Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 14:56     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:MCPS keeps this on the down low for sure.

I do have several kids in MCPS high schools and I don’t love the fact that they don’t get to move as quickly as they might in a “real” Honors class, but they will survive, and I’m glad that MCPS is at least trying something. Because the achievement gap is shameful.

Anyway, it’s in 11th grade that the split happens- the on level kids stay in Honors Whatever 11 and the others head off to AP classes.

So maybe the mixing in 9th and 10th is good- nobody should be tracked as low achieving/likely not to succeed already at age 14! That’s horrible. Especially if historically the tracking system was racist, or at least perpetuated racism.



How does this close the achievement gap?

by osmosis, of course.

Or, it hides the achievement gap at least visually. We see rainbow colors in the "honors" classroom. See? Achievement gap closed.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 14:51     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This has been happening in ES and MS for years. Now, MCPS is extending the same concept to HS.

Our MS only offers one English class - Advanced English. It is a mix of kids who are very proficient and some kids who are ESOL and kids who are at grade level.

MCPS doesn’t support differentiation because it is not Equitable.

Unfortunately, this system helps nobody. The kids who are below level just struggle, even with ‘supports’ in place and often end up being disruptive because they’re not engaged in learning. And the kids who are above grade level get bored and disengage.


So they're achieving equity by dumbing everyone down to the least common denominator?


That's not good since most on-level classes today seem remedial and honors was more like average.


And with honors courses being "scored" the same way at AP courses, the weighted GPAs of students today feels really inflated.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 14:40     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any idea what percentage of parents oppose this model, and whether there is an organized group in place to oppose it?


There might be a group at the MCCPTA level, but honestly MCPS doesn't seem to care about what the MCCPTA thinks or does.


Don't think anyone should really care about MCCPTA, either. I trust professionals who base these decisions on actual data and analysis.


Where is the data that shows forcing Black and Brown kids into Honors classes helps Black and Brown kids perform better in college? Please provide and actual data and analysis that MCPS is using to support this nonsense.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 14:39     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:MCPS keeps this on the down low for sure.

I do have several kids in MCPS high schools and I don’t love the fact that they don’t get to move as quickly as they might in a “real” Honors class, but they will survive, and I’m glad that MCPS is at least trying something. Because the achievement gap is shameful.

Anyway, it’s in 11th grade that the split happens- the on level kids stay in Honors Whatever 11 and the others head off to AP classes.

So maybe the mixing in 9th and 10th is good- nobody should be tracked as low achieving/likely not to succeed already at age 14! That’s horrible. Especially if historically the tracking system was racist, or at least perpetuated racism.



How do you figure that the mixed Honors classes is helping to close the Achievement Gap? Do you think the Black and Brown kids do better as a result of being in these mixed ability Honors classes? That certainly was not our experience in MS. The mixed ability classes really didn’t seem to serve anyone.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 14:32     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:MCPS keeps this on the down low for sure.

I do have several kids in MCPS high schools and I don’t love the fact that they don’t get to move as quickly as they might in a “real” Honors class, but they will survive, and I’m glad that MCPS is at least trying something. Because the achievement gap is shameful.

Anyway, it’s in 11th grade that the split happens- the on level kids stay in Honors Whatever 11 and the others head off to AP classes.

So maybe the mixing in 9th and 10th is good- nobody should be tracked as low achieving/likely not to succeed already at age 14! That’s horrible. Especially if historically the tracking system was racist, or at least perpetuated racism.



How does this close the achievement gap?
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 14:30     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:MCPS keeps this on the down low for sure.

I do have several kids in MCPS high schools and I don’t love the fact that they don’t get to move as quickly as they might in a “real” Honors class, but they will survive, and I’m glad that MCPS is at least trying something. Because the achievement gap is shameful.

Anyway, it’s in 11th grade that the split happens- the on level kids stay in Honors Whatever 11 and the others head off to AP classes.

