I work in APS. While I don't have direct experience with FCPS, I came from a larger district (albeit not as large as FCPS) to the smaller APS.
Due to the small size of the district, I feel more stifled professionally (fewer available opportunities). It also seems more transient (teacher wise) due to the high cost of living in the immediate area. I know of many more long term teachers who working in FCPS than in APS probably bcs they have more diverse options with it being a larger county. I have thought out trying to get a position at FCPS, however, due to the large salary difference, working in FCPS is not an option for me right now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Apparently the APS School Board likes Murphy, since they extended his contract for four more years last summer, after he'd already been the APS Superintendent five years. I gather they think performance has improved under his watch, but that some teachers and principals don't like being held more accountable.

There are many things to object to about Murphy. None of them are deal breakers, IMO. None of them have to do with "being held more accountable."

Since the vote to extend was 4-1, they clearly weren't deal-breakers for the Arlington School Board.

He takes credit for increasing the graduation rates at APS schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Apparently the APS School Board likes Murphy, since they extended his contract for four more years last summer, after he'd already been the APS Superintendent five years. I gather they think performance has improved under his watch, but that some teachers and principals don't like being held more accountable.

There are many things to object to about Murphy. None of them are deal breakers, IMO. None of them have to do with "being held more accountable."

In general, I like the small size of APS. Less bureaucracy. My coworker says working for FCPS was like being in a huge corporation, and teaching in APS is like working for a small, family-owned company. I like Murphy a lot less than I liked his predecessor, but oh well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My spouse taught in FX for ten years and has been in APS for ten years.

Basically, prefers the smaller bureaucracy, but I don't think day to day experience is much different. Spouse likes APS less since it acquired a former FX admin as superintendent.

Nobody likes the former Fairfax Co Administrator. Teachers and many Principals loathe him.

APS is great for smaller class sizes and much smaller bureaucracy--agree with this poster!

APS does close a lot less frequently for weather-related events.

Apparently the APS School Board likes Murphy, since they extended his contract for four more years last summer, after he'd already been the APS Superintendent five years. I gather they think performance has improved under his watch, but that some teachers and principals don't like being held more accountable.

Anonymous wrote:My spouse taught in FX for ten years and has been in APS for ten years.

Basically, prefers the smaller bureaucracy, but I don't think day to day experience is much different. Spouse likes APS less since it acquired a former FX admin as superintendent.

Nobody likes the former Fairfax Co Administrator. Teachers and many Principals loathe him.

APS is great for smaller class sizes and much smaller bureaucracy--agree with this poster!

APS does close a lot less frequently for weather-related events.

When there are openings at TJHSST, do teachers already at other FCPS schools have an advantage in applying for those positions?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, Arlington schools have smaller class sizes.

And lower achievers

No, that's not true at all. What a ridiculous thing to say.

NP here. APS still has more low-income students than FCPS, and it's reflected in lower SAT and SOL scores at the high school level. In another five years, things may look different, given the current demographic trends, and I doubt it matters very much to teachers today.

My spouse taught in FX for ten years and has been in APS for ten years.

Basically, prefers the smaller bureaucracy, but I don't think day to day experience is much different. Spouse likes APS less since it acquired a former FX admin as superintendent.

APS teachers get paid more. I know that. If I was with APS rather than FCPS, I would be making about 10K more right now. I also think their reitrement benefits are more generous - I think they might even get paid health insurance after retirement for a certain number of years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, Arlington schools have smaller class sizes.

And lower achievers

No, that's not true at all. What a ridiculous thing to say.

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, Arlington schools have smaller class sizes.

And lower achievers

Generally speaking, Arlington schools have smaller class sizes.

I have 22 years with FCPS. Other than obvious differences such as the size of the system, I really don't know.

Interested to hear teachers' perspective regarding the differences between APS and FCPS?