Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 5th grader just started RSM because even with compacted math, she was bored. There are so many kids in her MCPS 5/6 class that the teacher can’t differentiate for more advanced learners. We haven’t done any outside enrichment before, but right now RSM is great. It has one-fifth of the kids in the 5/6 math and expects much more from them.

This is why the achievement gap will become wider and wider

If schools aren’t teaching kids, then parents have to go somewhere else. Trying to close the achievement gap at school by watering down the curriculum is the dumbest thing ever. Gifted kids getting bored at schools aren’t serving anyone good.

Of course that’s true. But it is exactly what MCPS has been doing the past few years.

I guess it’s much easier to lower the ceiling than raise the floor.

There are only so many resources to go around. There is only so much money to go around. Not much incentive to support students who are already meeting or exceeding expectations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 5th grader just started RSM because even with compacted math, she was bored. There are so many kids in her MCPS 5/6 class that the teacher can’t differentiate for more advanced learners. We haven’t done any outside enrichment before, but right now RSM is great. It has one-fifth of the kids in the 5/6 math and expects much more from them.

This is why the achievement gap will become wider and wider

If schools aren’t teaching kids, then parents have to go somewhere else. Trying to close the achievement gap at school by watering down the curriculum is the dumbest thing ever. Gifted kids getting bored at schools aren’t serving anyone good.

Question to the pp who uses tutoring service via MCPS. Could you please share the profile/background of the good tutor you use? A college student majoring education, a retired certified teacher, etc. Also, how many sessions can you request?

We always used a certified teacher who is also a reading specialist for reading, and a certified teacher who is specialized in elementary gifted education for math.

Recently, we used a college student for tutoring my kid to learn programming and I was surprised how good he was, even though he was not an experienced teacher.

Previously I was dismissive of the MCPS’s tutoring service, but I’m thinking that maybe you can find a gem if you are a bit patient.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Because they stopped true tracking in math the advanced kids don't get what they need on terms of enrichment in class. Its just more worksheets a little harder, not ahead. So they are still bored on class but do outside work so they aren't "of math" overall. They need to bring back separate math classes grade 2 and up instead of 30 min pullouts a week. And no my kid isnt all that advanced but at 95% MAP and shes bored in class.

And Compacted Math in grades 4 and 5 simply means that the class just skips over material and moves a bit farther. Doesn’t offer enrichment and doesn’t go any farther in depth.

MCPS has been exclusively focused on Equity, not Excellence. So, MCPS has zero incentive to offer Math enrichment in ES and MS.

I do not believe this is true everywhere. Perhaps in that particular school. 5/6 meant that the content was covered in full but much faster and lot of homework everyday. We don't have time to enrich in Maths outside as the week days are filled with extracurricular activities. We know kids who do RSM but the performance improvement between kids who do and kids who don't is insignificant.

You have the time, you choose to do other things with that time instead of enrichment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Because they stopped true tracking in math the advanced kids don't get what they need on terms of enrichment in class. Its just more worksheets a little harder, not ahead. So they are still bored on class but do outside work so they aren't "of math" overall. They need to bring back separate math classes grade 2 and up instead of 30 min pullouts a week. And no my kid isnt all that advanced but at 95% MAP and shes bored in class.

And Compacted Math in grades 4 and 5 simply means that the class just skips over material and moves a bit farther. Doesn’t offer enrichment and doesn’t go any farther in depth.

MCPS has been exclusively focused on Equity, not Excellence. So, MCPS has zero incentive to offer Math enrichment in ES and MS.

MCPS offers free unlimited tutoring. If you don't use it, that's on you.

But that's like saying an unlimited buffet of expired low-grade food is comparable to primerib.

We have some really good tutors. One was just ok and we asked to switch and did. Its been better than private stuff we've paid for. It really just depends on the tutor you get. If you choose to bash it and not use it, then you are to blame, not MCPS.

I’m glad you have had good tutors. But there is not ‘enrichment’ going on via this MCPS tutoring program. Something like AoPS goes way more in depth and challenges kids to have a much deeper understanding than what you will get with your MCPS tutor.