So maybe the mixing in 9th and 10th is good- nobody should be tracked as low achieving/likely not to succeed already at age 14! That’s horrible. Especially if historically the tracking system was racist, or at least perpetuated racism.



Can you provide any evidence that they're keeping this on the down low or is that just something you say to fearmonger?
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 14:29     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any idea what percentage of parents oppose this model, and whether there is an organized group in place to oppose it?


There might be a group at the MCCPTA level, but honestly MCPS doesn't seem to care about what the MCCPTA thinks or does.


Don't think anyone should really care about MCCPTA, either. I trust professionals who base these decisions on actual data and analysis.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 14:06     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
MCPS keeps this on the down low for sure.

I do have several kids in MCPS high schools and I don’t love the fact that they don’t get to move as quickly as they might in a “real” Honors class, but they will survive, and I’m glad that MCPS is at least trying something. Because the achievement gap is shameful.

Anyway, it’s in 11th grade that the split happens- the on level kids stay in Honors Whatever 11 and the others head off to AP classes.

So maybe the mixing in 9th and 10th is good- nobody should be tracked as low achieving/likely not to succeed already at age 14! That’s horrible. Especially if historically the tracking system was racist, or at least perpetuated racism.

Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 12:29     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any idea what percentage of parents oppose this model, and whether there is an organized group in place to oppose it?


I have no idea how many schools or classes or using this model, but I would guess 95% of the parents have no idea it is happening.


I only found out about when my DS got to high school as a freshman. I was stunned.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 12:24     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any idea what percentage of parents oppose this model, and whether there is an organized group in place to oppose it?


I have no idea how many schools or classes or using this model, but I would guess 95% of the parents have no idea it is happening.


+1. I'm actually surprised BCC came right out and described this model to parents. Usually it just happens without being publicized.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 11:29     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any idea what percentage of parents oppose this model, and whether there is an organized group in place to oppose it?


I have no idea how many schools or classes or using this model, but I would guess 95% of the parents have no idea it is happening.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 11:28     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any idea what percentage of parents oppose this model, and whether there is an organized group in place to oppose it?


There might be a group at the MCCPTA level, but honestly MCPS doesn't seem to care about what the MCCPTA thinks or does.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 11:27     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any idea what percentage of parents oppose this model, and whether there is an organized group in place to oppose it?


MCPS doesn’t care what parents think. Maybe if teachers and admin opposed it, that would get some traction?

MCPS has stated for years that its main priority is closing the Achievement Gap. That is a difficult task, and this makes it appear as if it is working.

Check in with your PTA, but it’s unlikely you will get very far.


MCPS doesn't care what teachers think either. MCEA had multiple votes of no confidence in MCPS leadership in the past year alone.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 11:26     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:It’s so tough. I know a teacher who said he used to be able to tell which class was honors and which was on level just by glancing in the door. Black and brown? On level. More than a few white kids? Honors. This is in a diverse MCPS high school. The on level classes were ROUGH to teach- lots of behavior issues. Now there is this weird mix, but I do think it’s more equitable. I am not a POC but I can only imagine how that would feel seeing that every day. We have to do better in terms of leveling the playing field. I don’t know how else we can do it. This is a start, anyway.


How is this a start? Who's benefiting from this current state?

FYI I'm a POC and I was an honors kid. I was recognized for my talents and promoted to the gifted class. It motivated me and made me better because I was surrounded by people who were similarly motivated to do more rigorous and challenging work. That's what honors classes SHOULD be.

I fail to see how diluting that is helpful to anyone.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2023 11:25     Subject: Mix honors and regular kids in the same classroom
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any idea what percentage of parents oppose this model, and whether there is an organized group in place to oppose it?


MCPS doesn’t care what parents think. Maybe if teachers and admin opposed it, that would get some traction?

MCPS has stated for years that its main priority is closing the Achievement Gap. That is a difficult task, and this makes it appear as if it is working.

Check in with your PTA, but it’s unlikely you will get very far.