Anonymous wrote:I graduated from fcps a little over 20 yrs ago and started there in kindergarten.

I children have the worst Principal I’ve ever seen in all my days. I don’t understand how this woman is even employed, but FCPS lets her get away with some of the craziest stuff. Fcps does not treat the students and their families as they should.

Us too! I had a great Fcps experience in the 80s and 90s. Fast forward to today and our children's principal is a nightmare. He is completely incompetent.

I graduated from fcps a little over 20 yrs ago and started there in kindergarten.

I children have the worst Principal I’ve ever seen in all my days. I don’t understand how this woman is even employed, but FCPS lets her get away with some of the craziest stuff. Fcps does not treat the students and their families as they should.

The greater diversity can also be found in every other public school system of any size in the region.

I am a product of FCPS AND I taught there for over 30 years.
Things have definitely changed - some for the better, some for worse.

There are some really damn good teachers in FCPS. They know how to reach their students, they are expert at their fields, and they have great ways of engaging students. They are being asked to do a boat load of work compared to 20-30 years ago. And, they generally don't complain.

The student body is way more diverse. Many teachers struggle with this, since the span of ability in a single class is huge. You have students who cannot speak English sitting next to students who read 3 levels above grade level. That presents huge challenges. Colleges try to prepare future teachers for these challenges, but in reality, it is almost an impossible task.

The focus on SOLs at many schools has removed some of the creativity from teaching. Teachers who used to find ways to connect learning between subjects don't do that much anymore, mostly because of time.

I could go on and on and on. I was a very good teacher. I was recognized for being one. I could never be a new teacher in Fairfax today.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very happy to have moved to Loudoun and no longer have our kids in FCPS. Too much bs.

More general statements with no specific examples.

Too much *liberal* bs. How’s that?

If you say so. The best high schools in Loudoun would be slightly above average in Fairfax.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very happy to have moved to Loudoun and no longer have our kids in FCPS. Too much bs.

More general statements with no specific examples.

Too much *liberal* bs. How’s that?

Anonymous wrote:Very happy to have moved to Loudoun and no longer have our kids in FCPS. Too much bs.

More general statements with no specific examples.

Very happy to have moved to Loudoun and no longer have our kids in FCPS. Too much bs.

As a product of FCPS, I agree there is a difference in education "quality" from 20+ yrs ago. Having said that, however, I think it is more of HOW subjects are taught (which many parents may not feel is always a good fit/they prefer old school teaching).
There was no block scheduling, late(r) high school start times, ubiquitous computers, Wixie, Dreambox, reading based on context, heavy emphasis on SOLs, etc.
There was only 1 way to solve a math problem, you memorize spelling words/write them out 10x, and the like.

FCPS also has changed bc it needed to given the students' diversity- SN kids are mainstreamed, AAP centers, Bailey's, etc. You cant expect what worked 20-30 yrs ago to (still) work in 2019.

It is a bit subjective to say "education isnt as good as 20 yrs ago". You mention misused funds, kids falling through the cracks, and principals who lie... can you cite specific examples? Are you sure this didn't happen 20 years ago either? With social media and FOIA, it is much easier to call out these shortcomings; not necessarily these are "new" flaws.

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me or does it seem like the education from FCPS is nowhere near as good as it was 20 years ago? Misused funds, children swept under the rug, principals who lie...

Sound off!

. I have been hearing this since I was in middle school in the 1970’s. Everyone always thinks things were better back then. And they really were not.

Anonymous wrote:I have two elementary aged kids in FCPS and I'm fairly happy with the education they are receiving. It's kind of tough to do a comparison over the last 20 years for parents like me without that kind of longevity and perspective. Hopefully, others can weigh in.

Perhaps you could point out specifics instead of general statements.

Same here. Idk what it was like previously.

No, it’s actually better than it was 20-30 years ago, but there are more avenues for whiny parents and jealous people from other counties to try and tear it down.

Unfair boundary lines and disparity between schools.

I have two elementary aged kids in FCPS and I'm fairly happy with the education they are receiving. It's kind of tough to do a comparison over the last 20 years for parents like me without that kind of longevity and perspective. Hopefully, others can weigh in.

Perhaps you could point out specifics instead of general statements.

Is it just me or does it seem like the education from FCPS is nowhere near as good as it was 20 years ago? Misused funds, children swept under the rug, principals who lie...

Sound off!