At our middle school there is only one section of regular English. Only kids who are below grade level are in it. Everyone else is in advanced English.

OP, advanced classes in MCPS middle schools are not what you think.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS believes in mixed ability classrooms, this is nothing new. In an honest moment a teacher last year told me this is partly due to the fact that they do not want to segregate Asian and white students from minority students.

In my school, it has the exact opposite effect — all it does it take low-performing white students with squeaky wheel parents in advanced classes. Our regular classes would have more white students otherwise.

I know white parents who ask their kids who is in their classes, or who look around at Back to School Night, and then decide their child needs to be in a different class. They don't know anything about the other kids in the class, but don't want their kids mixing with too many black or hispanic kids.

Anonymous wrote:MCPS believes in mixed ability classrooms, this is nothing new. In an honest moment a teacher last year told me this is partly due to the fact that they do not want to segregate Asian and white students from minority students.

In my school, it has the exact opposite effect — all it does it take low-performing white students with squeaky wheel parents in advanced classes. Our regular classes would have more white students otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:my daughter told me kids that were not in the advanced classes last year are in them now. all it takes is a phone call from mom or dad. one of her friends, who struggled in regular math last year, is now in her algebra class. A kid who got a C in regular English is now in her English class. Why MCPS????

This has been the case at least seven years. Teachers are done fighting it.

MCPS believes in mixed ability classrooms, this is nothing new. In an honest moment a teacher last year told me this is partly due to the fact that they do not want to segregate Asian and white students from minority students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know so much about other kids' grades?

My daughter tells me.

Tell her to focus more on what she's doing and less on what other people are doing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my daughter told me kids that were not in the advanced classes last year are in them now. all it takes is a phone call from mom or dad. one of her friends, who struggled in regular math last year, is now in her algebra class. A kid who got a C in regular English is now in her English class. Why MCPS????

Advanced English is based on MAP-R scores. Kids can have high MAP scores, and not turn in work due to executive function issues, so end up with a lower grade. It doesn't mean the kid can't handle the subject matter. MYOB.

if they are getting low grades, then they aren't handling the subject matter. And if too many kids can't keep up in class, the teacher has to slow down which isn't fair to the other kids.

Do you have a kid with ADHD or other executive function issues? Many can talk rings around their peers with regard to what they have read, participate well in class, etc. But they hand things in late, miss questions on tests because they forget to turn the paper over, can't get all their thoughts onto paper by the deadlines, etc. But they are not slowing down the class for your precious princess.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my daughter told me kids that were not in the advanced classes last year are in them now. all it takes is a phone call from mom or dad. one of her friends, who struggled in regular math last year, is now in her algebra class. A kid who got a C in regular English is now in her English class. Why MCPS????

Advanced English is based on MAP-R scores. Kids can have high MAP scores, and not turn in work due to executive function issues, so end up with a lower grade. It doesn't mean the kid can't handle the subject matter. MYOB.

if they are getting low grades, then they aren't handling the subject matter. And if too many kids can't keep up in class, the teacher has to slow down which isn't fair to the other kids.

Anonymous wrote:How do you know so much about other kids' grades?

My daughter tells me.

Anonymous wrote:my daughter told me kids that were not in the advanced classes last year are in them now. all it takes is a phone call from mom or dad. one of her friends, who struggled in regular math last year, is now in her algebra class. A kid who got a C in regular English is now in her English class. Why MCPS????

Advanced English is based on MAP-R scores. Kids can have high MAP scores, and not turn in work due to executive function issues, so end up with a lower grade. It doesn't mean the kid can't handle the subject matter. MYOB.

Anonymous wrote:my daughter told me kids that were not in the advanced classes last year are in them now. all it takes is a phone call from mom or dad. one of her friends, who struggled in regular math last year, is now in her algebra class. A kid who got a C in regular English is now in her English class. Why MCPS????

Why are you asking MCPS? The people who can answer your question are your daughter's friends' parents.

I think she should focus on her own achievements.
Some of those upgraded students will end up doing much better than her, because they're motivated that they were given a chance.
Don't encourage gossip and remind your daughter that she's far from the end of her k-12 education. Tortoise and hare, etc...

How do you know so much about other kids' grades?

Anonymous wrote:my daughter told me kids that were not in the advanced classes last year are in them now. all it takes is a phone call from mom or dad. one of her friends, who struggled in regular math last year, is now in her algebra class. A kid who got a C in regular English is now in her English class. Why MCPS????

Are you sure your school even has advanced English classes? In most of MCPS all English classes are "advanced".

my daughter told me kids that were not in the advanced classes last year are in them now. all it takes is a phone call from mom or dad. one of her friends, who struggled in regular math last year, is now in her algebra class. A kid who got a C in regular English is now in her English class. Why MCPS????