^^^and I can think of a lot of ways to get children interested in learning for its own sake, that aren't "all day foreign language school program on the weekends that are really "day long courses in math, writing, and other subjects using the child's native language".

(Plus, "the child's native language"? It seems to me that "the parent's native language" would be more accurate, in most cases.)

This post is offensive. It is the child's native language and retaining cultural heritage or being able to converse with extended family members is very important to many first generation families. Americans are short sighted toward the need to be bi-lingual.

These school programs offer challenging work not found in the schools and children feel pride when they accomplish something after working for it. Children do not respect skating by or doing nothing in school.

We do outside math classes because the math in school is so easy. I have a math background so I can tell what idea or concept MCPS is "trying" to present on their worksheets but has fucked up. Its highly amusing but they really miss the point almost each and every time. Math in MCPS is instruction following, the kids are not walking away with deeper understanding. We tutor so the kids gain real deeper understanding and take rigorous tests to demonstrate that they have deeper understanding.

My kid is in algebra 2.0. Doing fine...doesn't even ask for parent help. No thought of tutoring. I am guessing some of the kids struggling in algebra as still suffering from the failures of the old math system. Algebra is a time when struggles begin. I know people who tutor for reading delays but no one for math. We had a HGC kid and am not aware of any tutoring from that crowd either.

^^^and I can think of a lot of ways to get children interested in learning for its own sake, that aren't "all day foreign language school program on the weekends that are really "day long courses in math, writing, and other subjects using the child's native language".

(Plus, "the child's native language"? It seems to me that "the parent's native language" would be more accurate, in most cases.)

Anonymous wrote:

Its expensive and time consuming but the MCPS curriculum is so bad that you really have no choice.

Either that, or you live in an area where people are very, very worried about their children getting outcompeted by other people's children.

No, its not about competing with other local kids at all. Parents who spend a lot of time on academics and supplementing aren't even sharing specifics of what level their kid is doing or what score they received on outside testing. They aren't like the parents at the soccer sidelines. Its very much an individualized approach to make sure that your child gets the best education and works to their potential. It is about long term competition. Parents know that if other school systems are better preparing kids then their children will later on not have the same advantages.

Its also about emphasizing that achievement in academics is worthwhile. I saw my kids thrive and be very proud of their academic accomplishments in Montessori. I also saw them be bored in MCPS, learn hardly anything and worse begin to think that school was stupid and a waste of time. If MCPS is their only exposure to academic learning, they will grow believing academic don't matter, its not challenging and its nothing to have pride in or strive to do your best.

In other words, it actually is about being worried that your child will get outcompeted by other people's children.

I have friends with kids in middle school and they all said that 2.0 Algebra was a mess this year. The teachers were really struggling to figure out what they were supposed to do and the kids were lost, even kids who are great at math. They did get tutors but not to decipher 2.0, just to make sure their kids actually ended learning Algebra.

Anonymous wrote:DD will be in HGC next year. She's had 2.0 all years and most kids in our school do tutoring but don't call it tutoring.

I don't anyone who is paying a MCPS teacher to tutor or tutoring for 2.0. Everyone is simply ignoring 2.0 and getting tutoring beyond what 2.0 offers, which isn't much. At our school its very common for kids to be in an all day foreign language school program on the weekends. These programs in Chinese, Korean, and other languages aren't foreign language instruction but day long courses in math, writing, and other subjects using the child's native language. Most people do Singapore, Kumon, IXL, Mathnasium, or some other type of math program at home too.

Its expensive and time consuming but the MCPS curriculum is so bad that you really have no choice.

Another HGC parent here, and I'm not sure how you are coming to the conclusion that "most families" do these day-long language programs or that "most people" do math programs at home. Yes, I'm sure some do. But we--and the kids I know going to the HGC from our home school--do not.

"OP, do you live in Bethesda/Potomac? Bethesda/Potomac is not representative of the rest of the county."

PP unaware of tutoring other than for reading here-- I live in Bethesda.

Its expensive and time consuming but the MCPS curriculum is so bad that you really have no choice.

Either that, or you live in an area where people are very, very worried about their children getting outcompeted by other people's children.

No, its not about competing with other local kids at all. Parents who spend a lot of time on academics and supplementing aren't even sharing specifics of what level their kid is doing or what score they received on outside testing. They aren't like the parents at the soccer sidelines. Its very much an individualized approach to make sure that your child gets the best education and works to their potential. It is about long term competition. Parents know that if other school systems are better preparing kids then their children will later on not have the same advantages.

Its also about emphasizing that achievement in academics is worthwhile. I saw my kids thrive and be very proud of their academic accomplishments in Montessori. I also saw them be bored in MCPS, learn hardly anything and worse begin to think that school was stupid and a waste of time. If MCPS is their only exposure to academic learning, they will grow believing academic don't matter, its not challenging and its nothing to have pride in or strive to do your best.

Anonymous wrote:DD will be in HGC next year. She's had 2.0 all years and most kids in our school do tutoring but don't call it tutoring.

I don't anyone who is paying a MCPS teacher to tutor or tutoring for 2.0. Everyone is simply ignoring 2.0 and getting tutoring beyond what 2.0 offers, which isn't much. At our school its very common for kids to be in an all day foreign language school program on the weekends. These programs in Chinese, Korean, and other languages aren't foreign language instruction but day long courses in math, writing, and other subjects using the child's native language. Most people do Singapore, Kumon, IXL, Mathnasium, or some other type of math program at home too.

Its expensive and time consuming but the MCPS curriculum is so bad that you really have no choice.

Either that, or you live in an area where people are very, very worried about their children getting outcompeted by other people's children.

I agree. I googled a few terms but that does not make me think of hiring a tutor. I guess if you have very little time...but my kids don't need much assistance in math. Maybe the tutoring is to ensure an A every time? Maybe they need a slower paced class..though it is sort of confusing that there are so many posts about math being too easy. If you are tutoring to get ahead, that is just a personal decision.

DD will be in HGC next year. She's had 2.0 all years and most kids in our school do tutoring but don't call it tutoring.

I don't anyone who is paying a MCPS teacher to tutor or tutoring for 2.0. Everyone is simply ignoring 2.0 and getting tutoring beyond what 2.0 offers, which isn't much. At our school its very common for kids to be in an all day foreign language school program on the weekends. These programs in Chinese, Korean, and other languages aren't foreign language instruction but day long courses in math, writing, and other subjects using the child's native language. Most people do Singapore, Kumon, IXL, Mathnasium, or some other type of math program at home too.

Its expensive and time consuming but the MCPS curriculum is so bad that you really have no choice.

I am not against tutoring, but haven't seen a need for a tutor yet with kids in hgc and middle school magnet. Yes, there are times where I don't recognize a method for solving a math problem, but it can be figured out by doing an internet search or having kids pick up the phone and call a classmate.

Another HGC family who never even considered a tutor or heard anyone talk about a tutor (except for LDs).

Note to self... become a tutor.