Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know MCPS was one of the best school systems in the country. But, I can't deny the fact that we are in serious decline with no end in sight.

What do you base this on?

Just my own personal observations. I have had kids in MCPS since 1996 when my oldest started K. My youngest is now about to graduate HS. So, I've been following MCPS education matters almost 20 years. There were times when no other counties in MD came close to MCPS.

So, what was so great about MCPS back in the 90's/early 2000's? I'm new to MoCo.

I feel like there's a few people on this forum that have it in for MCPS and just post over and over trying to make it sound like they are a bad school district. Is this a disgruntled former employee? It seems sort of Charlie Sheen-esque. Please let's leave this forum for real questions and constructive discussion of the questions facing parents in this district.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are trying to compare it with more affluent areas, then yes, it can't compete because there are lots of people that are low income in MCPS, and higher test scores usually = higher SES.

A good way to gauge how good the schools are is to look at the scores of the FARMS kids. This will tell you how effective the teachers are. Also, look at the types of programs that the schools offer.

I come from the SF Bay Area. There are school districts there that have really high test scores, but a lot of those schools are high SES and some are over 50% Asian. The school districts have huge budget shortfalls and very little in programs that they offer, and parents shell out $ for extras like music, art and library. In CA, most of the budget for schools is controlled at the state level.

So, MCPS, while not the "best" district in the country, is still one of the better ones.

I am not ASIAN, but I detest that stereotype. Being of some Asian decent does not make you a genius. Asia is a big continent, lots countries and cultures. UGH.....
Just because you think it is a positive stereotype, does not mean it is NOT a stereotype, JUST.STOP. It's dehumanizing and lazy and stupid.

I'm the PP, and I'm Asian. Sorry if that stereotype bothers you so much, but in general, yes, where you have a huge Asian population, the schools generally have a higher test score. I can name you at least 5 of such HS in MD and CA where this is true. In MCPS, that would be Wootton. In almost every MCPS HS, if you look at the test scores broken down by race, Asians usually test very high. Stereotypes come from somewhere, not just thin air.

I like it
Works for us
I do not care how it is 'touted'
I do not base my expectations or life on comparisons
I prefer personal experience

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know MCPS was one of the best school systems in the country. But, I can't deny the fact that we are in serious decline with no end in sight.

What do you base this on?

Just my own personal observations. I have had kids in MCPS since 1996 when my oldest started K. My youngest is now about to graduate HS. So, I've been following MCPS education matters almost 20 years. There were times when no other counties in MD came close to MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:If you are trying to compare it with more affluent areas, then yes, it can't compete because there are lots of people that are low income in MCPS, and higher test scores usually = higher SES.

A good way to gauge how good the schools are is to look at the scores of the FARMS kids. This will tell you how effective the teachers are. Also, look at the types of programs that the schools offer.

I come from the SF Bay Area. There are school districts there that have really high test scores, but a lot of those schools are high SES and some are over 50% Asian. The school districts have huge budget shortfalls and very little in programs that they offer, and parents shell out $ for extras like music, art and library. In CA, most of the budget for schools is controlled at the state level.

So, MCPS, while not the "best" district in the country, is still one of the better ones.

I am not ASIAN, but I detest that stereotype. Being of some Asian decent does not make you a genius. Asia is a big continent, lots countries and cultures. UGH.....
Just because you think it is a positive stereotype, does not mean it is NOT a stereotype, JUST.STOP. It's dehumanizing and lazy and stupid.

Anonymous wrote:As a military family we have been to many school districts and I can tell you a thousand times over, MCPS is not one of the best districts in the country. Not even in the state. I am not sure who thinks that besides a few W schools and high IB grades but it is not.

Which school districts in Maryland do you have personal experience with?

Which of the school districts that you have personal experience with did you think was the best, and why?

Anonymous wrote:As a military family we have been to many school districts and I can tell you a thousand times over, MCPS is not one of the best districts in the country. Not even in the state. I am not sure who thinks that besides a few W schools and high IB grades but it is not.

So, what school districts that you've been to do you think is better, and why?

As a military family we have been to many school districts and I can tell you a thousand times over, MCPS is not one of the best districts in the country. Not even in the state. I am not sure who thinks that besides a few W schools and high IB grades but it is not.

Ok, OP. Done!

Anonymous wrote:I know MCPS was one of the best school systems in the country. But, I can't deny the fact that we are in serious decline with no end in sight.

What do you base this on?

I know MCPS was one of the best school systems in the country. But, I can't deny the fact that we are in serious decline with no end in sight.

For better or worse, people choose where to move based on rankings. Close in areas are more immune but the suburbs make up the majority of the county are not helped by declining rankings. When MCPS was ranking high it attracted not only affluent buyers but immigrants with higher education and middle class highly educated families. DC is unique in having a concentration of very smart individuals that make 100K-200K. They can afford to choose where to live but can't afford private school for multiple kids. The area is congested enough that the houses will still sell but to a different demographic that isn't bringing in the highest test scores.

MCPS culture is pretty bad at assuming they can do anything because the scores are high in four Ws. Starr's argument for not assessing teachers with test scores was that MCPS is the best ranked system in the county. It didn't fly anymore than Starr trying to claim a waiver for all snow days because more instruction wasn't needed as MCPS is so great. These arguments were politically stupid and ended up with MCPS having egg on its face. In the end the teachers are the ones that lost out. They're reflective of the arrogance that riding on past high test scores while free falling into decline can bring.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yawn. You like Howard County. Fine. MCPS is still one of the best large districts in the country. Howard is a fine district, probably the best in the great Baltimore area. Enjoy.

NP here. So MCPS is one the best in county and HCPS are the best in just the Baltimore area? yeah, okay then.

meant country but I have to laugh because it could totally mean best in their own county.

Anonymous wrote:Yawn. You like Howard County. Fine. MCPS is still one of the best large districts in the country. Howard is a fine district, probably the best in the great Baltimore area. Enjoy.

NP here. So MCPS is one the best in county and HCPS are the best in just the Baltimore area? yeah, okay then.