Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 19:28     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
It's not parents with connections! It's kids who are smarter than average and work harder than most. Most magnet kids at Blair took Algebra 1 in 6th grade. In 9th grade they take the whole year of Physics in 1 semester and the whole year of Chem in 1 semester, most kids can't do that or don't want to do that. The program at Blair, RM and Poolesville are open to everyone - you have to test in and do the Application (which is a bit like a college application).
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 19:27     Subject: Re:Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
I though 1oster said.... analysis magnet math class.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 19:26     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Any evidence that "magnet kids don't take AP Math/Sci/comp Sci as their classes are HIGHER than AP?" Any data to show magnet classes are higher than AP?
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 19:25     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Link doesn't work
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 19:24     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Anonymous wrote:FYI- magnet kids don't take AP Math/Sci/comp Sci as their classes are HIGHER than AP. They can take the AP exams because the tests are easy after the harder classes they've had. Most DO take AP English, History, etc.... Same thing w/ RM. Kids take their IB classes and then just take the AP exam.


FYI-the poster said his/her child was in a magnet class AP Cal based on the counselor's recommendation. AP Cal is not a magnet class.

Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 19:22     Subject: Re:Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Anonymous wrote:Then that level if classes should be available to all high school kids - not just Blair home school kids.


Agreed! If the magnet courses are being made available to some kids it must be made available to all kids. In other words, magnet courses must be a well advertised choice for all kids. Not for just some kids who have parents with connections.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 19:22     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
FYI- magnet kids don't take AP Math/Sci/comp Sci as their classes are HIGHER than AP. They can take the AP exams because the tests are easy after the harder classes they've had. Most DO take AP English, History, etc.... Same thing w/ RM. Kids take their IB classes and then just take the AP exam.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 19:03     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Kids are pushed into AP classes so that Blair can look good on the stupid WaPo Challenge Index. Blair made #50.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 19:00     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My DC started at Blair at the beginning of this semester as a 10th grader, it is our home school. DC is bright and she has two classes with mostly students from the magnet program because she can handle the course and speed. DC says that in the short time she has been there that the magnet kids love it when non magnet kids take a science course or math course. Seems like magnet and nonmagnet students enjoy each other.I do not understand the thread. Explain.


This has nothing to do about nonmagnet and magnet students enjoying each other. How was it determined that your DD would fit into a magnet class? What was the criteria and who made the determination? Why can't other parents be aware of this option?


MY 10th grader takes AP Cal, placed by the counselor because of test grades and knowledge and motivation. Enjoying each other means sharing academic ideas and new ways of thinking. DC, being a girl, says the 'mags' are pushed really hard - mostly by parents. But, they are smart kids that she respects. She knows these are future leaders and researchers. DC would not enjoy any of the computer science classes they take but glad they have the math that fit her needs. Everyone benefits from being able to take these classes- my DC wants to be a math teacher.


FYI-AP Cal is not a magnet course. It is an AP course.

Oh, the insanity!
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 18:53     Subject: Re:Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Then that level if classes should be available to all high school kids - not just Blair home school kids.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 18:53     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Who cares? If a non-magnet kid is capable of hanging in those super-advanced magnet courses, all the power to them. They'd be lucky to have the option at Blair and not have to go to MC as advanced kids at other schools do.


Sure, who cares? If anyone wants to take a class in the highly competitive magnet program let them. Just make sure that the world knows that is the case.


I doubt that the world cares whether or not non-magnet kids at Blair are allowed to take magnet classes.



Parents who bus their kids from across the county to a program that they assume maintains certain standards have a right to know. Anyway, if this is above board and approved by MCPS why not make the practice public?


If the non-magnet child can handle the coursework, then the standards are being maintained. Doesn't make your kid less special.


How can you conclude that "If the non-magnet child can handle the coursework, then the standards are being maintained?" That just doesn't make any sense.

Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 18:47     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Who cares? If a non-magnet kid is capable of hanging in those super-advanced magnet courses, all the power to them. They'd be lucky to have the option at Blair and not have to go to MC as advanced kids at other schools do.


Sure, who cares? If anyone wants to take a class in the highly competitive magnet program let them. Just make sure that the world knows that is the case.


I doubt that the world cares whether or not non-magnet kids at Blair are allowed to take magnet classes.



Parents who bus their kids from across the county to a program that they assume maintains certain standards have a right to know. Anyway, if this is above board and approved by MCPS why not make the practice public?


If the non-magnet child can handle the coursework, then the standards are being maintained. Doesn't make your kid less special.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 18:41     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Reality check courtesy the County Council: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OLO/Resources/Files/OLO%20Report%202014-7%20Final.pdf.

NEC and DCC schools don't measure up to the rest of the county.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 13:11     Subject: Re:Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Right but she's not involved in the whole program, just one class. What the hell is the big deal?
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2014 12:55     Subject: Is the Blair magnet being assimilated with the rest of the school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My DC started at Blair at the beginning of this semester as a 10th grader, it is our home school. DC is bright and she has two classes with mostly students from the magnet program because she can handle the course and speed. DC says that in the short time she has been there that the magnet kids love it when non magnet kids take a science course or math course. Seems like magnet and nonmagnet students enjoy each other.I do not understand the thread. Explain.


This has nothing to do about nonmagnet and magnet students enjoying each other. How was it determined that your DD would fit into a magnet class? What was the criteria and who made the determination? Why can't other parents be aware of this option?


MY 10th grader takes AP Cal, placed by the counselor because of test grades and knowledge and motivation. Enjoying each other means sharing academic ideas and new ways of thinking. DC, being a girl, says the 'mags' are pushed really hard - mostly by parents. But, they are smart kids that she respects. She knows these are future leaders and researchers. DC would not enjoy any of the computer science classes they take but glad they have the math that fit her needs. Everyone benefits from being able to take these classes- my DC wants to be a math teacher.


BTW, I did not know or ask for DD to be in the analysis magnet math class. It was her placement. Like I said, this is her home school. But is nice to know that a regular student has access to the class. Is this program so prestigious that only the 100 students are qualified? And, as a parent, I asked them to simply put her in challenging classes. Again, is the issue that parents did not know regular students could take these classes?


My guess is that for the magnet kids, they come from all over the county and they worked hard to specifically test into the magnet program, whereas for your DD, she got access to a class at a level that might not be offered at other home schools - some people may not think that is "fair"