Your child might be getting acceleration or extra practice in Math, but she is not getting ‘enrichment’. And almost no kids are getting true enrichment in their MCPS Math classrooms.

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about. The tutor can teach what ever they want and go in depth and challenge kids. I looked at AoPS and wasn't impressed for the cost.

If you choose not to use the tutoring, don't complain nothing is available when it is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Because they stopped true tracking in math the advanced kids don't get what they need on terms of enrichment in class. Its just more worksheets a little harder, not ahead. So they are still bored on class but do outside work so they aren't "of math" overall. They need to bring back separate math classes grade 2 and up instead of 30 min pullouts a week. And no my kid isnt all that advanced but at 95% MAP and shes bored in class.

And Compacted Math in grades 4 and 5 simply means that the class just skips over material and moves a bit farther. Doesn’t offer enrichment and doesn’t go any farther in depth.

MCPS has been exclusively focused on Equity, not Excellence. So, MCPS has zero incentive to offer Math enrichment in ES and MS.

I do not believe this is true everywhere. Perhaps in that particular school. 5/6 meant that the content was covered in full but much faster and lot of homework everyday. We don't have time to enrich in Maths outside as the week days are filled with extracurricular activities. We know kids who do RSM but the performance improvement between kids who do and kids who don't is insignificant.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Because they stopped true tracking in math the advanced kids don't get what they need on terms of enrichment in class. Its just more worksheets a little harder, not ahead. So they are still bored on class but do outside work so they aren't "of math" overall. They need to bring back separate math classes grade 2 and up instead of 30 min pullouts a week. And no my kid isnt all that advanced but at 95% MAP and shes bored in class.

And Compacted Math in grades 4 and 5 simply means that the class just skips over material and moves a bit farther. Doesn’t offer enrichment and doesn’t go any farther in depth.

MCPS has been exclusively focused on Equity, not Excellence. So, MCPS has zero incentive to offer Math enrichment in ES and MS.

MCPS offers free unlimited tutoring. If you don't use it, that's on you.

But that's like saying an unlimited buffet of expired low-grade food is comparable to primerib.

We have some really good tutors. One was just ok and we asked to switch and did. Its been better than private stuff we've paid for. It really just depends on the tutor you get. If you choose to bash it and not use it, then you are to blame, not MCPS.

I’m glad you have had good tutors. But there is not ‘enrichment’ going on via this MCPS tutoring program. Something like AoPS goes way more in depth and challenges kids to have a much deeper understanding than what you will get with your MCPS tutor.

Your child might be getting acceleration or extra practice in Math, but she is not getting ‘enrichment’. And almost no kids are getting true enrichment in their MCPS Math classrooms.

Anonymous wrote:Does nobody else see this is just a way of advertising/generating demand for a paid service, when what's really needed is a better focus on enrichment offerings within the system?

Of course, you’re right! But any parent that has kids in MCPS the past 5-10 years knows that this is an uphill battle.

MCPS is focused on Equity. Not excellence and certainly not enrichment. Go to the BOE meetings, read the MCPS emails, learn about what teacher training is like, ask older parents in your neighborhood. The main goal is to close the Achievement Gap. Enrichment does not help MCPS achieve that goal.

There were parents asking for enrichment at my kids’ ES and MS for years. Never happened. Every kid is put into the same useless Advanced English class. And the teachers are supposed to ‘differentiate’, which is close to impossible.

So, as a parent, you can watch your child disengage and get overlooked. Or, pay for private. Or, you find ways to enrich the abysmal ES and MS Math curriculum outside of school.

Anonymous wrote:Does nobody else see this is just a way of advertising/generating demand for a paid service, when what's really needed is a better focus on enrichment offerings within the system?

MCPS isn't offering enrichment to most kids. That is the issue. What we need and what we have/getting are very different things.

Does nobody else see this is just a way of advertising/generating demand for a paid service, when what's really needed is a better focus on enrichment offerings within the system?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Because they stopped true tracking in math the advanced kids don't get what they need on terms of enrichment in class. Its just more worksheets a little harder, not ahead. So they are still bored on class but do outside work so they aren't "of math" overall. They need to bring back separate math classes grade 2 and up instead of 30 min pullouts a week. And no my kid isnt all that advanced but at 95% MAP and shes bored in class.

