymous
04/19/2024 16:32
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
Important.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 09:52
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
I agree that having a bad curriculum like Benchmark makes the already large gap in test scores/learning even wider. Of course there are other factors as well, but many of those are beyond MCPS's control. Getting a solid curriculum in place is within their control.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 09:24
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
No, but we can drag down the top performers which is what equity ends up doing.Anonymous wrote:Aaargh, you think we haven’t been fighting this fight for years? I’m MCPS staff. We absolutely believe in equity as a goal. But this is not something that a new curriculum is going to fix! Children’s backgrounds and home lives are not something we can change. They come to us massively different when they’re 5 years old and those differences persist. We cannot fix society.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 09:09
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
Aaargh, you think we haven’t been fighting this fight for years? I’m MCPS staff. We absolutely believe in equity as a goal. But this is not something that a new curriculum is going to fix! Children’s backgrounds and home lives are not something we can change. They come to us massively different when they’re 5 years old and those differences persist. We cannot fix society.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 09:02
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
MCAP English didn’t count for grading or graduation of grade 10 in 2023.
Many kids blew it off.
Many kids blew it off.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 08:50
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
"Learn the important role of instructional materials in creating equity and what this looks
like in reading and literacy classes."
Honestly, what does this even mean? It seems to me to be saying creating equity is the goal and we can do it in reading classes. So...how is this "equity" outcome measured, to know if you have "created" it?
You've made the connection that FARMS have poorer outcomes. And the connection that being in a more affluent school doesn't magically cure that. And the fact of the matter is, non FARMS are also having poor outcomes, just not as bad. Maybe you can admit it is something more than FARMS and focus on that.
IDK how, in one of the "better" school systems in the nation, my daughter had to retake algebra in college. Yes, I thought her getting A's in algebra in HS meant she was doing well, but apparently not being I had to pay tuition for her to finally learn it.
like in reading and literacy classes."
Honestly, what does this even mean? It seems to me to be saying creating equity is the goal and we can do it in reading classes. So...how is this "equity" outcome measured, to know if you have "created" it?
You've made the connection that FARMS have poorer outcomes. And the connection that being in a more affluent school doesn't magically cure that. And the fact of the matter is, non FARMS are also having poor outcomes, just not as bad. Maybe you can admit it is something more than FARMS and focus on that.
IDK how, in one of the "better" school systems in the nation, my daughter had to retake algebra in college. Yes, I thought her getting A's in algebra in HS meant she was doing well, but apparently not being I had to pay tuition for her to finally learn it.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 08:15
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
This is where they talk about DEI for an hour and a half and spend 15 minutes on actual curriculum. They leave 15 minutes for public opinion but they’ll probably spend half that time interrupting.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 08:07
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
Anonymous wrote:Just get actual curriculum with textbooks and student books and workbooks.
Stop the DEI bullshit
Yep.
Smaller class sizes.
Stronger curriculum.
More differentiation so that the kids who need extra help to catch up have smaller class sizes and can be taught as a group.
Bring back textbooks and workbooks.
Anonymous
04/19/2024 08:04
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
Just get actual curriculum with textbooks and student books and workbooks.
Stop the DEI bullshit
Stop the DEI bullshit
Anonymous
04/19/2024 07:58
Subject: INSTRUCTIONAL EQUITY WORKSHOP May 2
Attention All MCPS Parents/Caregivers:
In 2023:
● Only half of all tenth graders in the county passed the English 10 MCAP exam.
● Even at our most affluent schools, only half of students receiving FARMS passed.
● At our highest poverty schools, only one third of students passed the test.
What can we do to improve student outcomes?
The MCCPTA Curriculum Committee is offering an Instructional Equity Workshop by Zoom on
Thursday, May 2 from 7-9 pm to help PTA leaders, caregivers and teachers learn how
curriculum and instruction can better support our students for their futures.
Please join us on Thursday, May 2, at 7 pm. to 9 p.m. to:
● Understand "The Opportunity Myth" and the four critical resources to help students
prepare for college and career.
● Learn the important role of instructional materials in creating equity and what this looks
like in reading and literacy classes.
● Get an update on exciting developments in K-5 Reading in MCPS and explore current 6-8
and 9-12 literature courses.
● Hear from MCPS leaders and have an opportunity to share what you're seeing in
schools.
● Walk away with clear action steps for your PTA to find out more at your school and
advocate for strong literacy experiences across K-12.
Let’s make a difference together.
Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkd-uuqjspEtOy-UYWS6fQJCoYwMqlONqv
This sounds like it might be a good thing. Anyone have any specifics on what this could be?
In 2023:
● Only half of all tenth graders in the county passed the English 10 MCAP exam.
● Even at our most affluent schools, only half of students receiving FARMS passed.
● At our highest poverty schools, only one third of students passed the test.
What can we do to improve student outcomes?
The MCCPTA Curriculum Committee is offering an Instructional Equity Workshop by Zoom on
Thursday, May 2 from 7-9 pm to help PTA leaders, caregivers and teachers learn how
curriculum and instruction can better support our students for their futures.
Please join us on Thursday, May 2, at 7 pm. to 9 p.m. to:
● Understand "The Opportunity Myth" and the four critical resources to help students
prepare for college and career.
● Learn the important role of instructional materials in creating equity and what this looks
like in reading and literacy classes.
● Get an update on exciting developments in K-5 Reading in MCPS and explore current 6-8
and 9-12 literature courses.
● Hear from MCPS leaders and have an opportunity to share what you're seeing in
schools.
● Walk away with clear action steps for your PTA to find out more at your school and
advocate for strong literacy experiences across K-12.
Let’s make a difference together.
Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkd-uuqjspEtOy-UYWS6fQJCoYwMqlONqv
This sounds like it might be a good thing. Anyone have any specifics on what this could be?