Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would twice as many kids apply? I am surprised by that. My DD knows very few kids who applied.

More importantly - isn't it wonderful that more kids have applied? That finally more kids have been informed and excited about the participation in the programs? More kids from lower income brackets responded? That more parents who can not afford private schools can enjoy the benefits?

You should celebrate not dwell on searching for some negatives. Everyone should apply as many kids have so much potential and never try for programs that they would thrive in. Lots of economically disadvantaged kids have brilliant minds and were lost in the process and now they are not. Do you have problem with that?

What in earth are you harping about? No or. Said anything about income brackets or private schools or brilliant disadvantaged kids.

Besides, if you were a brilliant disadvantaged poor minority kid you’d already be at SFS or GdS on full grant.

Anonymous wrote:What's up with the buses? Why do some high schools have bus service to the testing site?

It’s racist not to do that for high FARM, ESOL or URM schools. Everyone else can figure it out and pay for themselves to get there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would twice as many kids apply? I am surprised by that. My DD knows very few kids who applied.

More importantly - isn't it wonderful that more kids have applied? That finally more kids have been informed and excited about the participation in the programs? More kids from lower income brackets responded? That more parents who can not afford private schools can enjoy the benefits?

You should celebrate not dwell on searching for some negatives. Everyone should apply as many kids have so much potential and never try for programs that they would thrive in. Lots of economically disadvantaged kids have brilliant minds and were lost in the process and now they are not. Do you have problem with that?

Lots of kids applying and universal testing is a great thing. You are right, how can anyone know if these kids are brilliant or not? However, if for 10 magnet seats, 100 students apply and 50 qualify, then MCPS needs to do one of the two things - either expand the program to take in 40 more students, or, have a second more rigorous test for the 50 qualified students and take the top 10.

Take the best kids and don't worry about their race or SES. How about taking the kids based on their performance and academic merit? Oh, and how about giving all students who cannot afford it, a voucher to get "coached" by A-Plus and Dr. Li? It seems that these Asian cram centers do a better job than MCPS in educating and preparing students, right? Why waste money hiring consultants who come up with stupid ideas when you can take the same money and prep URM, FARMS and even middle class students through these tutoring companies?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Were we supposed to get an email telling us where our testing location is, and the date/time confirmation of the test, etc? My son submitted the form, but we haven't gotten an email about the test... Thanks.

My DC's school sent an email that MCPS received twice as many applications for the HS Magnets as compared to prior years and as a result, was having to increase the number of locations and times for testing. The email said we should receive an email with more details by 12/1.

We didn’t get this email.does that mean our site didn’t change?

Yes a 30 minute essay. They don’t tell the students the topic in advance.

Does anyone know if candidates have to write an essay as part of the test? Is the topic known?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did MCPS do differently to increase the number of students applying? I didn't notice much difference from previous years.

They have added 3 regional IB magnets and have new application programs at Seneca Valley High School this year. They are allowing smaller local programs to offers a small number of seats (25-50) to students in the region (e.g. Gaithersburg HS Biomed PLTW, Magruder HS Aviation), began last year. They have also consolidated and advertised the application process better this year. All of these things mean that students now have better access to more programs than before, and thus the increase in applications.

The application process was actually terribly confusing this year.

Anonymous wrote:Asking about the Cap program and being told there's an emphasis on reading from diverse authors...

And then seeing that 80% of the cap program is pretty darn blonde does seem to indicate that a wider net should be cast.

There aren’t that many blondes that I can think of.

Anonymous wrote:Were we supposed to get an email telling us where our testing location is, and the date/time confirmation of the test, etc? My son submitted the form, but we haven't gotten an email about the test... Thanks.

Testing is racist.

Anonymous wrote:Wasn’t the test supposed to be Dec 1? Why was it moved to a week later? We made other plans that week.

Dec 1 is a Sunday, and part of Thanksgiving weekend. Dec 7 is the first Saturday.

Wasn’t the test supposed to be Dec 1? Why was it moved to a week later? We made other plans that week.

Anonymous wrote:What did MCPS do differently to increase the number of students applying? I didn't notice much difference from previous years.

They have added 3 regional IB magnets and have new application programs at Seneca Valley High School this year. They are allowing smaller local programs to offers a small number of seats (25-50) to students in the region (e.g. Gaithersburg HS Biomed PLTW, Magruder HS Aviation), began last year. They have also consolidated and advertised the application process better this year. All of these things mean that students now have better access to more programs than before, and thus the increase in applications.

Asking about the Cap program and being told there's an emphasis on reading from diverse authors...

And then seeing that 80% of the cap program is pretty darn blonde does seem to indicate that a wider net should be cast.

They had a bus from many of the Upcounty high schools to testing at Poolesville in previous years because there is no public transportation on the weekends.

What did MCPS do differently to increase the number of students applying? I didn't notice much difference from previous years.