It amazes how polarizing the VA is. What's the big deal?

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Anonymous wrote:It might be less expensive to give families a stipend to an existing virtual school (if they have a demonstrated need) rather than staff and run a whole program in house. There are good ones run privately around the country.

I think the issue is defining "demonstrated need." If you look at the 2020-21 report, one of the commonly-cited benefits of MVA for parents was that it allowed easier travel. Another parent upthread noted that MVA allows them to avoid their zoned school.

I think we can agree that those are not "demonstrated need." So, of the fewer than 1000 kids left in MVA, how many do we think would meet any sort of a reasonable threshold for need?

Probably 100 kids would meet demonstrated need. That is my best guess. And virtual is an extremely ineffective way of delivering education especially to elementary and middle schoolers

Where it's only 100 or even 1000, they should just try to work with the existing programs that were available before covid hit or just homeschool. It isn't the responsibility of the government to accommodate these people anymore.

THESE PEOPLE??????? Holy crap. Wow. If this isn’t the most ableist post. Look in the mirror. Take a good long look. I hope you are never faced with any challenges in your life where you may need some type of social service. Key word: social. Meaning EVERYONE. If you want “a la carte” then it’s private school for you where you can boss everyone around with your prejudices. Otherwise, sit down and shut up. You look like a fool.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might be less expensive to give families a stipend to an existing virtual school (if they have a demonstrated need) rather than staff and run a whole program in house. There are good ones run privately around the country.

I think the issue is defining "demonstrated need." If you look at the 2020-21 report, one of the commonly-cited benefits of MVA for parents was that it allowed easier travel. Another parent upthread noted that MVA allows them to avoid their zoned school.

I think we can agree that those are not "demonstrated need." So, of the fewer than 1000 kids left in MVA, how many do we think would meet any sort of a reasonable threshold for need?

Probably 100 kids would meet demonstrated need. That is my best guess. And virtual is an extremely ineffective way of delivering education especially to elementary and middle schoolers

Where it's only 100 or even 1000, they should just try to work with the existing programs that were available before covid hit or just homeschool. It isn't the responsibility of the government to accommodate these people anymore.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might be less expensive to give families a stipend to an existing virtual school (if they have a demonstrated need) rather than staff and run a whole program in house. There are good ones run privately around the country.

I think the issue is defining "demonstrated need." If you look at the 2020-21 report, one of the commonly-cited benefits of MVA for parents was that it allowed easier travel. Another parent upthread noted that MVA allows them to avoid their zoned school.

I think we can agree that those are not "demonstrated need." So, of the fewer than 1000 kids left in MVA, how many do we think would meet any sort of a reasonable threshold for need?

Probably 100 kids would meet demonstrated need. That is my best guess. And virtual is an extremely ineffective way of delivering education especially to elementary and middle schoolers

What is demonstrated need?

Maybe we should go back to all virtual? Mcps needs to fix their budget and the brick and mortar buildings are a huge expense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might be less expensive to give families a stipend to an existing virtual school (if they have a demonstrated need) rather than staff and run a whole program in house. There are good ones run privately around the country.

I think the issue is defining "demonstrated need." If you look at the 2020-21 report, one of the commonly-cited benefits of MVA for parents was that it allowed easier travel. Another parent upthread noted that MVA allows them to avoid their zoned school.

I think we can agree that those are not "demonstrated need." So, of the fewer than 1000 kids left in MVA, how many do we think would meet any sort of a reasonable threshold for need?

Why are you so invested in shutting it down? That report was from the first year and only interviewed one parent. Never heard of travel as a reason but it could be when they don’t offer bus service for hs outside of two miles.

Why does anyone owe someone like you a justification as to why?

How does it compare to each school? They took an average for the mcps schools so by your account we should shut down all low performing schools. Maybe we can send those kids to your children’s schools? Wait, you moved to where you did to abound those kids and families.

Nothing wrong with wanting to avoid a home school if there were issues and no school choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It might be less expensive to give families a stipend to an existing virtual school (if they have a demonstrated need) rather than staff and run a whole program in house. There are good ones run privately around the country.

I think the issue is defining "demonstrated need." If you look at the 2020-21 report, one of the commonly-cited benefits of MVA for parents was that it allowed easier travel. Another parent upthread noted that MVA allows them to avoid their zoned school.

I think we can agree that those are not "demonstrated need." So, of the fewer than 1000 kids left in MVA, how many do we think would meet any sort of a reasonable threshold for need?

Probably 100 kids would meet demonstrated need. That is my best guess. And virtual is an extremely ineffective way of delivering education especially to elementary and middle schoolers

Anonymous wrote:It might be less expensive to give families a stipend to an existing virtual school (if they have a demonstrated need) rather than staff and run a whole program in house. There are good ones run privately around the country.

I think the issue is defining "demonstrated need." If you look at the 2020-21 report, one of the commonly-cited benefits of MVA for parents was that it allowed easier travel. Another parent upthread noted that MVA allows them to avoid their zoned school.

I think we can agree that those are not "demonstrated need." So, of the fewer than 1000 kids left in MVA, how many do we think would meet any sort of a reasonable threshold for need?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think MCPS should axe all 3 - Innovative Schools, Virtual Academy and Go Guardian. Together, that would save a good amount of money. And teachers should move back to more paper based assignments and less online work. Screen time for kids between home and school is out of control

Virtual academy is not a huge amount of money. Cutting it could cost more and not all kids can go back to their home schools.

There is just as much screen time in person. Don’t kid yourself. And paper assignments suck as teachers take forever to grade and parents cannot monitor things easily. Kids rush through assignments to jump on their phones.

Cutting it would not cost more. Given the lack of supports, the kids in VA are definitely not the type of students to get private placement. Some might homeschool, but most funding is not per pupil.

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Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a student who has been at VA for a few years, our family has had great success! It's sad that it was mentioned as a failure when so many kids including mine have really thrived in VA. It would be heartbreaking to let it dissolve. I pay taxes and it's sooooo much better than the school we are zoned to!

The data doesn't lie. VA has been a failure. Kids would be better served in their home schools.

Maybe parents with actual experience speak before you do. Is this Jen reesman? Probably. We’re all tired of you. Welcome to the 21st century. Education is changing whether you like it or not.

Anecdotes aren't data. The data shows VA is a failure.

Data is more than just numbers, and that data isn't current. So you're wrong. Sorry. Every single MCPS Program should be under this much scrutiny. NOT because you want the data to say what you want it to say. A full picture is important WITH current data from all 3 years. And maybe compare it to other programs in MD that are trying to do what they can to serve their students and families b/c MSDE can't be bothered to approve any programs for its residents.

You seem to be acknowledging that the available data shows VA is a failure. Why do you want a failed program to continue? You're that scared of letting your kids leave the house? Are you worried they'll never come back?

Do you ever get tired of being a hostile, nasty and negative person? Someone who cannot see beyond their own needs or wants?

You might want to look in the mirror. I'm not to one that has my kids locked up at home.

You’re such a ridiculous person. Virtual academy exists for many different reasons. I’m sorry that you don’t have the critical thinking skills to recognize that. Grow up.

The reasons may vary, but the result is the same.

What result. The kids are fine. Sorry you don’t enjoy having to deal with your kids.

The result being that your kids are locked up with you at home until they're adults, at which point you'll likely never see them again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a student who has been at VA for a few years, our family has had great success! It's sad that it was mentioned as a failure when so many kids including mine have really thrived in VA. It would be heartbreaking to let it dissolve. I pay taxes and it's sooooo much better than the school we are zoned to!

The data doesn't lie. VA has been a failure. Kids would be better served in their home schools.

Maybe parents with actual experience speak before you do. Is this Jen reesman? Probably. We’re all tired of you. Welcome to the 21st century. Education is changing whether you like it or not.

Anecdotes aren't data. The data shows VA is a failure.

Data is more than just numbers, and that data isn't current. So you're wrong. Sorry. Every single MCPS Program should be under this much scrutiny. NOT because you want the data to say what you want it to say. A full picture is important WITH current data from all 3 years. And maybe compare it to other programs in MD that are trying to do what they can to serve their students and families b/c MSDE can't be bothered to approve any programs for its residents.

You seem to be acknowledging that the available data shows VA is a failure. Why do you want a failed program to continue? You're that scared of letting your kids leave the house? Are you worried they'll never come back?

Do you ever get tired of being a hostile, nasty and negative person? Someone who cannot see beyond their own needs or wants?

You might want to look in the mirror. I'm not to one that has my kids locked up at home.

You’re such a ridiculous person. Virtual academy exists for many different reasons. I’m sorry that you don’t have the critical thinking skills to recognize that. Grow up.

The reasons may vary, but the result is the same.

What result. The kids are fine. Sorry you don’t enjoy having to deal with your kids.

Anonymous wrote:Virtual academy doesn’t make sense since MCPS still has the home & hospital program. These two programs overlap.

They don’t overlap as it’s two different populations and IIS is four hours a week of virtual teaching.

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think MCPS should axe all 3 - Innovative Schools, Virtual Academy and Go Guardian. Together, that would save a good amount of money. And teachers should move back to more paper based assignments and less online work. Screen time for kids between home and school is out of control

Virtual academy is not a huge amount of money. Cutting it could cost more and not all kids can go back to their home schools.

There is just as much screen time in person. Don’t kid yourself. And paper assignments suck as teachers take forever to grade and parents cannot monitor things easily. Kids rush through assignments to jump on their phones.

Personally, I think MCPS should axe all 3 - Innovative Schools, Virtual Academy and Go Guardian. Together, that would save a good amount of money. And teachers should move back to more paper based assignments and less online work. Screen time for kids between home and school is out of control

Virtual academy doesn’t make sense since MCPS still has the home & hospital program. These two programs overlap.

It might be less expensive to give families a stipend to an existing virtual school (if they have a demonstrated need) rather than staff and run a whole program in house. There are good ones run privately around the country.