Each region is supposed to have a language program, but previously they didn't explain that it would be criteria based. Also, I didn't think it was only supposed to be Mandarin.

Anonymous wrote:Some languages are more equal than others?
#AnimalFarm

My kid who is now a college senior majoring in Chinese started the language in MS at Westland. My understanding from my younger kid is that Silver Creek (and maybe now Westland) have the option to study Chinese, but the students have to take the class at BCC.

Fwiw one of the challenges is finding Chinese teachers and maintaining sufficient numbers as the language gets more advanced. At BCC the more advanced classes were taught together (Chinese 4, AP, IB) because they didn't have sufficient enrollment for individual classes. A lot of native speakers or people who have some exposure to the language enroll in the introductory level(s) but opt not to go the distance to AP or IB.

I do share your concern OP - there's no way my kid would be a Chinese major without early exposure to the language (not a native speaker and no ancestral connection) so I totally agree that MCPS should make this more widely available. But there are other considerations at play here.

So which is it? Are these magnet programs just gimmicks to satisfy the nonsense MSDE Blueprint and dump taxpayer money into private accreditation companies?

Or are they super amazing elite opportunities reserved for the privileged few?

NO ONE should get ANYTHING unless EVERYONE gets EVERYTHING!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't there a Chinese immersion school in Potomac that's only open to people from that area? MCPS isn't really trying to make these things equitable.

They seem to be trying to be doing all things, equally badly.

Yep. It’s one of only 7 middle schools that offers Chinese. If MCPS puts Chinese magnets in all the regions, only kids taking private language lessons will be eligible to apply to some of them.

I don't see the specific languages specified for the other regions, just the one at Whitman. They probably just wanted to telegraph to Whitman parents (and Julie Yang) that they know they want more Chinese in HS for their kids and they will get it. Nevermind what languages the rest of the region would prefer.

The only languages MCPS offers in middle school are French, Spanish, and Mandarin. So those are the only high school magnet options if the criteria is going to be “took language in middle school.” But since they want to do less-commonly-taught languages, they can’t do French or Spanish.

Maybe they plan to offer Mandarin at more middle schools, in which case they should delay the criteria based magnets until three years after a majority of middle schools have Mandarin. Otherwise this is just another gift to Whitman.

My DD took Chinese at Pyle and Whitman. Most of the kids in her HS class were usually Chinese speakers who had not learned to read and write the language, many were native speakers, others were kids who had lived in Chinese speaking regions. My DD was the only kid who didn't fit this remit, but she was the top of her class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't there a Chinese immersion school in Potomac that's only open to people from that area? MCPS isn't really trying to make these things equitable.

They seem to be trying to be doing all things, equally badly.

Yep. It’s one of only 7 middle schools that offers Chinese. If MCPS puts Chinese magnets in all the regions, only kids taking private language lessons will be eligible to apply to some of them.

I don't see the specific languages specified for the other regions, just the one at Whitman. They probably just wanted to telegraph to Whitman parents (and Julie Yang) that they know they want more Chinese in HS for their kids and they will get it. Nevermind what languages the rest of the region would prefer.

Anonymous wrote:Isn't there a Chinese immersion school in Potomac that's only open to people from that area? MCPS isn't really trying to make these things equitable.

They seem to be trying to be doing all things, equally badly.

Yep. It’s one of only 7 middle schools that offers Chinese. If MCPS puts Chinese magnets in all the regions, only kids taking private language lessons will be eligible to apply to some of them.

Some languages are more equal than others?
#AnimalFarm

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has proposed a criteria-based Mandarin Chinese program at Whitman. It will be open to students who have studied Mandarin in middle school. Only one middle school in Region 1 offers Mandarin, and it’s Pyle. A Whitman feeder.

Every single person who decided it was a good idea to create a regional magnet that 99% of student in the region can’t attend should be fired.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf

Looks like they will also have an interest-based pathway for the program that requires no prior study?

Good. Keep that one. The other one should be put on ice until all the middle schools in the region offer Mandarin.

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has proposed a criteria-based Mandarin Chinese program at Whitman. It will be open to students who have studied Mandarin in middle school. Only one middle school in Region 1 offers Mandarin, and it’s Pyle. A Whitman feeder.

Every single person who decided it was a good idea to create a regional magnet that 99% of student in the region can’t attend should be fired.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf

Looks like they will also have an interest-based pathway for the program that requires no prior study?

Isn't there a Chinese immersion school in Potomac that's only open to people from that area? MCPS isn't really trying to make these things equitable.

They seem to be trying to be doing all things, equally badly.

And, this surprises you?

MCPS has proposed a criteria-based Mandarin Chinese program at Whitman. It will be open to students who have studied Mandarin in middle school. Only one middle school in Region 1 offers Mandarin, and it’s Pyle. A Whitman feeder.

Every single person who decided it was a good idea to create a regional magnet that 99% of student in the region can’t attend should be fired.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf