Anonymous wrote:I think MCPS has a huge population and has to serve a very diverse community. They provide an amazing breadth of special ed services, vocational training, specialized programs of study for students to who have special interests, excellent STEM and writing opportunities, a wide variety of extracurricular activities and much more. As a parent who has had kids in MCPS for the past 21 years, I have seen a lot of growth and increased opportunities for kids. And I’ve observed that a lot that goes on at individual schools is principal and school leadership driven so a school can be amazing one year and in the toilet in certain respects the next if the leadership changes. But overall, I don’t agree that MCPS is worse now than it had been in the past.

It's an utter absolute disorganized chaotic mess. IF you work in the schools like I've done for close to 30 years, you are pretty horrified by what you see

I think MCPS has a huge population and has to serve a very diverse community. They provide an amazing breadth of special ed services, vocational training, specialized programs of study for students to who have special interests, excellent STEM and writing opportunities, a wide variety of extracurricular activities and much more. As a parent who has had kids in MCPS for the past 21 years, I have seen a lot of growth and increased opportunities for kids. And I’ve observed that a lot that goes on at individual schools is principal and school leadership driven so a school can be amazing one year and in the toilet in certain respects the next if the leadership changes. But overall, I don’t agree that MCPS is worse now than it had been in the past.

The parents on this website are so far from the average MCPS family that it’s hard to understand how bad things are right now.

Anonymous wrote:We are both products of MCPS and sent our kids through MCPS 30 years later. We were surprised that there was little traditional learning, as in, here's the topic, here's how you do it, let's practice together, now here is some practice for you to do at home. It seems so basic and I was very well prepared for college. My kids' experience was very disorganized, missing major topics in science (human biology) and history (they only did American history, American gov't, and some case studies). The math instruction was delivered from videos with very little practice assigned. The English did not demand reading any books, they watched movies and talked about comic books. They are all out of HS now and I would not be keen to send the next generation to MCPS.

This keeps coming up over and over -- basic. Basic things that families are led to believe are happening. Spoiler alert: you guessed it!
Look at the other threads - security in schools, background checks, teaching writing, getting answers to questions what should be basic for Admin to answer etc. etc. Disorganized is the right adjective.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think so. I think there are posters here who hate MCPS and it’s very hard to sift wheat from chaff on these topics. Admittedly my kid finished up a couple years ago but we were happy.

Check your privilege, Steph

The demographics in the county have completely changed and MCPS has had to adapt. This has been a challenge in most areas of the country, so definitely not just here. MCPS has made questionable decisions to try to even the playing field including lowering a lot of standards, taking away most homework, and not expecting as much effort from the students. A child with a strong home life can continue to flourish, but the lowered standards can be a tough pill to swallow.

However, for me, this is not the biggest problem in MCPS-the lack of discipline is. Kids being allowed to skip class, talk back, be disrespectful, start fights, talk in class, etc… Even students who are highly motivated and want to learn are getting distracted and unable to have great school experiences.

All kids should have access to rigorous classes with students who are not ruining the class. This starts in elementary where they are allowing horrible behaviors to just stay in class.

So, yes, MCPS has fallen so far.

Anonymous wrote:We are both products of MCPS and sent our kids through MCPS 30 years later. We were surprised that there was little traditional learning, as in, here's the topic, here's how you do it, let's practice together, now here is some practice for you to do at home. It seems so basic and I was very well prepared for college. My kids' experience was very disorganized, missing major topics in science (human biology) and history (they only did American history, American gov't, and some case studies). The math instruction was delivered from videos with very little practice assigned. The English did not demand reading any books, they watched movies and talked about comic books. They are all out of HS now and I would not be keen to send the next generation to MCPS.

This wasn’t my kid’s experience but it’s true they did IB (not at RM). I think IB english and the extended essay were pretty valuable (and they learned a lot of non-US history too).

Anonymous wrote:Yes, the falloff is that bad.

100%

Anonymous wrote:Only in the eyes of racists and other hateful people

This school system has failed many people recently including my child with SN. The lack of accountability is absolutely astounding.

We are both products of MCPS and sent our kids through MCPS 30 years later. We were surprised that there was little traditional learning, as in, here's the topic, here's how you do it, let's practice together, now here is some practice for you to do at home. It seems so basic and I was very well prepared for college. My kids' experience was very disorganized, missing major topics in science (human biology) and history (they only did American history, American gov't, and some case studies). The math instruction was delivered from videos with very little practice assigned. The English did not demand reading any books, they watched movies and talked about comic books. They are all out of HS now and I would not be keen to send the next generation to MCPS.

Not in terms of college outcomes, but the rest, yes.

Yes, I feel if the county weren’t so expensive, there would probably have been a private school exodus years ago.

Anonymous wrote:It could be much better. Will it ever be 100% for everyone. Obviously no.

+1

Anonymous wrote:No. My kids are 20 and 15 and have been in MCPS since K.

I am very unhappy with the English curriculum, because it's frankly abysmal, but the STEM is great, and better than in any DC area private school.

Stem depends on the school.

Yes, the falloff is that bad.