And Compacted Math in grades 4 and 5 simply means that the class just skips over material and moves a bit farther. Doesn’t offer enrichment and doesn’t go any farther in depth.

MCPS has been exclusively focused on Equity, not Excellence. So, MCPS has zero incentive to offer Math enrichment in ES and MS.

MCPS offers free unlimited tutoring. If you don't use it, that's on you.

But that's like saying an unlimited buffet of expired low-grade food is comparable to primerib.

We have some really good tutors. One was just ok and we asked to switch and did. Its been better than private stuff we've paid for. It really just depends on the tutor you get. If you choose to bash it and not use it, then you are to blame, not MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Because they stopped true tracking in math the advanced kids don't get what they need on terms of enrichment in class. Its just more worksheets a little harder, not ahead. So they are still bored on class but do outside work so they aren't "of math" overall. They need to bring back separate math classes grade 2 and up instead of 30 min pullouts a week. And no my kid isnt all that advanced but at 95% MAP and shes bored in class.

And Compacted Math in grades 4 and 5 simply means that the class just skips over material and moves a bit farther. Doesn’t offer enrichment and doesn’t go any farther in depth.

MCPS has been exclusively focused on Equity, not Excellence. So, MCPS has zero incentive to offer Math enrichment in ES and MS.

MCPS offers free unlimited tutoring. If you don't use it, that's on you.

But that's like saying an unlimited buffet of expired low-grade food is comparable to primerib.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Because they stopped true tracking in math the advanced kids don't get what they need on terms of enrichment in class. Its just more worksheets a little harder, not ahead. So they are still bored on class but do outside work so they aren't "of math" overall. They need to bring back separate math classes grade 2 and up instead of 30 min pullouts a week. And no my kid isnt all that advanced but at 95% MAP and shes bored in class.

And Compacted Math in grades 4 and 5 simply means that the class just skips over material and moves a bit farther. Doesn’t offer enrichment and doesn’t go any farther in depth.

MCPS has been exclusively focused on Equity, not Excellence. So, MCPS has zero incentive to offer Math enrichment in ES and MS.

MCPS offers free unlimited tutoring. If you don't use it, that's on you.

The MCPS tutoring is not for enrichment. It is to help kids who need to keep up.

No, its for any child who wants help. We are using it for enrichment. Stop making up stuff that isn't true.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Because they stopped true tracking in math the advanced kids don't get what they need on terms of enrichment in class. Its just more worksheets a little harder, not ahead. So they are still bored on class but do outside work so they aren't "of math" overall. They need to bring back separate math classes grade 2 and up instead of 30 min pullouts a week. And no my kid isnt all that advanced but at 95% MAP and shes bored in class.

And Compacted Math in grades 4 and 5 simply means that the class just skips over material and moves a bit farther. Doesn’t offer enrichment and doesn’t go any farther in depth.

MCPS has been exclusively focused on Equity, not Excellence. So, MCPS has zero incentive to offer Math enrichment in ES and MS.

MCPS offers free unlimited tutoring. If you don't use it, that's on you.

The MCPS tutoring is not for enrichment. It is to help kids who need to keep up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. Because they stopped true tracking in math the advanced kids don't get what they need on terms of enrichment in class. Its just more worksheets a little harder, not ahead. So they are still bored on class but do outside work so they aren't "of math" overall. They need to bring back separate math classes grade 2 and up instead of 30 min pullouts a week. And no my kid isnt all that advanced but at 95% MAP and shes bored in class.

And Compacted Math in grades 4 and 5 simply means that the class just skips over material and moves a bit farther. Doesn’t offer enrichment and doesn’t go any farther in depth.

MCPS has been exclusively focused on Equity, not Excellence. So, MCPS has zero incentive to offer Math enrichment in ES and MS.

MCPS offers free unlimited tutoring. If you don't use it, that's on you.